Toby Ripwood in The Dark Sphere Enigma

By Paul D Roberts

One boy in a frantic search for a hidden enigma, delves into a world on an adventure to answer the questions that have plagued him his entire life. Toby Ripwood was living a normal life until he meets a mystery woman. She introduces him to a prodigious secret world where he discovers he is definitely not like everyone else. He learns of a hidden sphere to which he has a deep puzzling connection to. He encounters new friends and foes as he embarks on a challenging journey desperately avoiding the sinister Dominus Mortifus. A truly vindictive master of the darkness who, unknown to Toby, has caused misery in his life long ago. Toby has to overcome his fears if he has any chance of saving his loved ones by solving the mystery that surrounds him and The Dark Sphere.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul D Roberts
• Release date: Jan 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311243904

Paul D Roberts

Paul Roberts is an author, specialising in the zombie horror genre. His passions are reading books, watching movies and playing video games. He is keen to write about new ideas and give a fresh take on the world of zombies. Paul has been writing since a young age, but in the last five years it has changed from a hobby to a career choice. His most recent novel, Chromozone – Flesh and Blood, has received great feedback from his readers and he is currently working on the second book. When Paul is not chained to a desk writing, he likes to get out into nature and find inspiration for his stories.

Book preview

Chapter One

A Boy and His Demon

Vague distorted shadows closed in and the roar of a giant beast pulsated like electricity through his weakened limp body. Black and grey misty smoke choked the air around him, as dense heavy clouds obscured his vision as he heard sickening screams engulf the air with peril. He turned and ran, narrowly avoiding the scorching red flames that burnt hot craters into the hard ground. He fought with unknown creatures, with vivid lights of contrasting colours and shapes as they surrounded and almost suffocated him. A black hearted laugh approached him from the distance with sinister footsteps tapping, stride after stride, the clouds of fog cleared to reveal foul twisted eyes and a smirk so chilling and cold. Its skinny body was draped in lacerated black rags and it began to speak.

Open up the—

Get up boy you’re going to be late for school again, he was abruptly disturbed by a familiar voice bellowing, you already know how much trouble you’re in after your latest shenanigans. Urgh, just another crazy dream, he thought, as he slowly rolled over on his ruffled bed trying not to fall back to sleep.

It was 7:37am on a bitterly cold winter’s morning and outside the world was awake. Small children were running around playing chase on their way to school and commuters were spilling coffee, whilst chatting on their mobile phones, desperately trying not to be late for work. Dogs could be heard barking in the distance and the distinct sound of the bin men emptying the bins echoed through the chilling air. A house was situated at the end of Bourbon Drive, number seven, the Manor House. It was a moderately large house with decorative stone paving surrounded by large wrought iron gates. Inside was a man, Mr Baron Baxter, dressed in a smoky grey tweed suit complete with newly polished brown leather shoes. He had short fine white hair upon his head with the beginnings of a bald patch and large round framed bronze glasses upon his nose.

But I didn’t do anything intentionally, how many times? I’m probably just accident prone, Toby Ripwood replied, whilst rubbing his tired brown eyes.

Accident prone you say? Don’t make me laugh boy, you were trouble for your parents and you’re damn sure not going to be trouble for me. I’m highly respected in that school, in this community in fact and you will start to behave or else.

"Or else what my beloved uncle?" Toby sarcastically taunted.

"Or else I will have no choice but to send you to a stricter school, then you will learn some discipline. One more slip up boy and its boarding school for you, you’re a lazy ungrateful boy who does not know right from wrong and I will not have that in my house. Now get up and get to school now!" he barked.

Toby decided it was best to bite his tongue and not argue back. He got up out of bed and gazed at his uniform that was hung by the door and with a sigh he put on the freshly ironed black attire and got ready for school. He put his books into his school bag and ran downstairs, grabbing a slice of toast that his uncle had just buttered and headed straight for the front door.

I’m off now... uncle, Toby pulled a face.

Remember boy, one more slip up, his uncle had a serious tone to his voice.

