The Pen!

In 1823 is when it all started. The awakening of a legendary artifact, buried centuries long ago by the Lost Guardian and source keeper. A time ago there was this great artifact that every sourcer wanted and would do anything to get it. This artifact was a silver presidential office pen, and not just any pen but a pen that would do something great! Nobody has ever reached this point. Until now, a 14 year old boy from Lancaster, Ohio who grew up with horrible parents. His name was Codie Chesnutt but everyone called him “Pete,” and that’s where I come in. “Hi, my name is Codie but you can call me Pete. Ever since 3rd grade I’ve had the name of Peter but everyone calls me Pete for short. They say I’m like Peter Pan and that I’m going to grow up to be something special. I’m not sure if that's tru-” “Hey! Get your tail inside. NOW!” It was Mr. Chesnutt, Pete’s father. Mr. Chesnutt wasn’t caring and involved in Pete’s life, matter of fact even when he did come around it was a problem! Mr. Chesnutt had been a widow for 9 years when he lost his wife in a tractor trailer accident. Since then… let’s just per say that Mr. Chesnutt didn’t have the best of habits anymore. With the horrible habits of Mr. Chestnutt, Mr. Chestnutt didn’t have custody over Pete, this custody was assumed and given upon Pete’s aunt. “Whatchu think you doin’ boy!” “Dad, I was just-” “I don’t wanna hear it, get inside and grab me ah beer.” Pete obeyed his father’s commands with a purpose. Pete was used to this life, the abusive, non-friendly, and horrible household. When Pete wasn’t caught up at home he was trying to help anyone he could to get a little change. Pete had a motivation, and that was to get out of that house and grow successful. Pete didn’t have many friends in his life but when they came around it wasn’t a true friendship. In the middist and darkest times of his life when there was no-one to call on Pete would fall back to reading and tonight was the night for a well known story. These books, no matter how many times they were read, were always enjoyable. Pete got up from the loose and squeaky couch in the living room and went to his room which was shared with his older brother. As soon as Pete entered the room he got a whiff of an unpleasant smell. Working quickly to grab a book off his shelf Pete ran to the bathroom and locked the door behind him. In exhaustion and releasing of his breath due to near suffocation Pete sat down on the soft padded toilet seat. Unknown of the book and the artifact in his book he started reading. The book was given to him by his mother before she passed away and this book was the most extraordinary treasure until… he noticed a small nudge on the corner of the book. The book seemed to have a metal latch! This latch unlocked a small thin layer that was integrated into the book. Something small and shiny dropped out quickly. It was a small lightweight silver and matte black ballpoint pen which had “George Washington Presidential Office ~ Born in 1783” engraved into it. Not only was this the first sturdy and metal pen made but it held directions to an unknown location that promised power and prosperity! The interest was high in the pen and Pete wanted to know what it led to. Without hesitation Pete swiftly got up off the toilet from his recent discovery and snuck out the house to adventure.

Being up at 2 am was nothing new to Pete and sneaking out… not much anything new there. In Pete’s times of sneaking out he learned some of the best routes. This time was different, with it being pitched black Pete had to find the needs of transportation. This had to be a horse and there was none in sight! Looking at the map the map was taking him westbound. There were sure to be horses there. Without a minute later, Pete started his voyage to the unknown.

