Imagine A World Where There Is An Underworld
Another glorious day at my house. Just a normal, brick, single storey house. It is such a good day today. Maybe I’ll go play soccer. It depends how good the weather will be later. I might invite my friends. But I can’t invite my friends if I don’t know where my soccer ball is. Suddenly I see my drain glowing right outside my window. I get closer to the drain and see my soccer ball. I reached into the disgusting drain then unexpectedly it pulled me in. I see vines and weird air particles.This world looks familiar, but not… I see bats and I see vines wrapped around the walls. This is creepy. I walk around and suddenly I see a weird monster. It looks slimy, weird and giant…ROAR!!! I step back perilously…it roars again. My heart skipped a beat. As quick as a flash I ran to the nearest store to hide from the slimy monster. Am I in a dream? This is surreal… Wow this is crazy! Seeing an actual monster with my own eyes is unbelievable! My shaking body tells me I need to find a way to escape. I need to look around to find a drain or a portal.Oh! I think I know where a portal might be. Hmm? I think it should be here somewhere?...Bingo! As I spin around and see it glowing.The slimy, disgusting and horrific portal. I've waited so much for this. I feel starstruck, relieved and amazed that I’m finally going back home. Now I have realised that there is no place like home. Upside Down Storyteller: Noah N The Window
Imagine a world where I could go anywhere I want instantly with a portal instead of being stuck at home! Day after day, month after month I keep wishing to explore the world because being stuck at home is NOT FUN!!!! Yet again I get out of bed exhausted and go to look for my phone. I look everywhere except…the basement - the dirtiest, scariest and dustiest place in my house. I think to myself, “My phone won’t be there”…but I want to check anyway. Terrified, I tiptoed into the dusty, scary and stinky basement. I look and find my phone. But… I saw a window I’ve never seen before, so I put my phone back where I found it and cautiously approached the window. I got close to it…SNAP! The window sucks me in. I don't know where I am. I shiver as fear takes over my body. I had found someone who I didn't know. I asked, “Where am I?” and they said… “You're in L.A!” Blown away, I found out the window takes me… ANYWHERE!! It's been five days and I have already been around the globe. I even discovered some land to keep to myself. I'm very happy and I don't want to be ungrateful and all, but…I have this feeling of dissatisfaction. I just cannot find a place to fill that empty spot up. I decided to go back home and have a break. Thankfully…when I go home…my body fills up with… satisfaction! I’m thrilled to be back home after all that exploring. My heart is full, my body relaxed, my mind is at ease. There's no point in exploring anymore, since I’ve seen everything on the globe. So I guess this is the end of my adventure… or is it? The best place to live is home. Storyteller: Imran J Imagine a World…Unimaginable
Imagine a world where the fragrance from the flowers fills the air with beautiful scents of pollen and honey. Picture a world of flowers and bright colours, but with the beauty comes terrifying mega insects. This isn’t my world but somehow - someway it will become my world. I know that sounds crazy, weird and bonkers, but it’s true… Beep Beep! Beep Beep! Beep Beep! Ughh! Tired and exhausted, I struggle to get out of bed. My bed magnetises me as if I only belong stuck to it. “OH NO, I’M LATE!’’ I said. I leave home faster than a formula 1 race car, I realise I’ve arrived at school. I tiredly checked the daily schedule, “It’s the usual reading, writing, snack, visual art, maths, lunch, silent reading, finishing off.” When will this nightmare end? “I hate school.” Turns out the nightmare was only just beginning… As I walk home from school, I hear high pitched piercing screams…all of a sudden great big flowers come tumbling from the sky. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Ahhhh! As if things couldn’t get worse. Foul flies, beastly bees and massive mosquitoes appear. Swiftly, men and women in lab coats with clipboards appear with magnifying glasses and microscopes. The adults dressed in white with serious faces explain… “We’ve been studying this phenomenon for a while. We didn’t tell the world because we didn’t think it would really happen…” said the scientists. Gobsmacked were the townspeople. The commotion, the fury and the people in white slowly, steadily and stealthy tip-toe towards the giant, huge and massive insects trying not to scare them off. Terrified, I run faster than I have ever ran before home to my parents. I swiftly walk along the footpath toward our rickety, old as time, musty