I’m walking down the street as the sun blares its light onto the world. People joyfully walk around me, having conversations, talking, or running for the bus. I look at a pair of friends joking as they pass by me and then at the concrete. I wish I also had someone to talk to. I enter a store to buy myself some cookies.

“Lumina!” the store clerk says happily.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what that means.” I admit, embarrassed, as he looks at me surprised.

“Oh! Sorry, I’m not used to tourists around here. Welcome! What can I get you?”

Tourist… I try to smile as I tell him to give me some cookies.

“That will be two bani, please!”

I look at my wallet and at the weird coins. I’ve been trying for a long while to get used to them, but I still don’t know which one is which. I try my best to find the right ones, feeling my ears and face turning red from embarrassment as I take a while. In the end, I manage to give him the coins.

“Thank you! Luna! Oh, sorry, I mean, have a nice day!”

I nod at him and force a smile as I leave the shop. I go to the park and sit down while unpacking my cookies. I’m just about to eat one when I realise that once more, I’m by myself while everyone else is paired in groups. I’m also the only one wearing blue. I look at an ad near my bench:

“Yellow day! Wear yellow, the colour of happiness!”

That makes sense, I think as I look at how everyone is dressed in yellow. Must be a traditional thing here. People left and right run around happily, performing wonderful spells to decorate the park. Most mages here have green powers. I look at my hand and a spark of purple appears, but I extinguish it. I guess if I’m to stay alone, I might as well go somewhere where I can be alone. I did see a forest near the city. I look at the map on my phone and get up. Time to start my journey towards Celestial Forest! I exit the park and slowly make my way through the town. The wooden cabins of the city go up a small mountain and pine trees decorate each street with their majestic leaves and cones. A huge lighthouse stands at the top of the mountain, its light guiding the ships in the nearby harbour. I slowly climb as people walk by me and birds fly above. Light poles stand solemnly beside every house, patiently awaiting the nighttime, and benches made out of wood sit proudly in front of them. I look around, people here enjoy reading a lot. On every single bench, there are about four people reading a book. I smile slightly, I like reading as well. I wonder what they are reading. I look at the unfamiliar books and authors in people’s hands. So different… Nothing is the same anymore, even the books are different. I sigh a little from both sadness and exhaustion as I reach the top of the mountain. I can see the whole city, its wooden homes appearing like mushrooms on the grassy terrain. Thousands of people are walking down the beautiful streets as colourful leaves fly by. The autumn air is chilly but nice, and the smell of pumpkin pie is in the air. Coffee shops with tiny terraces in front are full of town folk and chatter can even be heard from up here. The dark-blue sea stands beyond the city, sparkling in the golden sunlight. A few white boats make waves as they travel, bringing goods to the island. The once lively beaches in the summer now stand quietly and peacefully, awaiting to be used once more. The City of Emeraldia is so beautiful from here. A city built on a mountain beside the sea, with houses made only out of wood and friendly and cheery people… But somehow, it all feels distant and unreachable to me.

I look on the other side of the mountain. A set of stairs carved into the rock lead down towards a dark forest. It has a crescent shape and it’s surrounding this part of the mountain. I make my way towards it, admiring the old trees and the peaceful animal sounds. In just a few minutes, I am at the entrance of the woods. They are so thick and gloomy. Ironic. Something feels odd though, it feels cold, colder than usual. I look around, for some reason, I feel like someone is watching me. It must be my imagination. I enter and just sit down. There’s no one here besides myself, and it’s very quiet, only the slight movement of the trees making a sound. I get a book out of my hoodie’s pocket and start reading.

*

“Elwyn…” a voice whispers and I wake up with a start.

I look around with fear while breathing heavily, but there is no one here besides me. Thunder strikes and echoes throughout the forest. The heavy rain sparkles in the moonlight and the dark leaves of the trees hit me as they travel upward, carried by the wind. Howls can be heard in the distance as the light of the setting sun fully fades away. The sky turns to black and thousands of stars light up all at once. Realising it’s getting late and that the storm isn’t letting up, I get up from the little tent of branches I made. The oppressing shadows of the trees loom over me as I reach the outskirts of the dark forest. But… Something is wrong. I look in disbelief at a metal gate that shines in the darkness. I check my pockets to make sure I have my contacts on, but this is no mirage. I approach slowly, my breath slowing down and my heartbeat getting faster. This wasn’t here before. I look around to see that the forest is surrounded by a huge fence made of metal. I rattle the old and rusty metal gate, but nothing happens. It’s locked! Panicked, I rattle it again, this time with more force.

“No! No! Nononono!” I shout desperately as the realization sinks in.

I try to force the gate open, I even try climbing it, but whenever I get close to escaping, a sudden gust of wind throws me back. After many attempts, I look at the gate, tears flowing down my face, my hands trembling as I lean on the gate. My breath is shivery and slow as I slowly allow myself to sit against the cold metal.

“I-I’m trapped.” I manage to say, my voice feeling lost.

