Secret Doors: The Challenge

by Brian D. Meeks

  Abby said, “And it was built by the Madness family I hope?”

  “No, it was built by an evil architect.”

  “Figures. So what do we do once we get to the Castle of Madness?”

  “It is quite simple. You must find the red door.”

  Billy walked up to the group and said something in piggy to Alouicious who then responded, “It would be my pleasure.” He waved his hands about in the air. Tiny blue trails of light were left behind by his fingers, and a tent appeared.

  Billy said, “Goodnight, all; it has been a long day. Oh, and could you throw something over Badger? He's passed out by the hay.”

  A moment later, another tent appeared.

  Cindy, still messing with her hair, said, “I think Billy's had a good idea. I'm beat.”

  Alouicious said, “Of course, you are all probably very tired.” He waved his hands, and a loud pop came from the tent where they had eaten. “I think you'll find the accommodations very comfortable. Good night, all. You'll want to get an early start.”

  Cindy didn't waste any time and headed straight into the tent. She let out a little squeal. Everyone ran after her and stopped, stunned, in the doorway. The table was gone, and the entire tent was covered in silk pillows and blankets. Cindy dived into the largest pile with a look of complete joy on her face. George set his sword and shield by the door and grabbed a pillow. He was snoring almost immediately. Stevie curled up on the other side of the door. Abby and Jo each found comfortable spots. All were asleep within minutes.

  Chapter Eight

  It was still mostly dark though the sky had started to change when Abby woke up. The tent was gone, but the pillows and blankets were still there. Billy was lying near her, and he whispered, “Good morning, miss.”

  “Good morning, Billy,” she said and reached out and patted his nose. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes, you?”

  “I dreamt of my parents. It was nice. I miss them.”

  The others started to wake up, and, as each of them stood up, the blankets and pillows faded away. The oasis was gone, and they were surrounded by desert again. Abby stood up. “We better get going.”

  Stevie stretched and said, “I'm ready. Which way is the forest?”

  Badger, standing at the top of the dune behind them, let out a “wheek.” Nobody needed a translation. Without a word they climbed the dune and resumed their trek across the sand.

  The morning passed without much talking besides the occasional gripe from Cindy. When they reached the forest, they headed west just as Alouicious had said they should.

  Abby said, “Did he say how long it would take?”

  Stevie said, “He didn't. All he said is it was built by gnomes.”

  “Yes, the path of sorrow. I still don't like the name.”

  George ran ahead, yelling, “I think I see it! Look, over there, by that big stone.”

  Nobody else felt like running except Badger who was waiting with George when the rest of the group caught up. “Look, it says Sorrow on it,” George said, pointing at the stone.

  Jo sat down and started writing in her notebook. Cindy said, “I need a break. I'm not moving another foot until I get some rest and something to eat.”

  Abby said, “I think we could all use a break. Jo, do you mind getting out the food?”

  Jo stuck the pencil behind her ear and dug her hand into the pouch. Soon she had all the food out. Abby handed Cindy a sandwich then passed the rest around. Billy and Badger both found some tasty plants along the edge of the forest. The sounds of birds and critters seemed normal. There was a strange wind, though. Abby noticed it, as did Billy.

  Abby said, “Something doesn't feel right. Maybe we should keep moving.”

  Cindy said, “Come on, just five minutes, and who put you in charge?”

  Stevie said, “What's wrong, Abby?”

  “I don't know, but I've got a feeling.”

  Cindy said, “I've got a feeling, too. It's called exhaustion. I vote we stay for five minutes.”

  Billy ran out of a patch of really tall grass, still chewing, and said, “She's right.”

  Stevie said, “What is it?”

  Billy asked, “You hear that?”

  “I don't hear anything.”

  “The forest is quiet. All the birds and animals have stopped chatting. Something is going on.”

  Cindy said, “You're right, it's weird. Okay, I'm convinced.”