house. I steadily open our old, grey wooden door to find my parents on the couch looking worried and close to tears. Huffing and puffing I collapse on the couch with relief to see my parents. As I sit paralysed on the couch with trauma, I realise this new world can become everyone's new home, new place, new kingdom… This is our world filled with bright colours, amazing scenery, mega insects and beautiful flowers. Our new world and humans are different. Humans changed their ways to keep this magical, marvellous and majestic world alive. Our new world has helped Earth's animals and humans. Humans are more sustainable, helping to keep these wonderful animals, insects and flowers on Earth… Imagine this world. Storyteller: Helena H Imagine A Delicious Universe
Yawn, yawn…another day, another old day. I get out of my bed and open my bedroom door like usual. “Ugh life is so dull, boring and miserable. There's nothing exciting to see I bet! Everyone's life is better than mine because my life is just to soo regular! Just another normal morning as I washed my face, brushed my teeth and ate breakfast. A loud noise came from the attic, BOOM! BAM! Suddenly the brightest light appears, it hurts my eyes, “Ouch!” I blink. Someone pulled me. “Hello? Who are you?” “I am no one!” “What do you mean no one?” I felt like I was blind. The strange girl pulled me to a world of food in space.”Why are we here?” I ask. “This is our world,'' says the girl, “welcome to our world!” “BUT WHY DID YOU BRING ME HERE!?” I demanded. “This is our world,'' says the girl again, “welcome to our world!” “WHY DID YOU BRING ME HERE!?” “Because…sigh…this is where you belong.” “WHERE I BELONG? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND OR SOMETHING? I BELONG ON EARTH, NOT A DIFFERENT WORLD OR SOMETHING!...” I shouted desperately. “No, this is and WILL be where you belong.” “NO…” “Yes!” She grabbed my hand and then let it go. “W-wait, what am I supposed to do now?” I asked. “Look around.” That voice sounds familiar, hmm ok then let's go look around then. A planet and FOOD!? I wonder if it’s edible. I glide across the mysterious, unknown universe Mund. OMG! It is edible and it's so good!! I start to explore more. WOW is this actually real or am I dreaming? This is definitely my dream come true! No more bossy parents, or cleaning the house, or tidying my room. HOORAY! Finally I can eat anything I want. This is amazing! Soon though I feel like something is missing, but I don’t know why? I feel miserable, gloomy and empty but what could it be? I walked and walked to see what was missing. Could it be my friend or… “Let’s see how I can escape this world,” I think to myself. Tip, tap, tip, tap - sounds echo in space. BUT HOW? As I walk and walk, tip, tap, tip, tap, I see a lady with a kind face. I went up to her and said, “Hello, do you know how to escape this world?” “Yes, all you need to do is one challenge. You need to get a Diamond.” she explained. “A diamond?” “Yes, a diamond!” she replied. “But where?” I asked desperately. “In the Cake planet! Now go! Oh and take this with you.” “A shovel?!” I asked. “Go now,” she said. “Ok!” I glided across all the planets until I reached the Cake planet. Ok now the diamond is probably in the centre of the planet. I start digging plat, plop, plat, plop. After 10 minutes, I CAN SEE THE DIAMOND! I grabbed it and went back to the lady. “Hey, I’m back with the diamond!” I exclaimed. “Wow, so quick? Now you have to throw it!” PHEW! BOO, BAM, BOOM! I appeared back in my bed! And this is why you should believe in your dreams! Storyteller: Sharon H Imagine A World
Imagine a world with no money. No money at all. Without all the problems…like car repairs - you need a car for transport, otherwise you’d have to walk KILOMETRES and that would take hours but in a car it would take merely minutes! And imagine how tired you would be. And rent - we pay SO much money (that we need for food) just to live under the tiniest roof. Gas - SO EXPENSIVE. We need petrol for our car to even move! All these problems… just because of money. If only money could simply disappear… Everyone was unreasonably over-working, just for a small amount of money - for food, for water, for water bills, electricity bills, rent, gas, children's education, fines, car repairs, etc. Until… I woke up one morning, it was a dark and gloomy winter morning as usual. I was so relieved when I remembered it was a student free day. I sat up on my bed, tired as a koala. My mum strolled into the room, “Morning,” she said calmly. “Morning…” I replied. “I was wondering if you could come to the shops with me?”my mum asked. “Fine…” I groaned. I lifted myself off the soft, cosy, warm bed. I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I pulled on a red velvet shirt, jeans and then put a jumper on