The Enchanted Garden- Part 1

The baby blue sky cradled the sun, which shone down and bathed everything in a warm glow. Fluffy white clouds moved smoothly through the heavens without a care in the world. Silence was everywhere as the luscious green leaves of the trees swayed lazily in the cool summer’s breeze.1

Not a soul moved in this angelic place, frozen and cold as ice. A young boy stood still, unmoving as if lifeless, a mere statue. Eyes as cold as the body that cased them stared back at nothing but wanting to see everything. His snow-white soul floated around him, trapped from ever escaping the prison it had been held in for so many years.2

Unspoken and unheard voices called out for the freedom that they deserved but still no one came to their aid, even after all this time. Hushed whispers grazed the peaceful land with their cries of pain and anger, even revenge against those who where free to live, oh how they hated them.3

Only one dared to enter this damned place, his cocky grin giving away the fact that he knew nothing of what it held. He was young, no older than ten and a scrawny looking kid. He looked back at the many other children sniggering behind the gate, this was most likely a dare to become one of them but did they really intend to let him join? And why had they chosen this place? There didn’t seem to be anything scary about it.4

He stepped in further, confident at first but increasingly cautious of being watched. Chills ran up and down his back as the souls shot invisibly through his body sapping his strength and warmth as they did so.5

The boy shivered, visible to the eye now but still he walked on. Noiseless laughter floated unknowingly around him and oblivious to it he continued.6

“You idiot!” shouted a female voice that sounded no more than a whisper. The sunny illusion faltered, trees withered and died right in front of his eyes. Black clouds blotted out the sun until it was completely dark. Shadows crawled, bodiless through the mist, now he could see them, now he could hear their hunger.7

He screamed losing his positive image and began running in the other direction. The shadowed figures were on him in seconds, drinking in deeply the life of the boy who cried out in fear.8

“You should never have come!” called the female voice again but this unseen figure only succeeded in scaring the boy further. He scrambled to his feet, running on hands and knees for a moment before getting his balance. Where was the exit? He thought frantically refusing to stop running.9

A split second later he could see the gate, the way he had come in through. He no longer recognised any of this area now, except for the one way out he had been praying for. More dark figures loomed around it as if waiting for him. Sweat ran down his face soaking his blonde hair and clothes.10

“What do you want?” he shouted in his panic, spinning around and around to see all those who surrounded him. “What are you?” His voice came out as a squeak and he covered his head with his hands as he waited for his reply.11

“We are neither dead nor alive,” called a hushed male voice, gurgling and scratching as he spoke. “We are here because we have wronged but our freedom is long since overdue,” continued the voice watching the boy with almost sightless eyes.12

“We want out!” shouted many voices at once as the creatures surrounded the boy once again. “We want out,” they chanted closing in on the small trembling figure.13

“Stop it!” called the female voice as a white light exploded from the centre of the crowd, the creatures cried in agony as they backed away and fell into silence.14

The light enveloped the boy, filling him with the warmth he longed for again, the warmth he wished that he had never left. Then the light dimmed and faded and panic slowly returned, as did the cold and emptiness.15

“No wait!” he called in his terror not wanting to be alone. “How do I get out of here?” he croaked as tears overflowing from his eyes.16

“I wish I knew,” she called back almost sad as the light faded altogether. “Follow me, I’ll protect you.” The light had disappeared into one tiny floating dot like that of a firefly and zipped back and forth in front of his eyes until he was to his feet.17

“Be quick, I can’t keep them back for long,” she called, her voice now high-pitched and as tiny as the dot she represented. He followed in a sprint never taking his eyes off the small light, off his only hope.18

“But the gate is that way,” he protested pointing at the gate with a trembling hand. The creatures sat there, ready and waiting for their meal, wide open mouths and hollow eyes that watched everything.19

“There is another way, trust me,” she called back speeding up even more and nearly losing the boy behind her. Her voice would have been funny had it been in any other situation.20

Moments later a tall, haunting fence appeared in front of them. Vines weaved their way up and down, in and out of the bars. Sharp spikes sat on the top daring someone to attempt the climb. The boy gulped deep and loud.21

“You want me to climb that?” he whined walking closer and tilting back his head to get a better picture of the height.22

There was no reply and he turned to find the comforting glow was gone, instead stood a young girl about the age of eighteen. She had long hair that flowed colourlessly down to her thin waist, light radiating from her like that of an angel.23

A small delicate white hand reached out to him and hesitantly he took it. Her grip tightened and she dragged him along the line of the fence, her body solid but still without colour.24