Toby slammed the door with a bang hoping his uncle would assume it was the wind and grumbled, stupid old man, under his breath. There was an ice cold chill in the air which stung at his cheeks, like a sensation of sharp needles and made him shiver. With his uncle’s words still ringing in his head, he trudged towards the bus stop where the pupils of Riverwell secondary school were eagerly waiting for the bus. They were all laughing together, some of the girls were huddled together to protect themselves from the cold gossiping and some of the more popular boys were debating the previous night’s boxing match. Toby finished his last bite of toast and the warm butter trickled down his throat. His hands were numb with the cold, he reached into his pocket and fished out his gloves and mp3 player hoping it would drown out the sound of the masses of teens that were now gathered at the bus stop. Scrolling through he stopped at one song, a song that reminded him of his parents, his mother used to play it for him when he was younger to stop him crying at night. Toby frowned, frustrated so much that he could cry. He thought about his parents, talking to himself in his head, I miss them so much, why do I have all these problems and these dreams? Why does no one believe me?

Luckily his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the old rickety school bus pulling up, it was already jam packed with the noise of youths swearing and arguing and throwing stuff at each other. He hurried on to the bus, hoping to get a seat away from all the chaos, when he felt something hit his coat. He turned around and noticed a bright blue piece of bubble-gum stuck to his coat and glanced towards the rear of the bus to find the culprit.

Loser! A boy named Mickey was laughing and pointing. He was one of the many reasons Toby hated school so much, he was one of the popular kids with a face that only a mother could love and gave people like Toby a hard time. Toby was too fed up to care and with the sound of his uncle in his head, ‘Remember boy one more slip up’ , he sat down and peeled the sticky blue substance from his navy blue hooded coat and let it drop to the floor.

The bus pulled up outside Riverwell school at 8:35am, there was a mad rush as everyone pushed and shoved each other to get out. Toby waited until everyone else had got off the zoo bus from hell before dragging himself to his feet and joining the crowds of pupils outside.

Hi Toby, his best friend, Abbie Haylock, approached him smiling with her gorgeous wide smile and glistening white teeth. Toby replied with not so much a smile, but more with a stare as his mind was far away day-dreaming about a wonderful place where he would always be happy and content.

Toby, you look unhappy? she questioned, whilst tucking her short golden blonde hair behind her ear.

Do I? It’s nothing, I’m okay... honest, Toby lied.

Are you sure? Abbie was the most caring person that Toby knew. They had met in science class two years before when they were paired up on a project together, she was tough and she could stick up for herself and for Toby when he needed it, she was loyal.

Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mr Wrinkleman has been looking for you.

Oh great I can’t wait, Toby replied sarcastically, that man needs to get a proper job, he’s more of a clown than a head!

Abbie chuckled,

What did you do this time?

Nothing! For the last time, it just happened. 

"Whoa calm down, I was only asking and letting you know that ‘the clown’ is on the warpath," Abbie’s smile had disappeared from her face and was replaced with a scornful look.

Yeah I know, sorry... Just life isn’t going so well just lately and all these weird things keep happening to me. I think I am going insane or developing a brain tumour.

Don’t be stupid Toby you don’t have a brain tumour! Abbie was a positive person, she lived at thirty-four Old Burn Street, not so far from the Manor House. Her parents had divorced three years ago and she was forever backwards and forwards between her parents’ houses until eventually her mother decided it would be best for her to live with her father, James Haylock, permanently. She never complained once, she just got on with it. You just always seem to be in places when strange things happen, maybe it’s just a coincidence? she said, trying to reassure him.

Maybe, Toby shrugged his slender shoulders.

Abbie leaned in closer and lowered her voice,

What does he think you have done this time?

Well apparently—

Well hello Mr Ripwood, he was interrupted by Mr Wrinkleman, who had a cocky grin upon his face. Come with me to my office immediately, I have some serious matters to discuss with you.

Yes Sir, Toby frowned.

Abbie whispered into Toby’s ear,

Don’t worry, you will be fine, she flashed her perfect smile at him and waved. 

