I looked herself in the mirror and sighed. I hated my workers uniform, a knee length navy blue dress, with a white apron. It smelled of musk and mildew, making my nose cringe, and every time it was washed it had the same smell. Aunt Elsa insisted on having me wear that uniform since I came here… god I wish mom and dad were here.. wherever they are. I looked around in her room, to make sure that Elsa or that fat cat Lawrence weren't looking. I carefully took out the necklace, noticing the shimmering stones in my hand. My fingers glazed over the emerald stones shining in my eyes. I've never seen anything so wonderful in my life, I don't even remember mom wearing it.. or do I?

There was the sound of a knock at the door as Bastian walked through the door in his servant's uniform, a matching navy blue tux "The guests are here." He sneezed as I dusted off the lapel of his suit "This sucks." The boy muttered. "It's almost over." I smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

The party included the most boring adults in the world, talking taxes or politics.. business I clearly had no interest in. I yawned as I felt someone tap me on the shoulder, I turned around and saw Derek's parents behind me "Oh hey Mr. and Mrs. Mooney!" I smiled as they gave me a small hug. Derek was the mirror image of his father, while him and his mom shared the same color eyes.

Mrs. Mooney smiled gently "How is it Rosella?" she noticed my look of annoyance as she laughed gently "Well.. it's not that bad." She patted me on the shoulder and handed me a piece of paper "Derek wanted me to give this to Bastian, but I can't seem to find him anywhere." She noticed my hands were full of wieners on a toothpick as she slipped it in the pocket of my apron. I smiled as big as I could, Mr. Mooney patted me on the back "It's almost over Rosie, you'll see." I sighed and was about to say another word when I heard Aunt Elsa's shrewd voice "Rosella! Clean up!"

I bit my lip and smiled at the couple "Good to see you guys!" they attempted to hug me, but noticed the food and simply patted me on the shoulder. I walked over to the mess of juice on the floor as I noticed Bastian hiding under the table, eating cupcakes I made earlier today "Bastian! You're covered in frosting!" he had no time to answer as I slipped my hand into the pocket of my apron and handed him the paper "Derek had this for you.." he slipped open the paper and smiled wide as I attempted to rub the frosting off his mouth "Ro, look! It's Hercules!" I looked at the paper and saw an exact replica of Hercules, holding his sword and shield. I smiled as I noticed the completely flawless drawing, not a dout in my mind that it would have been traced, Derek has been making these since we were in grade school. I finished half the mess on the floor and whispered to Bastian "You can stay under here, just don't make a mess." He smiled and reached for another cupcake.

I cleaned up the leftover juice on the floor as I saw two largely familiar feet at my side "Sorry for the mess." I looked up and met Daniel's brown eyes. I rolled my eyes as he lent me a hand, which I ignored. He wore a nice suit and his hair was slicked back, he winked at me and I started to walk away as he pleaded with me "Aww Come on Rosella! You're not still mad about this afternoon are you?" I scoffed as he walked towards me "If that dork-wad didn't get in the way, I probably wouldn't have such a bad temper."

I turned back around "That dork-wad is my best friend. If you left me alone I probably wouldn't have denied your date to the dance." His eyes went wide as he stepped closer to me, making me uncomfortable, suddenly Bastian walked between us and stompped his foot down "Leave my sister alone." Daniel laughed at him and pushed him away "Ooh I'm so scared." Bastian tried pushing him back, but it didn't work "I said leave her alone."

Daniel noticed the piece of paper and grabbed it from the little boys hands "What is this?"

"Give it back!" he pleaded

Daniel laughed and noticed the signature at the bottom of the paper From Derek, in a fit of rage he ripped it in half and scattered it on the floor "Grow up kid." Bastian turned red and jumped on Daniel, starting to hit him. I stood frozen, not knowing what to do. Daniel threw him off on the table of deserts, sending the pies and cakes flying in the air. Like in slow motion, the pie flew right into Aunt Elsa's face. The small cakes fell on the mayor and his wife, and many other elected officials in the room. Elsa turned red and immediately calmed down "Party is over everyone! So sorry!"

Not wanting to take part in her rage, the guests immediately left.. me and Bastian were in for it.

"YOU LITTLE BRATS! I WORK TOO LONG AND TOO HARD TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN!" She was turning red, the small cherries of the pie dripping down her face, the cat eating the leftovers on the floor. It would be a funny sight, if she wasn't screaming "AFTER ALL I DO! AFTER ALL I'VE DONE! I WAS ABOUT TO DO LAND A DEAL WITH THE MAYOR!"

I looked over at Bastian, holding the shreds of what was his drawing of Hercules. I looked over at my Aunt and sighed "It wasn't our fault, Daniel-"

"The mayors son! I had hoped you would be obedient to say 'yes' to be his date this weekend! But you had to be little miss noble and protect that nobody!"

"His name is Derek!"

"I don't care!" she began to pace "You ruined everything!"

"You don't tell me how to live my life and who to like!" I stood up, Elsa towering over me. She smacked me across the face, landing hard on the ground. Somehow the necklace slipped out of my dress, alerting Aunt Elsa's attention. Her eyes went wide as she grabbed my arm tightly "Where did you get that necklace!"

I shouted "You're hurting me!"

"Give me that necklace you little reject!" her face went red.

"Never!" I pushed her away as I ran out the door, Bastian following close behind.

Aunt Elsa stood in the doorway "Get back here you BRATS!"

We kept running, running along the dirt path until we reached the black gate. We leaned against the gate to catch our breath, the cold air and the cold metal of the night making us shiver. I held Bastian close "I-I'm sorry Bastian.. I didn't mean to." He held me back "It's okay.."

I sat up and looked around, the path was dark and the only light we had was the moon. I looked around and kicked the gate in frustration. The lock jingled and suddenly, a small compartment opened to reveal a entrance for a key. Bastian held it as I started to walk away "It looks like your necklace.."

"It's impossible Bastian.. lets just go home.."

He held on to my sleeve "That isn't home anymore.. lemme see the charm." I scoffed and handed him the necklace, he leaned closer to carefully place the charm in the lock. It slid in, but did nothing. "See?" I said "Nothin… lets go." He sighed and we started to walk away, suddenly the lock fell off the gate. We turned around to see the gate slipping open, past the leaves and dead grass until the creaking stopped. We wearily stepped in, walking into the property.

I held onto Bastian as we neared the tree, it was even larger in size, the black wood crackling with age. Nailed on the tree was a gold plate that me and Bastian read out loud:

For those who believe,

For those who imagine,

Lies the place where the dreamers

Can make dreams happen.

We read the last line, giving us the chills. I muttered "Creepy.." we noticed a large hole in the ground, dark as the sky. Bastian lifted a rock and threw it down, waiting to hear the small rock hit the ground. He shrugged his shoulders "It's bottomless." I nudged him to leave as we walked towards the gate. Quite suddenly, a large gust of wind came from the hole, wrapping around Bastian and pulling him down into the dark abyss.

"Rosella, Help me!" he attempted to grab onto the root of the tree, breaking apart in his hands.

He was being dragged down into the hold as I suddenly grabbed his arms "I got you Bastian! Don't let go!" he was starting to slip,

"Don't. Let. Go!" I began to pull him as the wind became stronger, dragging me with him! We plummeted down the hole, being swallowed by the darkness.

REVIEW AND FOLLOW!