Not for the first time, an argument had broken out in the Trap Jaw ant colony. Maya had started yet another fight with her disapproving father. She hated having to do the same old mindless job day after day. She wanted more than ever to be human. Oh, what it would be like to be free, she thought. Free of boredom, free of being reprimanded, free to be who you want to be. That night Maya went to bed dreaming how she wished her life were different. Thinking and wondering and dreaming until she fell asleep in the quiet void of her thoughts.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 2]]“Uhhh” Maya yawned as she woke up. The sun was shining on her face and felt like she had slept on a pile of rocks. As she began to get up her body felt different. She quietly stretched upon realizing she was in a different body! “AHHH!” she screamed. She clutched her face in her hands and tried to breathe. “I’m human.” She whispered calmly. “I’m Human!?!” She exclaimed eyes wide and mouth open. She could hardly believe it, her dream was finally coming true!
[[Continue...->Paragraph 3]]She bent down and took in her surroundings. She was in an open field. She smelled the chill morning air, felt the calm soothing grass. All around her were beautiful weeping willows. The way they hung there, swaying in the breeze, nothing to do but move looking as though they had been drenched in a bucket of water. In the background, she could hear the faint sound of noise. She got up wondering where it was coming from. In the distance were a bunch of buildings. She looked around and all she could see was forest. She decided that she needed to pick which way she would go first.
[[Head for the buildings and leave the forest.]]
[[Explore the forest and hope for the best. ]]She figured she had nothing else to do so she set out for the city.
Maya looked around as she saw buildings so tall they touched the sky. She saw these big moving objects holding people inside of them. She saw tons of other humans walking around her and bumping into her, she moved out of the way. She started to cross the street when suddenly one of the big objects stopped right in front of her making a loud honking noise. “GET OUT OF THE ROAD!” a guy yelled at her. She hurriedly ran to the other side and was confused. Why did he yell at me? She thought. Just as she reached the other side a girl looking to be in her 20’s ran up to her hastily.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 10]]Maya decided to hope for the best and explore the seemingly innocent forest. She walked through some bushes that led her to what looked like a path. She followed it until she reached a dead end. There was a huge tree in the way. She was disappointed but then upon closer look she could see a small pattern.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 6]]“OH MY GOSH are you ok!?!” She exclaimed anxiously. Maya, not understanding why the girl looked so spooked quietly nodded.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 11]] She lightly placed her hand over the tree and started tracing out the patterns with the tips of her fingers. Then suddenly, one after another as she traced each pattern, they started to glow. Then it stopped. She did it again, they glowed. Then stopped. She tried one last time and yet again, they went completely dark after a few seconds. It must be some sort of puzzle, Maya thought to herself.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 7]]She quickly started tracing the patterns in different ways. One lit up, then one didn’t. Two glowed, then the third didn’t. Until finally all the symbols glowed at once. Suddenly the ground began to shake around her feet. She looked down and started to panic. Upon looking back up she saw the ground had stopped shaking.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 8]]There was a little round wooden door now making itself at home on the front of the tree. She gently placed her hand around the smooth knob of the tree and turned it. On the other side she could see a beautiful river moving ever so slightly forming a calming sound. She saw different little forest animals interacting and playing. It didn’t feel real. She went through the door and took a breath of fresh air. Then suddenly there was a noise. Swoosh. Maya turned her head and from the corner of her eyes she could see something. Blue? Wait no-white? It happened so quickly she couldn’t see what had moved. Then she saw it.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 9]]There, standing right in front of her was a wizard. He was tall wearing dark blue robes with long silvery hair. Then, he was gone just as fast as he came. Maya blinked. She did it again. “B-But he was right there!?!” Maya cried as a bunny looked at her. She looked at the bunny and back to where the wizard was. She was completely puzzled but decided to head back through the little wooden door in the tree. She headed back for where she was when she woke up.
[[Continue...->Head for the buildings and leave the forest.]]
“I was so worried that you got hit by that car!” the girl confessed.
“So that's what those big objects were, cars?” Maya asked hesitantly.
“Umm, yeah?” the girl answered confused as to why she asked such a foolish question. “Anyways, I’m Lily.” She stated proudly.
[[Continue->Paragraph 12]]Lily, Maya thought to herself. It was such a nice name she thought. One as though a model would have. Lily had blonde hair and bright green eyes. Upon closer look, Maya could see that she had a few freckles speckled throughout her face. Lily wore high waisted denim jeans and a white shirt. Lily’s body language made Maya feel calm, so she didn’t hesitate to share her name.
[[Continue->Paragraph 13]]“I’m Maya,” she said giving a warm smile. The freckled girl blushed making Maya let out a tiny giggle. She noticed the giggle and Maya turned a light shade of pink. After a while of awkward blushing, Lily invited Maya for a warm cup of tea so they headed for a cafe.
[[Continue->Paragraph 14]]Inside the cafe, Maya ordered a cup of coffee. But after almost not even a sip, Maya spit out the bitter-tasting drink forming a small scene.
