reassuring the bird.
Trustingly, the dove stepped into Matthew’s muddy hand. Slowly he took his hand out of the silver cage and lowered her to the ground.
Free from Matthew’s grip, she opened up her pure white wings. They sparkled with the light of the moon and lifting herself up into the dark sky, the dove took to the air.
Dancing in the strips of moonlight, her beautiful wings twinkled like fairy dust. Awakened by the dove’s presence, tiny stars scattered across the sky line. An overwhelming feeling of comfort filled Matthew and Catherine, as together they watched her silhouette gracing the night sky.
Finally, the dove hovered above Matthew and Catherine. Sprinkling what appeared to be fairy dust upon them both, she guided them along the muddy paths. They followed trustingly behind her, hoping she was leading them to shelter, or better still, home.
Suddenly, from out of the darkness, sounded a didgeridoo. It caused the ground to shudder.
“What is that?” Catherine asked as her eyes bulged.
“I don’t know,” Matthew replied.
Just then, flaming arrows shot over the woodlands and started to set alight the dark sky.
The dove started to flap her wings faster and the two youngsters jogged on behind her.
Leading them off the river side and through a break in the trees, the bird began to coo. Another low tone rumbled and a dozen more fiery arrows blazed overhead.
“It’s ok, I can see them, they’re with Dove.”
“Seize fire!”
Pushing their way through the broken branches, Matthew and Catherine finally managed to follow the dove deeper into the woodlands. Dove began to flap rapidly forcing herself up high into the sky, until eventually she was out of sight.
Feeling completely alone, Matthew and Catherine tiptoed further into the forest. It wasn’t long before they discovered the true reason the dove had brought them into the forest.
Towering high into the sky were two thick wooden gates, held in place by two solid pillars which stood tall like candlesticks. Dazzling, fiery bright amber light flickered out from the tops of the pillars.
“Oh my,” Matthew gasped.
“What the,” Catherine stuttered.
Stepping closer, Catherine noticed something was engraved in the withered wooden gates. Nervously, Catherine placed her finger onto the etchings. At first she flinched and pulled her hand back, but then regaining her original stance, Catherine once again placed her fingers back into the carved out wood.
Twirling them around, she spelt out the letters in her head.
“What is it, Catherine?” Matthew asked.
“There’s writing on the gate,” Catherine answered pointing towards it, offering Matthew to read it for himself.
Intriguingly, Matthew started to slither his fingers across the slimy, moist surface, before sounding out the words.
“The forgotten”
“What do you think that means?” Matthew asked Catherine, wiping the slimy goo on his jeans.
But just then, the heavy wooden gates started to creak. Taking a step back Catherine whispered, “I think we’re going to find out.”
As the doors began to open, a burning light filtered out through the narrow gap and an aroma of burning logs surrounded them. Matthew and Catherine basked in the heat of the fiery warmth. The didgeridoo rumbled once more and finally the gates opened wide.
Orange, red and yellow flames climbed up into the night sky, accompanied by the sound of the wood cracking under the fires intense heat. Together they walked towards the giant camp fire, and anxiously entered the land of ‘The forgotten.’
Chapter Six
The Forgotten – Part 1
The heavy wooden gates slammed shut. A shadow emerged from the smoke of the fire, and excitedly trotted towards them.
“Hi, you made it,” said the young man who was approaching them.
Matthew and Catherine stood there bewildered as the young man continued, “I’m Nathan and you are?” he asked trying to engage them into conversation.
“Oh sorry, I’m Catherine and this