Unlikely Goddess: Marium's Quest
Author's Note: This is the newly revamped Chapter One of Unlikely Goddess. Enjoy!
Chapter One:
Summoned to save
a Magical world
Mom, Im home. Marium called, walking through
the door. She noted that her siblings were all absent, and her
dad was gone on a business trip. Her mom was in the kitchen,
baking cookies for her. Smells great!
Mariums mom glanced out of the kitchen door and smiled at
her daughter. I hope it does, these are for your
end-of-school party tonight!
Sobering immediately, Marium set her backpack down by the door,
and walked into the kitchen. She sat down at the table.
Im not having one.
What? But youre out of school! You should be happy.
Just a few weeks ago you were about to burst with happiness.
Whats wrong? her mom inquired, sitting next to Marium
at the table.
She shook her head to her mom, and there was a silence. The
cat-shaped clock on the wall ticked off the seconds as all was
quiet. Suddenly, the green phone on the wall, which rested
underneath the cat-clock, might I add, gave a ring to let them
know someone was calling. Her mom got up and answered it.
Oh, hello Mother. Howd you get to a phone?
They let you go on good behavior. I see. Marium
muffled her laugh, her grandma was the greatest. She was supposed
to stay in an old-folks home, but Marium knew she
wasnt crazy. Just
eccentric. And she told the most
beautiful story-book love stories. You want to talk to
Marium? Hold on.
Her mother held out the phone for her, and Marium jumped up to
talk. Smiling as she raised the mouthpiece to her cheek. Hi
Grandma!
Hello, dear. So youve gotten through another year of
school. What grade are you going into, honey? her
grandmothers voice was raspy from overuse. She loved to
talk, as much as she could.
Marium laughed, happiness flooding into her. Dont
tell me youre getting senile already. Ive just gotten
out of 9th grade.
Ah, youre a big-bad junior now, huh lovely?
Sophomore, Grannie. She corrected her grandma,
swallowing a laugh.
Sighing in exasperation, Marium heard her curse under her breath.
Yes, yes, I knew that. You planning on staying home
tonight? Its the summer solstice, you remember that story I
told you about what happened to me one year on this day?
Grannie, youve told me millions of stories. Which
one?
The one about the squirrel boy with green hair.
Grannie said, dreamily. Marium grinned.
Yes, I remember that one. One of the better ones, might I
add.
Now, dont get snappish with me, honey, her
grandma paused to cough, hard, then continued, Be careful.
Lock your windows, close your vents. Anything that lets air in
from the outside. Unless you want to go on a wild adventure, that
is.
Oh GRANNIE. Marium sighed, chuckling. Its
that kind of talk that got you put in the home, you know. I
believe you, but Mom
you know how she is about all that
magic hocus-pocus stuff.
Dont worry, dear, it skips every generation. Your
mother is normal. Her voice went flat at the new
conversation. Have fun tonight with your friends,
dont go outside, okay?
Alright, Grannie. Love you. Marium hung up the phone,
and looked at her mom. What? We werent talking about
anything, promise.
Later that
afternoon
"You really should call some people over and have a
party." Marium's cheerful mother suggested once more. Marium
thought for a moment, then nodded, giving in to her mothers
nagging.
"I suppose. Maybe something fun will happen. I'll give
Kimberly and Sarah a ring and see if they want to have a sleep
over. Thanks, Mom." she said, and hopped over to the
telephone to dial in the numbers.
Half an hour later, two identical girls appeared at Marium's
door, smiling. They were her best friends, Kimberly and Sarah,
the Decker twins. Marium light-heartedly open the front door and
let them inside.
"Hi, Marium!" the twins cheered, hugging Marium
simultaneously. Marium laughed, her red irises shining with
happiness.
"Hi Kimberly, Sarah! Are you two hungry? The food just got
here, and my mom went out for movies." she commented, as the
two dropped their bags and raced to the kitchen. "I guess
that's a yes!"
They were all comfortably reclining on the dining room chairs
when Marium heard the first voice. It sounded shaky with
nervousness.
"High Priestess, you must hurry and revive your goddess. You
must save..."
"What..?" Marium inquired, glancing at Sarah. "Did
you just say something?"
Sarah smiled and giggled. "No, silly! I didn't say a
word!"
"Are you sure? Then it must've been the T.V. Did I leave it
on? Oh well," the three continued their feast.
Marium's mother returned with some movies a little later than
anticipated, and went straight to her room after designating a
bedtime for the girls. "Good night, Mother. Sleep well,
okay?"
Mrs. Tomo disappeared into her room and the girls plopped down on
the couches in the living room. Marium popped the first movie
into the VCR and sat back. None noticed the windows ajar, nor did
they pay attention to open air conditioning vents.
It wasn't long before all three girls were out cold. An eerie,
white fog wafted into the room from the air vents and brought an
image to the minds of the three. The picture was white, slightly
hazy, yet still sent a sickening chill down their spines.
"PRIESTESS! HELP US!"
"Oh no! The Jinjus are here! Run!"
"Priestess, the people here are your responsiblity! Call on
the goddess's power! Before it's too late! Return here and save
us all!"
Marium fidgeted in her sleep, her stomach in a knot, and drenched
with a cold sweat. Nausea swept over her as she moaned,
"Help you? I'm not a
"
The living room was filled with a bright flare and the three
girls were gone, pulled into a magical abyss by invisible hands.
The fog spread out and dissipated as the room remained empty.