Imagine you’re just a curious little girl, following a leaf flowing in the wind, then before you know it, you’re in a whole different world.
Well, that’s what happened to me, Ellie Stark. How am I supposed to get back home? I have school tomorrow—not that I want to go, but still!
I look at my surroundings and decide to travel forward, only to be stopped by a very tall person, asking me where I’m going.
“Anywhere that’ll get me out of here,” I tell the man.
”Well, you could go this way, or was it that way? I’ve been here so long that I forget! Ha ha!” I envy his enthusiasm because being here feels so wacky! The trees are made of loops, the grass is all different colors, and animals talk too!
“Do you live here or did you randomly find your way here, because I’m here against my will.”
”Hmm.. I could tell you, but then that might be a lie,” replies the mystery man. “You might have to find some clues to find your way out, but you’ll be on your own for that! Toodles!”
Before I could even ask his name, he was gone.
What do I do now?
At this point, clues seem useless because nothing here would make sense in the first place. I guess my only option now is to ask around and see if any other people got trapped here, or if they’re ‘normal’, by their standards, at least.
Walking deeper into who-knows-where, I see a small little village. Hopefully, someone there could be better help than the other guy.
The people there looked the exact opposite of the man I first, “Oh look! A newcomer!” Every person around me said as I walked through the town. Asking around felt very judgmental because all of the people kept pointing and staring like I didn’t notice. All of the people looked at me weirdly before laughing and saying that they all came from here, so asking for a way out was even more awkward. Until one person says…
“There was this one guy who said they were ‘trapped’ in this place, just like you! But he was kinda.. off the rails, one would say, so maybe don’t go to him. If that’s what you want, though, then go for it! He’s located in the mountains, in a little cave. Best of luck to you.”
Great. Now I have to go all the way up a mountain just so I can get home! WHAT IS THIS?! Thankfully, the mountain I needed was pretty obvious to find, so I started in that direction and prayed that I didn’t die or anything.
A good–uhh… Let’s just say a good 2 hours later, I finally reached the cave entrance, which was pretty small for a person to get into. I was just about ready to collapse. It took me a bit, but I squeezed my way into the cramped zone. I couldn’t see much except from outside let me see. I could glaze my hand along the walls; I could feel markings, lines, or tally marks, what the light felt the walls, though. As I go, to be more precise. I’m guessing that’s how long the guy’s been here for.
Suddenly, I feel a shadow behind me. It slowly gets bigger, and I hear and feel heavy breathing on my neck, sounding raspy and dehydrated.
I turn around to see who’s there, but his face isn’t clear at all and it’s hard to make out who he is.
“You better not be here to mock me again. I can’t stand it anymore…”
Oh no.
