Day 1: Tunnel #1, The Crystals Arrive - Daytime, 3:08 P.M.

I decided that I needed a quick break from all the amazing adventures that I was about to go on. From ancient cities to massive titans, and mythical creatures people thought would never exist, this was going to be an amazing, sweet adventure!

First, I needed a break. I relaxed on the stones near the lettering and closed my eyes. I took a short nap, and dreamed about everything that could happen to me. I fell asleep.

"Hello there!"

A mother dragon said.

"My name is Calvina."

I stared down at the dragon’s golden eyes, and showed the dragon that I was not going to let anyone, or anything, stop my journey. I threw out my sword from my pocket and the dragon growled.

"You cannot stop me!"

I said, confident to take down the monster.

"I didn’t trick you, young one! I will get you once you wake up!"

"What do you mean, ’wake up?"

"You’re not alive. This is just a dream."

I got up, panicking and breathing hard.

"What just happened? Was that a dream?"

I looked down at my paws and got a sudden thought that I didn’t want to have, or that I didn’t expect to have.

’What if this adventure wasn’t as great as it is? What if, instead, it’s a horrible, fearful adventure? Should I still give this single adventure a chance, or should I try to escape?’

I kept thinking of terrifying, bloody pictures in my head about this adventure.

’Maybe I should just give up on this adventure. It seems too big and I’m so small. Besides, it seems too wild.’

I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. Too many things were going on and fears kept entering my head. When I got it to stop, ten minutes later, it started to slow down.

The fears that were building up before were now breaking down, and the bad thoughts that became a giant chunk of chocolate bars, turned into one small crumb.

I was able to manage to calm myself down. The thoughts and fears went back into the edge of the darkness.

The Maines on my cheeks started to blow in the little wind, and my terrified, green eyes went back to normal. My whiskers went forward in happiness, as if I were no longer attacked by a giant spider that was trying to take over my body.

Now that I was calmer, I got up and moved to another tunnel that was titled,

’Tunnel 1.’

I carefully entered the tunnel, and the door behind me closed. I came across a picture at the beginning of the tunnel.

"What’s this doing here? It looks like it’s in an odd place too!"

I spoke.

I walked around near the picture that had a death sign on it. It wasn’t in color. It was the color of black charcoal spread all around the death sign. It had flames and a circle that was pointing toward a red x. I stared at the x. It had something to do with hidden secrets, stones, or anything else!

"It may be a trap."

I whispered.

"But I mustn’t worry. Instead, I’ll see what it is and what it’s doing there."

I watched my feet making sure to not fall into the dreadful water. I saw an area that was covered with vines. That was where the x was. I walked into the area and tore the vines from the stones and cracked bricks.

I saw a path leading to a light. It couldn’t be the red light already! It wasn’t. It was light to a lost city and people who were staring at me.

"What are you?"

Someone yelled.

"What are you doing here?"

Another person asked.

"Where did you come from?"

Asked a guy with a crown on his head, shining into the light. Everyone had torches in their hands. Other than the light and the torches and poles, it was all dark. There was no sky, nothing outside of the city, except for tunnels leading to various places.

I finally answered them.

"Hello there, people of the city! I’m a cat. I came from a different world that leads to tunnels. That’s why I’m here, and where I came from. I’m here to find a code."

"What do you mean, ’another world,’ and what do you mean, ’code,’ and what is a cat?"

"A cat is an animal. An animal who’s friendly and loves people."

"What’s a code, and another world?"

I sighed lightly and took a short breath. I was getting hot and irritated. Everyone could tell what was wrong.

"We’re sorry."

Someone said.

"We’re just curious about things. We don’t know much about things, and we mostly take naps."

"You’re alright! I get it. I’m curious too!"

I replied. Everyone’s faces turned in shock. I thought this was bad.

"You think this is okay to tell you? You’re really going to forgive us after what we did?"

They asked.

"Of course, why not?"

"Thank you so much for your amazing forgiveness! This makes my heart feel like it’s glowing in the dark with happiness!"

They all laughed and smiled.

"You’re a life-changer, cat! You’re amazing!"

"Thank you!"

I smile even brighter, and we all continue to do the same thing.

"Could you guys help me with the code?"

Everyone looked at one another.

"Right. A code is something that has letters, symbols, or even words that can find forbidden messages."

Everyone smiled once again.

"Let’s do it! As we said, we’re always curious! Thank you for helping us learn more about it."

"First, let’s go take a nap. I’m getting tired."

Everyone nodded and headed inside.

"Would you like to come with us?"

They asked.

"Thank you so much! I didn’t know where I’d sleep!"

"Of course!"

We all fell asleep with our heads laid on the pillows. I tucked the others into their beds, then got into my bed, and fell asleep, feeling relieved.

Day 2: Tunnel #1, The Crystals Arrive - Morning, 9:38

I woke up that morning to find out that everyone was searching for the code I was looking for. I saw them all crowded around something. It looked like it was super small. I decided that I would have to dig into the crowd to find out what they’re all looking at.

I jumped out of bed and slammed my sword into my pocket. I flew my coat on and went outside.

They were all whispering. I watched them and tried to get in. I was able to get in. I dug deeper into the magnificent crowd and saw a baby all bloody. I tried to pick it up, but people were begging me not to.

"I’m going to help it."

I spoke.

"Please be careful! He’s, my child!"

A mother said, in the middle of a panic.

I rushed into one of the nearby houses and grabbed my emergency kit. I carefully picked up the baby and put him in a warm blanket. I cleaned him up with the wipes and laid him on the blanket. I got a stuffed animal that I got.

It started waking up, then it started to smile and play with the stuffed animal.

"Thank you, my dear friend! I wouldn’t know what to do without you being here!"

"Sure, why not? I love to help others because I care."

The young woman stood tall, and I handed her the baby. She squeezed me so hard that I was wheezing for a second.

She smiled and the crowd cleared up. They started to look around for the code. I walked back up into my room, and stepped on a yellow stick that looked like it came from a hay bale. I walked back up into the house and gathered my items.

"I should be heading out of here soon. I hope."

I walked outside and searched for the code.

The code must be on a stone-colored brick wall with vines hanging from it.

I pictured.

I headed outside of the room and carefully set my things down on the dirt. I wrapped a scarf around my neck and sat down on the grass.

Where could this thing be?

I thought.

This might take more time than I thought it would be.

I relaxed, feeling exhausted already. I stared at the steps on the paper I wrote them on. I watched the others look around for it. Then, I spotted a spot where lots of wood and dirt were carved up. I struggled to get up, but still pushed myself.

I watched the people stare at things, not knowing that I must have found another tunnel. I took out my hammer and broke open the wood.

The wood fell and people crowded around me. There was just dirt. Nothing else. I scraped the dirt away and saw a strange looking stone relaxing on the ground. There was a code. I knew I had to ask a question to break it open. I thought for a few moments and got it.

"Why is it right here instead of on a wall? What is this doing under dirt?"

I asked. The code broke open. I read it aloud.

I am in a small room inside a house. I am not underground. Where’s my tunnel?

I asked the others to search their houses for any strange things or rooms that could be there. I heard someone from the back shout,

"I know a secret room in my house, but I thought it wasn’t save so I didn’t enter it!"

I knew that this person wasn’t lying.

"Okay, where is it?"

The person held up a finger and I followed them. I saw a secret room that could lead back into another tunnel.

"Everyone,"

I began.

"I must go back. I promise you; I will be hoping for the best of this city."

Everyone cheered and clapped for me. I smiled one last time and entered the second tunnel.

Next Chapter: Chapter Four: Tunnel 2- The Tunnel’s Secrets