The screeching of the creatures got louder and the scratching of their fingernails in the ground radiated around the park. It almost sounded like chanting, their rhythm unchanging. 25

The girl’s long dress stretched out behind her like wings but not really there. Her skin paled and as he watched she began to disappear, her white complexion was slowly turning invisible. His hand passed right through hers and instantly he stopped dead in his tracks. She turned and looked at him, her young face twisted with pain and sadness.26

“Don’t stop now, we have to keep moving!” He stared at her for a minute as if nothing in the world mattered before running ahead of her in the direction they had been heading.27

“What are you?” he puffed, not letting his pace slow and glancing at the fading figure beside him.28

“I am as the others, neither living nor dead,” she replied with no change in breath as if the running had no effect on her, her small frail feet making no sound as they padded hurriedly through the leaves. 29

“But you’re not like the others,” he replied and fell through her being as she stopped dead in front of him. He staggered to his feet and looked up at her. Although older she looked so much younger, her sorrows clear on her face. “Why did you stop?”30

“We’re here,” she sighed pointing to a small hole in the fencing. “I think you can fit.”31

He looked to where her almost transparent hand was pointing to see the collapsed fencing. He was small and thin but still he struggled, wriggling this way and that in his alarm to escape.32

Once he was through he turned to look at her, still standing there but for the first time he noticed her clutching something tight in her hand, close to her heart.33

“What is it?” he asked eyeing the small glow that came from between her fingers, the gold chain that fell loosely from her palm. Slowly she opened her hand to reveal a little gold locket, placed snuggle inside was a bright blue gem that emitted the warm glow he had seen before.34

“It protects me,” she whispered holding it close to her again and grasping it tightly as if her life depended on it. “Now go!” she shouted throwing out her free hand as an unseen force slammed into his chest sending him hurtling backwards.35

The next thing he knew he was staring through the fence into a peaceful garden, the light shining down on the calmly swaying trees. Nothing moved and nothing made a sound. That was the last he saw of the garden.36

Eight years later37

A group of young people all gathered outside of the small shop, the owners fuming that the children never listened to them. Each one of the children was about seventeen or eighteen. They all clustered together, some separated in their own little pairs.38

A young boy of eighteen, still scrawny but much more handsome, stood with his arms loosely draped around the waist of the girl next to him. She was tall and skinny with a pale complexion and long blonde hair that went well with her bright blue eyes. She was one of the popular girls that all the boys pined for but only this boy was lucky enough to get her attention. Why? What was so good about this kid? Thought all the other boys as they watched.39

Another boy, slightly younger than the rest came running over at full speed, a mixture of a grin and fear plastered on his face. He stopped and bent over trying to catch his breath.40

“What is it?” sneered one of the other boys, he was the leader. The smaller boy stood up as straight as he could, sweat dripping down his face.41

“I heard,” he puffed and paused to take another deep breath, gulping the air in quickly before continuing. “They are demolishing the haunted garden in a week.” The leader seemed to be thinking for a moment before grinning down at the boy.42

“Good work. Now go away.” In a shot the boy was gone leaving no trace that he had ever been there.43

“What is the haunted garden?” asked the blonde haired girl stepping momentarily away from the warmth of her boyfriend’s arms.44

“It has nothing to do with you Catherine,” stated the leader then he glanced over at her boyfriend and his look changed to that of pure malice. “Why don’t you ask your precious Matthew,” he mocked. Instantly the girl turned and looked down on her boyfriend.45

“Well?” was all she said expecting to get everything she wanted to know from him with one utterance.46

Matthew said nothing as he walked past her, slow at first but turning into a sprint once he was away from the group.47

“Where is he going?” called one of the other people there but Catherine only glared into the distance at her fading boyfriend until her was gone.48

He ran to the garden to find a large board posted up outside of the entrance gate. Plastered onto the side of the board was the large writing of the company name that was going to demolish the park.49

He could see where their main office was and instantly he was running in that direction. It didn’t take him long to get there and he burst in through the door, striding over to the main desk.50

“Can I help you?” asked the almost scared woman behind the counter, cowering behind her desk in case he suddenly pulled out a gun.51

“I want to talk to your manager!” he almost shouted in his haste. Still the woman did not move but merely glanced up at him. It was unusual to get eighteen year olds in here at all let alone one that wanted to talk to the manager.52

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid I am unable to arrange that. Come back in a week.” Matthew’s temper boiled and temporarily he forgot himself.53

“I need to talk to him now!” he bellowed slamming his fists into the desk and watching as bits of paper and stationary fell to the floor. The woman squealed behind the protection of her desk and shrunk down even further, what should she do? Once nearly on the floor she spotted the small red button she had been shown when she had first come to work here.54