Toby managed to give her a small smile back and then sighed as he followed Mr Wrinkleman to his office. He was a tall man of late forties with a receding hairline and he had the beginnings of grey hair developing. He was smartly dressed in a charcoal grey suit with a crisply ironed white shirt and shiny leather shoes that clicked when he walked. Toby could tell that Mr Wrinkleman hated him which was probably influenced by the fact he was extremely good friends with his uncle Baron, they had gone to university together and then travelled around the world sampling fine wines and other boring pretentious stuff.

Toby followed Mr Wrinkleman into his office and slumped into a chair. He hated his office, it smelt musky with the aroma of fresh coffee and hints of ink. The shelves were lined with antiques and trinkets that he had clearly accumulated from his travels, but one thing stuck out, a stupid stuffed parrot took pride of place above his desk, apparently a gift from his wife. Toby hated it. 

Toby... Toby... Toby... Mr Wrinkleman slowly repeated his name, what are we going to do with you?

Sir I didn’t do anything.

Just like the time you didn’t vandalise the art room painting rather peculiar shapes all over the walls? Thank God it was empty is all I can say, God knows what you would have done if there was a class full of pupils in there. You are a danger to people, what if you had set the building on fire, I’m sure you’re capable of it!

"I would never hurt anyone. Why would I set fire to the school?" Toby felt his face getting red with anger.

Mr Wrinkleman sighed,

Well Toby what could have been, might have been.

What the hell does that even mean? Toby took a deep breath and tried to calm down and looked at his headmaster straight in the eyes, it is all a blur, I can’t remember doing all these things you accuse me of, that is if I did do them.

Well I don’t really care about your insanity, mental disorder or whatever it is you have, you were spotted and that’s that, he met Toby’s eyes with his own, look Toby I’ll be straight with you, I know you have had a troubled past your uncle has mentioned it to me on many occasions, God knows what he has to put up with quite frankly I pity the poor man.

He’s not even my real uncle, Toby snapped, he was my father’s step brother and a crap one at that!

Mr Wrinkleman leaned over his desk towards Toby,

Oh bad behaviour followed by bad language, you’re not doing yourself any favours. As I was saying your uncle has told me on many occasions about your behaviour and the only reason I haven’t expelled you yet is the fact that he and I are good pals and— he was interrupted by a loud crash as the stuffed parrot fell from the shelf with a shuddering thud and a squeak as though it was still vaguely alive. It caused both Toby and Mr Wrinkleman to jump from their seats.

Well that was odd, Mr Wrinkleman said, whilst inspecting the parrot all over for damage before he placed it on his desk and looked back at Toby. Look I think you should take some time off from school maybe two or three weeks? Try to get some help, see a councillor, read a self-help guide or something. I am being nice right now Toby, so if I was you I would take this as it comes.

But it’s the last year of school, what’s the point? Toby grumbled.

The point is, he inhaled a deep breath, Toby, to be blunt I don’t want any more problems, it’s bad for you and more importantly it is bad for the school’s reputation, I don’t need this hassle.

But I don’t have problems! Toby yelled, as papers flew of the desk and the ceiling lights flickered.

Mr Wrinkleman gazed around the room and then back at Toby.

Whatever you think Toby after today you are off school until further notice, a temporary exclusion, I shall be in touch with your uncle so now please leave my office and get to class. Toby got up and slumped towards the door.

Toby, Mr Wrinkleman called after him, do not raise your voice to me ever again.

Toby rolled his eyes and walked out of the office into the corridor and stopped dead in his tracks, his chest felt tight and his head was spinning with nauseating dizziness. He sat down on a nearby chair and put his head into his hands, he felt trapped and suffocated. He had to get away, he needed to escape.

I can’t stay here, he gasped, to hell with this. He got to his feet and sprinted as fast as he could, his shoes squeaked beneath the shiny flooring in the corridor and bursting through the double doors of the schools entrance he stopped. He was out of breath and leant against the wall as the blazing sun hit him in the eyes. What is happening to me? he wondered.

