Secret Discoveries (part 6.2)

Part 6.2 By: SRS

After ten minutes of running, which was very difficult to do in a gown, Crystal spotted what looked like a hut on the edge of the horizon. She couldn’t make out the details for the domain, since she was still far away, but the hopes that there was help within made her run faster. As she got closer, Crystal began to see that it wasn’t a hut at all. Rather, it was a small mound of dirt, like a hill, with a door in it. The door seemed short as an entrance into a home, surely not big enough to hold a grown adult. Poking out the top of the hill, with billows rising from it, was a stout chimney. The mound of dirt was obviously an inhabitance, though Crystal had never seen the like of it before. This didn’t surprise her much, since everything in the land was new and original.

Oddly, there was no fence surrounding the property. Nothing marked the end or beginning of the owned land around the hut. This made the mound look inviting and welcoming. If the dwellers were opposed to visitors, surely there would be a fence or sign warning company from entering. This realization made Crystal a bit more confidant to knock on the door; as, she was minimizing the short distance that remained between her and the mound.

Finally, just as the last sun touched the horizon, ready to follow its mate beneath the planet, Crystal walked up to the door in the hill. She glanced behind her to see the twisted shadows and obscured movements of the night. They were almost on her now, about to engulf her in their murky embrace. She hadn’t realized how close they were, her concentration being fully on that task of reaching the door. Now it surprised her to see them so close. The shadows were unlike those of earths, if this was a different planet. They swirled like smoke and were composed of all the hues that black and gray could emit.

Assured now that she must leave the night, Crystal raised her hand and knocked on the door. Immediately following her knock, the door swung inward. Standing in the doorway was Merlin. He filled the doorway to its max and was garbed in the same robes that he wore on her 5th birthday. He looked pleased to see her, his red eyes bright and sparkling. Softly he spoke, “Welcome Crystal, you have passed the first test. You’ve done well. I’ve been expecting you for some time now, please come in before the night does.”

He stretched out his arm and encouraged the shocked Crystal into the mound. His touch was gentle, yet firm. He did not want to completely frighten the girl but it was necessary that he close the door very soon. He could not allow the darkness to penetrate his back door. Fortunately, Crystal followed his lead and entered. Instantly, the door shut when she cleared the entrance.

NEXT --> Part 7