top. “I'm ready,” I called from upstairs. I went downstairs to find the most delicious smell wafting through the room. “Mmm… Pancakes?” “You got that right!” my Mum replied optimistically. I quickly gobbled my flat, buttery goodness and got out of my chair. We hopped into the car and my mum turned the key. I watched the trees go past through the window. But suddenly, as we got onto the street leading to the shops…we were staring at a blank patch of grass where the shops were supposed to be! “Where are the shops!?” I exclaimed. “Have they moved the shops?” my mum asked the air, astonished. “Strange. Nevermind, we’ll just go home.” We drove back home and we went inside. I plopped down on the couch, thinking about the missing shops. My mum turned on the TV and the news came up. “The Prime Minister has officially declared that there shall be no money and everyone shall own a garden for food instead of shopping at your local shops,” the TV person informed us. Me and my mum stared at each other with bright, cheery, joyful smiles. “We can get a new house!” we both chorused. My mum turned on her phone and checked the news again. “The news says that everyone will get a new house on the hills for free!” “YAY WE'RE FINALLY MOVING!” Me and my mum both squealed. We were SO delighted that we were moving to the hills.I started packing straight away. I couldn't wait a second more. I packed all my clothes and belongings. My mum did the same. We started a new life with no money… Would you like a world with no money? Storyteller: Eliana G Imagine A World Where Diamonds Are In The Rough
Imagine a world where mountains glisten like emeralds, sand shimmers like rose quartz and sapphires surround the sun. Before I discovered this exotic, thrilling and shocking world I was at home relaxing, looking and searching for something to do. I felt trapped inside. Will I ever have something to do today or will it just be the same boring day? Suddenly the strangest sound lures me into the backyard. This is the strangest weather. I AM GOBSMACKED! Suddenly I recognise that sound THUNDER! What?! But it’s sunny. This makes no sense! It was like the weather was playing tricks on me RUMBLE! BANG! I began searching for the noise. Where was it coming from? BANG! Suddenly I turn and see it…a mysterious portal appears. Glistening like sapphire, emerald and rose quartz. Search! My feet are being dragged towards the portal. I try to escape by running but it doesn't help. As the portal swallows me up billions and trillions of thoughts rush through my mind faster than a cheetah. In the blink of an eye I have arrived… Magnificent! What lies in front of me is marvellous, glistening, shining, magical, mysterious and intriguing. Curiosity pulls me to explore. Where am I? Am I dreaming? This can’t be real! My body lights up, my mind explodes with thoughts and my heart pounds harder than an earthquake! Where am I? Where is this place? Will I ever go home? This world is AWESOME! The mountains, the sand of rose quartz and the diamonds in the rough. The best! Amazing and thrilling! But alas I already miss home. My heart breaks and aches for home, my mind fills with thoughts of sadness and my shoulders droop. I MISS HOME! Will I ever be in my cosy bed ever again? Suddenly the… portal appears! Sucking me in again and in the blink of an eye I’m home. There’s no place like home! Storyteller: Michael B Imagine A World…
Mum drops me off and I walk speedily into my classroom. I can’t do too much work because I get tired and exhausted. People talk too much, they chatter like a chatterbox. I wish school had more playtime. The music starts… IT’S PLAYTIME! My wish came true, I wonder if I can make another wish come true? I close my eyes and I wish I had a giant pile of heavy, shiny and glittery gold… Thud! Yay! I close my eyes again and I wish I never cry, I always want to be happy… a big smile appears on my face! I feel as happy as a quokka! I close my eyes quickly and I wish I had super speed… BOOM! I am as fast as Sonic. My last wish… Imagine a world where you could be 1 million years old… I close my eyes tightly and I wish I could live forever! I am happy in a world where all my wishes come true, where I see everything that happens forever. I can’t believe I am going to live forever. Storyteller: Jaidyn D Imagine A World If The Covid 19 Vaccine Failed