  The bags were stuffed back into Jo's pouch, and everyone got their weapons ready. They started into the forest with Badger in the lead, then Abby, Stevie, Cindy, Jo, George, and Billy at the back. An hour passed. There wasn't as much as a peep out of a bird or any wild creature. It was starting to become unnerving. Abby said, “Didn't he say something about spiders?”

  Stevie said, “Yes, but not until we get to Thunder Creek.”

  “Did he say anything about dangers along the path of Sorrow?”

  “Nope. Maybe he forgot?”

  “I really hope he...” A loud crack rang out from deep in the forest.

  Badger whirled to his left and stuck his nose up in the air.

  Abby said, “It's coming from that way.”

  “Let's check it out,” Stevie replied.

  Cindy suggested, “How about we go the other way?”

  George said, “If we go back, we'll never get to Thunder Creek.”

  Everyone headed up the path, and, after a hundred meters, there was a second, smaller trail leading towards where the sound had come from. There was another loud crack, and they heard a high-pitched scream. Abby pulled an arrow from her quiver and started down the path. Stevie was close behind and holding his sword up high. Everyone else followed, and they soon came to a clearing. Abby froze, and Stevie slid to a stop next to her.

  Across the clearing were two tiny cottages sitting on the opposite sides of a large garden. In front of the house on the left was a woman with long blue hair. She was waving her hands in the air frantically. Blue sparks flew everywhere. Beside the other cottage near the garden, a woman with green hair who looked very much like the other woman was waving her hands and making green sparks. Abby pointed to the sky, “Look!”

  Standing back in the forest, a beast nearly as tall as the trees was holding a large boulder above his head. He gave a howl and threw it at the woman with the green hair. The huge stone arched towards her. The woman with the blue hair sent a burst of lightning towards the beast. The other woman made a gesture, and a blinding light mushroomed out from her. The boulder shattered. The beast let out a scream. The leaves and trees started to come apart. Branches and entire trunks whirled around the beast as it moved towards the women.

  Abby fired an arrow at the creature, but it did nothing. She yelled, “Cindy, shoot it.”

  Cindy pointed her staff and concentrated, but nothing happened. “It doesn't work.”

  The two women ran towards one another as the beast got closer and closer. Finally, they met and waved their hands about. A purple light shot from them and into the beast. It was knocked backwards. Abby fired another arrow, and it stuck in the creature's side. It howled and turned towards Abby and her friends. Cindy pointed her staff again, and this time a bolt of ice shot forth. It froze the creature where it stood. The two women, noticing they had helpers, waved their arms and yelled, “Come here, you'll be safe.”

  They all started running across the field as the creature broke free of the ice. The blue-haired woman shot another lightning bolt, which seemed to have little effect.

  Billy and Badger were the last to make it under the protective dome just as a massive shower of rocks crashed down. Both women were too busy drawing shapes in the air and uttering spells to pay attention to Abby and her friends.

  When the creature realized that boulders wouldn't break through, it pulled up the tallest tree it could find, roots and all. Then, using it like a club, it repeatedly smashed it into the glowing, protective shield. After more than a dozen blows that had no effect, it stopp
ed and began using its foot.

  The women stopped waving their arms. The one with the blue hair said, “I'm Tempest. This is my sister Flora.”

  Abby said, “Hi, I'm Abby. What in the heck is that thing?”

  “His name is Montange Du Nord, and he's very ill-tempered right now.”

  “That's an understatement. Can we kill him?”

  Flora smiled. “We don't want to kill him. He will tire eventually and go home.”

  Stevie stepped forward. “Will this bubble thing hold?”

  Tempest nodded. “Of course. This isn't our first argument with Montagne.”

  “This seems like more than an argument. What are you fighting about?” Abby asked as the giant rock creature began beating down upon them with renewed vigor.

  Tempest said, “There is some dispute about where his property ends and ours begins. He is quite crazy, though. We have been on this land for generations. His family claims that since the river changed course, we've been planting our herb garden on their land.”

  Just then another creature barreled out of the forest and began beating on the dome, too.

