Ascar's eyes slowly opened, and he found himself back in the room of the old house. He was lying on the dusty floor, his head throbbing with a dull ache. He sat up, rubbing his temples, trying to remember how he had gotten there.
But as he looked around, he realized that nothing had changed. The room was still dusty and old, the furniture still covered in cobwebs. It was as if time had stood still while he was away.
Ascar's mind was reeling as he stumbled to his feet. He had been in the fantasy world, in the city of Brindlemark, learning magic and fighting dark creatures. But now, he was back in his own world, with no idea how he had gotten there.
He stumbled out of the room, into the bright sunlight. The air was fresh and clean, a stark contrast to the musty smell of the old house. Ascar blinked in the bright light, trying to get his bearings.
As he looked around, he realized that time hadn't changed. The same cars were parked on the street, the same people were walking down the sidewalk. It was as if time had frozen in his world while he was away.
Ascar's mind was reeling as he made his way back home. He had so many questions, but no answers. How had he gotten back? Why had time stood still? And what about Thorne and the fantasy world? Were they real, or just a dream?
Ascar's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his mom's voice, calling out to him from the front door.
"Ascar, where have you been?" she demanded, her voice angry and worried. "The principal called me, telling me that you had run away from school. What's going on, Ascar?"
Ascar's face flushed with embarrassment as he remembered what had happened at school before everything else. He had been bullied by a group of kids, and he had run away, feeling helpless and alone.
His mom, Katherine, was a curvy woman with long, curly brown hair and warm, brown eyes. She was always dressed in bright, colorful clothes that matched her vibrant personality. But now, her face was stern and worried, her eyes narrowed with concern.
Ascar looked down at his feet, feeling ashamed and embarrassed. "I'm sorry, mom," he muttered. "I just couldn't take it anymore."
Katherine's expression softened, and she reached out to hug her son. "What happened, sweetie?" she asked, her voice gentle and concerned.
Ascar took a deep breath, and then he told his mom everything. He told her about the bullies, about how he had run away, and about how he had felt helpless and alone.
Katherine listened, her eyes filled with compassion and understanding. When Ascar finished talking, she hugged him tightly.
"You should have stood up for yourself, Ascar," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "You can't let people bully you. You have to stand up for yourself, because no one else will."
Ascar nodded, feeling a lump form in his throat. He knew his mom was right. He had been a coward, running away from his problems instead of facing them head-on.
Katherine held him at arm's length, looking into his eyes. "But it's okay, sweetie," she said. "We'll work on building your confidence. And next time, you'll know what to do."
Ascar nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He hugged his mom tightly, feeling grateful for her love and support.
As they hugged, Ascar felt tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. He had been through so much, and he was still trying to process everything. But with his mom's help, he knew he could face whatever challenges came his way.
Ascar cried in his mom's arms, feeling a sense of comfort and security that he had been missing for so long. His mom held him tightly, whispering words of comfort and reassurance into his ear.