Chapter 2: Woods is Not a Place to Joke (Garnet's Perspective)
The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of gold and amber as Garnet and Lessie made their way back home. The air between them was charged with a mix of nervous energy and excitement. The strange events of the day—the map, the shadowy entity, and the whispers of the Heaven Inviter—lingered in their minds. Neither spoke much, but their shared anticipation of the journey ahead made silence feel heavier than words.
As Garnet approached the house, he spotted Mr. Davis, his caretaker, leaning against the front porch with a bottle in hand. Garnet froze, instinctively clutching his bag tighter. He glanced at the time.
Mr. Davis: "What time is it?"
Garnet: "Uh… it's 5:58 p.m."
Mr. Davis (mocking): "Oh, so you're not late this time. Guess that's a miracle. But still…"
He stepped closer, his face twisted in a scowl.
Mr. Davis: "…you're the one who always makes me mad!"
Before Garnet could react, Mr. Davis grabbed a stick from the porch and swung it at him.
Garnet (pleading): "I'm sorry! I promise it won't happen again!"
His words dissolved into cries as the blows landed. The stinging pain rippled across his back, and tears blurred his vision, but Mr. Davis showed no mercy. Garnet's mind raced—he'd learned to endure these moments, but that didn't make them any less brutal.
After what felt like hours, Mr. Davis stumbled back inside, leaving Garnet bruised and trembling on the porch. Once the door slammed shut, Garnet wiped his tears and staggered into the house. His body ached, but he refused to let the pain deter him. He waited until the house fell silent and Mr. Davis's snores echoed from the bedroom. Only then did he dare to move.
Hungry and drained, Garnet grabbed some cookies from the fridge, devouring them quietly in the dark kitchen. When his hunger was sated, he retrieved the ancient book he'd borrowed from the library earlier. Carefully, he turned the pages, his fingers tracing the symbols and words that seemed both foreign and familiar.
He whispered the chants under his breath, practicing the protective spells he'd read about. Garnet wasn't just preparing for himself—he was determined to keep Lessie safe too. She'd agreed to join him on this dangerous journey, and he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her because of him.
As he studied the map, something strange caught his eye. The glowing paths that had once traced a route toward the heavens began to fade, leaving parts of the map blank. Panic rose in his chest, but Garnet forced himself to remain calm.
Garnet (to himself): "It's fine. This must be a test. I can figure it out."
Resolute, he closed the book and lay down, though sleep didn't come easily. His mind was a whirlwind of fears and questions, but eventually, exhaustion overtook him.
In his dreams, the Heaven Inviter returned. The figure was cloaked in light, their voice calm yet commanding.
Heaven Inviter: "Tomorrow is the day, Garnet. You must decide now—if you wish to leave, you can. But once you step onto the path, there is no turning back. You cannot retreat."
Garnet hesitated, his voice trembling.
Garnet: "What happens if I make it to the end?"
Heaven Inviter: "You will be faced with two choices: to stay or to live. But remember, the road ahead is perilous, and survival is not guaranteed."
The figure began to fade, their words lingering in Garnet's mind.
Heaven Inviter: "Choose wisely, Garnet. Your destiny awaits."
When Garnet woke, the weight of the dream settled over him like a heavy blanket. But his resolve was clear—he would go, no matter what.
The alarm blared at 3:30 a.m., startling Garnet from his restless sleep. He rubbed his eyes, quickly brushing his teeth and gathering his belongings. Quietly, he checked on Mr. Davis, who was sprawled on the couch, snoring loudly.
Before leaving, Garnet grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled a note.
Mr. Davis,
I know you're not my dad, but you've taken care of me all these years. Thank you for that. But now, I've been called to something greater—a journey I don't fully understand. I don't know why I was chosen, and honestly, I don't care to know. I just need to see this through.
I've left the door open for you. Please take care of yourself. I don't know if I'll survive or what lies ahead, but I have to go.
Yours Never,
Garnet
He placed the note on the kitchen table, took a deep breath, and slipped out the door. The early morning air was cold, but it carried a strange sense of purpose. As Garnet walked toward the woods, doubts crept into his mind.
Garnet (to himself): "Maybe I shouldn't do this. What if I'm making a mistake?"
But each time he thought about turning back, a stronger voice in his head urged him forward. He had to know the truth.
When he finally reached the woods, the trees loomed tall and menacing, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. At the edge of the forest, Lessie was waiting, her face pale but determined.
Garnet: "Hey, Lessie. Everything okay?"
Lessie: "Yeah… well, kind of. I had a big problem, but I think I handled it."
Garnet (concerned): "What happened?"
Lessie (forcing a smile): "Don't worry. I'll tell you on the way. We've got plenty of time."
Garnet nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering her. Together, they stood at the edge of the woods, staring into the darkness. For a moment, neither moved.
Garnet: "Ready?"
Lessie: "As ready as I'll ever be."
And with that, they stepped into the unknown.
End of Part-1. Part-2 will reveal Lessie's perspective.