It was a usual nice and sunny day in Techmania. Everywhere you look, around you see smiling faces. Anyone would think Techmania would have a bright future. I always loved the development of Techmania, until I caught a bad disease. Each time I tried to get up, I fell back down to my knees. Remembering what I used to be able to do, I use all of my strength and persistence, to finally get up. As I walk to the hospital I see my friend Chace. “Hey Jasper, where are you going?” he asked me. “Currently, I have a disease so I’ll be heading into an incubator,” I said. “For how long?” he asks. “Seven years.” “Oh I see,” Chace says quietly “Well, for seven years, I’ll be waiting for you.” “Alright I'll see you then,” as I walk into the hospital. As I enter the incubator, Chace’s voice echoes in my head. I close my eyes and enter into a long slumber. Chace walked in the room and waved goodbye to me as I sank into the machine. I woke up and stretched my arms out. I looked around and asked the nurse next to me “Is this Techmania?” “Yes,” he replies with a big sigh. “Currently Techmania is in a very bad state!” “What happened?” “There is a bad disease going around that is mutating everyone mentally and physically,” he continued “...it has spread throughout the whole City of Techmania.” I stand up and ask him for a spare room, so I could cool down and think for a second. Ten minutes passed and I finally came up with a plan. I'm going to try and cure this virus. And with that the doctor wished me luck, hesitantly. I walked out of the room and saw someone in the hallway “Are you new here?” “I just got out of an incubator,” he replied. “Have you heard about the virus?” “Everyone has! It’s all over the news as well!” As I turn and exit I head off for Chace’s house. The area was calm…too calm. Suddenly, I heard something snap. I tremble in fear because what I saw behind me was something that looked non existent. It was a human, with 4 arms and 6 legs that charged at me at full speed. I braced myself for the worst and ducked covering every part of my body. All of a sudden, a normal person came sprinting at me and grabbed my arm and fled from the monster. I woke up back in the hospital “Looks like you're finally awake,” I turned around and saw a familiar face “Chace is that you?” “Yes,” he replies with a smile. I started questioning what I just saw. “What's with those monsters?” I ask. “It started as a failed vaccine,” he replied. “Doctors tried to make a vaccine for covid 19.” I stood up and asked him if he wanted to help me create a cure for the failed vaccination. He quickly agreed and off we went. We started collecting the ingredients for the failed dose. We questioned nurses to help us. Some agreed and some refused, thinking it was a silly idea. The nurses knew the ingredients to the failed dose, so we captured a test subject and trialled new ingredients and finally…we found a vaccine that worked. Slowly, 12 hours passed and the mutated human got up and returned to his normal self. He remembered everything that had happened, so we opened a vaccine station inside the hospital and kept on vaccinating the citizens of Techmania to restore them back to health. The city returned to normal. All it had needed was a little bit of calm, planning and execution. Victory comes from persistence. Storyteller: Jasper Imagine A World…
The quietness rings across the town of Bullinda, which was once filled with colour and joy. Houses stood like soldiers next to each other, still and rigid. Some of them, in ruins. The parade, held the night before, was lopsided with tents overturned and food stalls lying broken. There were deep, dark, dangerous holes in the ground. No signs of life except for mine and something else. GRRRR! Growling thunders across the street. Quietly, I run up to the window. Looking through, a silhouette of a creature walks slowly across the road. It’s horrible head turning in every direction, searching for a scent of fear. I open the door, trying to move quieter than a mouse. CREAK! The door’s sound echoed uncontrollably. This only meant one thing. I ran without looking back. The sound of thudding feet was getting closer. Rapidly, I ran up to the closest house, ripped open the door and shut it with a loud BANG! Silently, I hid behind the dark wooden door. After a moment…CRASH! The door flew open. The thudding sound came through the door and the sight was worse than your nightmares. The monster was maroon black with gruesome pieces of filth stuck around it like feathers on a bird. The creature’s gigantic ear was twice the size of its head. It’s teeth fell below their chin. I held my hand against my mouth, trying not to scream. The door was groaning under the impact. The creature stomped in and rotated it’s head. The revolting head was centimetres away from mine. The stench of blood travelled up my nostrils. I held my mouth tighter and tighter. It took one last look at me and then started strolling down to the living room. My hand still closed around my mouth, I stood up without making a sound and quietly tiptoed outside. I stretched my hand out at the door and concentrated on the dark timber facing me waiting for the miracle to happen. The high pitch buzzing sound echoed throughout my brain… BANG! The door shut