On a cold sunny afternoon, my friends and I decided to hang out at the local library because we had a Science test the next week. We walk in and greet the owner. The library was quiet as always with the warm smell of books and the rustle of pages being flipped.
We walked in, greeted Mr. Peterson, the librarian, and settled into our usual table near the back.
Studying wasn’t exactly fun, but the library was our hangout spot. It was better than being at home where chores were waiting. Plus, we had a secret tradition.
Every time we came here, we played the game of hide and seek tag in the book aisles. The rules were simple: No shouting, no running into Mr. Peterson, no knocking over books, and most importantly NO CHEATING.
As soon as we unpacked our books, Emma whispered ”Let’s play.” Jake and I grinned. We stood up, trying to look casual, and one by one, we slipped into the aisles. I darted to the far end of the nonfiction section, crouching between two tall bookshelves. Jake’s sneakers squeaked as he ran past me, and I snickered a laugh. Emma was somewhere near the biographies, her favorite section. I was also near comedy which I thought was one of the best sections in Mr. Peterson’s library.
Jake hid … somewhere. One second we heard him laughing, the next we didn’t. But we still played the game. While I was looking for Emma. I saw a glimpse of light and Emma being lured to it with pitch-black eyes walking like the living dead. Then she disappeared just like Jake.
I was scared but determined to find out what this light was, without being lured to it. In my heart, something about the light would feel different, like something I had never experienced before.
I walked slowly to the light with fear but bravery in my head and in my heart.
Once I walked closer, it grew blinding but peaceful. It sounded like someone was calling me, calling me home.
I fell into a deep sleep but woke up in a whole new place. It was beautiful with light, people, creatures, and especially new food (It looked delicious!!!).
I was met with a bonk on the head that really hurt with a picture of Jake, Emma, and I, but the more I looked, the more faded it was in the photo but I got brighter. Then I realized what my mission was: to find Jake and Emma before it was too late before I do something that will never let me see them again.
As I rubbed my head, trying to shake off the pain, I held the photo. Then I stuffed it into my pocket and looked around. The walls around me were blue and lined with old bricks, cold to my fingertips by my touch, my footsteps echoed as I walked up each step with me feeling more fearful than I ever had in my entire life. I saw a weird door standing right in front of me, but as I walked closer, the room seemed to hum with energy just like the library bookshelf. As I opened the door I saw a giant board with the writing “To say what is lost, the secret must choose: light or shadow, truth or illusion, self or sacrifice.”
