Chapter 1

Mateo

April 12, 2022

10:07 PM

It was a cold, windy night. I was home alone. 

My mom (a nurse) was still at work and my dad was at a meeting and wouldn’t return until midnight.

Theo (my little brother) had gone on a sleepover with his friends.

Alone, I lay awake in bed, thoughts circling my head.

AAAAAAOOOOOO

A shrill cry echoed in the mist, shattering the calm, peaceful night. 

The air turned black around me. My hair stood on end, a shiver raced down my spine, and a lump swelled in my throat.

All the lights around me flickered, then went off.

I sat up with a start, something was in my room.

My eyes strained to see in the blackness.

My heart pounded, and I felt panic rising.

Icy fingers gripped my arm in the darkness, I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

   BANG

Owwwww

Something hit the side of my head, I slumped to the ground, and the world went dark.

                                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~

I opened my eyes. It was a bit brighter and I saw the pale glow of the moon and stars shining through the transparent clouds. I was lying on the ground. The pain in my head was excruciating and I could hardly breathe. 

 Crreeaakk

My closet door opened and strange dark figures came out.

What are they doing?

One grabbed my laptop and another got my wallet.

Oh brother

I lay there in silence for what seemed like hours

“What are we supposed to do with this creature, Elio?” “Uh..Let’s take him,” “Very well” 

I noticed two dark, shadowy shapes standing in my doorway, one started toward me.

Strong, mossy hands picked me up by the shoulders and dragged me along.

The other (apparently named Elio) picked up my rug, tossed it aside, and opened a hatch under it.

They both lowered me down, then came through themselves.

My room seemed to flicker and fade, everything I knew was gone. I was in a dimly-candle-lit room.

I looked around the strange place, there were lots of shelves filled with books and a small round table was in the center. On the table was what looked like tea and a few biscuits.

There was an opaque window on the ground beside some piles of cushions that I assumed were beds.

I turned to see the creatures who kidnapped me, but instead, I saw the window on the ground close and I was alone in the room.

I plopped down on the cushions.

“Oh great!”