4 The Attic

Entering the dark room, he reached for the switch. His hands gently crawling along the wall like a spider whilst rubbing the walls consecutively, he finally found a grip in the dark. Flipping the switch, the darkness went into obscurity revealing all the "hidden secrets" of the room.

"What the-," Keith muttered, slowly stepping further into the room. He kept on looking around the abandoned attic with his eyes bulging continually.

He approached the desk that was littered with candles. The big, open book that lay gently on the table wasn't enough reason to attract his attention but, the chronological order in which the candles were aligned around the dust coated book.

Forming his lips into an 0 shape, Keith inhaled before blowing out a puff of air to get rid of the dust and cobwebs that covered the book. His utmost show of strength was finally curbed by the choking sensation the dust brought.

'Holy mother of God', he screamed through the bouts of coughs that plagued him as he waved his hands through the dust laden air in a bid to rid the dust.

"Well, that was a stupid idea,"

He lifted the book and flipped the pages. Squinting his eyes to read through the splotches that resembled coffee stains dotted all over the page. The weird feeling he had, ever since he lifted the book, became more and more overwhelming with each passing second. The warmth enveloping his body like he had never felt before.

Accompanying the warmth, was a tingle then, a headache.

'This is weird,' he said, placing his hand on his head. Ignoring his symptoms, he gently turned each page, the paper crinkling as it moved. Raising an eyebrow, he swept his eyes over the words written on the page.

'"All saints, I call upon you in my time of need', Keith spoke. 'With your sharpened scalpel dissect the fragile substance that separates dimensions. I plead before you, in all modesty of my soul.'"

"Daddy?"

Keith jumped and turned around, dropping the book, seeing his son standing in the doorway.

"Luca, what are you doing up here?" Keith asked, walking towards Luca.

Luca tilted his head, "I heard you say my name!"

"I... I never said your name, babe," Keith stuttered, Luca frowning in response.

"Yes you did, I heard it!" Luca said.

"Luca-,"

Keith's statement was interrupted by , the rumbling that clinked the bottles on the shelf and ejected books books from their or.

Slowly, the floor became rubbery all around them, spreading in a wave like man made pool. The sudden agitation of the floorboards led to the gradual separation. A bright green light shone through the cracks the ripple like oscillation brought about.

"Daddy!" Luca screamed."Daddy, what's happening?!"

Unaware of what was going on, Keith couldn't give a precise answer. His already distorted mind was devoid of the capability to give a very concise explanation to this absurd

Was he dreaming? Yes, that's it! He must be dreaming. He rubbed his eyes again and again in order to be sure he wasn't in a simulation. But alas, reality isn't a simulation, is it?-

'Daddy, help me', Luca's voice rang through the damp atmosphere. His eyes are red, breathing heavily with arms open wide.

The sound of Luca screaming tore him out of his trance, Keith's eyes widening. The floor beneath him caved in, causing him to fall.

"Luca!" Keith cried, jumping in after him without a second thought.

"Just reach out and grab my hand, Luca," Keith said, gently stretching his hands midair in order for his free falling son to land in his arms.

'"Daddy! I don't think I'll make it'"

'You will, if you stay close to me. Just grab my hand'

After lots of screaming due to the fear of free fall, Keith finally grabbed Luca when he was close enough, pulling him towards himself,and wrapping his arms arms around him tightly.

'"What's happening? Where are we?"

'"I don't know, Luca. I'm just as surprised as you are. But, I know we'll definitely get out of here, I promise."

The trees finally put an end to their cruising speed, hitting them vigorously as they approached the land. Luca had passed out before the trees "welcomed" them. Their doomed flight was brought to an abrupt end by a mighty thud, Keith fainting.