“This button will call the security guards but you only have to press it once,” echoed the voice of her manager. Slowly she raised her hand to the button and in one quick motion she pressed it.55

Within seconds the room was flooded with people, all watching the commotion with interest and three security guards came bursting in through the door.56

“It’s him,” she shouted in fear stepping back and pointing accusingly at the young man before her. They surrounded him pulling back his arms and lifting him roughly from the floor.57

“I’m afraid we are going to have to escort you outside sir,” said one of the men near his ear before the others began to lead him along.58

“No! You’re making a big mistake!” he bellowed kicking his legs and thrashing about as much as he could. “The park can’t be demolished, terrible things will happen,” he continued to call although no one listened. The men dropped him to the curb outside of the building, slowing drifting off one by one until one man was left.59

“If you know what’s good for you kid, you’ll go home,” he muttered standing back to his feet and beginning to walk away.60

“Wait! There are monsters in the park,” Matthew called and the man stopped before him. “I’ve seen them. They live off of human life. If the park is demolished they could escape!” For a second the security guard seemed to believe him, still standing there. It was until the man turned around that Matthew knew he took no heed to his warnings, the mere imagination of a child.61

“I think you need to go to see your doctor,” said the man before walking away in small fits of laughter muttering words like ‘monsters’ and ‘human lives’. 62

“I’ll have to stop you myself then,” he mumbled determined to himself before heading back to the park at full speed. Once he arrived there he stopped in hesitation, the last time he had been in there he had barely escaped with his life, had it not been for that girl, the very girl he now wanted to save.63

Just as he was about to enter he heard the clicking of shoes behind him and the screaming of the last voice that he wanted to hear.64

“Matthew!” He whizzed around only to come face to face with his girlfriend, Catherine, her lips snapped tightly together, her eyebrows twisted in a way that showed she was really angry.65

“I have to go Catherine,” he tried to explain without telling her what he was really there for. I’m here to save a girl of light from creatures of darkness that are going to be unleashed from this park and reek havoc on the city if it is destroyed. How would she take that?66

He chucked to himself at the thought and imagined the look on her face.67

“It’s not funny Matthew.” She stood straight to make herself look taller as if she was the one in charge but failed miserably, Matthew was tall for his age as his parents before him had been.68

His parents, what would they think if he didn’t return from here, if something happened to him and he never came home?69

“Matthew are you listening to me?” screeched that same annoying voice, getting higher pitched with each word. Her eyes widened slightly in realisation as she watched him, staring into space. “You’re two-timing me!”70

That was her conclusion from it all, he thought to himself a mental grin in the back of his mind.71

“Look Catherine, I have something to take care of. I’ll call you later,” he said trying to get rid of her; he wanted to get this finished with before it got dark out. She moved closer and he mentally groaned. Go home!72

“Well then I’m coming with you.” She paused a moment looking up at him but down on him at the same time. She always could make him feel like he was the size of an ant. “Just to make sure.” Linking his arm she dragged him into the park where he had been heading, a grin plastered on her face.73

Not for long, thought Matthew as he slowed. He looked around hesitantly as the trees slowly withered. Every step they took seemed to echo endlessly around them.74

“Catherine you really should be getting home. Your mum will be worried,” he persisted but still she continued. She seemed oblivious to what was happening, maybe it wasn’t really happening, and maybe he was imagining it all.75

“No, I want to stay with yo-“ suddenly she stopped, staring fixated in front of her. Matthew followed her eyes and froze to the spot. The garden was an endless wasteland with no entrance and no exit. All around them came the eager cries of those that shouldn’t be alive.76

She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself watching the shadow creatures crawl painfully towards her, gaping mouths watching her every move. Matthew pushed her back standing protectively in front of her, arms spread wide.77

“Run!” was all he shouted to the petrified girl. Even without turning around he knew that she had not obeyed his order. “I said run Catherine!”78

The creature was now at his feet and he could stand still no longer. Spinning around he grabbed Catherine by the wrist and dragged her behind him. His movements were stiff and lazy, the girl behind him becoming increasingly heavy.79

“It’s too late,” whispered a voice behind him before Catherine collapsed to the ground. He stopped at her side heaving her again to her feet only to fall to his knees.80

“What’s wrong with me?” he asked himself trying again to lift his girlfriend. She lay limply in his arms, eyes open and staring terrified at nothing. He held her close, pushing her head securely to his chest and covering her eyes.81

The creatures surrounded them now like a forest of trees, the groans and whimpers too much for his ears to take.82