and locked. Examining the area around me, I spotted a car. Stretching my hand out again, I lifted the car and put it against the door. The objects rattled. With one more stare, I raced away… wondering what to do. Then the thought of not eating for 3 days popped into my mind. At the supermarket, it felt unusual without all the noisy, disturbing, chit-chatting people. A free grocery shopping, all to myself! At these dark times, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of satisfaction. Suddenly, movement behind the counter caught my eye. I swiftly turned around. Nothing. I stretched my hand and picked up a cereal box with my telekinetic powers. “Oww!” said a voice. Someone stood up from behind the counter. A human. A real, very much alive, human. No this can’t be. “ I thought I was the only one alive in this town,” I stuttered. “Well you aren’t anymore,” she replied. Thud, Thud. “They’re coming,” we both exclaim at the same time. The dangerous monster thudded across the ground, looking like it’s ready for supper. I stretched my hand out, trying to push the creature, but it’s strength was too much for my power. So instead, I stretched my hand out and threw a bucket of water at it. As the water and contact with the alien, it screeched and wailed. Then fell back and started running the other way. Then I realised something I should have realised a long time ago. It’s repelled by water. While I was buried in my thoughts, the girl interrupted my thoughts. “How did you do that?” “It doesn’t matter, do you have any idea on how to escape?” “Actually I do. Could you help me?” “Uh yeah.” Rushing behind the counter, she beckons me to follow her. I jumped behind the counter as well and she showed me an electronic device with a beeping blood - red light. “It’s a beacon,” she explained, “It sends signals to other people so they can come and get us. If the light turns green, then the SOS signal is sent.” “That’s genius.” “ Yeah, but that’s the problem. I don’t know how to. Could you do your thing and send it?” Of course. And by the way, what’s your name? Mine is Lizzy, short for Elizabeth.” “Ah, I’m Jemima.” I stretched my hand out and focused. Again came the buzzing sound. Focused, focused and… Beep! A clear, bright grass - green light. “It worked!” we shout in delight. Thud, Thud, Thud. I had almost forgotten about them. It had seemed like a dream, right until the things had ruined the moment. I stood up and jumped out of the counter, Jemima on my heels. Instead of only one alien, a whole army of aliens began galloping into the horizon, running furiously. But this time, I’ve got valuable information that will overpower them easily. “Their weakness is water,” I shout at Jemima, “Quick, throw some water bottles at them. Then I stretched my hand out and started throwing water bottles at them. They shrieked and cried, but didn’t seem to give up. Beside me the ghastly aliens began pushing the enormous grey electricity tower. I quickly turned and caught the tower, milliseconds before it was about to crush me. With immense effort, I throw the electricity tower towards the aliens. That seemed to hold them back. “ Do we keep throwing water bottles at them? Because we don’t have much left,” shouts Jemima. Before I could answer, whirring above the sky made me look up. A helicopter, clear as the sky, was whirring above us. Jemima screamed “ Look, a helicopter.” Then the people inside suddenly threw a hook. “Grab on!” They screamed. The aliens started growling at the sky, not noticing Jemima and I, rapidly climbing up the hook. After we were all up, the helicopter took off, leaving Bullinda, which was in a disaster. The last thing I saw was the alien’s horrid faces, gaping at us. At last, I felt safe. “Are you all safe?” yelled the person who threw the hook. “Yes,” said Jemima. Thud, Thud, Thud. Something was on top of the helicopter. Storyteller: Samanvita Imagine A World…
Imagine a world where the sky is blue and grass is green. Where friends are true and bullies mean. Yes this world is just like yours, where parents work and kids do chores. But the world you imagine is about to change. This world will surely be very strange. Peter awoke one day, feeling strong and ready for the day. But he would not anticipate the day ahead. Everything shall be topsy turvy instead. So as you read on about this boy. Remember the so-called feeling ‘joy’. So let's find out about this world, what shall happen, what shall unfold. The glowing sun rays shone through the window onto Peter, he heard birds chirping, trees swaying, people talking. The usual sounds. Peter yawned and opened his eyes. “what the-” Peter rubbed his eyes, then looked around. His room that was once filled with posters, games, books was now a tiny room with a bed, two wardrobes and a few wooden toys in the