The End of Space – Chapter 4: The new world

• Link for Chapter 1: Family’s happiness
• Link for Chapter 2: Headed to the darkness
• Link for Chapter 3: The Hole of Nowhere

Mia and Emma are now standing on a hill. The sun shines brightly in the blue sky. Below, they see villages filled with wooden houses, and they hear birds chirping happily. Their astronaut suits are gone, replaced by blue T-shirts and black pants. Mia looks around and notices Emma playing with a butterfly.

“Where are we?” Emma asks.

“Who knows?” Mia shrugs. “Let’s ask someone.”

They head down the hill toward one of the villages. The people seem extremely friendly, so they believe it won’t be too difficult to ask for information.

“Excuse me?” Emma approaches a young teen playing in front of a school. “We got lost from Earth, and we need to get back home. Is there any way to return?”

“Oh, you’re the first Earthlings we’ve met!” the boy replies. “But we’ve seen people from the MOE planets, the OLGE planets, and many others. If you want to return to Earth, you have to go through the Derrare Maze. It’s the only way—but it’s also the most dangerous.”

“Thanks a lot,” Emma says before they leave.

“So, we need to reach the Derrare Maze,” Mia states.

“But how?” Emma asks.

“Let’s ask around!” Mia suggests.

As they leave the village, the sun begins to set. At the edge of town, they spot a small wooden house next to a stream. Hoping for a place to rest for the night, they knock on the door.

A middle-aged man answers.

“What do you need, miss?” he asks.

“Oh, we got lost from Earth and need to reach the Derrare Maze. Could we stay here for just one night?” Emma asks politely.

The man eyes them with suspicion. “I’ve heard that Earthlings—Earties, as we call them—only care about wealth and luxury. We don’t have much here. Can you handle that?”

“Not all Earthlings are that picky,” Emma reassures him. “We love nature, simplicity, and innocence. Your home is beautiful.”

The man nods, satisfied. “Alright, then. Welcome! My name is Matthew Green. This is my wife, Dorothy, and our children, Gilbert and Diana. Gilbert is 22, and Diana is 20. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too! We’re also 22 years old,” Emma says, smiling.

That night, Gilbert visits them.

“Hi. I heard you’re going to the Derrare Maze! I’ve always wanted to go there,” he says excitedly.

“But I thought you lived here,” Mia comments, speaking for the first time since they arrived.

“I do, but I want to explore. Many people have gone into the maze, but no one has ever come back.”

“So why haven’t you gone?” Emma asks.

Gilbert sighs. “That’s the problem. I want to, but I’m afraid my parents won’t let me. It’s too dangerous. Besides, my family is poor, and they need me to work. But I still dream of going. Emma, you seem good at convincing people—I saw how you persuaded my dad to let you stay. If you can convince my parents to let me go, I know they’ll agree!”

“Uh… O-okay,” Emma hesitates, “but I can’t promise anything.”

The next day, Emma talks to Gilbert’s parents, and although no one knows exactly what she said, they agree to let him go.

Gilbert seems particularly fond of Emma. Before leaving, he gives her a book—one that looks brand new, as if he’s never even read it. The title is A Story of a Story. Emma loves it and reads it whenever they rest under a tree or along the roadside.

With Gilbert as their guide, they eventually reach the entrance of the Derrare Maze. The towering walls are made of massive vines. The air feels cold, and a thin fog dances within the entrance, making it impossible to see what lies ahead.

Fear creeps over them. Just then, they hear footsteps approaching from behind. They turn to see a teenage boy walking toward them.

“Hi,” he greets them. “Are you planning to go inside? I’m Axel Ingalls. I live nearby and have always wanted to explore the maze, but I don’t want to go alone. Can I join you?”

“Yeah, welcome!” Gilbert nods.

Together, they step into the maze, beginning an adventure they will never forget.

• Well, Mia and Emma are about to start a brand-new adventure with their new friends, Axel and Gilbert. But let’s talk about the Derrare now. What will they face in that crazy maze? Are they going to encounter aliens, monsters, witches, or something even more mysterious?
• Let’s find out in Chapter 5 – coming soon!