Secret Doors: The Challenge

by Brian D. Meeks

  Abby said, “Quiet.”

  “Don't tell me to be quiet. I'm sick of this place and...”

  Abby pulled out an arrow and notched it as she said, “Ssshh, I hear something.”

  Stevie whispered, “I hear it, too. There's someone or something up ahead.”

  There was definitely something moving around. They could hear some sort of clacking. Stevie eased forward, and the sound grew. The tunnel curved around to the right and opened up. “That isn't what I think it is, is it?”

  Abby asked, “Is it real?”

  George pushed past Cindy. “What is it?”

  Stevie said, “A skeleton is walking around over in the corner.”

  The skeleton with glowing red eyes turned and looked straight at them. It raised its sword and started hobbling towards them. It was a scary sight, but the wail he let out was terrifying. Abby fired her arrow. It missed.

  Stevie swung, but the skeleton blocked the blow. George thrust his sword into its side and chipped the bone a little, but the skeleton seemed unimpressed. It spun around slashing. George barely got his shield up in time.

  Stevie took another swing and landed a solid blow that made the skeleton stagger a little. George ran to the other side of the room and charged. He smashed into the skeleton with his shield. The blow shattered it into a pile of bones.

  Stevie said, “Nice!”

  George said, “Thanks.”

  Abby asked, “How did you think of that?”

  “We have the wrong weapons for fighting skeletons.”

  Cindy said, “How do you know what you need to fight skeletons? When have you ever fought a skeleton?”

  George said, “In video games. I thought you were a gamer?”

  “FPS, duh. Nobody plays that fantasy stuff. I prefer my violence to be real. Fantasy games aren't believable. I thought you said your parents didn't let you play video games.”

  George said, “My cousins have them. I play when we go visit. Mom says it is okay because we're on vacation.”

  Stevie pointed to the pile of bones on the floor and held up his hands as if to say, “Are you kidding?!” Abby, George, and Jo, all had similar expressions on their faces.

  Cindy said, “Oh, okay, fine. Shut up.”

  Stevie asked, “So, George, what should we be using?”

  “Clubs or maces work best because our swords just chip at their bones and don't do much damage. That's why I smashed into it with the shield.”

  Jo asked, “What's a mace?”

  “It has a handle with a heavy spiked ball on top of it. They're great for smashing the walking dead.”

  Jo pointed to the corner where the skeleton had been. “Is it like that?”

  “Yes, that's a mace.”

  A shiny silver mace with a leather wrapped handle was leaning in the corner. George ran over to it and set his sword down. “This is a great looking...wow...and really heavy mace.” He tried to lift it with one arm but couldn't get it off the ground. “Stevie, give it a try.”

  Stevie turned to Jo. “You mind holding this for a second?” He handed her his sword and grabbed the mace. It was heavy, but he could pick it up. He gave it a swing. It wasn't as fast as his sword, but he could feel its heft. He said, “Hulk smash.”

  Jo asked, “You want me to put your sword in the bag?”

  “Yep, I'm going to give this bad boy a try.”

  A wooden door opened, and two more skeletons stood there, eyes glowing. Abby said, “Now's your chance.”

  Stevie gave a war cry, pulled the mace back, and ran toward them. Both skeletons raised their swords over their heads, but, before they could attack, Stevie had brought the mace crashing into them. Both skeletons shattered. Their rusty swords fell to the ground.

  George yelled, “That was awesome!”

  Stevie said, “Oh, yeah, this mace is definitely the right tool for the job. Good call, George.”

  The door led to another tunnel that led to a crossroads with three tunnels to choose from. The center tunnel seemed to head down, the one on the left didn't have any torches and looked dark and menacing, and the one on the right was well lit and had a slight incline.

  Stevie said, “It looks like the one on the right is heading up.”

  Cindy said, “Yes, but it could be a trap. Doesn't it seem like the path is just begging us to choose it, all lit up and everything?”

