Plunging further into what seemed an inevitable death, the boy's mind spiralled into a vortex of regret. If only he’d fought back against Skyler. If only he’d been a better brother. If only he’d reconciled with his parents. Each "if only" sharpened into a weapon of self-loathe, carving through the countless stories of failure flooding his oxygen-starved brain. But as his mind continued to fade, a single truth surfaced, prominent and unrelenting: courage.

  It was the common thread in all his regrets, the missing element that drove kings to conquer, athletes to soar, and ordinary people to surpass their limits. He’d lacked it—but he didn’t have to anymore. With a final surge of defiance, his arms shot upward, piercing not through water, but air.

  A gasp tore from his lips as his upper body broke the surface, chest heaving. Blinking, Leonardo’s eyes adjusted to his new environment only to be greeted by darkness. As well as a foreign sensation ringing through his body; Panic struck his being, his breathing erratic as the pulsating of his lungs grew only faster. Had it not been for the recurrence of a familiar hum, his heart may have popped from the stress of his predicament. His sharp breaths came to a halt as his attention now drifted to the once hum- now a voice,

  “A presence…”

  Desperately the boy would throw himself onto his feet. His shins began cleaving through the waters, as he took clumsy strides. The darkness was disorientating and so each step was guided by sound alone until- thwack! A sharp sensation rang across Leonardo’s forehead- he must’ve hit into something. Solid. A wall!

  “Is somebody there?” Leonardo bellowed, his voice echoing in the cavernous space. Walking in this darkness felt pointless; if there truly was someone else, cooperation was his best chance.

  “Where are you?” a soft feminine voice responded, distant but clear.

  He turned toward the sound. “The wall! I’m behind it!”

  “Keep speaking. I’ll find you.”

  “Here! Here! Here!” he called, his voice ricocheting like a broken record. Each shout filled the void, a desperate GPS signal to guide his unseen saviour.

  Leo’s expectations were far beyond exceeded as the darkness began to erode, fracturing due to an unknown phenomenon. Blinding light soon spilled into his peripheral, causing his eye lids to wedge shut. Before he could process how, water surged past him, yanking him off his feet and tossing him into the new room like driftwood. His fall was violent, as he crashed into something- or someone. A shocked yelp accompanied the collision, as their body cushioned his descent into what felt like another pool of water.

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  Worried for his saviour the boy’s head rocketed out of the water, coughing out of pure instinct. He then scrambled off the person beneath him, panic soon weaning as he realised, they were unharmed.

  Golden tresses followed him, raising before settling around a pale face. then, two fingers peaked out, parting the strangely dry strands to reveal a set of large, almond shaped emerald eyes that glimmered in the dim light. Her soft, youthful features complemented her pale skin, giving her an almost ethereal presence.

  “3 questions, “Leonardo huffed, still disorientated “How? Where? And… how again?”

  With a few quick brushes of her fingers, the girl tidied her hair. Before, a gentle smile soon formed as she averted her attention to Leo,

  “Magic, another world, and magic.”

  Leonardo would soon let out a nervous chuckle, surely, she was joking, though this felt like far from a laughing matter,

  “No Seri- “He began only to freeze due to the eruption of a flame from an outstretched hand. It blazed brightly before unnaturally snuffing itself out, the embers sinking into the water below.

  “It’s ok,” she said gently. “It’s a lot to process, I’ll explain.”

  For a moment silence reigned, heavy and oppressive. A sense of lethologica encompassed the boy’s psyche. The situation was overwhelming, and words eluded him. All he could output was a faint nod,

  “My name is Evangeline,” The girl declared as her emerald eyes now stared directly into his, “and I’m here as a representative of this world, to help you get acquainted. And you are?” Evangeline prompted.

  “Leonardo.” He replied hesitantly.

  “Pleasure to meet you Leonardo,” Evangeline said with a sweet smile. “Before I unload everything on you, why don’t we get out of here and go somewhere cozier?”

  Leonardo nodded once again. With a push off a nearby ledge, Evangeline’s boots broke free from the water, landing with a quiet splash. She turned and extended a hand, her gesture both kind and reassuring. He grasped it, her grip firm but gentle, and she pulled him to his feet.

  As they walked, Leonardo’s attention shifted to her attire. Her outfit was both striking and elegant. By comparison the baggy denim jeans and thrifted grey zip up he wore, he once prided, felt painfully bland.

  Briefly the two travelled into a dark tunnel, the air damp and uncomfortably reminiscent of his earlier predicament. Though the tension was short lived, as golden rays soon trickled in ahead. Emerging from the tunnel the two were greeted by the dazzling sunlight. Leonardo blinked, his eyes struggling to adjust after the long darkness.

  The first thing he saw clearly was Evangeline, now illuminated. The sun set fire to her golden hair and made the crimson of her knee-length dress seem to glow. He saw now it was worn under a long, black overcoat trimmed with gold, its tailored cut speaking of a wealth he couldn't fathom. A gleaming brooch held the high collar of her white blouse closed. She looked less like a person and more like a painting of a royal envoy.

  Then, his gaze travelled past her- and the breath caught in his throat. The scene before him was vibrant lush landscape. Massive exotic plants lined along the caves entrance, their vivid colours popping in the light. Towering trees reached into the skies, the canopies dancing along the breeze. The air was fresh, a foreign concept to one who lived most of his life in a city.

  Fear and anxiety were hard to hold, when faced with the beauty of such a luscious forest,

  “The town isn’t far” Evangeline affirmed. “Let’s get you settled before we rush into any explanations.”