corner. “Ummmmmm… MUM!” Peter shouted across the house. “Yes Peter, what's wrong? His mother asked. “ What happened to my room, to the house, to my clothes!?” Peter said short of breath because he was talking very fast. Peter’s mother glared at him in confusion. After a minute of silence she finally spoke. “ I don’t know what has come over you, it has been like this your whole life, and you are a very lucky child. For you have your own room, you never go hungry, and you always have clean clothes on your body.” She paused, giving him a bit of a scowl. “ Now please go get the food from the market.” With that she handed him a list and a small cloth pouch. Peter recognized the sound of change in the pouch, only this ‘change’ was very heavy. Then Peter's mother turned and returned to her cleaning. Peter turned to the door whilst placing the coin pouch and paper in his pocket. Peter walked out the front as his mother had instructed. His jaw dropped, and it felt as if he couldn't breathe. He could hear hooves in the distance , and a whip but it didn’t sound like it was hitting the air. As Peter was trying to figure out what he could hear, a massive coach drove by, the huge wheels turned leaving tracks in the dirt. They trembled as they went over small rocks. Then suddenly the coach man driving whipped a chestnut colored horse, it neighed in pain then sped up and the coach drove off into the distance. “ the coach men these days…'' Peter turned around to find a girl his own age rolling her eyes and muttering. She looked up shocked to find him looking at her. The girl's posture straightened as she gave him an awkward smile, it was clearly forced. The girl wore her dark hair down and tucked behind her ear, her emerald eyes twinkled like stars. Her rose red cheeks looked perfect against her tan coloured skin. Her lips were as red as her cheeks, and she wore a white dress with blue sleeves and a blue apron. “No,” Peter said, not sure whether he should have turned around. “ You are right, the whip is not necessary.” she stared at him bewildered. She seemed serious now, not trying to hide her expression with another awkward smile. She looked at him as if he were insane. “W-w-what?” Her voice sounded worried yet curious, examining him like he was some sort of science experiment. “You agree?!” Peter had no idea what he had said for this kind of reaction. “I mean..” he began. “ I think that the horse seemed hurt, although it will be ok. But some men whip them harder, until they bleed '' Peter stopped, realising he was rambling now. “Yes,” the girl sighed. “It really is sad to think about.” she began fidgeting with a woven basket in her hands. Peter saw the basket and only could assume she was going to the market. “ Do you know where the market is?” she looked at him confused. Peter was about to apologise for asking when her expression changed. “Oh!” she said as she suddenly looked at the basket in her hand. “Yes,”she said, almost excited now. “I'll show you.” Peter could tell the girl was a very…… enthusiastic person. Her moods seemed very exaggerated. She began walking towards a small street, he followed. Her pace was fast, although she was almost skipping, this made sense. After five minutes of walking they appeared on the small street. It was lined with market stalls. They were very different from what he had ever seen. Although he didn't expect anything normal. All the people in the stalls were selling fairly similar things: fruit ,vegetables, meat, clothes, boots, horse shoes. Anything essential really. “I'm Cora.” Peter realised Cora had now turned towards him, wearing the same awkward smile only this time it wasn’t quite as forced. “Im Peter” his voice sounded as awkward as her smile looked. “What’s that?!” Peter pointed to a man locked in a piece of wood that had holes for his head and wrists but that's it. “Oh” Cora said uncomfortably “That’s a pillory they put people in them when-“ She stared into the distance. Peter took a deep breath, he walked towards the man. But before he could take two steps Cora grabbed his arm. She looked around frantically wearing a very worried expression. “Peter?!” she whispered furiously, not stopping to take a breath. “I mean” she was calming down but still didn’t take a breath and continued to talk. “That man is probably……. Insane! Or maybe waiting to be hung or executed!!” She was talking a hundred miles per hour. “Cora!” Peter interrupted her rant, really he didn't want to think about anyone being killed. “Breath.” She paused then took a deep breath then scowled at him. She stood up straighter and dusted her dress (even though the cleanest thing in sight was her clothes. There was nothing to dust off). “Well, let's get the shopping done. I have cleaning to do today.” she started walking again, she gestured for