  Abby said, “It does seem a bit obvious.”

  Jo said, “I say we take the one on the left. I know it doesn't make any sense, but nothing has made sense.”

  Stevie said, “George, what do you think?”

  “I have no idea.”

  Stevie gave a swing of his mace and led them into the darkness. It wasn't pitch black; there was some green slime in spots that glowed and let him see the turns and twists in the path.

  The path seemed to go on forever and there had been so many turns that Stevie had no idea where they were anymore. “Maybe we should head back?”

  Jo said, “Do we have enough time?”

  Cindy said, “I think this one is a bust.”

  Jo said, “But if we give up on this path then all the last hour has been wasted plus the hour to get back. This just has to be right. I can feel it.”

  Abby said, “I say we give it fifteen more minutes. If we don't find anything, then we hustle back and take the one that was lit up.”

  Stevie asked, “George, what do you think?”

  “I like Abby's idea.”

  Stevie continued on and was nearly ready to turn back when he noticed that it seemed to be lighter up ahead. “I think we've made it!” He took off running. Everyone followed.

  They were back where they started.

  Cindy let out a triumphant laugh and said, “I was right; we were wandering around in the dark for nothing.”

  Stevie said, “Yes, but if we had listened to you and turned back we still would be, so Jo was the one who was right.”

  Cindy said, “Whatever,” and took off up the path with the torches.

  “Don't worry about it, Jo,” Abby said, “you were speaking from the heart, and it did seem like they were trying to trick us.”

  George said, “We better get going, or we'll lose Cindy.”

  Stevie winked at Jo and said, “Or we could wait for another five minutes?”

  Jo smiled and they all started after Cindy.

  The path climbed for a long stretch then flattened out. It went for a few more yards before coming to a T intersection. Cindy stood waiting for them to catch up. When everyone had reached her, she asked, “Which way now?”

  Both directions went seven meters and turned. Abby said, “I have an idea.” She pointed at the ground where the path on the right turned and said, “Ingressos.” A plain door appeared. “Now we go the other way. If it doesn't work out, we can start over.”

  “Good thinking, Abby,” Stevie said and headed off.

  After only two more turns they stood in a huge room with a wide gap in the floor. George peered over the edge and said, “That is a long drop.”

  Stevie said, “I think we can cross on that teeter-totter looking thing,”

  In the middle of the room, a thick, heavy plank balanced on a stone pillar with a triangular top. It stood in the center of the chasm. As it was, the plank led up to a little platform. Above them and on their side was a matching platform.

  “I bet that is where we need to go,” Stevie said, pointing to the wooden walkway that went from the platform on their side across to another one that was higher up. “See, there is a door way up there.”

  George started across. As he neared the other side, the plank lowered, and he was on the other side.

  Stevie said, “You need to come back.”

  George walked back across, and Stevie put a foot on the end. “This isn't so hard. We will stand on this end, and Abby can walk up to the platform. Then, from there, she can use her rings to get across to the other side and walk up to the one at the top.”

  Abby said
, “Then I just need to make doors for all of you to come through. Good plan.”

  Stevie said, “Don't look down when you're crossing.”

  Stevie and George stood on the end of the plank, and Abby climbed up and walked slowly up to the first platform. The rings made it easy to get across. She was to the third one in no time. Abby tried the handle on the door. It opened.

  Stevie yelled, “Hey, don't forget about us.”

  Abby waved and pointed her right fist at the floor by Cindy. A wooden door appeared and she made a matching one on the platform. Everyone came through, and they continued on their way.

  The next hall had several rooms on each side but nothing of interest, so they continued on, passed through a door, and were standing in the room they had seen behind the bars.

  Stevie said, “We made it,” and raised his hand for a high five. George was right there to slap his hand.

  Cindy didn't wait; she opened the door and disappeared through it. Jo followed, and George was right behind her.

  Stevie waved his hand and said, “After you...”

  Abby gave Stevie a hug and said, “You were right. This was a fantastic adventure. I'm really glad you talked me into it.”

