The Key

Jack, reading page after page, went to flip the page and noticed that it was stuck. Frowning, he tried again. The page was stuck as well as the rest of the diary pages. "Open damn you, I finally get a clue to what's happened to my family and now of all times you choose to block me" with a few flicks and twirls of the wand jack cast a few charms in an attempt to open the stubborn diary. Suddenly all the pages flipped back to the front page where on the blank side golden letters started to appear. {quit it already, you're disturbing my sleep!}

Surprised Jack dropped the Diary {hey watch it!, you're dirtying my cover on the floor!}

"sorry i wasn't expecting a sentient book, but rather who are you?, and what are you doing inside of the diary?"

{I should be asking you the same question!}

"I asked first"

{.....you make a fair point. You may call me Mr. Mittens. I am the spirit of this diary} as the golden text faded away a golden cat walked into the page and gave a wave. "My name is jack, and this diary is my moms"

{hmm yes I see. That makes sense considering you have her looks and i'm still in this little study}

"With the introductions now out of the way, could you tell me why I can't flip to the next portion of the diary?"

{why it's elementary my dear watson, i'm a magic diary what else could it be but security measures. You just need to fulfill the needed conditions for more of the diary to be accessible}

"And those conditions are?"

{well, I wouldn't be a good diary if i were to just give you the answer. Figure it out sherlock}

Sensing that the sarcasm was strong in this one Jack decided to leave the diary for now and focus on the key.

Setting the diary on the table he picked up the key. It was a red and white striped key like a candy cane while the body of it resembled a key from the 18th century. Engraved on it were the initials B.S. "what could these letters stand for?" Jack whispered to himself as he slowly inspected every inch of the key searching for clues. seeing nothing of interest he decided to figure out what lock the key belonged to, and in a sudden thought opened the diary back to entry 5.

[Entry 5

Mother contacted an old friend. He specializes in space magic and will place the mansion and the surrounding land inside a pocket dimension. We plan to tie it down to a door in the basement of fathers beloved candy emporium.]

"This must be it. That old door in the basement is the only one I never had the key for!" clutching the diary in one hand jack quietly made his way downstairs taking care not to disturb the sleeping mollie. Walking down the basement steps he could already see his target. Embedded in the basement far wall rested a black oak door with soft pink candy outlines decorating it.

Inserting the key jack took in a breath and turned it 'Click' the door unlocked. Releasing his breath he took back the key and pocketed it. Grabbing the handle jack pushed the door and allowed it to swing open on its creaking hinges .

The first thing he saw inside the dimension was a leafless dead forest with a dirt trail leading out into the darkness. Using his wand a lumos charm was cast bringing some light, but barely made a dent in the surrounding darkness. Looking up, the night sky was decorated with stars and constellations. Jack wasn't sure if that was a decorative effect or if that old space wizard his grandmother invited had literally put stars inside the dimension. You just never know with wizards. Part of him thought that there was a high chance that they did.

After 5 minutes of walking the forest ended and Jack walked out into an open field. Farther ahead a giant hill loomed against the night sky while a dark mansion sat atop it faintly illuminated by the stars above. High in the sky he could see bats with glowing purple eyes flying about with the odd owl watching from the branches in the forest where he just came from. Walking up the hill he passed by the old fences surrounding the home and walked straight to its large oak doors.

Knocking on the door he waited a few moments when the door swung open on its own "not creepy at all, not at all" he nervously chuckled peering into the inky darkness of the mansion. Taking a step inside the door suddenly slammed shut and the lumos charm snuffed out plunging him into darkness for a moment before candles lit up in their holsters around the front foyer bathing the room in a dim ghostly green.

Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Jack spun back around and tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge an inch. However what scared him the most was that he couldn't feel even an ounce of his magic. It felt like he was missing a part of his soul. Giving up on the door jack looked around but just as the diary had written all other exits he could see were barred with solid transfigured iron.

"Okay this isn't good at all. I'm now stuck inside a mansion crawling with merlin knows how many monsters. What could go wrong" sighing he knew the only move now is to head deeper into the mansion. Looking around the foyer there were 3 doors at each side with the middle one ahead of him slightly ajar spilling light from its room. A strange clinking sound leaking out of its door. Cautious, he quietly walked right up to it.

Mustering what little courage he had left, Jack slowly opened the door to the strangest sight he had seen all night.