Chapter 3: The Mysterious Letter

Karin walked down the stairwell to the main floor where several children were running around. The boy nodded to her, "Do you want dinner?" Karin replied, "Yeah...um, what do you have to eat?" The boy laughed, "Lots of stuff. We have spaghetti every Monday. The grown-ups here are all out of collage. There are 15 kids here. " Karin grinned. Soon, all the kids walked into the kitchen. The adults were helping the little ones get their dinners, while the older ones served themselves. Karin followed their example. She sat next to a group of kids about her own age. A red haired girl looked at Karin, "Hey! You're new here? Great! That's good for us girls. Now we have more of us than boys. I'm Jackie. Who are you?" "I am Karin Coreander." Jackie nodded, "Wanna play fantan after dinner?" Karin shook her head, "Sorry, I have to read something my Grampa left for me." Jackie grinned, "Okay, just let me know when you want to play cards." Karin nodded and left to put her plate in the large sink.

She ran up to her new room. It was small, with a bunk bed, a closet, and a desk with a bookshelf and lamp. She closed the door, switched on the lamp, sat down on the lower bunk and read the letter, which said: April 3, 2001
Dear Karin,
By the time you read this, I will have died, and you will be on your own. Now read carefully, I have something to confess. I am not your real grandfather. Nathan Bux was. He died some years ago. Your real name is Karin Bux. You are the Heir to the Auryn. The Auryn was the sacred talisman of the Childlike Empress, the princess in your nightmare. She ruled the storybook planet, Fantasia. Your father, Bastian, saved it when he read the book, The Neverending Story. It transported him to Fantasia twice, once to save the Empress, and then to destroy the witch, Xayide. You were born in Silver City, where your father was mayor. You are not human, only half-Earthling. You are also half-Fantasian, which means you are from two worlds. The evil queen, Ryxutra, killed your parents and the empress soon after you were born. The Indian boy, Atreyu, was also killed. Falkor and the Gnomics survived. Now, Fantasia is under her evil ways, and you must return home to defeat her and take the place as the new Childlike Empress. Inside the box, you will find directions to a teleporter. It will take you to a remote part of the planet. Seek out the Gnomics and Falkor. They will aid you with your quest. One word of advice. Hold fast to the Auryn. It will guide and protect you. You alone can weld its power, Sikanda, the Light Sword. It was your father's. Goodbye, Karin.
Your loving grandfather,
Carl Conrad Coreander
P.S. The road to the teleporter is long and hard. Travel by night, and trust your heart."

Karin looked up from the letter. She knew what she had to do. She had save Fantasia, just like Dad did. She would leave that very night. As soon as the adults went to bed, she sneaked out of the building and ran toward the creek behind it. She left Jackie a note; "I am going a quest and will not return. Don't worry, I will learn to play fantan."

When she closed the door, Jackie stirred. She read the note and nodded. Karin's quest would be a secret. In time Jackie was adopted and wrote myths for a living for her own children. But that is another story that shall be told another time.