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BEHIND THE DOOR

Moonlit_Rose_00
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Chapter 1 - CHAPTER -1

Behind our house stands an old palm tree. And as far as I remember, there was never any door near its roots.

But that day—on a strange rain-soaked afternoon—I saw it.

I had just returned from college. I was upset; today, the teacher had scolded me in front of the whole class. His words kept echoing in my head.

I crossed the wet alley and walked straight to the backyard. It always made my heart feel a bit lighter.

As I stood under the tree, my eyes caught something—a wooden door.

No, not a real door—it looked more like a movie or theater prop.

But the strange thing was—the edges of the door were surrounded by a hazy mist.

I wondered—did someone put it there as a joke?

I pushed it gently. The door creaked open.

My chest tightened.

What could be on the other side? There's nothing behind our house—just empty land and a pond far away.

But what I saw through the door—was a completely different world.

There was a bright, silvery light on the other side.

I walked a little further and saw—a wide river flowing.

It looked so peaceful, as if sitting by that river could heal everything.

The most amazing thing—there were no people around, only birds chirping and the sound of flowing water.

I sat there for a long time that day.

Listening to the waves slowly calmed my mind.

From that day on, whenever I felt sad, I would walk through that door and sit by the river.

Even when my mother called, she couldn't find me—no one knew where I went.

One afternoon, I was feeling really down.

I had fought with a friend.

I threw my bag aside and ran straight to the backyard.

I opened the door and entered that riverside world again.

Everything was just the same—birds flying, the breeze carrying the scent of unknown flowers.

As I walked quietly, I suddenly saw—

Someone was sitting by the river.

I froze in surprise.

It was a boy.

From a distance, I saw him sitting on a rock, tossing stones into the water.

His clothes looked strange, like a character from an old tale.

I carefully walked closer.

"Hey… who are you?"—I asked.

He turned his head to look at me.

His eyes had a strange color—a mix of green and gold.

He said something—but I couldn't understand a single word.

I stood still.

"I don't understand you…"—I said again.

He spoke again, this time faster.

Still, I couldn't understand a thing.

Then he gestured with his hand—trying to explain something.

I stared in awe.

A strange flutter ran through my chest—Who was this boy? How did he come to this place?

I pointed to myself and said,

"I… I'm Ira."

He looked a little surprised. Then he touched his chest and said something—probably his name.

But the name was so complex, I couldn't grasp it.

We stared at each other, both unsure, two people from different worlds, trying to understand without a common language.

Then it struck me—till today, I had never seen anyone else in this world through the door.

Did he live here alone? Were there others?

A thousand questions spun in my mind.

As I sat down beside him, he suddenly pointed to the other side of the river.

I looked—there was a dense forest, and something misty floated in the air.

He spoke again, with great excitement, but I still couldn't understand.

Suddenly I thought—I should check the door again.

Maybe I could bring him home. My parents would be surprised to see him.

I ran to the place where the door should be.

But when I got there—I froze.

There was no door.

Seriously—nothing.

Only weeds and wild bushes.

I wiped my eyes and looked again—still nothing.

A chill of emptiness spread through my chest.

"The door was right here…"—I whispered.

I turned back and saw—the boy was standing by the river, watching me.

That strange, mysterious smile still on his face.

The wind blew gently from across the river.

My head spun—how would I return home now?

I ran back to the riverside.

"Hey… the door… do you know anything?"—I shouted.

He said something again in that unfamiliar language, moving his hands, but I couldn't make sense of it.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

I looked around—unknown birds, unfamiliar smells, strange light.

No way back home.

Just then, on the breeze, a sound floated from across the river—

like someone calling—"Come back…"

I jumped.

"Who?"—I shouted.

But the river only answered with ripples.

The boy was still looking at me, that same mysterious smile on his face.

A cold current ran through my chest.

If the door never opened again… would I be trapped here forever?

I sat by the river, staring at him.

He was saying something—but I couldn't understand a single word.

The sounds felt like they came from another world.

Suddenly, a thought struck me—what if I tried English?

My heart pounded. I cautiously said,

"Do you… understand?"

He paused.

Stared at me wide-eyed and slowly said,

"…little… understand…"

I was shocked.

"Name?" — I asked.

He placed his hand on his chest.

"…Caelith…"

I smiled a little at the strange name.

Then I pointed around and asked,

"You… from… where?"

He remained silent for a long time, then slowly spoke in broken English,

"…door… my place… far… very far…"

My chest tightened.

He came through a door too!

I asked gently again,

"Door… same… like this?"

Caelith nodded.

"…yes… same… I walk… light… come here."

We sat silently for a while.

Only the sound of wind and river.

It was hard to talk—both of us knew little English.

But still, something passed between us—an understanding through our eyes.

We began to walk, searching for another door.

I led the way, he followed slowly.

He raised his hand now and then—searching too.

Suddenly, through the bushes, I saw something wooden.

We both ran to it.

I touched it—no, not a door. Just a broken wooden frame.

I stood still, disappointed.

Caelith softly said,

"…not… door… broken…"

We walked again.

The forest was thick, strange light slipping through the leaves.

I glanced at him sometimes and smiled—he smiled back.

Few words, yet it felt like we weren't alone anymore.

Suddenly the sky changed.

The blue turned deep red.

A cold wind swept around us.

A shiver passed through me.

"Caelith… why… red?"

He looked at the sky and whispered,

"…danger… we… go…"

Just then, a roaring sound came from behind.

We jumped.

He grabbed my hand—

"Run… fast!"

We ran, breathless, leaves swirling around us.

In the distance, a flash of light.

Hope sparked in my heart.

"Door?"—I gasped.

He nodded.

"…maybe… door…"

We ran toward the light.

I reached out—

And the light vanished.

Everything plunged into darkness.

The roar behind us grew louder.

Caelith held my hand tightly—his eyes full of fear and something unknown.

A chill washed over me.

What do we do now?

To be continued…