“Go away!” he shouted seizing a stick with his free hand and waving it helplessly in front of him. “Stay back.” They seemed to laugh until one cackle called out amongst all the others drowning them out. The rest fell silent until all that could be heard was this earthquake of a voice.83

“Fear not young man,” called a deep male voice, a hint of gurgling in his throat, he too was one of the dead. “It won’t take long.”84

A dark figure emerged in front of them his features as black as the shadows he was produced from. He stepped closer, his footsteps a mere wisp of air over the dead brown grass. He became clearer, his skin blackening in places, dead skin to match the body and soul it belonged to.85

The creatures cowered away from him, those venturing to close evaporating into thin air, or so it seemed. He absorbed their strength turning them to nothing but energy that ran through his own dead but greedy veins.86

He stopped a few feet away from them lifting his head to its full height, a proud look on his face. It was only then that Matthew noticed the crown of dead leaves wrapped superbly around his slowly decaying head, a red gem glowing its pride from its cradle atop his head.87

“What do you want?” shouted Matthew trying to hide his fear. His girlfriend shuddered in his arms, lifting herself gently to a sitting position. Staring up at the man in front of them her eyes seemed fixated as if she wasn’t really there. “Catherine?” Matthew called unsure, shaking her shoulder carefully.88

She stood to her feet; her shoulders slumped forwards slightly, her body straining to keep her up. The man stepped closer still until he was inches from her. He ran his dying hand along her smooth cheek loving the feel of her delicate skin.89

Another step closer. Now he was right in front of her and still she didn’t move or turn away, still she stared forwards as if seeing nothing, as if she weren’t alive at all.90

“What have you done to her?” called Matthew in rage as the man wrapped his arm around Catherine’s small waist. She shuddered but remained where she was, a single tear sliding it’s was down her pale face. “Catherine,” whispered Matthew not daring to raise his voice in the presence of this man.91

Creatures circled Matthew still, cleverly avoiding their master who greedily sapped their lives, or what life they had. They reached forwards groaning and gurgling, their hollow eyes watching and waiting. Several pounced on Matthew, pulling at his arms and legs. He expected his strength to disappear completely but it never came.92

Slowly Matthew opened his eyes just as the lips of the misshapen figure connected effortlessly with that of the young girl. Time froze and no one moved, not even the creatures which held him back from their leader.93

“Catherine!” Matthew shouted snapping out of his daze. He watched as her skin paled, white as porcelain, her lips changed to blue before her body crumpled noiselessly to the floor. “Catherine!”94

Matthew struggled, punching and kicking at nothing in particular but the hold of the creatures was firm, their dead hands and arms strained to their limits. Now the leader turned to him, a pleased look covering his entire face.95

“Who are you?” whimpered Matthew as his body shook violently. He glanced at the body of his girlfriend still unmoving, her mesmerising blue eyes staring at something that he couldn’t possibly see. He turned away in shame, shame that he hadn’t helped her.96

“Don’t worry Matthew,” called the man, the gurgling still clear in his dead throat. “It won’t hurt.” He glanced at the girl, her energy still running through his veins. Not the purest of power but it would do for now.97

“How do you know my name?” he questioned as he watched the man circling his prey. “I asked you a question!” shouted Matthew trying to act tough but secretly calling out for the vision of light that had saved him so many years ago.98

“My name is Dante,” he replied stepping closer to Matthew now, slow mocking steps as he watched the trembling boy. “And I know a lot more about you than just your name Matthew.”99

Dante walked around him, not once taking his eyes from those of the poor child. As he walked the creatures gave one final cry before they vanished into thin air, not a single speck remain. Still the others refused to move and still he sucked in their beings.100

“What do you want with me?” continued Matthew trying to buy some time, maybe there was another way out of this.101

“I,” said Dante getting down on one knee next to him and leaning in, “want what you have!” Dante’s body vanished as did that of the creatures around him until all that remained was the crown that fell to the ground with a clatter. The leaves fell away, only the red gem lingered, its hypnotizing glow calling out to Matthew.102

Slowly he reached his hand out to it, the calls getting louder. With no control of his own actions he rested his hand over the stone and clutched his fingers around it.103

“No!” screamed a far off voice, a mere echo compared to Matthew’s own cries of agony and distress. The torment he felt was spread throughout the park and all unoccupied eyes turned to its direction, drawn to the pain they could smell.104

“Matthew!” called the female voice, a figure of a young girl encased in light appearing before his eyes. Still he shouted and screamed gripping his right wrist until it bled. Slowly a red gem emerged in the centre of his hand, its glow covered by droplets of blood as more weaved their way down his arm.105

