I opened the glass door and walked through the book-filled aisles towards the novels’ section, and dropped my backpack on the soft carpet. It was embroidered with “Abby” in bright gold letters. I must have passed 1,000 books because the sky had turned dark and the library’s lights were dimming. On the bookshelf there was a mysterious book with monsters on its side. I reached for the book and felt a flash and was getting pulled into a portal. Then, I tried to grab onto the wooden bookshelf, but lost my grip. I must have fallen asleep for a while because when I woke up, I knew I wasn’t at the library anymore.
I stood up brushing dirt off my new skirt and tee-shirt. I saw trees painted in gothic colors, giant hills, dark forests, and bugs that resembled fireflies. I wondered if my parents were worried.
Stomp! Stomp! I heard footsteps in nearby woods. I slowly walked towards the sound and BOOM!
A monster, double my size, was in front of me.
“I’m sorry I didn't mean to scare you,” the monster explained. “You see I’ve been here for years trying to help this land, but this evil goblin is in control and is trying to get everyone to obey him. He and his goblin army came from a land called Goblin Greenland, and he has shown no mercy to any creature.”
This was a lot to take in, but I knew I had to do something. He signaled for me to follow. We came to a camp hidden in the forest where all the creatures had been living in tents for years. An elf was addressing the group.
“We are going to break into groups, and all go through different entrances,” the elf said. “One group will distract the guards, and we’ll have a chance to kidnap the main goblin. We will take the main goblin, and the other goblins will chase after their master through the portal to Goblin Greenland.”
That's it, I thought. If we manage to get the goblins through the portal to Goblin Greenland, I’ll ask them to send me home through a portal too.
Everybody grabbed ropes, shields and spears.
The head elf came up to me and asked, “What's your name, my dear?”
I replied, “I’m Abby. Can I help in the attack?”
“Why of course. The more the merrier!”
“Also, is it possible that after the attack you could send me home through the portal to the mainland?”
“Yes. Now, let's get to the attack. It's quite the hike to reach the goblins' base.”
We walked through the forest, and I saw the goblin base. I pulled my curly brown hair back and looked at the enormous, dark gray castle. Goblin guards were everywhere. The monster from earlier grabbed my hand and rushed me to the back of the castle. He told me to step back, and he kicked down the large, metal door. We raced up a spiral staircase and I peeked through a glass window covered with spider webs and saw another group.
“Okay, we’re going to distract the guards so the others can kidnap the main goblin,” he said. “Oh and, by the way, my name is Oolai.”
“Alright, what should we do, yell or smash a window?” I asked.
“Good idea,” he replied. “Let’s do both.”
We yelled and smashed a window. The guards came running into our trap. We ran to the planned meeting spot, where we saw three other groups coming fast, one pushing the main goblin up the mountain.
“Okay listen everyone! We need to head to the Goblin Greenland portal,” the chief elf explained.
When we got to the portal entrance, the elf beckoned the portal to open, shoved the goblin inside. Before I knew it, he was gone. Then, we watched all the goblins file in after him. Everyone cheered that they could now take back the land they once owned.
“Abby, thanks for your help. Do you want...to leave now?” Oolai asked with a sad tone.
I thought for a moment.
“What if I go now, but you leave the portal to the mainland open so I can come back if you ever need me?” I replied and before I knew it, I was back in my bed. The only thing that went wrong was convincing my parents where I went. I learned that I am not the best liar, but a great monster!
Illustration by Emma, 5th Grade
