By: Valentina Guo

I was shaking with excitement as I opened the envelope and read the letter: “Pack your things because you have been one of the few selected by The Scientists Of The World to go on an expedition to find the asteroid that landed just last night! You will get to investigate and experiment on the asteroid along with the professionals! The team will be picking you up in about 3 hours, so get ready for an adventure!” I squealed and leaped in joy as I ran to show my parents.

They congratulated me, and hugged me with tears in their eyes. They helped me pack, and in about an hour and a half, I was all set.

As I walked out the door towards the team of scientists and selected kids, I waved to my parents, ready to have the time of my life. Little did I know this was the last time I would see my house, my parents, and my neighborhood.

Trekking through the dense forest, I felt different kinds of leaves and bugs and creatures brush my ankles. Suddenly, I tripped on what seemed to be a huge tree root, but caught the fall with my hands. I struggled to get up and ran after the team, but they were way ahead already. I was lost.

I called for help, but they were gone. I was alone. A huge wave of panic overcame me as I tried to stumble in the direction they had gone. I didn’t see a hint of anyone when I looked through my binoculars to see if they were just a bit ahead. I saw a glowing orb on the ground, shaped like a huge rock. What if that was the asteroid? I heard a noise, something I had never heard before. Weird noises that I couldn’t describe. As I looked up, I saw a stream of green substance floating in the air. It was almost gooey looking. Suddenly, I had a feeling of doubt. What if I never see anyone again? What will I do? Something was off.

I stared at the huge stream above me, and as I got a closer look, I saw that there were PEOPLE in the floating substance! I started to run back in the direction the team and I had come, but it was too late.

I saw people from the team running back and screaming, but they’d all been swallowed by the green substance. It was quiet.

I stopped running and looked back. I stood in place, frozen, as if stuck in an ice cube.

I felt strangely calm.

Abruptly, I flashed back to the present. It had just been a few days since the team had come up to pick me up. Felt like years. I sat on the throne, non-human creatures bowing all around me. I was their ruler now. Good ending