Two Days After tirelessly walking and stopping to rest over land and land it was approximately evening when Pete stumbled across a small deserted town in the midwest. This town was bare, stripped like sheets off a bed, the sun was beaming down cooking Pete like bacon. Off to the right .3 miles into the town Pete noticed a horse stable nearby. He detoured to the stable to stop and rest. Coming upon the stable he saw a white fluorescent horse, this horse was beaming in all its glory. Without hesitation Pete attempted to soothe the horse and in a blink of an eye was airborne. Picking himself off the ground Pete turned around to the stallion charging at him. In a short amount of time Pete had to make a split decision, in a brief second of contact Pete was saved by a beautiful female who appeared to be of the age of 16 and a half. In awe, Pete stared at the young female awkwardly. “So you just gonna stare at me or appreciate me for saving your life?” “Oh, YEAH! Uh huh… tha- thaaanks.” Joining beside the female stood the fluorescent stallion. “Is this your horse?” “Yea, sorry about that back there. She’s still learning.” “Okay, name Codie but you can call me Pete.” What's yours?” “My name is Alyssa. Whatcha doing out here alone? Shouldn’t you be at home playing wit rocks?” “Nah, I’m a runaway. I’m looking for help. Do you know anywhere I can get a horse?” “Hmmmm… I can give you Bella here for a small price.” “What’s the price?” “Well you see… I’ve been here for weeks looking for a place to start a colony and I need to build myself a hut. You think you're up for it?” “Yea, definitely. Let me get some wood and I’ll-” In Pete’s pocket Pete felt a vibration. The vibration was the Pen, it started glowing and then.. It stopped. Looking behind him Pete saw a ton of wood. In awe Alyssa sat and stared. Without asking any questions and putting his wandering mind off later Pete quickly got to work and within 12 hours of starting he was finished. As soon as Pete was done he returned to Alyssa who in return promised the horse. After Pete slowly rode around and adapted and gained the horse trust he waved to Alyssa and was gone in one dust. In shock Pete was running about 153 MPH, the horse that was given to Pete was a one of a kind horse whose species died centuries ago. Bella was a one in a kind horse, the only horse that could run 153 MPH with little breaks. In such an amazement Pete forgot he was on a journey. Stopping Bella to pull out the map from the pen Pete had only 30 miles left. Although he could make it he was tired and exhausted. Pete setup camp and planned to set out early in the morning at the crack of dawn to set back off.

The moment the sun hit Pete was up and ready to go. Fully energized Pete rode the full 30 miles but was abruptly stopped as he ran into the middle of a cliffside river. Without further instruction Pete knew what he had to do. Backing up a couple yards away from the river he stopped and bolted Bella across the river. Looking around out of fear Pete was relieved he made it across the cliffside river into the tall tree forest. After seconds went by Pete set back on his adventure leaving Bella tied to the entrance. After 10 minutes of walking throughout the forest he was led to a path which branched three different ways. This tested his trust and courage. Before making a decision, he remembered what his Aunt taught him about paths. Following his trust and courage in his Aunt, Pete took the right path all the way to the next stage of the forest. Entering the next section of branched off paths Pete was ambushed who seemed to be hidden within the trees. With an attempt to escape and in a panic Pete kept running with arrows whizzing past his ears like bees. Strucked! Pete was hit by an arrow, with the agony and motivation to prove himself better to his Father, Pete kept running with the agonizing pain. At last what seemed like ages, Pete had reached a cave. Limping towards the cave and being on active alert he entered the cave. Pete’s pace slowed… With an effort, Pete started to search for a sharp object and without any chance to save himself from the piercing pain Pete collapsed. Not being able to endure the pain any longer Pete pulled the arrow out which followed even more pain and a shear of warm blood to start rushing out. As before, he felt a tingling vibration in his pocket. When Pete started to reach towards his pocket he was magically healed. Trying to stand up and set back to his journey Pete collapsed.

Two hours later Pete was found being crowded over by a bunch of elderly covered in face painting and had the stench of musk. Pete quickly got up and turned to the elderly in defense. In response a elderly woman stepped forward out of the six elderly and started to speak. “What brings you to our village, Peasant?!” In fear to answer, the elder asked again. “To find a lost artifact here.” “What artifact do you dare speak of?” “The one of power prosperity. See I have this pen and map that led me here.” The elders stirred, they were stiff. The elderly woman lifted Pete off the ground and was held in a chokehold suspended twelve feet in the air. “What dares you come here!” The elder spoke. Gasping for breath Pete dropped down and released from the hold. Pete bolted towards a doorway in the cave. Behind the wall was a pool with a trap door. The door opened a tearful and powerful sight. Released from the door were demons that could only be fought by the strong to prove himself for a reward. The power released from behind the trap door couldn’t be maintained. The power was so strong it killed Pete and in return of Pete's soul the demons returned to their trap door.

The moral of this short story is to basically explain to not be so eager to get something or try to get quick money and power out of something. Having this mentality can lead to so many things that don't have to be and it isn’t the way to go about a situation. Looking for power and quick money is how so many of the young people go out in this society.

Written by:

Deon R. Brooks Jr

Junior Author