Hello, you. Yes, you. Welcome to my story, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks due to my beta, vanilla obsessive, for bearing with me. I have to warn you; it drags on for a bit until the second or third chapter. Stick with it! Also, R&R if you ever want me to update again! I'm warning you!

No infringement intended, don't sue me!

My grandmother's last few weeks had been fitful, to say the least. She didn't want anyone but my mother and I to come near her, as she was afraid of all others. They were like strangers to her, although they visited every day. She wanted no-one more than me, my mother, and that one other being.

She wouldn't stop going on about 'Tarrant'. He was a figment of her imagination, we were all sure of that, but she was stubbornly convinced of his existence. You see, my grandmother was very old and had extremely bad Alzheimer's, forgetting little things at first like one or two things off the shopping list, but it steadily progressed to her not knowing what day, month, year it was. Although, there were some memories that she clung to, unwilling to release them for they meant so much to her.

She forgot the names and faces of everyone but four people; herself, Alice Kingsley, my mother; Mia Kingsley, me; Lucinda Kingsley, and one mysterious other man. She claimed that he was like no other man that she had ever known; he was caring, passionate and stunningly handsome. She continually referred to him as Tarrant, and only she believed in him. So, when she passed away, I really was surprised as to what she left me in the will.

An envelope. She left me a brown paper envelope with no stamps or writing on the outside. I wasn't disappointed, I hadn't wanted money or valuables from my grandmother, and I was intrigued. Once home I slipped into my room when no-one was around, and slit the envelope open. Inside were another, thicker envelope and a piece of paper. I chose to read the paper first, before opening the second envelope.

It read:

My dear Lucinda,

If you are reading this, then it means that I have passed away. For this, I apologise. I never wanted to leave you alone, but you are a fighter and I am sure that you will be fine.

Now, I need you to do something for me. Remember that man I mentioned to you?

Oh, here we go…

Well, he was very important to me and I have a promise to keep for him. Please go to him.

Wait, what?

Below is a map showing you where you will find him.

I looked down, and, sure enough, there was a detailed drawing that was so large that it spilled over onto the back of the page.

I'm sorry that it is so confusing, but I assure you that it will make sense after you get to the room of doors.

That sounded ominous.

Please give him the enclosed letter; I need him to know that I didn't forget about him.

Too right, you didn't forget about him.

All my love and more, Alice.

P.S. Please wear your hat.

The hat that she was referring to was a special one; it had been given to me as a present from my grandmother, and had apparently been made by my grandfather. I loved it, but I never wore it; it was far too beautiful and precious to wear for extensive periods of time. I set the letter on my side table and walked over to my wardrobe, opening the white wooden doors. I pushed the hanging clothes aside to get to the back, to a wooden box which I then lifted out and set on the floor. It had remained untouched for years: I had almost forgotten about it, but now all the memories came rushing back. I lifted the lid and smiled as I saw it inside.

The hat was green, a moderate colour, with a golden thread pattern swirling all over the exterior. I loved it and was happy to wear it, especially if my grandma wanted me to. I chose to wear a green dress and golden scarf with it to accentuate the hat's colour and pattern. I slid on some shoes - I can't even remember what they looked like now - and did my hair, looking at myself in the mirror above my desk before leaving. I sighed on my way out of the door as I realised that I was getting dressed up to visit a man that my grandmother had imagined.

I picked up the letters on my way out, inspecting the map on the way down the stairs and out of the door. It seemed to start at a place that I had christened 'tree of dreams' as many of my grandmother's dreams and nightmares started there.

I walked across the tarmac drive and onto the expansive front lawn. By 'expansive' I really mean 'absolutely enormous'. We have over five acres of land, and most of that is in front of the house, covered with trees, bushes, and much other plant life. The map showed quite a long walk to the correct tree, and this proved true, as it was nearly half an hour until I reached the right place. To fill in the long, boring walk that I had on my way there, I'll tell you a little information that might apply to the rest of the story, or just interest you to know.

As you know, my name is Lucinda Kingsley. My mother was Mia Kingsley and my grandmother was Alice Kingsley. I have never known my father or grandfather as my mother and grandmother left them before I was born, deeming it unsuitable for me to grow up with them around. It seems that we Kingsley women are doomed to be alone forever. I am 13 years old, I am homeschooled but still have friends, mostly from extra curricular activities.

My eyes are bright green, my hair is curly and ginger, and I have a rather slender figure and pale skin. I never was or will be fond of giving extended, overly detailed accounts, so that's your lot.

I reached the dream tree, not overly tired but warmed up after the lengthy walk. This land used to belong to the Ascot's, whom had wanted to marry into my family two generations ago. The man had been named Hamish, and Alice had turned him down, a radical thing to do in those days. She had, much later, bought the land from the family after Hamish's parents had died and the aristocracy had declined.

I looked at the base of the tree. The map depicted that there would be a large hole at the base of it, and there it was, easily big enough for me to fit into. I looked into the looming darkness. The air from inside was cold and still. I didn't want to go in, but the map told me to 'close my eyes and jump'. I peered in one last time, closed my eyes, and jumped in.

I expected the floor to be just out of sight, maybe two meters or less, but when I didn't hit the ground after ten seconds I began to wonder. I could feel the air whipping past my face, my hat gone from my head. I opened my eyes, not wanting to lose that hat. As soon as I had opened my eyes, I wished that I hadn't.

Lights flashed past my face, unusual objects sped in and out of view. My hat was tumbling through the air at a slower pace, now three or four feet above my head. I stretched desperately for it, not wanting to leave this hole without it. I was terrified of the bone-crunching impact with the floor that was undoubtedly awaiting me at the bottom, but that object was more important to me than life itself. I reluctantly had to stop reaching for the hat after it spun well out of reach. I looked down, seeing only a yellow spiral of light plunging down into to the infinite depth of the hole. I levelled out, holding out my arms and legs to slow down my decent. The lights gradually began to slow down, not a lot, but enough to let me know that I was decreasing in speed. I reached up, and grabbed the hat. I was so glad now to have it in my reach that I didn't notice the ground shooting up to reach me.