Shreyas B. Shakya
Chapter 1: The New Kid
It was just another typical day at Willowbrook Academy. Students were passing notes, throwing paper planes, and teasing their teachers. Amid the chaos, a new kid walked into the classroom. His name was Kevin.
At just 13 years old, Kevin had a presence that was hard to ignore, even though he seemed to blend into the background. He was thin with pale skin, the kind that reminded you of freshly fallen snow. His blue eyes were deep and mysterious, like the vast ocean, hiding secrets that even the world hadn’t discovered. His jetblack hair was messy, and his torn clothes seemed like they had seen better days. The stains on his jacket were reminders of the struggles he faced, and the fact that he looked so out of place only made the other students more curious
The moment Kevin walked into the classroom, everything fell silent. The class turned to stare, and Kevin sat down, pulling out his textbook and opening it without a word. He tried to disappear into the pages of his book, but it wasn’t easy.
A boy, the class bully, walked up to Kevin’s desk with a sly grin. “Nice outfit. Did you raid a thrift store for that look?” he sneered.
The class erupted into laughter. Kevin’s cheeks turned bright red with embarrassment, but he stayed silent, avoiding eye contact. He had dealt with things like this before. The laughter was nothing new.
Kevin’s thoughts drifted to the empty seat beside him. He wondered if the person sitting next to him would treat him like everyone else had, or if someone would finally be different. He came from a poor family-his mother had died when he was just five, and his father worked tirelessly to support them, rarely present in his life. Kevin had learned to fend for himself cooking, cleaning, and taking care of everything. Other kids found him strange and left him to be an outcast.
Just as he was lost in his thoughts, the teacher’s voice broke the silence. “Carter! You’re late again!”
Chapter 2: The Friends
The teacher motioned for Carter to take the empty seat next to Kevin. He smiled and made his way to the desk. “Hi, are you my benchmate?” he asked Kevin, speaking kindly.
Kevin was taken aback. No one had ever spoken to him so politely, except for his teachers and his father, who was often too busy to be around. Kevin simply nodded in response, unsure of what to say.
The rest of the day passed, and when lunch came around, Kevin realized he had forgotten to bring his lunch. His stomach grumbled, but before he could feel too embarrassed, Carter leaned over and offered him part of his sandwich. “You can have some of mine,” he said with a friendly smile.
Kevin was surprised but grateful. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
As the school day ended, Kevin walked home with Carter, his mind racing. “Why was Carter so nice to him?” he wondered.
A few years passed, and Kevin and Carter became close friends. They spent time together, studying, playing, and simply enjoying each other’s company.
One day, Carter said, “It’s been so long since we first met. Want to hang out on Saturday, Kevin?”
“Sure, but where?” Kevin asked, curious.
“You’ll see,” Carter replied with a grin that made Kevin even more curious.
Chapter 3: The Mysterious Forest
On Saturday morning, Kevin made his way to the spot Carter had told him to go. As he approached the location, a chill ran down his spine. Before him stood the Grimwood Forest, a place both famous and feared in the neighborhood. The myths surrounding the forest were enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine-tales of ghosts, spirits, and strange happenings.
The gate to the forest loomed before him, dark and intimidating, with ancient yellow markings on the black iron bars. Kevin saw Carter waiting on the other side and cautiously approached him.
“Why are we here, of all places?” Kevin asked, his voice tinged with fear.
Carter smiled, but it wasn’t his usual cheerful smile. It was colder, more mysterious. “Follow me,” he said, his tone serious.
Kevin hesitated but followed Carter into the woods. They walked deeper into the forest, the trees closing in around them. The air was heavy, and the sounds of the outside world seemed to fade away. After what felt like hours, they came upon a small pit. It was just big enough to trap a person inside.
“What is this doing here?” Kevin asked, confused.
Before Kevin could react, Carter suddenly pushed him into the pit. Kevin fell with a thud, and Carter vanished into the shadows without a trace.
Kevin’s heart raced as he lay in the pit, too shocked to speak. Carter, his best friend, had just betrayed him. Kevin’s mind raced as he remembered the stories about the Grimwood Forest-how people who came here sometimes encountered fake versions of their friends. The real ones were trapped behind a mysterious door, and to open it, a key was needed.
Determined to escape and find out what had happened to Carter, Kevin began to think of a way out.
Chapter 4: The Escape
Kevin spent hours in the pit, searching for a way to climb out. Just as he began to lose hope, he stepped on something solid. It was a piece of wood. He looked around and found several more scattered across the pit. He quickly realized that he could use them to create a ladder.
After climbing out of the pit, Kevin continued to search for the mysterious door. The forest was growing darker, and Kevin knew he needed to find it before nightfall. He found a large tree and decided to rest under its shade for the night, hoping to gather strength for the next part of his journey.
The next morning, Kevin woke up with a sense of determination. He knew the key was somewhere in the forest, and he needed to find it.
Chapter 5: The Riddle
Kevin wandered the forest for hours, his stomach growling from hunger, his body tired from walking without rest. He stumbled upon a river and, desperate for water, leaned down to drink. As he did, something shimmering caught his eye at the bottom of the river. It was a key.
Excited, Kevin reached into the water and pulled the key from its resting place. He felt a surge of hope. With this key, he could finally open the door and free Carter.
Kevin continued his journey to the heart of the forest, where the biggest tree stood. As he approached, he felt as though he was being watched. He stopped and shouted, “Come out!”
An old man emerged from the shadows, his eyes wise and knowing. “What are you doing here, young one?” he asked.
“I’m here to save my friend,” Kevin replied.
The old man smiled. “I am the protector of this forest. You have shown courage and wisdom in your journey. But before you can pass, you must solve a riddle. If you answer correctly, I will allow you to open the door and free your friend. If not, you will remain here forever.”
Kevin nodded, determined to succeed. The old man asked the riddle:
“I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?”
Kevin thought carefully. It took a moment, but then he smiled. “The answer is an echo,” he said confidently.
The wise man’s eyes gleamed with approval. “You have answered correctly. The door to your friend is now open.”
With the key in hand, Kevin made his way to the heart of the forest. There, before the massive tree, stood a mysterious door. He inserted the key and opened it, revealing Carter standing on the other side, looking as if he had been waiting for Kevin all along.
Together, Kevin and Carter walked home, exhausted but relieved. “Today was a tiring day,” Carter said with a sigh.
“Tell me about it,” Kevin replied, smiling.
They had faced many challenges, but they knew this was just the beginning of their journey. And whatever adventures lay ahead, they would face them together.
