The Black Valley

                     Chapter 1

Nicole laid down on the soft, green grass as she gazed upon the blue sky. I wonder why everything is so quiet. Nicole thought. She didn't mind it though, she rarely ever got a moment of silence. Suddenley, she hears hooves approaching her. She stood up, and gazed upon a horse rider, wearing all black. It was a black robe that covered every inch of him, including his face. Nicole's heart raced as he got closer and closer. He raised out a sword, she shut her eyes in fear, yearning to run, but to frightened! Suddenly, she felt a strong hand picking her up, and gentley placing her on the horse, she opened her eyes, it was her brother, John.

"Oh, I'm so glad it's you! I was terribley afraid!" she said, wrapping her arms around him. "Yeah, but  if I weren't here, you would have been killed, Nicole! You need to learn to run, no matter what, okay?" he said. Nicole looked down for a moment, and then thought about what he said. "You don't suppose the rider shall return, do you?" she asked. "We are leaving now, we must not stop until we are out of the town," he said sadly,"but we're going to try to meet up with mom and dad." he said.

A silent tear slid down Nicole's cheak. She then bowed her head. Dear Lord, I'm scared, I don't know what will happen, and.... I am going to try and let you deal with it, without another though. Amen.

Nicole had fallen asleep before they reached The Bridge of Other Worlds. No one knew where it led, no one knew what it was, and after a few years, they had even forgotten it existed.

"Nicole, wake up!" John said. "I think we've found something!" Nicole opened her eyes, and stared at the beauty of the bridge. But it wasn't really like a bridge at all! In fact, it looked nothing like one. It was grey, and round, and it apeared as if it had stairs from the outside.

"Let's take a look in there!" Nicole said. "I don't know, it might be dangerous." John said. "Please...." she said giving him her sad eyes. "Alright, but at the first sight of trouble, we're gone!" he said.