The Secret

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

A blond haired girl stepped off the school bus. She walked a little ways down the sidewalk and turned around. For some reason she had the feeling she was being watched. This had happened several times this month. She shrugged and continued down the street. When she got to a two story brown house, she turned and went up the driveway.

She looked back one more time before going inside. "Mom! I'm home!" She shouted. A woman came into the hallway, a pile of mail in her hands. "Oh good Dotti! How was your day? Oh look! We got a letter from one of my great aunts!" Dotti moved to her mom's side. "Really? Which one?" She asked. "Aunt Camilla. Open it will you, and see what it's about?"

Dotti took the letter and tore it open. She scanned through it. "It looks like she wants is to meet her for 'tea' tomorrow. Why so formal though? Couldn't she have just called? And doesn't she live in Alabama?" Her mom, Elizabeth, looked up from another letter.

"Tea? Really? Does it say where?" Dotti handed her the invitation. "Hmm. Well Dotti, it looks like we'll be going to town on Friday to have tea with your great great aunt Camilla!" Dotti groaned. "Does this mean I have to wear a dress?" Her mom smiled. "No Dot. Now how 'bout you go change? I'm going to make raviolis later for dinner."

Dotti grinned and ran upstairs to change. She threw her backpack on her bed. BING! Her phone went off. "hey u coming bowling 2morrow?" The text message read. It was from Dotti's friend Suzie. "no we're to have 'tea' with my aunt 2morrow," she quickly typed back.

"seriously? tea?"

"ya"

"but u can still come right? i mean 'tea' is after lunch bowling isn't till 8"

"ya but u'v never been 2 tea with 1 of my aunts"

"meaning?"

"it'll prob last till 10 at least"

"aww!"

"ikr"

"hey i g2g go sorry : ( ttyl Dot"

"c'ya" Dotti shut off her phone and grabbed her homework out of her backpack. She ran downstairs and dropped her books on the couch in the living room. She sat down next to them and for the next hour that's what she did. When it was done she turned on the TV. "Dott! Chores first!" Her mom called from the kitchen. "Ugh!" Dotti exclaimed but shut off the TV and moved to get the sweeper.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Knowing exactly who it was, Dotti swung open the door saying, "Hi Dad!" Her dad grinned. "Hey Dot! How'd school go today?" Dotti chatted with her dad for awhile and then went back for the sweeper. By the time she was finished with her chores it was dinner time. The rest of the night flew by like normal. Ate, sat around chatting, games maybe, go to bed.

After school the next day, Dotti's mom picked her up from school and they went to town. They went into a restaurant called Dessert Café to meet with Dotti's great great aunt Camilla. When they got in they were led to a private table in the corner of the Café.

"Oh there you are Elizabeth! This simply can't be Dotti, can it? Oh you're so grown up child!" The voice was said with an extremely thick british accent, which surprised Dotti. Elizabeth nodded. "Hello Aunt Camilla! Yes this is Dotti. So much bigger than the last time you saw her! How are you doing?"

Dotti and her mom sat down as she said that. "Oh wonderful dear! But that's not what we're here to talk about," Aunt Camilla said. "Well go on then please." Dotti's mom urged. They were momentarily disturbed by a waiter. By the time her left Aunt Camilla was more than anxious to continue.

"Well dears, I need your full attention. I'm not sure if you're going to believe me or not, but there's really nothing you can do. The decision has already been made." Dotti and Elizabeth's faces told her they were waiting. "Well, I'm not sure how to say this so I'll just start from the beginning. Years ago, when people believed dragons existed, our first ancestors met. Seven sisters. Those seven sisters took the last dragon and put it in a secret place. They were the dragons protectors. Every generation, seven kids from this family, the seven sisters' descendants, are chosen to be the new protectors.

"You should know that dragons can live thousands of years. Well, its time to choose new protectors. Many of the children in our family have been watched closely for the job. Only a few were favored though. The present protectors have met and chosen the final seven. The decision cannot be reversed. The chosen seven have special talents that are used in protecting the dragon. You, Dotti, are one of those seven."

When she was done talking, Dotti slumped back in her chair. Was Aunt Camilla crazy? She was sure that her mom thought Aunt Camilla to be delirious, but, she, for some reason, felt she should believed her. Her mom, on the other hand, did not. "She what? Ok, look Aunt Camilla, are you all right? Do you need help or something?" Aunt Camilla ignored her though, seeing that Dotti believed her. "Dotti," she said. "We have called the seven to meet tonight." She handed her a piece of paper. "Be there or your destiny is destroyed." Dotti's mom was now completely freaked out.

She grabbed her daughter's arm and dragged her out of the restaurant. "Dotti, you are not to leave the house unless it's for school," she said. "What?! Mom! You can't be serious!" Dotti protested. She saw that her mom was completely serious. They drove back in silence. When they got home Dotti ran upstairs and slammed the door of her room.

She jumped onto her bed and stared at the words on the slip of paper Aunt Camilla had given her. Unfolding it she gazed at the words for a long time. West of the farmer's market. What would be there? Dotti made up her mind. It doesn't matter, I'm going there, tonight.

9 PM that night

Dotti slowly opened her bedroom door and peaked out. Clear. Well, at least up here. She knew that her mom was probably telling her dad what Aunt Camilla had said in the living room. Not such an easy escape. She'd have to be quick if she wanted to get out the back door. The front door was out of the question. You have a clear view of it from the living room.

She'd thought about going through her window but it was too far from the ground. So Dotti snuck down the hall and quietly down the steps. Every creak in the floor was avoided, the places being well known. But as she got to the kitchen, she heard voices. She got as close as she dared and pressed against the wall to listen.

"You've never heard anything about this have you?" Her mom asked. Dotti couldn't hear her dad's response. "I mean really! Dragons? What makes her think she can come in and say that she's taking Dotti away to protect a dragon of all things!" Dotti tried to quiet her breath. To her it was the loudest thing on Earth.

"I think she's finally gone crazy!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Dotti almost gasped. Her mom must really be upset for her to talk like that of one of her favorite aunts! After her parents finally moved into the living room again Dotti waited about five minutes and stealthily crossed the room and opened the back door. Almost there!

She heard someone heading back in and quickly slipped out the door. She breathed. I got this far. No turning back now.