  Neither of them had noticed the door hidden in the shadows in the corner. When it opened, a defining creek startled them both. A man walked through.

  A flash of light burst from the shadows and pushed Stevie through the door. Abby screamed and raised her bow, drawing an arrow and notching it. Abby's eyes stung, and she couldn't see anything. Abby heard the sound of a single step to her left and she rotated and fired.

  The arrow hit concrete. A voice said, “That was a good shot, considering your lineage, but don't bother with another. It might make me ill-tempered.”

  Abby's saw the man, Pincer walk forward. She turned her body sideways and pulled another arrow. “Don't move. I won't miss this time.”

  “Silence, child!”

  “I don't know what your problem is, but nobody attacks my friends.” She fired the arrow.

  It hit Pincer square in the chest, at least she thought it did, but a burst of yellow light flashed. The arrow turned to dust. Pincer raised his hand and said, “You can't hurt me with that toy, you little vermin.”

  Abby kept the bow raised but didn't draw another arrow. She looked to her right and eased towards the door. If she could just make it through…but Pincer saw her glance and with a wave of his hands, slammed the door shut. Chains grew from the walls and wrap themselves across the door.

  Pincer said, “I have no idea how you survived the challenge. Every effort was made to keep you from making it this far.”

  Abby yelled, “Let me go, you jerk! I didn't ask to play in your stupid game, but I finished, so open the door!”

  A faint crackling could be heard from the other side of the door. The door rattled on its hinges, but the louder it got, the more the chains tightened. Pincer looked smug. He said, “I don't know where you came from or how you made it to the challenge, but your kind aren't welcome.”

  “Open the door!”

  Pincer eased closer to Abby, pointed a bony finger in her face, and said, “I could cast you into the Zentarian volcano and be done with it.”

  Abby didn't like the sound of his threat and his cold stare made the hair on her arm stand on end. She backed away, but Pincer continued toward her. He said, “We can't have you opening old wounds.”

  “Listen, mister, I don't know what you're talking about.”

  Pincer stopped and cocked his head to one side. “No, you wouldn't, would you?”

  Abby continued to ease further away.

  “You are, after all, merely a child who has stumbled upon something which doesn't concern her.” Pincer turned and began to pace. He continued, “I suppose the whole matter could be cleared up if you would agree to one tiny condition.”

  “What?”

  “When it comes time to choose to join our ranks, you shall decline and toss your coin in the fountain.”

  “What fountain?”

  “Make no mistake, if you cross me...”

  “I don't even know what you're talking about!”

  “...I'll bring a world of pain down on you and all you hold dear.”

  Abby's eyes flashed. “If you do anything to my friends, I'll...”

  Pincer raised his hands above his head. Coal-black smoke poured forth and swirled all about him. Distant, howling dogs grew nearer. Four posts grew from the floors. A moment later, ropes snaked out from the posts and slithered into the swirling smoke. With growls and gnashing teeth four huge dogs sprung from the smoke and raced toward Abby.

  Abby screamed and threw herself against the wall. The ropes stopped the beasts inches from Abby. “Stop it!”

  “You will do as I asked so that we can put this nastiness behind us?”

  A loud thwack came from behind the door, and a coat of frost crept across the chains. Pincer looked at the door, back at Abby, and said, “Don't cross me, you little brat.” He raised his hand. The poles flew into the smoke and dragged the dogs, howling and clawing, back into the darkness.

  Abby saw Pincer look at the door. She drew another arrow. It was her chance. He was distracted.

  Pincer turned back just as she let the arrow loose. He waved his arm, and the arrow flew into a wooden chair in the corner. “I've had it,” he yelled. A bolt of lightning shot from his fingers.

  Abby, with the bow still raised, didn't even have time to flinch as a blue shield arched out from the edges of the bow. The bolt crashed against the magical shield and was gone. Pincer seemed confused.