Toby continued running and didn’t look back, everything looked and seemed more busy than usual and everyone was getting in his way. People using their mobiles stared and scruffy looking dogs barked at Toby as his heart raced and thoughts bombarded through his brain. Should I do this, shall I run away and not look back? Where would I go? he thought, I have no one else? No more family around here, my only friend is Abbie. I would miss her, only her, if I was to go and never come back. He reached into his pocket to count his change, £18.56. I can’t stay here, I won’t stay here. He decided to carry on running to Oakdale train station, maybe he could buy a one way train ticket out of there.

A very tired and very sweaty Toby managed to get to the train station and then thought to himself that it was the furthest he had ever been out of the area and being sixteen years old he wondered why. Not knowing the answer, he bought a chilled fizzy lemon drink from an old drowned out looking corner shop called Mr and Mrs Tea next to the train station. He had ran for so long it would be lunch time at school, so hopefully no one would think of reporting him from bunking off school, not that he cared. He sat down on a rusty looking bench on platform four and opened his bottle of drink. The bubbles fizzed into the air and gently hit his face, the feeling was refreshing and the lemony flavour was tangy, it helped him to cool down. He used the time waiting for the train to think about why strange things happened around him, why did he paint all those symbols in the art room? He remembered when he was only seven years old all those weird people had been staring at him in his room, but he couldn’t picture their faces. He had heard screaming, his mum and dad vanished and that was the last time he had seen them, all he had heard was a huge bang and there was black thick smoke everywhere... the rest was a blur. I can’t even really remember their funeral, am I mad? Or do I just have some kind of illness. He sighed,

Why do abnormal things happen to me?

With the smell of coal and smoke in the air Toby could tell a steam train was arriving at platform four. It was heading to so many locations, but he didn’t have enough money to get as far away from Oakdale as he would like to. He got on the train and looked for a window seat, the train was busy but he didn’t mind. He managed to find a window seat next to an old couple who were bickering to each another about an answer to a question on a crossword puzzle, they smelt of chocolate and coffee and were eating mints. He had no idea where he was heading nor what he’d have to do, it was all a guessing game. Maybe he’d become lucky and find a job somewhere or maybe his beloved uncle Baxter would send the search party to look for him, but Toby doubted it. He became weary, there was no sign of the ticket conductor so he decided to close his eyes just for a brief moment whilst listening to the relaxing sound of the train’s mechanics on its rails.

He heard peculiar voices and opened his eyes slowly, it was the old couple sitting next him and they both spoke directly at him with both their voices perfectly in sync. 

Do you know what you contain?

Erm sorry I don’t know what you mean? Toby replied.

Do you know what you contain?

Looking confused he decided to smile at old couple who managed to freak him out a bit. Seconds later the old couple shouted the words out to Toby.

Do you know what you contain?

He glanced around to see if anyone else was looking at the creepy wrinkly old couple, it was all total nonsense coming out of their mouths. He stood up and slowly moved anxiously to find a different carriage, the old couple didn’t get up they just stared without a single blink and he picked up the pace and quickly walked to a further away carriage. Luckily he found an empty carriage, it seemed quieter than the rest and the noise of the train was blocked out somehow. It was as though it had been abandoned and for some bizarre reason all the windows were covered in old newspapers. What the heck was in them mints that they were eating? he thought, as he sat down on a red leather seat. It was ripped all over with honeycomb colour sponge poking out and Toby couldn’t resist pulling some out as it felt quite comforting. He wondered about all of the windows in the carriage. Why were all the windows covered up with old newspapers? Toby looked closer at the paper stuck on the glass and he saw the date and year on them. They were really old newspapers, but coincidently some had the same date he was born on, twelfth March 1996. Hmm weird, he put it down to maintenance workers decorating the carriage or something, even though there was no sign or smell of paint lingering in the air. He was hoping it was just another coincidence, with his birthday, as he was trying to escape his problems not run into more. Slowly beginning to forget about the windows he relaxed and leaned back on his chair, but unaware that one specific newspaper had a date and an article that had not actually happened yet, but like in a dream he would never notice it.

