Scattered Happenings

Chapter Fifteen

"Ow." I landed on my back.
"That's what I fell from?" Up above it looked like a giant circle.
"How could I have not seen that!"
While looking around I sat up.
On the side of this...hole thing there was a very long rope ladder.
"Well that could've been helpful."
The glowing rope ladder gleamed even closer when I got to it.
"I don't think it's telling me to use it to get out...How can I set it up from all the way down here?"
In the center of the room I fell in there was another hole.
"No way."
I set up the rope ladder over that hole hoping it wasn't what I thought it was. The rope ladder stopped glowing when it was set up.
"Aw man."
Before I went down, I wanted to look around to see if I could find some kind of light source. Just then, the rope ladder began to glow as it street lights were attached to it.
I breathed in deep. "Okay." And went down.
It wasn't long till I reached the bottom.
This hole wasn't as big as the one above, I started going around feeling the walls. Maybe there was a secret passageway or something.
I almost gave up and walked over to the rope ladder, and then I saw between on of the ladder steps I saw 5 holes that looked like buttons.
I went over and I tried to press them but they were complete stone.
I gasped! "Of course!"
And pulled out the flute from my satchel. It was just as I figured, this flute had the same number of holes as the wall did.
I played the little tune of 5 notes in a specific order, and when I hit the last note the wall with the holes in it split from the rest of the wall and rose up.
The flute disappeared.
"Guess I won't need that anymore."

The end of the path made me realize I was at the other side of the gate where the statues were.
My mouth hung open for a second, then I shrugged.
"I could've saved so much time if I would have figured out a way to get through the gates. Then again, I didn't realize it was so important to get to this side." And I really didn't know how important until I spotted a blue Chinese lantern hanging above a glass case that was empty.
The lantern glowed so I knew I had to get it, but what was missing from this box?
Shaking my head, I brought down the lantern and began to walk away. I stopped in my tracks when I heard whirring behind me and turned around to see that the box was glowing rapidly.
"There is no way I'm carrying that thing!"
Just then, the glass box stopped it's glowing.
"Huh?" I tilted my head.
Before another second went by, I was blinded by a white gleaming light.
I was back in my aunt and uncle's bedroom. Gasping for air, quickly I checked to see if I was still holding onto the lantern.
My hands were still holding onto the blue lantern tightly. Still breathing heavily, I looked back up and knew that I had to tell Uncle Henry about this...So I ran out of the bedroom.
"Uncle Henry? Aunt Sally?" I searched all over the apparent, nut they weren't around.
"How can they not be home yet?" Slowly I flopped onto the couch. My head laid all the way back as I closed my eyes and tried to relax.
So that settles that question, there are more books like Hawthorne Castle Uncle Henry has kept.
Suddenly, I heard the front door open.
With much excitement I jumped up from the couch. 
"Oh! I am so glad you guys are home!"
"What's wrong sweetie? You looked extremely tired." Aunt Sally asked.
"I...uh..."
Uncle Henry spotted the lantern.
"Mia, did you go... anywhere while we were out?" He asked.
I fought my mind and told the truth. Something feels too big here to keep quiet about it.
"Yes. I am so sorry but I was curious to see if you had anymore books like Hawthorne Castle and I know I said I was going to stay away from everything you said but I..." I ran out of breath and Uncle Henry said, "Well, it seems there's a lot to do. I was hoping this day never had to come but now we have no choice."
"Henry..." Aunt Sally's voice shook trying to get him to not go any further.
"No choice for what?" I asked.
"I'll explain on the way, we need to move. Now!"
Uncle Henry started packing and moving things. He's never been so loud before.
Aunt Sally came behind me and just gave me a big hug.
"I know things aren't making sense now, but soon enough you'll understand."
Now, I was beginning to get terrified.
I couldn't find any words, I just hugged Aunt Sally right back.
Uncle Henry left his room with a lot of stuff which soon I saw him put it all into one bag that...shrunk everything? How could all of that fit in a duffel bag? I mean, Uncle Henry put his desk in there!
"Girls! We need to move! Come on!" Uncle Henry was rushing us, getting us to pack so much.
"Henry, you know she isn't ready!" Aunt Sally became more angry.
"What choice do we have Salina? First, it was our worlds that bared that curse Morris put on us. And now the whole galaxy may be hanging in the balance!"
"She's still a child Henry!" Aunt Sally fought back.
"I have a lot of faith in our girl. She's very clever." Uncle Henry brought out two more duffel bags like his and Aunt Sally sighed in defeat.
I remember sitting behind my bedroom trying to grasp all that was happening.
Soon the sun began to set and Uncle Henry led us down stairs to the car. He stacked the three duffel bags on top of each other and without a word, got in the driver's seat.