peter to follow. They walked past almost 50 stalls before they came to a halt. She half smiled. “No one ever walks this far down, these stalls are cheaper. They make less money so they buy cheaper places to set up shops. Up the back are the cheapest plots of land for stalls.” She was still wearing the half smile when a loud bang rang through the air, followed by blood curdling screams. The smile vanished as she ran to the back of a stall. “H-I-D-E” She mouthed the word. Frantically waving for Peter to join her behind the stall. Peter froze, he had no idea what was happening. “Quick.” She shouted in a whisper. Peter ran to the stall, just in time. Two horses rode by, the riders aiming at shop owners who were frantically hiding products. Screams echoed through the streets. They finished the shopping once the riders had vanished, then Peter went back to his house. “Mum.” called Peter. “Yes?” his mum turned from her cooking. Peter told her about Cora, the man in the pillory and the riders with guns. She went to reply then stared at Peter's shirt, she gasped. She looked as if she was going to faint. Peter looked down at his shit as well. It was stained with blood. “Oh,” he said, trying not to laugh. “ I told you about the riders?” she nodded. “And I told you how I was hiding behind a stall?” she nodded again. “And I told you I was fine.” this wasn't a question, Peter's tone was harsh . His mother sighed, muttering something about thanking the lord. “ go change, then bring me that shirt.” Peter went and changed into almost an identical outfit. “Here,” Peter handed her the shirt then walked outside. He heard his mother shout something like, “Be good.” Peter was a bit nervous to be out on the streets alone. But adrenaline was pumping through his veins. He was a spy on a mission. Peter walked all the way back to the market. All the stalls were blood stained, only not all of it looked new. He hadn’t noticed this before he was too busy finding his way around. The sky was a brilliant blue green. The cool air hummed a marvellous tone. Then Peter walked up to the man in the pillory. The man was neither old nor young. He was skin and bone, his white shirt was stained with food scraps. He looked as if all life had been drained from him. “Umm… hello sir.” Peter was practically whispering due to nerves. “Oh lad.” A gruff voice said “lad, shoo. People will think you're insane. Go before anyone sees you here.” It was the man in the pillory . But why would he say that? “What do you mean sir?” Peter was staring at him in confusion. “You’re supposed to be throwing food, calling me nasty names and staring in disapproval.” The man didn’t make eye contact. “If that’s what you wish, sir.” Peter walked back through the market. His eyes scanned over stalls. The glowing sun glimmered in the crystal sky. Peter walked through the market. Once Peter found a stall selling stew he purchased the newest looking stew. He took the hot bowl all the way back to the market. Peter made his way back to the man. He didn’t like the idea of anyone dying. Especially if you could see who was going to die. “Hello again, sir.” Peter showed him the bowl of stew. Only the man didn’t look up. Peter cleared his throat, “Hello.” The man barely looked up. Peter could see pieces of the man's eyes through his scruffy hair. “Here.” Peter held the bowl to the man's mouth, forcing him to drink. The man reluctantly took a sip. After he swallowed he looked as far up as he could. “What do you want?” his gruff voice was harsher than before, he had clearly very little patience. “Oh , I uh, wanted to talk to you.” The man rolled his eyes at Peter's answer. “Hurry up then.” Peter struggled to think of what to say. “So why are you locked in a pillory?” The man looked stunned. Peter knew this question would be risky. “Next.” The man replied. “Uh , how old are you?” Peter waited a minute. “Next.” The man repeated. “Why are you so rude!” Peter was beginning to get frustrated. “Wrong!” Why was the man only giving one word answers? “I'm not wrong, you are rude.” Peter scowled. “Correction I am tough, I can't be a baby in situations like these.” The man looked up, he smiled at the annoyance being displayed on Peter’s face. “Are you going to die?” Peter thought aloud. The man squirmed then was silent again. Peter knew he had gone too far. “You know.” Peter began trying to lighten the environment. “If you were nice in court they might change their minds.” The man laughed. “ Yeah, right.” With that Peter gave in and walked away, leaving the empty bowl at the bottom of the pillory. But little did Peter know that the man took his advice. He was nice in court and they decided he was innocent. This man would later help change peoples minds on death sentences. By changing a heart you can change history. Storyteller: Paige |