Toby thought about the odd elderly couple, maybe they had escaped from the local loony bin speaking some kind of gobbledygook that no one could understand. Only me that would happen to, he thought, whilst questioning his own sanity. No one seemed to come into the specific carriage that Toby was in, not one person, only he who had begun to peel some of the paper off of the window so he could glance outside to see where the train was heading.

All of a sudden the carriage wobbled side to side like crazy, what the heck? he clutched the sides of his seat. He couldn’t hear any screaming from other passengers on board the train, he trembled and felt an ice cold chill slowly going down his spine. His eyes widened as he noticed where he peeled the newspaper a bright milky-white light gushed in like a flash flood, but it wasn’t water. He jumped to his feet and attempted to run towards the carriage doors, he gripped the doors to pry them open but they wouldn’t budge and with great shock he noticed through the fingerprinted marked glass on the carriage door that the rest of the train was fine. He could see the other passengers in there sitting down, chatting, reading newspapers and even the old couple were now fast asleep. What the hell is going on? he, again, wondered.

Help! he yelled, as he banged on the glass, but no one noticed or even seemed to hear anything. The carriage filled up with the mysterious light, he panicked and tried to smash open the door window by jumping and kicking at it, but he didn’t have any luck. He stopped as he heard a faint softly spoken voice which made the hairs on the back of his neck stand tall.

Toby,

Amongst the flood of light he could make out a humanly figure slowly approach him, again it softly spoke his name.

Toby,

He felt a surge of warmth flowing through his body like he knew this person who ever it was, the figure grew closer to him and he stared, puzzled, trying to capture a glimpse of its face. She was a she, a woman, she looked so familiar to him and she was beautiful, so beautiful in fact it looked as though her hair was glowing with radiance. She had long wavy dark coloured hair covered by a light drooping baby blue hood and the light glistened off her silver locket like necklace. She was wearing a pale blue and white off the shoulder outfit with long sleeves that almost covered her hands. It was similar to a dress that was flowing around like a jellyfish gliding underwater revealing her toned legs. Again she said his name,

Toby,

Quietly, he asked with a nervous voice just before the carriage filled up with the suffocating glowing substance that was surrounding them both, 

Who are you? His eyes closed as the light finally filled up the carriage, it felt like lukewarm water was all over him, but he could still breathe so luckily he was not drowning.

With surprise Toby woke up on the same rusty looking bench at platform four next to a woman, she was the same woman from the train.

Hello Toby, I am Lillia, Lillia P. Starlight, she stared at him with her big emerald green eyes.

Toby fell off the bench in shock.

What the hell is going on? Was that a dream? But you were there in my dream I mean! Oh my God I am going insane? How did I get here? I was on the train, wasn’t I? Toby asked panicked.

Softly speaking, she told him to try to calm down and relax.

Just breathe Toby it will all become clear to you soon, replied the mysterious woman.

Was it a dream?

Yes Toby it was only a dream, but something is reaching out to you in your dreams, something primeval.

What? Why? But you were there in my dream, Toby frowned feeling confused.

Yes I know you said, I was trying to wake you up Toby, your eyes were still a little bit open as you were sleeping. It is funny what the human mind can do with all the images it sees.

How do you know my name?

You’re very inquisitive aren’t you? All your questions will be answered soon it’s just the case of will you be able to handle the answers?Lillia, with a pleasing smile, replied.

Toby opened his mouth to begin to speak, but was interrupted as the air filled up with grey thick smoke and a noise that could drown out any sound. Two trains and what looked like a horde of people who swiftly approached them on platforms three and five.

Why are you here? Toby yelled, as the sound of both their voices became distorted due to the loud engines of the trains and the screeching of the wheels on the rails, as well as the sound of hundreds of footsteps coming from the bystanders rushing onto the platform.

I knew your parents Toby, I’m here to help you, come with me Toby! she shouted above the noise.