  Tempest shrugged, “That's his little brother Colline Du Nord. This is going to go on for some while, possibly days.”

  Abby said, “Days? We can't wait here for days! We are supposed to complete a quest, and if we don't...”

  Everybody was listening to her impassioned plea. Abby seemed stumped then continued, “Well, I really have no idea what might happen if we fail.”

  Cindy said, “My parents will be pissed.”

  ***

  An hour had passed. The woman with the blue hair said, “He doesn't seem to be tiring at all. It could go on for a while.” Her sister nodded in agreement.

  Abby asked, “Are we stuck here? We sort of have some place to be.”

  “There is one other option, but it isn't a great one if you don't know your way around these parts. Do you know your way around the forest?”

  “No.”

  “Then you better wait it out.”

  Stevie stood and said, “I'd like to hear it.”

  She looked at her sister who said, “Well, if we concentrate we can make a door, but we can't tell you where it will dump you.”

  Cindy said, “So we could end up back in the middle of that stupid desert?”

  “No, it won't send you that far, not more than ten miles or so.”

  Tempest spoke, “The thing is, it could also dump you right behind our friend there or worse.”

  “What's worse?” Abby asked.

  “There are places in the forest where even we don't go.”

  George spoke up, “I'm all for waiting it out.”

  Cindy rolled her eyes. “Naturally, you would be. I say we go for it.”

  “When did you get so brave?” Abby asked.

  “Remember, it is all some sort of test. I'm sure this is part of it.”

  “You might be right.”

  After a little more discussion, everyone, including the guinea pigs, agreed it was worth the gamble.

  Flora started chanting, and Tempest said, “We're going to need to make the door a little wider for your furry friends.”

  Billy and Badger weren't offended. Billy just sat and watched while Badger nibbled on a bush.

  Sparks flew from Flora's fingertips, and the earth opened up. Vines climbed, twisting and wrapping around one another until they formed a wall. The leaves cast a green magical glow, and Tempest began to draw shapes in the air. In the center of the vines, a branch began to crawl in an arch until it disappeared back into the earth. Everyone watched as the branch grew thicker. The glowing leaves under the arch went from green to blue, and there was a loud hissing sound.

  Tempest said, “You might want to stand back a bit and cover your ears.”

  The hissing grew into a thunderous roar followed by a flash and a bang. Smoke poured from the vine wall. Tempest waved her hands, and a wind blew the smoke away. There before them stood a vine wall with a magical door, one big enough for giant guinea pigs, too.

  Flora laid a hand on the door, and it swung open. A swirling grey and black abyss was all they could see. “You simply walk through to the other side wherever that might be. It is quite safe...well...if you don't get dropped into the Pit of Woe.”

  Tempest said, “Stop it. You know the Pit of Woe is well out of range.”

  “We've never made a door this big. Who knows? It might have greater reach.”

  Abby said, “What's the Pit of Woe?”

  Flora waved her hand. “It's nothing, Tempest is right. You'll be fine. Who's first?”

  Abby notched an arrow in her bow and eased herself towards the door. Stevie said, “Let me go first.”

  Abby glared at him. “Why, because you're a boy?!”

  “No, because I'm your friend.”

  Abby was about to make a counter argument, but, by that time, Stevie had drawn his sword and run through screaming. There was a swirling light as he went through. George, having been caught up in the excitement chased after him, but caught his shoulder on the archway and spun sideways. The light flashed and he was gone.

  Cindy looked at Jo and Abby and said, “He's such a klutz.”

  Jo glared at Cindy who simply put up her hand and walked into the light, “Save it...”

  Abby put her arm around Jo. “Don't pay any attention to her,” she said, and they walked through together.

  Stevie stood with his sword raised; Cindy had her staff out and was staring up. The howl sent a chill down everyone's spine. They were surrounded on all sides by a towering wall of jagged rocks. It was nearly dark except for the purple sky above. “What was that?” Abby asked.

  Stevie said, “I don't know, but it sounds hungry.”

