A Very Odd Tuesday

Submitted by: Vania Alzangna - 7A

The letter was lying on the doormat, odd handwriting scribbled on the crimson envelope.

Samuel picked it up, thinking it was Jule’s party invitation. Slumping into a chair, he ripped it open and frowned at the key that had fallen on his lap. It was golden, with an intricately designed bow. Samuel shook the envelope; a slip of paper landed beside the key. He squinted at the words.

YOU WILL FULFILL YOUR GOALS AND OPEN THE GATES OF THE FORGOTTEN LAND BEFORE SUNRISE. OF COURSE, IF YOU REFUSE, THE HANGMAN WILL BE MUCH PLEASED TO DEAL WITH YOU. YOU HAVE UNTIL TOMORROW.

Chuckling, Samuel folded the paper, putting it in his pocket. Jane was really an idiot. She was seven, but it was high time she gained some sense. This type of prank had literally no effect on anyone.

He was proved wrong on that Tuesday.

Jane swore she hadn’t done it, and whatever Jane was, she wasn’t a liar. Tim and gale were both on holiday, so who else was there? His mother was out of the question: she was so caught up with work he doubted she could remember her children’s names.

It struck him around midnight that the golden key looked eerily similar to the closets in the attic they had never bothered to open. Pattering into the hallway and up the ladder, his eyes took a little to adjust. When they did, Samuel pushed the key into the hole and creaked the doors open.

He gasped.