I can’t hear you!

You can, Lillia paused and reached out her hand to him, trust me.

The station slowly became quieter as the trains had pulled away with the people on board. Toby looked at her hand and slowly reached out for it, holding her gentle soft hand he had a feeling he could trust this enigmatic woman who had just appeared in his life. With a little smile from Lillia’s face and now in an almost empty station a flash of light revealed a fluorescent neon purple aura which appeared around them and they were magically transported into a place Toby had never seen before. A place so extraordinary Toby would have no idea of the epic adventures yet to come.

Chapter Two

Welcome to Aurorithia

Toby instantly vomited, confused and full of vertigo and disorientation as he was surrounded by the woodland.

Whoa, what the? Where are we? Actually hang on!

Are you alright Toby? Lillia asked, sympathetically. 

Yeah I am okay now, he said, rubbing his clammy hands over his face. What the heck just happened? How did it happen? He breathed deeply and tried to remain balanced and asked her where they were.

We are in a place called Eves Fall Forest. We are still in your world Toby, but not many travel this far into this forest these days, some people who have come through here sometimes tend to see things they’re not meant to see. Even though this is the best way in, there are many other entrances scattered around your world that lead to mine.

Still in my world? Your world? Who the hell I am in the woods with? I think I’m getting dizzy again. He sat on the ground that was covered in damp brown leaves, but he didn’t care about the cold wetness that had slowly seeped into his school trousers. The shadow of the dimmed sun moved over Lillia’s face as she smiled. 

I’ll show you.

Toby got up and she gestured him to follow her. She looked like she was searching for something as she blissfully walked around with her clothes gently blowing in the winter breeze. The sound of a small slow stream flowed into Toby’s ears, suddenly she stopped at two large arched trees facing one another, tall enough to walk straight under like a wooden rainbow, but without all the bright pretty colours. She turned around to Toby. 

We are here.

Toby rubbed his eyes, he felt a little exhausted by this point.

We are where?

She raised up her right arm and slowly moved her hand upwards and took one step forward. Toby stared in bewilderment as her hand suddenly disappeared into thin air between the two bent down trees and Lillia turned her head towards him. 

Here.

He swiftly ran around the two bowed trees to the other side to see if he could see her right hand, but he saw straight through it. Lillia was on the other side, but no hand, it wasn’t a trick from the sunlight or some kind of magic trick you’d see on the television it was real and her hand was gone! She pulled back her hand and Toby, overwhelmed with the shock, fell to his knees and fainted.

Around an hour later, he gradually woke up in a large comfortable wooden bed. It was carved with cherubs and flowers on the head stead and draped with rosy pink cotton sheets and plump white pillows. He looked around, he was in a brightly lit room, a room which looked like it was made up from all kinds of scraps, metal, wood, paper and various other kinds of materials, but yet it still managed to look cosy and inviting. He sat up and found a note beside some fresh clothes, a dark medium grey t-shirt, stone wash jeans and black cotton socks, all in his size, complete with some black and white canvas shoes. Next to them was a bowl with some kind of lumpy dark purple sand-like substance. He picked up the note and it read, I hope you feel better Toby, help yourself to fresh clothes and food, Lillia. There was nothing saying where he was or if she was actually coming back. 

Feeling well rested he decided to get out of bed and take a peek around the other rooms. He saw many weird shaped ancient looking ornaments and many pictures of Lillia with other people, maybe family or friends? There was also a large oak cupboard with see-through glass doors, inside it looked like a pot of rusty gold coins and something that looked like a flea circus. After having a little nose around he looked to see if she had a bathroom, after all the running he did he felt sweaty and had a desperate urge to be clean. Fortunately he found something that resembled a shower made from some old metal pipes, cogs and a watering can. He searched for the switch, he found something that looked like a button on the wall, shall I press it? he wondered. Toby was very inquisitive, he always had been and he couldn’t resist and pushed the switch. It clicked and a cupboard drawer slowly moved out from a wall, well that’s not the shower. With a curious mind he went to look at it, as he got closer he heard some out of the ordinary whimpering noises coming from inside the drawer, he looked down into it and with amazement he found three little yellow creatures. They looked like very fluffy tiny sloths staring up to Toby, what are they? he wondered, as he inspected the small fluffy bundles. With his fingers he pinched a small amount of bread from the shelf above ready to feed the creatures, he moved nearer and attempted to make baby-talk to them. 

