Imaginaria

The story you are about to read may conjure up memories of another tale told some time ago. One that introduced us to lions, a witch, and, of course, that magical passageway that led four curious children through dusty old coats into another world. 

You may think things like that could only happen in fairy tales and children’s dreams. Oh yes, the imagination of a child has a habit of running wild and free, open to all sorts of curiosities. 

But, on a recent spring day, when many kids had faces bent into their electronic devices, tapping those buttons that open up a world of pixels and pretend worlds, four children opened up a passageway into their own world. 

Only this one was, in fact, real…

 

***

 

“Stop pushing.” Cal threw an angry glance over his shoulder.

Kat shuffled four-year-old Tim-Tim in her arms. “We need to hurry.”

Shay’s Auditorium was known for performances by actors who were talented and punctual. She knew she had the talent. Her drama teacher had said so. But when she had three younger brothers who had to tag along to her audition, punctuality was a joke.

Marino turned from where he walked ahead. “Maybe if she gets the part of the kind princess, she’ll be less mean,” he said with a scowl. 

Kat almost felt sorry for him. He seemed resentful that she was the one in charge most often. He would never gain anyone’s respect if he didn’t fine-tune his attitude, as Gramma Lucy often said. 

Cal scrunched his eyebrows together. “Aren’t you trying to get the part of the bad lady?”

“That’s right!” announced Marino. “The witch. Isn’t that appropriate?” 

Kat’s blood heated to a slow boil at the sight of Marino’s shoulders shaking from silent laughter. She set four-year-old Tim-Tim down. “We’re here.”

The outside of Shay’s Auditorium was multicolored with glitzy gold sparkles. Kat didn’t care much for the flashy colors. It kind of looked like a two-year-old went crazy with finger paints. But this was where all the talented kids got their start. 

She pulled the handle, but the door only jiggled and shook. 

“Lady of Callamanhue Auditions today.” Kat’s heart fluttered uncomfortably as she whispered the words on the paper stuck to the door. “No entries permitted after 4:30pm.” 

The air became heavy, making it hard to breathe. How long had she waited for this moment only to lose out by five minutes? 

Kat lifted her chin despite the heavy feeling in her chest. No regrets. Isn’t that what Gramma Lucy liked to say? “Let’s go.”

Marino shook his head and Tim-Tim, seeming to sense Kat’s sorrow, glumly walked along with shuffling feet.

“Let’s go there instead!” Cal pointed at a big church next to the auditorium. It was dull with dirty bricks and bushes that seemed droopy.

“Sorry, we can't,” said Kat as she gazed up at the steeple that seemed to go up and up…

Creeeeeeeak!

Kat looked back down as Cal tugged on one of the heavy-looking wood doors.

“Stop!” exclaimed Kat. But it was too late. His little arms had already swung the door wide open. 

Kat left the other two boys and ran to Cal. Inside was a large, old-looking entryway. 

“Let’s go in!” said Cal. 

“We can’t just walk into an old church we don’t know,” said Marino, who was dragging Tim-Tim up the walkway. 

“He’s right, Cal,” said Kat.

“Let the children come,” said a friendly voice. A man with reddish-orange hair and a kind smile stood in the doorway. 

Eager Cal wasted no time and scurried in. 

“All of you. Come in.”

Kat and Marino shared a wary look, when suddenly Tim-Tim slipped past them through the doorway. Kat had hardly seen such bravery from little Tim. He rarely let go of her hand much less approached a stranger. 

“Ok, but just for a minute,” she conceded.

“I’m Brother Patrick,” the man with the brown robe said. “And what are your names?”

“I’m Kat and this is Marino.” 

Marino turned his head and sighed loudly. Kat didn’t want to be here either, but he didn’t have to be rude.

Kat continued, “The explorer there is Cal.”

The man looked at Tim-Tim. “And what’s your name?” 

The little boy jumped into Kat’s arms and buried his face in her neck, his curls tickling her chin. 