  The chains on the door shattered. Pincer ran to the corner where he had been hiding and was gone. The door opened, and Alphie rushed through with Stevie and the others close behind.

  Stevie rushed to Abby and said, “Are you alright?”

  “It was that guy Pincer from before,” Abby said, still fuming.

  Alphie said, “Pincer? Are you sure?”

  Alouicious said, “He had no business being here!”

  Everyone gathered around Abby. Alphie raised his hand, “Give her some space. Now, tell me what happened.”

  “Pincer came out of the corner and blasted Stevie through the door,” she said and looked at Stevie, “Are you okay?”

  “I'm fine. What did he do?”

  “He started threatening me, and chains just sort of grew out of the walls and covered the door.”

  Alphie said, “He threatened you how?”

  “He said I wasn't welcome and that I needed to toss a coin in a fountain. I didn't even know what he meant. Do you?”

  “Yes, the coin is just a formality, really, but what is important is that you don't need to be afraid of Pincer. I'll have a talk with him.”

  Alouicious said, “He'll go to the council about...”

  “Alouicious, please take the children through. I'll be there in a moment.”

  Cindy put her arm around Abby's shoulder and said, “Come on.”

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Jo asked.

  Alouicious said, “Come with me, children.”

  They all followed except for George who was squatting down and running his hand over the floor. “Look at these scratches. What do you suppose made them, Alphie?”

  Alphie waved his hand, and a white orb floated out to where George stood. “Let me have a look at that.” He bent down and rubbed his hand over the marks. “You have an excellent eye, George. Now, why don’t you join the others?”

  “Okay.”

  ***

  Abby came through the door with her worried friends all around her.

  Stevie asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I'm fine.”

  Cindy said,“My parents have told me that Mr. Pincer isn’t very nice, but why would he do that. He doesn’t even know you.”

  Jo looked very upset and couldn’t stop pacing.

  Stevie said, “I didn’t like that guy the minute I saw him.”

 
; George came through and said, “I’m glad you’re okay, Abby.”

  Abby said, “Thanks, George.”

  George said, “There were a bunch of scratches on the floor.”

  Abby said, “Those were from the dogs. He made them appear out of some clouds.”

  Jo said, “He attacked you with dogs!”

  Abby said, “Well, they were meant to scare me. They were on ropes.”

  Cindy said, “We need to teach him a lesson and…”

  Aliouicious said, “Children, this is a matter for Alphie and I to address. I assure you, this sort of thing is not tolerated.”

  Alphie joined the group and said, “Did you explain about the party?”

  Alouicious said, “Not yet, no. Sorry.”

  Cindy said, “A party?”

  Alouicious said, “Well it is more of a feast to honor all those who took the challenge. You’ll need to go through the doors…silver for the young gentlemen and gold for the young ladies.”

  Alphie began to spin. A great cloud rolled out from him, and the ceiling opened up to an azure sky. Alphie, now a Great Horned Owl, soared away. It was very dramatic, and Jo gave a tiny clap. The cloud swirled and followed him. In his place stood the two doors.

  Stevie said, “Okay, that was pretty cool. I hope they have steak at this dinner. I could eat a whole cow.”

  George said, “I bet they have some turkey or chicken. I love chicken, but turkey is good, too.”

  “Oh, yeah, that sounds good. How about some biscuits, too?”

  “I love the biscuits at KFC almost as much as the chicken.”

  “I hear that. Steak or chicken would be great, just no fish. Yuck.”

  Both boys walked through the doors laughing and talking about food. The girls stood and looked at each other. Cindy said, “Boys,” and shook her head. “Girls, shall we go see if they have anything decent to wear?”

  Jo looked nervous, but Abby said, “Sure, why not.”

  The door took them to a room filled with steam. A woman's voice said, “If you want to shower, head to your left. When you are done, the door on the right will take you to the gowns. There are robes and everything you'll need in there. You may leave your stuff, and it will be kept safe. You won't need weapons at the ball.”