The Fifth Realm

The Key

ᏟᎻᎪᏢᎢᎬᎡ 1

It all started when the final bell rang. All I was thinking about was going home and taking a nap since it had been a long day, but first I had to survive the bus ride back.

When I got home I threw my school bag on the soft, navy sofa. I was greeted happily by my dog, Sammy. I decided to take that nap I had planned after saying my hellos along with a belly rub for her.

I was woken up by the high pitched whining of my dog, hinting that she wanted to go outside. After I took my dog out, I decided to go exploring in the woods behind my house.

The woods were green as if spring had just arrived seconds ago. At first I noticed how quiet and peaceful my surroundings were.

When I was about half an hour in of walking, I saw in the distance a glistening object. I slowly walked towards it, uncertain of what it would be but it felt like there was this invisible force pulling me towards it.

As I got closer I could tell the object was a key. When I took a closer examination of it, I began to grow more curious.

After I had studied the keys details, I found myself looking around as I asked myself, Where did this come from?

I had wandered through the woods for another hour or so before deciding to go home since I knew my mom would be worried sick about me.

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When I got home I yelled, "I'm home", and ran upstairs to my room before my mom could start her four day long lectures again.

My mom ran upstairs and I could tell she was mad about my decision. When she made it up to my room she started yelling again.

"Luna where have you been?! You had me worried sick!" I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell her about the key yet, so when I responded I chose my words carefully.

" I was taking a stroll in the woods in the back." I told her, her expression after that was one I hadn't seen her make. When she escaped her trance she told me and I was shocked by her words.

"I don't want you going in the woods, got it?"

"Why would you say that?"I responded, slamming my door shut in front of her before she could speak again.

That night I ate dinner in my bedroom. It was themed in a turquoise color and filled with my favorite books and movies.

I have pictures of me and my friends with a backgrounds of sunsets and a flat screen TV that I got for my birthday.

I spent most of my time in there since when I'm in my room I feel like I'm escaping life, every time I leave it feels like I just got punched in the stomach by reality and responsibilities. It's my sanctuary.

I woke up Saturday morning with more questions than I had thought I would about that mystery key. When I looked at it in the woods I noticed that it resembled a tree.

The key was made of wood and what looked like leaves. It also had a silver lining. At first you would think it was an arts and crafts project, but my main question was, who's was it? I had a lot of other questions though.

Where does it go to? Why did I find it in the woods? What am I supposed to do with it? I wanted answers, and I wanted them bad.

So, I decided how I would get them, to go back into the woods tonight when my mom wasn't paying any attention.

Later that night I packed a bag before I left. I got a flashlight, hoodie, the key, and, of course, snacks. Since my room was on the second floor I went out the back door.

When I opened the door I felt cold wind brush against my skin and body, it felt like I was covered in ice. I opened the gate of my backyard quietly, and I started running for the woods, my every step echoing around me as the grass below me swayed back and forth.