Err hello you little cuties. What the hell am I doing?

The creatures looked up and started making whimpering noises once again, he got closer and closer hoping they didn’t bite his fingers and just as he was about to feed them he was startled by the appearance of Lillia who had walked into the bathroom.

Sorry I didn’t mean to snoop around, Toby nervously said, whilst moving away from the drawer.

She smiled,

They prefer small pieces of puff drops.

What the heck is a puff drop?

It’s a fluffy and soft kind of fruit we have around here.

Here? Where’s here? What are these things?

Aww they are my pets of course. They are yellow telepinpoms, they come in many colours and these ones are only about five weeks old. I can’t seem to think of any names for them just yet. Lillia gently closed the drawer and looked at him.

They are cute, but do you always keep your pets in the bathroom?

Lillia smiled,

They decided where to stay, they seem comfortable here, maybe it’s the sound of the water running. Did you know they can communicate to other telepinpoms all over the world? Anyway Toby, have a wash the switch is by your foot, she pointed to a small button on the floor, just stand on it and then it’ll come on.

Well that’s a bit different to my shower, thanks.

I’ll be in the next room, take your time, then you can have some food you must be hungry.

Meanwhile, at the Manor House back in Toby’s world, a very frustrated Mr Baxter was on his telephone that resembled something from the fifties. He was complaining to the school for letting Toby just walk out of the premises.

If you would calm down Mr Baxter, we do apologise for this situation and were doing our best to find Toby, said the well-mannered lady on the other end of the phone.

Well missy, Mr Baxter barked rudely, you need to do a better job or I will hold you personally responsible, but I shall tell you now as soon as he comes back through those doors he is out! No more of this nonsense, I never wanted to be lumbered with the boy, all I wanted was— Oh it doesn’t matter, he is lazy and rude and no more! Mr Baxter abruptly slammed down the phone, that damn boy!    

Sylvia Baxter, Mr Baxter’s wife, entered the room with her high heels clicking against the polished wooden flooring. Her big curly dull brown hair bounced against the collar of her large thick fur coat, she was nicer than Mr Baxter but was still pretty much his female evil twin. They had been married for only seven months and she walked around like she owned the whole place.

Darling my dear, I could hear you from the conservatory, what would the neighbours say?

I’m sorry my buttercup, it’s just so frustrating living with that boy no wonder his mother started to go insane and ever since he was lumbered into my life he has been nothing but trouble.

We need to find him, or we could lose everything, she said.

I know, we need that boy back here.

I know my ickle bickle dumpling, Sylvia sickly replied.

Mr Baxter reached for the phone.

Right then let’s get back onto the phone with the correct authority this time. 

Back in Lillia’s quaint and unusual home Toby had joined Lillia in what looked like her sitting room. The walls were covered in rough vertical planks of wood and the floor was host to the same kind of wood, except it was well worn and had begun to splinter. Lillia was sitting at an old round table, she looked over at Toby and called him over.

Toby before we talk you need to eat something, you need your energy. Lillia unscrewed a lid from a striking blue lidded jar which glowed gently. It had some kind of small fancy statue of a smiling face surrounded by small fruit. It was an iridescent blue colour and was full of a powder-like substance, the intense glow of it all made it look even more unique. She poured it into a bowl and passed it to him. Toby looked down at the small wooden bowl. It’s stopped glowing, he thought.

What is it? he asked.

Oh you will like this, it’s frumbledust. It’s really sweet or sometimes savoury and comes in quite a few flavours. It is a delicacy around here and it will give you a real boost of energy. Frumbledust?

