The key to the long way home

Trevis feels dazed. Whatever happened knocked him flat. His ears are ringing something fierce. He blinks his eyes, but the room is still dim. His dad…the thought rockets through his dazed mind. Where was his dad? Trevis tries to stand. His knees feel weak. Furthermore, the feeling of dazed confusion causes him to almost lose his balance. However, he manages to stand.

He looks around their small living room. Small bits of paper float lazily in the dust filled air. Fortunately he still has his glasses. But he still can’t see his dad. The puzzle box sits on the table where it was before. The lid is open. The contents are still a mystery. In fact, they had only just opened the lid, when all hell broke loose. At least that is how Trevis thinks of it. Something happened when they opened the box. And now Trevis cannot find his dad.

The living room is littered with debris. The book shelf he helped his dad build lays on the floor. With the books scattered all around it. Some are open, and some are ripped in two. Many of the floating particles in the air are bits and pieces of the pages. There is also a cloud of dust that seems to have come from the puzzle box. It’s difficult to tell at the moment. Trevis feels a sense of panic. Where is his dad?

The Key to the Long Way Home

They returned from their trip using the long way home. Additionally, they felt refreshed and rested. In fact, Trevis was glad to be back in his new home. While it was good to see his old friends again, there were also the memories from their old home. On their way back, they talked about things. Just a little. Trevis felt relieved to have the time to talk with his dad. They were both adjusting. It was not easy.

Nevertheless, when they arrived back at their home, they both felt a sense of relief. It took a while to unpack and Trevis knew his dad would want to contact his work mates to catch up. Therefore, he spent some time with his own thoughts. And carefully examining the key.

The mysterious puzzle box still sat innocently on their living room table. They discussed it briefly, on their return journey. However, Trevis could tell his dad felt as curious as he did. Furthermore, the fact that Mr. Roberts had the key to the elaborate puzzle box had them both stumped. What did Trevis’ favorite teacher have to do with this strange mystery?

The Key

It was later that evening when he and his dad had the chance to sit down with the puzzle box. All their unpacking was complete. The room is quiet as he and his dad study the elaborate puzzle box. Trevis feels anxious and impatient. He wants to know what is in the box. His dad wanted a few moments to examine the lock, before they tried to open it.

The place for the key, looked like any other key lock. Nothing out of the ordinary. Therefore, they decide it will be safe for Trevis to do the honors. Actually his dad decides, but Trevis agrees eagerly. So he carefully places the key into the small lock. Almost immediately a humming sound seems to fill the air. Trevis feels vibrations from the humming noise. It fills the air around them.

He can’t decide if he is imagining this or if it is really happening. The hairs on the back of the hand he is using, to open the lock, are standing on end. The humming sound seems to intensify as he begins to turn the key. Then he feels the key catch, and the lid pops open. An electric, blue light, fills the room. One moment later and he is laying on the floor, dazed, and very confused.

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The key to the long way home

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