The Land of Hope

Chapter 1

As the class finished up their test, Katie waited for the school bell to ring whilst staring at the classroom clock. "Hey Katie can I borrow a pencil?" a classmate of hers said "Sure." she replied. The teacher then hushed Katie and she returned to her silence. The bell rang and Katie rushed out of the classroom. She ran with happiness and contentment to the bike rack. As she jumped her bike to ride she pushed herself onto the sidewalk to ride her teal bike through the wind, she felt so free and happy. She eventually approached a small flower field with a small pond at the bottom of it. She set down her bike and ran to the cherry blossom tree standing blissfully by the tiny pond. A long day at school made her eyes weary, as much as she tried to remain happy at school and put up a front for everyone, she couldn't hold up her mask to her true feelings. A few months ago, Katie had to watch her mom go through many hospital visits. Each one she went to her mom grew more and more tired, until her body finally gave up on her. Leaving behind a daughter with no father. Katie was handed over to her Uncle George who enrolled her in the town's school. She could no longer be homeschooled due to her uncle having to work the usual 9-5 everyday. "Mom, I don't know where you are, or even if you can hear me. Just know I miss you everyday even more" Katie says in a broken voice "I feel like a part of me is missing since you left me here, I wish you could give me the answers I need" as she leans over the lake to find her reflection, in the reflection her necklace shimmers in the light and reminds her of when she first got her necklace.

*Flashback to Katie's 10th birthday party*

"Here you go sweetie this one is a special one just from me" Katie's mom speaks softly. The little 10 year old girl frantically opens the little box to find a beautiful teal crystal necklace. "OOOOoo, it's so pretty mommy!" the little girl exclaims. "This necklace is a reminder of my love for you, one day you'll use it to find strength within yourself to unlock the secrets of your heart's desire" Her mom explains to her. Katie then sees there's a hole in the necklace and slowly tries to discover what it means.

*Present time*

"Hearing your voice one more time is my heart's desire." Katie says as a tear drops into the lake. As Katie cries the lake slowly starts to rise, she realizes and starts to back away in fear, but the lake had a force pulling her in so she could not escape. Slowly she was taken by the water. She felt her soul wanting to let go of her body drifting off into the dark abyss of the lake but as she was about to let herself go she heard a voice calling her name, one that sounded very familiar. "...katie.... katie.... It's time to wake up my dear." Katie woke up but she realized she was no longer by the lake; she was on the shore of a beautiful sea. As she scanned the area she looked around to find herself a land only full of color and warmth. She spoke to herself, "where am I?"