THE FIRE WOODS

Written by Ally (Remelda)

Oh, also, when I was young I would ask ZaneBrooks to edit my stories. There were
some minor mistakes on her editing, so I‟m editing it!*

Ugh. My two younger twin brothers, Mike and Bob, were bothering me. Again.

"Can I use your iPhone?" Mike pleaded.

"Can I use your PSP?" Bob chimed in.

"Enough! Get out of my room!" I yelled. Relief washed through me as I saw them leave.
By the way, my name is Nicole and I'm a proud 4th grader. My twin brothers are in the
second grade and they always bother me.

I grabbed my clothes and wore them quickly. I slung my bag over my shoulder as I
hurried down the stairs.

"Dad!" I called. "I need to go to school!"

My Dad hurried downstairs and I gave him my bag, which he placed in the trunk of the
car. I got in as my Dad gunned the engine of the car.

We got to the school quick, since I was running late. I hurriedly grabbed my bag and
said thanks to my Dad before whirling out of the car and through the gate.

I climbed the stairs and raced off to the third floor. I stuffed my bag inside my locker
after getting my science things. According to my schedule, I had five minutes left to go
to the science classroom. Yikes!

I raced to the science classroom after locking my locker.

"Nicole," my teacher said sternly. "Go to your seat. We're about to start."

I nodded and went to the only vacant chair in the back of the classroom.

Science was fun; we did a few experiments and stuff like that after taking down notes.
After a couple more subjects, the bell rang, signaling our break. I placed my stuff in my
locker and got out my things for the next subjects after break.

I went to the cafeteria and ordered a tray of chicken sandwich, one apple, a slice of
pizza and a bottle of lemonade.
I walked over to our lunch table and slid in.

"Hi, Nic," Amelia greeted me, grinning widely. I smiled back at her as I heard Nick talk to
Amelia about a field trip.

"Are you going to the field trip?" Nick asked.

"What field trip?" I asked. "I hadn't heard anything."

"You know," Nick said. "The field trip to-"

He was cut off by the speaker.

"Good afternoon, everyone," The principle said. "We're going to a field trip to a place
called Fire Woods. Though its name sounds fierce, you have no need to be scared.
Sign in the sign-up form found outside my office to join."

The whole cafeteria was buzzing about Fire Woods.

"I'm going to sign up," Amelia declared.

"Me, too!" Nick chimed.

"Me, three!" I said, a bit nervous. Though the principle reassured us that it was
dangerous, it still gave me creeps. Why was it named Fire Woods?

I was really excited for the field trip that I woke up early and was bombarded with the
smell of donuts.

I excitedly went downstairs, almost bouncing, asking what was for breakfast and
greeting everyone good morning.

"Donuts," my Mom answered.

"Here you go," Dad said, handing me a plate of a strawberry donut. I ate it quick and
hurriedly ate five more.

I was dropped off to school by my Dad and I hurried to the cluster of chatting fourth
graders. We boarded the bus and began the noisy cheerful trip to Fire Woods.

We got there and the first thought I had was that the woods weren't burning. Odd. Well,
of course, it wouldn't be technically burning.

"Well, we're here!" The principle said excitedly. Some rolled their eyes. "Let's go out for
a tour. I hope you learn a lot in this trip. Stay close, you don't want to get lost. It's very
dangerous if you get alone."
I looked around and followed the principle quickly with Amelia and Nick on my heels.
I asked the principal why it was dangerous if you were alone.

"The creatures here are very mysterious." The principal replied grimly. "If you are in a
group, they wouldn't harm you. But if you're alone, there are chances they might."
I shivered. What if I got lost?

We walked and walked and walked. I kept on hearing weird sounds and stuff. Then I
heard someone crying. Who – or what – could that be?

“Principal,” I said. “I think I heard someone crying.”

“I think that‟s a creature.” The principle replied. “Stay with me.”

But I had frozen in fear as all of them we‟re leaving, including Amelia and Nick, who
were busy chatting with their other friends, forgetting about me. Fortunately, I started to
move my legs and I ran towards them.

“Principal,” I said. “I think I‟m really scared.”

“Knew you would,” the principal laughed. She continued walking with the group and I
paid attention now. “Let‟s go back now.”

But then, I heard something behind me. Something had growled. I turned in fright and
investigated my back for some time. When I turned back, they had left.
I searched the clearing frantically, but I couldn‟t find them. I yelled for help, but no one
answered. „This couldn’t be happening.’

“Don‟t worry,” something said. I looked up in fright. It was a dragon. “I‟ll take care of you,
don‟t worry. Climb up me before the bad creatures come.”

I had no choice but to climb the little dragon. It flew me out of the woods and circled to
the city. I pointed to my house and it descended there.

“I think I‟ll stay here for a while.” The dragon mused.

“If you‟re going to stay, hide.” I cautioned.

The dragon nodded its head and shrank until it was the size of my hand. I gasped in
surprise, but I quickly recovered and headed to my bedroom quietly.

“Okay, talk.” I said, closing the door and locking it. “Who are you and what do you want
from me? Why did you help me?”
“Dear, my name is Emma,” the dragon replied, returning back to its original size. “I have
been assigned to you as your guardian. I helped you because the day has come.”

“My name is Nic-,” I started, but Emma cut me off.

“I know your name, dear,” Emma said. “The creatures from Fire Woods knew your
name and everything about your life since you were born. But most importantly, we
knew you had special powers. The day has come that I gave you this book so that you
can learn how to use your powers. I hope you use them wisely.”

I quickly flipped through the book. I found a shrink spell and realized it was the same
spell that Emma used to shrink. “Here‟s a shrink spell.”

“You will use this for the tasks whenever Fire Woods needs you, Nicole.” Emma said,
gravely. Or whenever anyone at least needs your help; but you must use this spells
discreetly and not for harm or bad either. Tell this to your parents and they‟ll
understand. They knew some day that their daughter will become a guardian of Fire
Woods.”

“They knew?” I said in surprise. 'They never told me!’

“Yes, they knew,” Emma said. “You can start learning tomorrow. Just visit me at the
edge of the Fire Woods tomorrow for lessons after school. But first, don‟t you think you
should introduce me to your parents?”

“You‟re right.” I said.

The day was extraordinary. From simple field trip to a huge discovery; I, Nicole, learned
everything. From how I got my powers to introducing Emma to everything; I was to start
my lessons tomorrow. I slept with a smile on my face.