.png)
Welcome to Hanalla!
There once was ground beneath your feet—now there is nothing but air. Your arms flail as you plummet into the churning waves, the saltwater stinging your eyes. Down, down you go with the invisible undertow. At least, you think it's the undertow. Now, it feels almost like hands.
.png)
A flash of green whips by, sparkling in the dim light. What was that? A fish? A person? And while you would normally investigate, the lack of oxygen sends your limbs thrashing wildly in panic.
You kick to the surface and inhale a greedy breath, treading water the best you can as you scan your surroundings. The warm sun beats down on your skin and reflects off the glassy ocean for miles in every direction. Where are you?
​
In the distance, a wooden ship with worn, cream-colored sails is anchored in place. The closest thing to land you can see. You hope that magical door didn't drop you in pirate-infested waters.
​
Now that you've caught your breath, you've noticed the song has stopped, but you're not going to dive back down when it already feels like your right leg is cramping.
Grumbling Nodoore's name, you use what little strength you have left to doggy paddle toward the ship.
​
A boy leans over the railing, dirt smudged on his cheeks as he watches you approach. Holding on to the end, he tosses a thick coil of rope into the water next to you. You sputter when the saltwater splashes on your face.
​
"Grab on!" he calls down.
You are already clinging to the rope before he can finish his sentence. With surprising strength, he hoists you up onto the ship's deck. You flop on your back, panting.
"You're lucky to be alive. The Merfolk don't usually let trespassers off lightly."
You must have swallowed too much saltwater because for a second, you thought he said Merfolk.
​
"I'm Mattis. Who are you and where did you come from? It was as if you appeared out of thin air." He scratches his windblown mop of hair. His tattered clothes are a bit too small, revealing his bony ankles and forearms as he paces.
​
You explain through deep gasps about the invitation in your book, the maze, and the coins you have collected along the way. His eyebrows raise slightly about the doors that send you to new words. But he never laughs or mocks, as you assumed a child would.
​
"If you are looking for coins or treasure, most of it is lost at the bottom of the sea. I'd start by searching there first." He points in the direction you just came from.​ "We can ask my friend, Lily."
​
You wobble to your feet, gripping the railing as you peer over the edge. The ship rocks back and forth, making it hard for you to focus.