“His name is Tim-Tim,” she said. “He doesn’t talk. He never has.” 

Brother Patrick patted Tim-Tim on the head. “Oh, he’ll speak when the world is ready to listen.” He straightened up and said, “Well, you are a nice-looking family.”

“We’re not a family,” announced Marino gruffly. “We’re foster kids.”

“That’s not correct, Brother Patrick,” said Kat. “Our adoption was finalized last week. We’re a real family now.”  

“Yeah, Gramma Lucy said so,” announced Cal.

“Gramma Lucy is our adoptive mother,” explained Kat. “She’s very kind, but she has been sick.”

“I’ll be sure to say a prayer for this Miss Lucy. And for your whole family too.”

Kat felt a warm, tingly sensation inside. 

“No Cal, not again!” 

Kat looked over to see Marino pulling Cal out of a large closet with what appeared to be large bunches of fabric hanging from the ceiling.

“That’s a safe place,” said Brother Patrick. “You are free to explore if you wish.” 

“I don’t know,” Kat said warily. 

Something seemed to have come over Tim-Tim again and he marched right into the closet, leaving Kat and Marino with little choice but to follow. Cal was pushing large swaths of fabric out of the way, disappearing along with Tim-Tim in the mass of them. 

“Boys?” she called. She pushed further in. They should be at the back of the closet by now. “Boys!” 

The sweat beading on her brow was smeared by the thick fabric, but she began to feel something new. Instead of the coarse cloth, sticks and brush poked at her skin. And the ground was no longer hard but became soft and earthy. 

She blinked against the dull light. 

“Kat!” Cal ran into her arms and she held him tight. They were in some sort of clearing in a thickly wooded area. Marino and Tim-Tim were standing off to the side with wide-eyed expressions. 

“Where are we?” Cal sounded uncharacteristically frightened. 

Marino wrung his hands. “We need to get out of here. Cal, what have you done?”

“It’s not his fault.” Kat had to work to keep her voice from trembling. “It’s like we entered some sort of–”

“There’s a sound from over there!” Cal cried, pointing to the left of where they stood. 

Crunching leaves. And whoever–or whatever–it was, was carrying something bright with a light that poured through the dimness of the hazy woods. 

Kat motioned for the boys. “Stay together. It could be anything!” 

They bunched together and Marino found a large stick, holding it up like a sword in front of them. 

The glowing light grew stronger and the thudding steps resonated closer. The little boys trembled in Kat’s arms.

“Who’s there?” Kat called. “Show yourself.”

Something was pushing through a cluster of brambles, coming right at them. Then suddenly, out of the brush, stumbled two large, brown bears. 

One of the boys screamed and Marino swirled his makeshift weapon. 

A bear dropped its torch and yelled, “Humans!”  

Marino fell backward but kept his stick pointed at them. “They talk!” 

Cal was squeezing the breath right out of Kat. Tim-Tim only stared and Marino picked himself up, along with another stick for the other hand.

“Calm yourselves.” One of the bears was shushing them. “We didn’t mean to cause a fright.”

Kat breathed deep. She had to show the boys she was in control or they would never calm down. “You—you talk?”

“Of course we talk,” said the smaller one. “I’m Dee, and that’s Dink.”

The bear named Dink tapped Dee on the shoulder and whispered something. The smaller bear’s eyes widened. “Of course. You’re here to save us from the curse!”

“We’ve waited long,” said Dink with a vigorous nod. “The witch could soon take over our entire land. You’ve come just in time.”

Kat was shaking her head. “You’re mistaken. We’re lost.”

“We need to get back–” Marino’s voice wavered as he and the others turned from where they had come. There was nothing but woods and brush. 

“Let us explain,” said Dee. “For years since the witch extinguished the light of the Central Torch, our land has been in despair. The sky remains dull and gray. There’s little to no food. And that’s why–” She buried her furry face in her paws. 

“You’ll have to pardon the Mrs.,” said Dink. “She gets upset talking about it. Our little one, Dot, was one of the victims. He’s water now. Raging water in the moat that surrounds the Torch.”

