Week 2: Through the Door
Ashley wasn’t sure what to do so she sat down looked at Chris. “What are you doing in my realm if you can have whatever you want in yours?” Ashley said, breaking the silence.
“I came to find someone who could help me.” Chris looked up at her with big eyes.
“Help you with what?” Ashley said.
“I’m trying to save our realms.” Chris responded, hoping that Ashley would offer to help.
“From what?” Ashley sounded irritated.
“From my world destroying both of them!” Chris, for the first time, was annoyed with Ashley. He started to wonder whether Ashley was suited to join him on his quest. He wondered if anyone on Earth would even be interested. ‘Haven’t you noticed your planet deteriorating!’ he screamed inside his head however he proceeded with patience.“Everyone from my planet keeps on creating good and nice things which means slowly your planet is getting worse and worse. Eventually Earth will be uninhabitable.” Chris was looking very serious.
“Will you help me?”
Ashley’s eyes widened. “I think I need a minute.” She walked slowly away past the door and into the dense forest, then sat against an old oak tree and thought.
“If I go, my parents will come looking for me and find the door, but if I don’t, then the entire world will be destroyed along with Chris’s realm.” She knew she didn’t really have a choice, either way
something bad would happen. “Maybe”, she thought hopefully. “Maybe they won’t bother opening the door.” She had made her decision. She would go with Chris to help him save their worlds.
Slowly walking back to Chris, she wondered if she would ever return from his realm.
“Why would your planet be destroyed as well as Earth?” Ashley asked as she sat down.
“Well, the people of my planet don’t actually know that Earth exists and if they find out they will prioritise Earth and start destroying every thing they have ever created, which will reverse the effects, making Earth once more a beautiful place”, Chris said before catching his breath.
“How do you know?”Ashley replied.
“They always prioritise everyone else no matter what. We’re empaths.”
The light of the moon shone on the old door. “Are you ready?” Chris asked as he stood up.
“Yes.” Ashley also stood up and walked nervously towards the door. Chris pulled a key from out of his pocket and suck it in a rusty keyhole. The door slowly creaked open revealing a pitch black room.
“Follow me”, Chris said as he entered the room. Ashley did what he said and was soon eveloped in complete darkness. The only thing they cloud see was each other. They walked and walked until Ashley could see a faint brown speck in the far distance.
“What’s that?” She asked Chris, who was a couple of metres ahead.
“That is the door to my world!” He started to run.
“Wait for me!” Ashley yelled.
Before them stood an old overgrown wooden door. “This is it.” Chris said to Ashley as she caught up. He pulled out another key from his jumper and twisted it into the keyhole. The door flung open right into Ashley’s face!
“Ouch! What did you do that for!” she exclaimed.
“Sorry, I didn’t know that it would fly open like that.” Chris responded guiltily as he watched her get up.
They stepped through the door and into another world. “Welcome to Empathia”, he said proudly.
It was day time now. The trees were shaped like leaves; giant glowing yellow, red and orange crystals! The grass was orange and glowing! Red, yellow and orange crystals grew out of the ground! Orange glowing foxes roamed the forest. Ashley was amazed. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. She was speechless. “Come on!” Chris started to walk along a dirt path and Ashley could do nothing but follow. Her eyes were drawn to the trees. “We’re nearly there!” Chris said as if Ashley knew where they were going.
“Nearly where?” she replied, still gazing at the trees.
“Nearly at the town where I live!” Chris was starting to quicken his pace. She could see a small wooden bridge in the distance that crossed an orange sparkling river. Before she knew it, they were gazing down at turtles as they happily glided through the almost clear water. The two children had arrived at the town. Cute cafes and cottages illuminated by lanterns neatly lined cobblestone roads. Wooden carts full of people made a tapping sound on the road, reminding Ashley of the horses that she had followed to the stable. She wondered where Chris was leading her.
Eventually they reached a small cosy-looking log cabin at the end of a narrow cul-de-sac. “This is my home”, Chris said as he opened the cabin door. Inside, there was a lady making muffins in the kitchen. When she heard the door open and shut, she continued to stir some mixture in a bowl and, not bothering to look up, said “Ah dear, you’re home. Now, could you please grab me an egg from the fridge?”
“OK Mum,” Chris replied as he took an egg from the carton and handed it to his mum. When she looked up to take it from him, she saw Ashley standing in the corner of the room. Chris’s Mum continued to stare at Ashley as she said,
“Chris, who is this?”
“Oh um, this is my friend Ashley.” He responded.
“That’s strange, I don’t believe I have ever seen you before and this town is tiny.” Chris’s Mum seemed confused.
“She’s um, from the other side of town, and um, she’s home-schooled!” Chris replied.
“Ashley this is my Mum Jill, and Mum this is Ashley.” Chris said.
“OK, nice to meet you Ashley”, said Jill.
Something about Jill made Ashley feel like she had known her forever even though they only just met. “Let’s go outside. There is something I want to show you.” Chris gestured with his head towards the back door. Through it she went and Chris followed. He then ran to a blackberry bush and peaked inside as Ashley watched, curiously.
“Come on out Harry!” Straight away, an orange glowing fox pounced out. What surprised Ashley even more than the fact that it was glowing, is what it did next.
“Hello!” the fox said. Ashley covered her mouth with her hands.
“Did you just talk!”
“Yes, I did. My name’s is Harry. What’s yours?”
“Why do you care?” Ashley responded rudely. The fox frowned and then turned to Chris.
“She’s Ashley. She’s new here.” he said as if Harry had asked him a question. Chris then turned to Ashley. “Harry is my friend. He can see what is happening on Earth whenever he pleases.” Chris explained casually. Ashley could tell things were going to get weird.
That night, Ashley slept on the floor of Chris’s room. In the morning, Chris told Ashley how they were going to save the worlds. “There is a crystal at the top of the Snowy Mountain. It is the only thing that can bring balance between the two worlds but it is impossible to make the journey alone - which is why I need you to accompany me.”
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