2010 WARM Writing Competition - Junior Short Story Second Place Winner

“MYTHIKA” by Isabelle Blackstone

A fire crackled gently, casting a warm, orange glow around the dusty, attic walls. An old fashioned armchair stood in the middle of the room and snuggled between the beige cushions, lay Scarlett Evans. Scarlett is pretty much your average 12 year old girl except for her obsession with fantasy books. The thought of scaly dragons, cheeky fairies and mysterious unicorns takes her breath away. It was this love for fantasy that brought that accursed book into her life in the first place. Although, I’m getting ahead of myself. The whole thing started a few days ago. Scarlett was searching through a second hand store, hoping to find some interesting antique books when she saw a corner of the shaggy carpet folded up at an awkward angle. Curiously, she crept over and crouched down next to it, yanking it up further, revealing a wooden hatch. She carefully pulled the hatch open and underneath was a worn, leather bound book with the words ‘MYTHIKA’ painted in swirly, gold letters. Intricate patterns weaved around the cover’s border and the book had an old, dusty smell. Excited, Scarlett lifted it carefully from inside the hatch and slipped it into her backpack. She knew she was stealing but she had a feeling this book wasn’t for sale. Acting casual, she strolled over to her mum who was waiting by the door. They were about to walk out when a loud shout came from behind them, “STOP! THIEF!!” Scarlett whipped around in horror, her emerald green eyes wide with fright. Had they discovered that she had stolen the book?

Once Scarlett was back in her room, she flopped on her bed and let out a sigh of relief. That had been a close call back at the second hand store. The desk lady was really shouting at a young boy who was nicking books off the bookshelf and stuffing them into a garbage bag. Scarlett grabbed her bag and rushed up the stairs to the attic, her flaming red hair billowing around her face. The attic was her favourite room in the entire house. It was quiet, warm and had a relaxing atmosphere, making it the perfect place to read and think. Dropping her bag on the floor, Scarlett unzipped it and pulled out the dusty old book. Settling down on the armchair in the middle of the room, she snuggled in between the beige cushions with the book balanced neatly on her lap. This was the scene where you came in. Now I bet your wondering why this book was called ‘accursed’ at the beginning and I’m afraid to say you’re about to find out. Scarlett opened the book to the first page; it wasn’t covered with words, only a mysterious looking symbol; a circular gold band enclosing a fire breathing dragon. She immediately had this irresistible urge to trace it with her finger and before she knew it, she was tracing it with her finger. Suddenly, a strange tingling feeling began in her toes and fingers and a rainbow mist engulfed her as she was sucked into the very page of the book.  It all happened so fast, she didn’t even have time to cry out for help!

When Scarlett opened her eyes, she found herself lying on a cobblestone path. Dazed, and a little frightened, she sat up and looked around. The path was surrounded by a multitude of tall trees and bushes, some with blossoming exotic flowers.  “Where am I? she gasped.  A loud rustle disturbed the empty silence; it was coming from the bushes on Scarlett’s right hand side. She held her breath as the rustling became louder and louder as the unknown came closer and closer. Suddenly a dozen huge scaly green snakes with gigantic venomous fangs slithered out onto the path where she was sitting.  Scarlett froze, immobilised with fear, as another dozen identical snakes slithered out from the opposite side of the path to surround her. She was trapped! Absolutely terrified, she squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the sharp fangs to pierce her flesh. A beautiful calm and musical voice suddenly entered her mind. “Don’t be afraid little one, I shall protect you,” it whispered softly. Scarlett felt all her fear melt away and she opened her eyes to see who could be powerful enough to enter her thoughts and speak to her by using the mind. Standing before her was the most beautifully, stunning beast she had ever seen! It was a pure bred unicorn; snow white in colour with a silver horn that sparkled in the sun’s light, reflecting little rainbows everywhere. Fearlessly, it leaped into the crowd of snakes, crushing them with its golden hoofs and spearing them with its magic horn. Within minutes, the cobblestone path resembled a battlefield, dead snakes scattered everywhere. Silently, the unicorn trotted over to Scarlett and bowed its head gracefully. Scarlett curtseyed in return. “My name is Star,” the unicorn said calmly in Scarlett’s mind. “My name is Scarlett. Could you please tell me where I am?” Scarlett asked. “This is the land of Mythika and those snakes were the evil queen Savina’s minions” Star answered softly. “Who is Savina?” Scarlett questioned. “Savina is the evil snake queen who reigns terror in Mythika and enjoys others pain,” Star said, her voice full of hatred. “How will I ever return home?” Scarlett cried, realising she had no idea how to return to her home world. “You must defeat the snake queen Savina and take her sapphire ring before dawn tomorrow or you will remain in Mythika forever!” Star responded.

An hour later, Scarlett was trudging wearily up a steep, grassy hill that led to Savina’s evil lair, Star leading the way. “We’re here,” Star whispered a tremulous note of fear in her voice. Scarlett gulped and gazed at the dark sinister looking castle that stood before her, shivers running down her spine. “Come on, we’ll take her on together,” Star encouraged, quietly entering through the plant shrouded back door. Scarlett rushed in after her. “Welcome to my castle strangers,” a voice like hissing snakes called. It was Savina the evil Snake Queen! Scarlett and Star huddled together drawing courage from each other as they frantically tried to come up with a plan. “I’m going to take her down now!” Star whispered, turning to face Savina. “You fool!” Savina cackled as the ground beneath Star’s hoofs crumbled. Letting out a startled whinny of surprise, Star fell into a pit of writhing snakes. They immediately attacked and Scarlett watched in horror as they swarmed all over her friend. Savina smiled evilly as Star struggled vainly to free herself. Scarlett felt uncontrollable anger boiling up inside her like a volcano about to erupt. “How dare you!” she bellowed, her hands balled into fists. Savina cackled again. Looking around frantically for a way to save her friend, Scarlett noticed Savina’s magical sceptre propped against the wall. It glowed with an eerie light, full of inner power. Scarlett raced frantically across the room for it hoping to turn its power against Savina and have her own evil minions attack her. Snatching the sceptre and whirling around Scarlett pointed it at Savina and shouted, “Snakes! I command thee to attack thy mistress!” in a commanding voice she did not recognise as her own. Millions of snakes slithered out of hidden places in every corner of the castle, swarming towards Savina. No, no! I am your mistress, screamed Savina in outrage.  All you could see of the evil snake queen was a mass of writhing snakes.  With one last desperate and despairing scream she was no more. Scarlett sank to her knees, her eyes filling with tears. She had saved her friend but she needed Savina’s sapphire ring to get her home and the snake queen was no more. A faint whinny brought her attention back to her friend. “Star!” she shrieked, helping her friend up. “I have brought you something little one,” Star whispered, gently lowering the object in her mouth to the floor. “The sapphire ring!” Scarlett exclaimed, hugging her friend tightly around the neck. Place the ring on your left hand and before you know it you will be back home, explained Star. “Goodbye little one,” Star whispered as Scarlett felt the ring sucking her out of the book. When she opened her eyes she was safely back in the attic on the old comfy couch, snuggled between the beige cushions with the book on her lap opened to the first page. It was like nothing had happened. A soft tinkling sound made Scarlett look down. A beautiful, silver bracelet with a unicorn charm dangled from her wrist. She lifted the book and locked it in an old chest, then slipped the chest to the very back of the bookshelf. Then Scarlett walked to the window, stared at the bracelet and whispered, “Thankyou.”

The End