Justin and the Key ~ Chapter 2

     The smell of bacon was strong in the air as Justin woke up from his dreams into reality. As he walked through the hallway it seemed as if the fragrance was pulling him to itself.

     Aunt Ruthy’s smile was warm and cheerful when Justin came into the kitchen. “Did you sleep good last night?” she asked Justin.

     “Oh fine” he answered absentmindedly.

     “Uncle Bert is gone to work for the day and you don’t have to do school because the curriculums aren’t here yet. Bert wanted to get you a real pocket knife, so before he picked you up from the airport he stopped by Wal-Mart and got It.” said Aunt Ruthy.

     Justin thought about this for a moment then answered “I’ve never had a pocket knife, so I’m afraid don’t know how to use one.  It will be fun to learn.”

     After they finished breakfast Justin went outside to explore. Aunt Ruthy had given him some food and a GPS.  He saw many birds he knew and some he didn’t know. He even saw two squirrels fighting over something on a branch above him. He sat down to take a break in the shade of one of the larger trees and ate a pack of raisins.  Then he set down his backpack, pulled out his pocket-knife, and started carving a stick he found on the ground.  The branch turned out to be rotten so he picked up a stick about as tall as himself and started over.

     Justin hiked along an old deer trail for a while until he came to the top of a thirty foot cliff.  He found a trail which led around to the bottom of the bluff.  He started to try to climb to the top but only got about half way and had to turn back around.  As he did, he looked down and saw a cottage off in the distance that the settlers must have made in the early 1800’s.  He descended once again to the base of the cliff and looked around the area, trying to see the old cabin but the thick brush was obscuring his vision. 

   He decided to walk in what he thought was the direction of the cabin. Getting through the dense foliage was a challenge, but he caught a glimpse of the cabin.  Getting closer, he saw that the windows and doors were still intact. As he crept slowly into the cabin, he saw that there was something on the floor.  Hesitating for a moment, he was filled with curiosity as he bent down to pick it up. The skeleton key now resting in his palm was nearly the length of his whole hand.  The handle of the key had three holes in it like the Olympics sign, and he marveled at its unique shape.  He wondered what it unlocked, imagining pirates, or dragons and princesses.

     Justin had always liked fairy tales of faraway lands, but this was like holding one in his hand.  An entire story of good and evil was already building up in his mind until he looked at his watch. It was already almost lunchtime.  

     He put the skeleton key in his backpack and dashed out of the old abandoned cottage without even a second glance, running through the forest. His stomach growled at the sudden reminder of lunch.