New Places

Ever since my father went missing, my mom developed an obsession with a particular book. She wouldn’t let anyone near it. I remember once when I tried, she snapped and told me to do something better with my time. But I was determined to find out what was so special about that book.

One morning, my mom woke me up forcibly.

“I have some important work. Help yourself to some toast while I’m away,” my mother said.

I nodded sleepily.

She didn’t tell me when she would be returning, but when she wasn’t back by evening, I got worried. I would not be wrong to say that history was repeating itself, because my father went ‘missing’ one day too.

I went to her room, and there in all its glory, lay the book. Something drew me to it.

The moment I touched it, I felt like I knew what to do and where to go. It was almost as if all my troubles would be solved if I went to this place

In a trance, I walked out of my house. It was my turn to be lost.

After what seemed like hours, I approached land that stretched farther than the eye could see. In the distance, I saw two figures. As I got closer, the characters become more recognizable—my parents.

“Glad we could all make it.” My father smiled.

“Where are we? How…” I gasped in disbelief.

“Our cover was blown. We needed to find a new place to live in without being noticed. How do you like the sound of ‘The Earth,’ son?”