By Anshu T.

Where does this book lead to?

Chapter 1- Hiding

“Hey Phoebe, it’s Vacation Day today, why are you heading home?” Jonah says, as I rush by him. It was July 21. Vacation Day. The day when all families in North America travel out of North America and have fun, somewhere else. 

“Right, but my mom forgot a few things at home,” I yell over my shoulder, eager to get home.

“Okay then, see you next week!” Jonah calls.

“See you!”

I release a gush of relief. Today was perfect for a vacation. As I hurry home, I hear the leaves of the trees rustle from the soft breeze. I watch people putting bags in the trunks of their cars. I hear the kids beg to sit next to the window. The leaves crunch under my feet. My phone buzzes. “Oh no,” I say to myself as I glance at the screen.

As I arrive at my house, I rush to the front door, open it and see my parents pulling down the ladder from the attic. “Phoebe, head on upstairs,” my parents tell me.

I see boxes and hide behind one. See, this year’s Vacation Day was going to be different for my family. This year, my family decided to stay home and just wait and see what happens. Because it felt like everyone in the government was hiding something from all of us. But the thing is, they have a master key. They check everybody’s house to see if all the people are gone. This is why I am crouching behind a box, and to make problems worse I am claustrophobic. I find myself listening to my parents saying, “Ready, set . . . ACTION!”

They run to their places. My brother Ryan peeks out the window and sees the mayor’s trusted  assistant approaching our house. I keep my head as low as possible. I hear footsteps marching up the step to our attic.

“No one here too, boss,” says a guy.

“Let’s go to the next house.”

Chapter 2- The Thing

Once they are gone, Ryan slowly gets up and says, “All we need to do is wait.”

Soon, I hear an effervescent noise from outside.  Ryan and I lock eyes and see something very extraordinary. The color of Ryan’s eyes has changed.I ran to the mirror and see my eyes changing too. 

“Mom, Dad!” 

The thing has come. This is what the government is hiding. I scuttle to the window and hear the mayor say, “Put the pot in front of the Tremblay’s front step.” My heart pounds because that is our house. I heard the little clicking noise. Ok, what is The Thing? The thing is an oversized pot. It is just not any pot, it is a portal through the Secret world and our world. My mom said our forerunners are from this world but they came here for a better life. I look at Ryan who is pressing his ear to my parent’s room. “No… They came here for ..”

Chapter 3- The Decision

I figured it would be a while until my parents came out of the room, so I started to fix a snack for myself. Unlike me, Ryan was still in front of my parents door eavesdropping. I heard Ryan’s footsteps stomping and saw my dad clearing his throat.

“ What were you guys doing in there?” Ryan asked. I looked to my dad then my mom. 

“Our ancestors loved there world. But there were many dangers. They came to this world and had a better life. Me and your father were wondering maybe these dangers are long gone and we should live where we are from. ” I think our parents were expecting an outbursts of disagreements.

 But Ryan jammed his fist in the air and said,“Yesss! I always wanted to live in a world with trolls, goblins, dragons. Then when we come back here for vacation all my friends will think I am very cool. ” 

Our parents exchanged looks. You can’t tell anyone about this world even your best friend”

My brother’s face dropped.”I don’t care!” he replied. 

My parents changed directions and faced me.”Phoebe are you okay with this?” My dad looked at my face and said, “And yes we will visit earth again!”

Chapter 4- The portal

Ryan reached to open the door, but my parents stopped him. “Wait until night time,that’s when the portal fully activates.” Ryan loosens his firm grip on the handle and walks to the sofa and plops on it.

”Phoebe,you are very quiet. What are you thinking about?” my mom asks. I turn to face her.

“Can you tell us more about the portal?” 

My mom says,”Of course,” 

My brother and I sit at the edge of our seats. 

“The portal as both of you know leads us to the other world. The other world is not only one planet, it’s a complete galaxy down there. There is land of food, magical wizards, alive toys, and the worst of all the skyway to death. The Skyway to death is ruled by a tiny wizard, but this wizard can kill someone with just one touch.” 

Ryan looked out the window.”Mom,dad it’s almost night time.” 

“Ryan Phoebe, pack as many things as you can in 15 mins.” 

Ryan and Phoebe rush to their rooms.”I can’t believe it! One day we were having a regular life, the other in a cool world.” Ryan blabbers on and on. 

Chapter 5-Always walk together when entering a portal!

Soon when the moon shines it’s way through the midnight sky. Ryan steps outside, picks up THE THING and brings it in.

“Ok, so you and Phoebe step in the portal first, then we will step in after you guys” Dad takes the thing and places it sideways. 

Suddenly, the portal grows until even a ten ft monster can fit in with no trouble. Ryan grabs my hand and starts to run in the portal. “Whoosh” The wind blew to my ears with so much force, I looked down and see no end to the portal.

About the Author

Anshu lives in Canada. She likes to play piano, reading LOTS of books, writing, swimming and spending time with her family and friends.