He picked up a spoon and scooped some up, he slowly moved the spoon closer to his mouth and the smell of it tingled at his taste buds. He gulped as he moved it closer to his tongue and in it went. Wow! he thought.  

This is amazing, it tastes like berries or something similar, it even has a slight crunch to it. It looks wet, but it feels dry? It’s lovely but to be honest and I am more of a savoury kind of guy.

Lillia smiled,

I’m glad you like it, you should feel more energised soon. It is much nicer than that horrid globlin spawn around here. What the heck is a globlin? he wondered.

Lillia poured some fresh glistening cold water into a little silver cup whilst telling him that they needed to talk about some serious issues that were arising. Looking a tiny bit worried she talked to him about his problem and the weird things he had heard and seen and sometimes even did.

Toby, do you know what’s wrong with you?

So there is something wrong with me? Toby asked, looking concerned.

No, that was a wrong choice of words. There isn’t anything wrong with you, but there is something with you, something special.

Something with me, like what... a curse?

Lillia paused whilst taking a sip of water.

Oh no Toby definitely not a curse by far, but you do have a gift, even your parents knew about it. Well your mother did for sure.

Toby looked up and met Lillia’s eyes, 

You knew my parents? How? Why?

Everything will be clear to you soon Toby.

With a tiny shred of anger in his eyes he demanded to know about his parents,

Look no offence, but you’ve taken me all the way over here with no actual explanation and I think I at least deserve some answers, don’t you?

Toby, okay... she placed her cup down onto the table, I was friends with Eliza, your mother, for some time, she asked me for my help many years ago and we grew to become friends. I also knew your father, Howard, but he didn’t seem to see eye-to-eye with me about a few things.

Help for what? Where the hell are we? Toby was beginning to get impatient.

Come on Toby, let me show you where we are and I promise I’ll explain the rest to you soon.

She walked to her bulky wooden front door, Toby followed behind her and watched as she unlocked it with a small golden key. She slowly opened the door and a vast amount of bright light glared in from outside into her home. Toby was left speechless as a massive roar of different noises hit him all at once, there was music playing and hundreds of voices speaking at once and footsteps hitting the hard cobbled paving. They both walked closer to what resembled some kind of fantastical town full of creatures and human people, there were open market stalls made from sheets of metal and there were all sorts of stuff scattered all over the place. There were many different odd looking, what Toby assumed, were shops that he could see in the not so far distance. There was a shop with many bottles and jars of vibrant glowing potions called Spelling Bee, a store with unusual looking pieces of meat hanging in the window named Beast Feast and an extremely colourful shop called Candy Critters. Another colourful store that caught his eye was Cheeky Charms and there were hundreds more. The town was very busy and claustrophobic, it was full of peculiar things and the air burst with many aromas, good and bad. His attention had also been drawn to the many large rocks that were lodged into the ground facing up towards the sky. Toby was amazed, he had never seen anything like this, There were big creatures, small creatures, creatures with two or three heads and this place seemed to be packed to the rim with them.

Creatures? Monsters? I’m still dreaming aren’t I? What is this place? Toby asked with his mouth hanging slightly open, people were living amongst them everywhere. It was a spectacular image to be seen on such a magnificent sunny day, even the sky looked brighter than normal with only a few fluffy clouds floating overhead. It was a big contrast to the wintry weather back in Oakdale.

We are in a different world just inches away from yours, it is called Aurorithia and this little town is my home. Welcome to Cryagon Stow.

I would never have guessed, strange name for a place, Toby said, whilst looking around and taking in the surroundings that met his eyes with every corner they turned.

No more weird than the names people give their towns in your world.

These rocks, why are there so many? Toby asked.

They say this area is named after a Goddess who used to live high above in the sky, way past the clouds. It was once said that she used to cry stone tears, that would explain the scattered stones that are all over town.

"You’d have to be that depressed to cry stones."

Apparently an unknown God killed her lover and she couldn’t accept that he was gone forever.

Ah that would explain it I guess, Toby said.

"Hmm, we all make a living here it’s our home. It is much safer than the rest of the places in