“He, and so many more,” sniffed Dee. 

“But, we’re just children,” explained Kat. “How can we possibly help?”

“Don’t you see?” said Dee. “You are the ones to light the Central Torch and break the curse.”

Marino shook his head. Cal was whimpering softly. 

“We can trust them.”

The voice was foreign but strangely familiar. Kat, Marino, and Cal turned in the direction of Tim-Tim. He looked back at them like he didn’t see why they would look so stunned. “Even though we’re just kids, this world needs our help.”

Kat was speechless. Tim-Tim said the words like he had been speaking his whole life.

“Listen to the little one,” pleaded Dink. 

But just as suddenly as he spoke, a great wind blew from above Kat’s hair twirled around her and she couldn’t see. She only felt the wind grow stronger, then suddenly stop as the earth trembled. She pushed her hair away. Dink and Dee had both sunk to one knee with heads bowed. 

Before them perched two eagles of the most tremendous size.

“Stand, please.” The eagle’s voice rumbled like gentle thunder. “You have found the children we have been waiting for.”

“We have already spoken to them of the witch’s curse,” said Dink. 

The other eagle smiled gently. “We are well pleased.” She turned to Kat and the others. “We are King and Queen of Imaginaria. The Central Torch needs to be relit. And you are our last hope; the ones we have been waiting for.”

Kat could barely contain her trembling. “But, why us? And how?”

“Who are you to tell us what to do?” questioned Marino. 

Tim-Tim placed his hand on Kat’s arm, then Marino’s. His confidence calmed Kat’s nerves. 

Tim-Tim looked up at the eagles. “How do we light this torch?”

From behind the king and queen, four smaller eagles emerged carrying four unlit torches that were handed to them. The moment each held a torch, they immediately lit.

“No one has been able to get close enough to light the torch,” explained the queen. “Our creatures are not strong enough. Only human children hold the power. Go forth, but beware. The witch grows tempting fruits in her gardens that must not be eaten. For whoever eats of them becomes enslaved to her in the form of restless waters.”

Just then there was a distant sound like water crashing in the ocean. 

“She knows,” the king said, gazing toward the sound. “Fires are burning brighter now that you have entered Imaginaria.”

Nearly in tears, Kat’s lip trembled as she spoke. “But, your majesties, I can’t put my brothers in danger. Send me alone.”

The queen gently smiled. “You will need one another to stay strong.”

“And you have my word that no harm will come to you,” assured the king, “as long as you remain untempted by the witch’s fruit.”

The sound of raging waters echoed louder.

“It’s time. Make haste,” announced the queen.

Dink and Dee dropped their torches and bent down. “Climb on us. We’ll take you as far as we can.”

Kat helped her brothers on; only Marino seemed to hesitate. 

Cal turned to his brother. “Marino, look what this place has done for Tim-Tim. We can trust them.”

Marino climbed on, and the bears took off, gliding through the woods and over land, until they came to a large moat with water crashing around a small island with only a single rope bridge connecting it to the mainland. In the center was an unlit torch. The Central Torch, Kat realized.

“We can take you no further,” said Dee, and the children climbed down with their torches still blazing. “Remember, light the torch and this curse will be lifted forever.”

And, just like that, the bears were gone.

“Are they serious?” screeched Marino. 

“Stay calm,” Kat demanded. “We have to think of a plan.”

“Too late,” announced Cal. “There goes Tim-Tim.” 

The little boy raced across the swinging rope bridge like he was running an Olympic sprint. Waters raged and splashed at him.

“The water. It’s trying to get him!” yelled Cal. 

Suddenly, a large wave came over him and crashed down. The tiny boy would be swallowed up in it and there was nothing they could do.

“Tim-Tim!” Kat cried, feeling as powerless as a toy car with a dead battery.

But after the wave hit and fell below, Tim-Tim remained upright–and his torch remained lit. 