Thunder strikes above and I jump. I hear more howls, this time, they are closer to me. Terrified, I get up, but I immediately fall back down. My legs are like jelly, trembling from fear. No no no! I don’t have time for this! I take a deep breath and I get up once more. The howls get even closer and louder as I start running into the deep forest. The rain is hitting my face angrily and the small path I’m running on is getting narrower and narrower. I look back, but there is nothing there, only darkness. I slow down and take a few more deep breaths. This place is getting to me. Easily, easily, I stop running as I approach a rusty sign. The pathway ahead splits in two and according to the sign, one leads to a lake and the other to a cave. I look at the two paths, the one towards the lake has a strange mist coming from it, while the other one has leaves covering up the path. I’m not sure which one to pick. I look at the two. I really wish I had someone to help me out, I feel so alone. After thinking for a bit, I decide to go to the lake. The path towards the cave is way too wild for me. I slowly walk through the mud, my sneakers completely bathing in it. The branches above look as if they are caging the sky, and the weird mist surrounds me in a cold embrace. The slight movement of the trees and the rustling of leaves creates a calming symphony. A few crows fly above me. I stop for a second, unsure about what I’m doing. The wind flows beside me, taking leaves and dancing with them in the air. I feel so alone and scared. I just want to get out of here! I look ahead, the lake is already in sight. A few tears flow down my cheeks and I gently wipe them. I’m shivering, it’s cold, and it’s lonely. I want to go home. A few leaves hit me in the face. I push them aside and take a deep breath. First, I need to get out of here, it’s no time for a pity party. Forcing myself to feel pumped, I continue my journey. The lake is in a huge clearing, and it’s reflecting the starry sky above. Constellations glitter and sparkle beautifully on the night sky as a few puffy and dark clouds pass by. The mysterious mist is coming from the lake, which is surrounded by slouching willows. I step carefully into the clearing, every step as light as possible. The moon’s blue light illuminates the world. Ducks float on the forgotten lake. I smile and look at them. I always liked ducks, they are just adorable. I chuckle slightly and it suddenly feels as if maybe things are turning up. Suddenly, a weird noise echoes throughout the clearing. I look around with surprise. It sounds like singing. Like human singing! I might not be alone! The voice is soft and warm as it sings angelically. The melody is joyful and unfamiliar, but it brings me a sense of peace. But what if it’s a trap?! It could be a mermaid, or something else.

I don’t have time for this overthinking, I need help! I shout towards the voice with both enthusiasm and desperation. Nothing happens. I start running towards it and continue shouting.

“Hello! Is someone there?! Please, I need help! HELLO?!” I shout desperately as I run faster. “Please! I need your help!”

Suddenly, the voice stops singing and I stop running. No… No no no! The person must have left. What do I do?! Do I continue after them? Do I go back? This could have been my only chance for some help. I spiral into my own thoughts, not even noticing the greenish glow that appeared before me. I walk in circles, debating with myself on what to do, murmuring aloud my arguments.

“I could go back, but I might get even loster than I am now. Wait, is loster even a word? No, I don’t think so. But it might be. I should look it up. Wait! Yeah, no cell or internet service, makes sense. Anyway, what was I talking about? Oh yeah, escape plans! So maybe I could build like a huge catapult that would throw me over the magical barrier that is surrounding the forest. No… I don’t think I’d survive the landing… Hmmm! Argh! Why is there a magical barrier surrounding this forest anyway? Who does that?!” I talk to myself while fast walking in circles.

“The spirits of the damned! They can get pretty annoying at this time of year! But you know, it’s chill!” a sarcastic voice says with an amused tone.

I jump back two meters while screaming. In front of me stands a green portal with a head popping out of it. It’s a guy with green eyes that glow magically. He has long brown hair that stands up in a funny way and a mischievous grin. He winks at me and I blush slightly. Suddenly, he jumps out of the portal, doing a spin in the air and landing in a superhero pose. He does a little bow and a guitar teleports into his hand. He starts playing a tune as green magic surrounds us. He approaches me, almost dancing instead of walking, a big showman smile on his face.

“Hello! My name’s Blake Hart! I am very pleased to make your acquaintance! It is quite a pleasure! I am here to razzle! And dazzle! Well, you!” the guy says with an enthusiastic tone as sparkly green stars appear all around us. “Now then, you asked for a saviour in your dark times! So, who better than the top student of the music and theatre academy in Emeraldia City! I’ve got the magic!” Blake does a pirouette and fireworks explode in the sky. “The strength!” he continues and flexes his arms with a smug expression on his face. “And the charm to do it! Are you ready for a grandiose adventure? We shall hike on the highest mountains! Explore the darkest of haunted mansions! And probably escape by morning! Depends on how efficient we are! So, how are you feeling? Excited? Pumped? A bit of both?”

I just look at him, flabbergasted, as he looks at me expectantly. He leans on his guitar, his grin failing a bit as I don’t react the way he expected. I try to say something, but I am absolutely still in shock and close my mouth instead. Blake’s smile falters and he starts looking more embarrassed by the second.

“O-ok, I see I might have been a little vague and that you might need time to think this through.” he says, trying to salvage the situation, but I’m still stunned and quiet.

Blake smiles awkwardly and slips from his guitar. Suddenly, the fireworks, the magical stars, and the lights, they all disappear in a puff of smoke as Blake falls face-first into the grass. Quickly, I help him up and he looks at me with a kind smile.

“Sorry, I thought a grand entrance would make you feel better, you seemed very scared. And I’ll admit, I do like me some razzle and dazzle! Every good musician  knows an entrance can make or break your show! My name’s Blake Hart! If you want, I can help you get out of the forest! Also, don’t be scared by the magic earlier, I am a green wizard! So I can create cool illusions!”

I look at him with an amused expression.

“My name’s Elwyn! Elwyn Redwood. And thanks for the attempt, I’m just a bit on edge today. The entrance was pretty good actually!”

“Oh my god, thank you!” Blake says and blushes happily at the compliment.

“So, do you know any way out?”

“Yep! There are quite a few! But first, we should get out of the forest proper, this place can get dangerous at night! You see that mountain over there? That is a good place to wait till morning, it’s the safest point in the forest!”

“Then, lead the way!” I say happily.

“That I shall! Come on! It’s time for a grandiose adventure!”