  Cindy said, “We should go back.”

  “In case you haven't noticed, there isn't any back. Do you see a door anywhere?” Stevie said.

  Jo, spinning around, asked, “Where's George?”

  Stevie said, “He hasn't come through yet. Cindy showed up just after me.”

  Jo, looking frantic, said, “But he went through just before her,” then yelled “George!”

  Everyone started yelling, but the echoes off the walls were answered by only silence. Jo started to panic. “Where are we, and where's George?”

  Cindy, sounding disgusted, said, “The little brat got himself flung somewhere else when he ran into the side of the arch.”

  Abby stepped up. “We better start looking for a way out.”

  “But what about George?” Jo asked.

  “Well, he isn't here, so let's get out of here and start looking.”

  Cindy said with a heavy shrug, “He could be anywhere. What's the point? We're obviously failing miserably. I say we just pack it in. I'm tired of this.”

  Stevie said, “We can't quit.”

  Cindy yelled, “Okay, I've had it. Come and get us. I'm out. You hear me; I don't want to be part of your stupid club. I'm done!”

  Nobody said anything. They listened, expecting that Alouicious Troon would appear and take them home. Cindy stomped her foot. “I'm freaking serious here. Either come and get me or turn on the Wi-Fi. This sucks.”

  Stevie said, “I don't think this was part of the test. We were supposed to stay on the path. Abby's right; we need to find a way out of this...”

  Everyone looked at him as he added, “...Pit of Woe.”

  Jo spun around. “Where are Billy and Badger?”

  ***

  George lay at the bottom of a ravine. His leg was bleeding, and he was trying his best to hold back the tears. He had appeared on a path, still stumbling, and gone straight over the side. He had dropped his sword on the slide down. The shield lay beside him.

  He yelled, “Stevie...Stevie...Steve...anyone.” He looked down at his leg and noticed the blood, and his head began to spin. George fought off the urge to pass out and pressed his hand against the wound. “Ouch.”

  The setting sun reminded George of dinnertime. His
stomach was rumbling. He said, “Hey, Jo, you out there?” She had his pack and stuff in her magic bag. It would be dark soon, and the fear of being lost and alone sent a panic through him. He didn't care if they showed up and found him crying.

  A couple of rocks tumbled down from above, and he heard some rustling. Hopeful he yelled, “Down here, guys, I slid off the path.” He couldn't see who was there but he recognized the voice.

  “Is that you George?”

  “Billy! I'm down here.”

  “Are the others with you?”

  “No.”

  “Badger and I will try to find a way down.”

  George wiped away the tears and waited. His leg really hurt but knowing that he wasn't alone made it much less scary. Ten minutes passed, and the two giant guinea pigs came scurrying up.

  Badger said, “Wheek, wheek, wheek.”

  Billy translated, “He wants to know if you are alright.”

  George pulled his hand from his leg and showed them the wound and said, “I don't know; it hurts pretty bad.”

  Billy said, “Rub some dirt on it. It should help stop the bleeding.”

  George grabbed a handful and pressed it against the cut.

  Badger said something else and started sniffing around. Billy looked up and asked, “Where are the others?”

  “I don't know. I yelled for them, but nobody answered. Maybe they got tired of me always screwing up. Kids ditch me all the time.” He hung his head. George wanted to cry some more but didn't.

  Billy said, “I'm sure we can find them. Can you walk?”

  George, happy with his dirt-covered leg, pushed himself to his feet. “Yep.”

  Billy said, “Grab your stuff and let's try to find a good spot. It is getting late.”

  George said sadly, “I lost my sword. It's up there somewhere.”

  Billy said something in guinea pig and Badger scampered up the slope. Little bits of dirt and rocks rolled down behind him. George and Billy backed away from the mini-avalanche. The farther up Badger climbed, the more stuff came raining down. Half way up his feet started to slide, too. Billy said, “He's a pretty good climber for a guinea pig, but I think that is about as far as he can go.”