“We won’t be harmed,” whispered Kat. Then louder, she yelled to Cal and Marino. “We can’t be harmed. We have to follow him. Now!”

The three of them caught up with Tim-Tim on the bridge. Every time a wave tried to capture them, an invisible barrier kept them safe. 

Marino, being the fastest, reached the island first.

“We’re almost there!” shouted Kat. “Marino, light the torch with yours. Quick.” He was only a short way off now.

But it was as if he were suddenly frozen in place. Kat and the boys caught up with him, and Kat realized what held him captive. 

Plump fruits covered the island. Although the food looked wondrous on the outside, Kat knew that what was within was dreadful. 

Tim-Tim shook Marino’s arm. “Remember what the queen said.” 

“Forget it, I’m lighting the torch,” announced Cal who ran towards the structure in the middle of the island. But suddenly a vine wrapped around his ankle, making him trip. “I’m caught. I can’t get free!” 

Kat and Tim-Tim ran at the Central Torch and the same creeping vines stopped them in their tracks. 

The earth quaked and from the side of the Torch rose a beautiful woman with billowing robes tipped with beads of water. She let out a vile laugh and then gazed at Marino, who by now seemed hypnotized. 

“You’ve been bullied by the girl who claims to be your sister, haven’t you?” she cooed as he walked closer. “And those two little boys are always stealing your attention. Right?” Her laugh grated like a cackling crow. “Eat.” She offered an apple that by all outward appearances appeared delectable. 

“No, Marino. It’s a–” Vines covered Kat’s mouth before she could finish.

It was too late. Marino was falling for the witch’s spell. 

“Eat, and you’ll get revenge on that girl.” 

He was inches away now, reaching for the fruit.

“Eat my dear boy. You’re so much smarter than those little brats.” 

 The fruit was in his hand when he finally spoke. “Don’t you dare talk about my family that way.” Marino thrust his fire forward. The Central Torch came to life with a fire that rose rapidly into the air above.

The flame licked the air as the witch burst like a popped water balloon. The vines released and Kat ran to Marino, hugging him with all her might. Cal and Tim-Tim nearly knocked them all over with their own tackle.

Instantly, the waters around the island ceased their raging, and instead, there was a great thundering from the moat. The children watched as from out of the depths emerged creatures of every kind. “Oh, look,” Kat cried. “Centaurs and fairies.”  

“Dragons!” cried Cal and Tim-Tim together as a great whooshing of their wings echoed in the air.

Marino pointed, “That bear, look.”

The little brown baby climbed to the top and immediately into the loving arms of Dink and Dee.

A strong wind came upon them now, and this time they knew they would soon be in the presence of the king and queen of Imaginaria. 

Kat bowed and the boys followed suit. 

“Rise, children,” the king said. “You have freed the creatures of our land. Your strength in the face of temptation and fear has saved many.” 

“Your sacrifices will not be forgotten, but you must go now,” the queen added.

“Already?” asked Kat. “We’ve only just arrived here. Can’t we stay, for just a little longer?”

Marino touched Kat’s arm. “Let’s go home.” 

Kat sniffled but nodded and smiled. Then she laughed and the four embraced. In a blink, they were back in the closet. There were no fabric drapes hanging. Just boxes and bins stacked neatly on the shelves. 

The four of them emerged and Brother Patrick remained where they last saw him. Only now he smiled like he knew something about the adventure they had just been on. “Did you find what you were looking for?” 

“We found exactly what we were looking for.” Kat glanced at each of her brothers and they shared a laugh, all except Tim-Tim, who reached for Kat. She took him in her arms and he buried his face in her neck. She supposed most things would go back to the way they were. And that was okay, because being part of this amazing family would never change.

As they stepped out of the church, Cal shouted, “Look!”

The church that was once dull and lifeless was now bright and clean with spring flowers popping up, coloring the landscape and all around it. Cal giggled, which set off another round of laughter. 

Tim-Tim tugged at Kat’s sleeve. He looked at her with sparkling eyes and said, “Marino’s right. Let’s go home.”