“Wha- what’s happening to me?” Matthew shouted his voice hoarse from his cries. The girl stared horrified at his hand as his skin around the gem died and blackened. He felt weak and something in his mind was throbbing, covering everything in darkness. Just as his vision stared to fade the girl moved, faster than he had ever seen before.106

“Take this!” Throwing him a locket he caught it in one hand by a small and delicate gold chain. Instantly her glow faded and a white light burst from the locket, opening and revealing a bright blue stone in the centre.107

The darkness in his mind was pushed back, held in a corner by a thin casing of light. His burning muscles cooled leaving him numb and exhausted. Still the blue stone shone as the red one dimmed to a dark crimson, no longer burning his skin or his soul. He sat there for a few moments letting his mind get used to what was happening and then he remembered Catherine.108

Looking around frantically he saw no sign of the girl as if she had vanished into thin air. Even the ground where she had laid looked untouched.109

“Catherine?” he mused more to himself than anything and still he got no response. A hand was placed lightly on his shoulder, half there, half somewhere else. He followed the arm to a small smiling face, the face of the one he had come to save, the one he had come to warn about the park.110

“What are you doing here?” she asked before he could speak, the pain on her face showing clearly that she didn’t want him there. He pulled back and slowly, as best he could, explained about the new plans for the haunted park.111

“Demolished!” she screamed once he was finished pure terror on her face. “That can’t happen,” she muttered resting on the floor and placing her head in her hands, see through blonde hair falling over her face.112

“What will happen if it is? Won’t it be for the best?” questioned Matthew to the distressed girl who seemed to have forgotten that not only the park but she too was running out of time.113

“The results of the gate being broken down will only release what is being held in this park, it won’t destroy it.” Matthew listened but still couldn’t help his mind wondering to the whereabouts of Catherine. He was the one who had got her into this mess and now he didn’t even know if she was alive. What would he tell her parents?114

His skin turned white as he stared straight ahead, now he couldn’t hear anything except for the pounding of blood through his ears.115

“Matthew! Are you listening to me?” He snapped out of his panic and looked up at the girl. "What happened to the girl wasn't your fault."116

“Yes it was!” he cried. “I was the one who let her follow me in the first place!”117

“It was her choice to follow you.” Matthew thought about it but still couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt. It was time to change the conversation. Here was this girl who couldn’t have been any older than he was. What could she have done that was so bad to get herself put in here? A thought came to him.118

“I never got to ask you your name,” he said after a moment’s silence. She froze, her body rigid and her face worried. She seemed to be looking for something in the back of her mind but it never came to her.119

“My name?” She paused, thinking. “My name is Airlea.”120

“Airlea. It’s a nice name,” said Matthew standing to his feet and offering her his hand to help her up. She reached her hand out but instead of placing it gently in his palm her hand went straight through.121

Airlea stared at her hands held out in front of her, tears in her eyes and sobbed quietly to herself as her skin paled more. Matthew sat next to her, an encouraging smile on his face.122

“I promise that I’ll get you out of here.” She looked up at him, the honesty of his words so clear in his eyes.123

“You have grown up so much since that last time we met,” she said standing to her feet and walking a few steps away. Suddenly she stopped and her face turned serious. “And now its time we got you out of here.”124

“How?” asked Matthew also standing to his feet and walking to stand beside her. She turned to him and gently held his right hand. Turning it over the red gem was clear even in the dark, embedded deep into his skin.125

“Using this,” she said at last with a smile on her face that he didn’t quite like. “You have the power of Dante. My blue gem only contains him from taking over you.”126

“Taking over me?” shouted Matthew, hearing all this for the first time was a bit of a shock. Did that mean that he could never take the locked off without being possessed by a dead guy? Would he never be rid of the red gem that called to him deep inside his mind?127

“As long as you don’t use anything too powerful that might strain your body and the power of the blue gem then you should be fine. But remember, nothing too powerful.” Matthew didn’t believe what he was hearing. He stared at nothing in a daze as Airlea talked about all the powers that he could use.128

So Dante is inside of me? And I can use his powers as long as I have the red gem? He went over it in his mind again and again but still it just seemed like something out of a fantasy book.129

“Matthew, you really do have to start listening to me!” She paced around him as he watched her; something he wanted to say was clear in his eyes. “I will teach you how to use them.”130

“What about my family?” He couldn’t keep the worry from his voice as he thought of his mother and his father frantically looking for the lost boy.131

“They’ll be fine, time passes differently here. Much slower.” She moved till she was in front of him and looked straight into his eyes. “Lets start your training.”