Beyond the Willows End

Authors note: This story is about a girl who disobeys her mother’s orders and goes to a forbidden shack. She soon finds the consequences and unknown secrets about the shack.

My mother would always warn me of the dangers of the forest. “Don’t go beyond the Willows End!” she would say every time I went out. As a child, as me, I would anyways. I found no fear in the forest that lies just past the boarder. The woods are the gateway to this forbidden place.

The wind blew against the old shack of a house. And the dust on old floor boards danced with the wind. Though my anticipation shrunk, I courageously went inside. The old place was in a wood; nearby to my home. I’ve come three times before, but never went in. It was rainy and cold, the wind getting more ferocious at the second. I was too far from home, and too close to the shack. My only choice was to go in. I walked up to the door. Old and worn the handle is about to fall off too. I pushed the door open; though it seemed that there were holes in the ceiling from outside, there was none. The inside was completely dry; however the air was damp and stuffy. Better than wet and cold right?

“Hello?” I called. If anyone lived here, I didn’t want to be accused of trespassing. There was no answer but still, I felt as though I was being watched. Achoo! I sneezed. The dust got into my nose and it tickled. I sneezed again, and again. Okay I don’t think it is the dust anymore. Being out in the rain for so long must have given me a cold. Oh well, I think I can manage. I took a look around the room I was in. It was a dull brown, with a mysterious era feeling to it. I was starting to think that I should have followed what my mother had said, “Don’t go beyond the Willows End!”

The floor boards were creaky and moved around a lot. Everything looked as old as Gandhi. And he is dead, by like 200 years. I walked around the dirty old thing to explore. This was the only room obviously. It was a shack for Christ’s sake. I took a step forward and I fell. What in the world did I trip on??!?!!??! It was a latch. Looks like it was stuck in the floorboards. I moved some sheets to get a better look at it. The latch was a dusty gold that looked easy to break. Not only that, there was a lock on it. Next to it all was a piece of paper, looked more like parchment really. The paper had writing on it. It said,

‘Dear Reader,

If you are reading this note that means that you have found my enchanted shack. This place has a secret. One that is the key to making a new beginning, a new life. To start everything over, to gain a second chance. The dangers of this can be deadly however. You may choose to go inside but there is no guarantee that you will like it. Everyone’s world is different, so when two go in, they won’t be together.

Be careful.

~ A.O.B.’


A.O.B.? What or who is that? Maybe it stands for a name. Anyway there is no way I could get in, because I don’t have a key. Yet as if on cue, a small shine came onto my eye. I looked over to where it came from. It was in the corner of the room. I walked over and saw the answer to get into this, ‘secret world’ that AOB spoke of. The key was a dull gold just like the latch. Excitement rushed through my veins as I scrambled over to the once hidden door to unlock it. When I inserted the key a fowl wind busted the doors open. I got up to shut it. I locked the door behind me so that the chance of it opening again was lower than hell.

My hand was now rested on the key. I was less anxious now. I, along with the rest of my family, was very superstitious. I thought it possible that the door blowing open was a sign. Is it possible that it was not meant to be open? What happens when I do open it? Okay I am officially unsure about this. And I am not one to adventure. I am more of a suffer-in-silence; spend Friday nights alone either on the computer or reading in my room.

However, I can’t let superstition take me over! Here I go. I turned the key and the lock popped open, making a spooky sound that you would here in a horror movie. I removed the lock from its holder, and then set it on the cold floor. Slowly and cautiously I opened the door. But all I saw was a pitch black hole, which reminded me of the darkness of hell.

Not knowing what would happen, I leaned forward to see in better. I could make out what the edges looked like. They were purple and blue that looked like they were, were……. Ugh! What’s the word? Come on! I won the ‘Best Author’ award 6 years in a row and I can’t think of the word. Luminescent! Yes that is the word. Or if you are an illiterate, glowing. It looked like it was glowing. Where they crystals? Or unknown gems? I saw one that was close enough that it seemed like I could touch it. I reached down. The tips of my fingers traced the precious jewels. They were smooth and the tips were sharp; so luminescent, so exquisite, and growing even more so. I felt something overcome my being, as if a demonic spirit has possessed the very heart and mind that I treasure so. No, this won’t happen! I fought this feeling that made me want to indulge myself in the deepest darkness. I adjusted my hand that was my only support, and I slipped.

I plummeted down into the dark abyss. I screamed and screamed. Even though I knew no one could hear me. I thought that it went on forever; until I felt a sharp pain in my back and head. Bliss then overcame me, only seconds later. I then saw the great light that I have been told many times about. I came to realize, and I said aloud,

“I am dead.”


Epilogue


Her body was never found because once she fell in, the door back shut closed and was locked by the very man who made the gateway.

“Great another body to rot.” Was all he said, he then decided that was enough and burned the shack down. But what he did not know was that the gate way was still there; waiting to gobble up its next victim.