[[Continue..->paragraph 15]] “What’s wrong?!?” Lily asked standing up to get napkins.
“It’s so bitter!” Maya replied her tongue sticking out of her mouth.
“Haven’t you ever tried coffee before?”
“No! You make it look so tasty!”
“I guess it’s an acquired taste?” Lily pondered to herself, this girl was so clueless she thought. “Anyways, you got coffee all over your shirt.” “You can come to my house and clean up if you want?”
[[Go to Lily's House]]
[[Don't go to Lily's House]]
Maya thought for a second and then nodded.
Not too much later they had arrived at Lily’s house. It was a small apartment, with one bedroom.
[[Continue->paragraph 16]]She decides to not go to Lily's house. She steps out the door of the cafe and imediantly EXPLODES.
Sorry mate but you have to go to Lily's house.
I havn't written this part ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
[[Go to Lily's House]] Not too much later they had arrived at Lily’s house. It was a small apartment, with one bedroom. “It’s not much… but it’s home.” Lily said shyly.
“It’s wonderful!” Maya replied as her eyes lit up. She looked around noticing the walls were all white and the furniture was mostly browns and dark tans.
[[Continue->Paragraph 17]] There were pictures of Lily all around, and one, in particular, stood out to Maya. As she examined right in the center of all the portraits was one of a little girl, roughly five or six. She had dark blonde hair and green eyes with loads of freckles. Maya did not doubt in her mind, this was Lily. Maya had almost forgotten about changing until, she started to smell the bitter taste of coffee on her shirt. Maya knew she had to change but was still fascinated by Lily’s house and wanted to explore more.
[[ Go to the bathroom and change now.]]
[[ Continue exploring, changing can wait.... ]]
Lily showed Maya where the bathroom was and gave her some clothes to borrow.
[[Continue.->Paragraph 22]](Changing can wait...) Maya thought to herself with a mischievous grin on her face. She peeked through a doorway and found herself in-what looked to be-Lily’s bedroom. The walls were white and the ceiling a dull shade of teal. It was actually quite depressing Maya thought. She looked around and on the nightstand saw a little box. There was a giant heart-shaped keyhole on the front side.
[[Continue..->Paragraph 18]] Before her fingers could reach the small wooden box, a quiet figure suddenly spoke up from the shadows.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 19]] “It was my mothers.” The figure spoke. Maya turned around to look at the girl. A sad smile shone on her face. Lily took out a key that was attached to the necklace she was wearing and held it up in the light. She slowly used her left hand to pick us the fragile box, and her right to take the key and unlock the box.
[[Continue.->Paragraph 20]]It opened and Maya saw many things. There were pictures of the little girl from earlier. The only thing was, she wasn’t alone. There, in the pictures, standing next to her was a woman. She had long brown hair and green eyes. They shone just as brightly as Lily’s. In the pictures the girl was smiling as bright as the sun. She looked so happy just smiling there.
[[Continue..->Paragraph 21]]Then, a quiet voice spoke up. “She died 12 years ago.” Lily said. Maya could hear the sadness in her voice. “W-well anyways you should get changed now. She closed the box and put the key away. Maya looked at the girls lonely sad eyes and wish she could fix it.
[[Continue-> Go to the bathroom and change now.]]Maya changed and looked in the mirror, she was shocked as she looked up. She had never seen what she looked like before.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 23]]She had brunette hair and bright blue eyes. She had a few freckles on her nose and cheeks and she blushed making herself let out a breathy laugh. She was wearing a black turtleneck tucked into a plaid greyish skirt. “Woah,” she whispered astonished. Just as she fell silent she saw a quiet figure staring behind her.
[[Continue.->Paragraph 24]]“Sorry for coming in! I just wanted to let you know I made sandwiches.” The girl said awkwardly.
“Sandwiches?” Maya asked puzzled.
“Umm, yeah? You know, like the food?” Maya quickly shook her head side to side completely confusing the older girl. “You know what, come with me.” and with that, the older girl quickly grabbed Maya’s hand and forced her into the living room.
[[Continue->Paragraph 25]]“Sit,” she said with a stern look on her face. Maya slightly frightened, quickly took a seat on the couch.
“What's wrong?” Maya asked quite confused.
“What’s wrong..” Lily whispered to herself. “WHAT'S WRONG, IS YOU!” She said as she pointed a slim long finger right at Maya.
[[Continue..->Paragraph 26]]“Ever since you’ve shone up you acted like nothing but a dummy!” Maya continued to stare at her dumbfounded. “You don’t know what I'm talking about?” The scared girl quite confused shook her head. “For example, you almost got hit by a car, you have never tried coffee before, and you don’t even know what sandwiches are!?!”
[[Continue->Paragraph 27]]Maya started to smile and let out a slight giggle. “What are you doing?” The now confused and slightly worried girl said.
“Ok, you might wanna sit down so I can tell you the whole story.” Maya began to tell the story of how she became human.“and then I asked what a sandwich was and you said-”
“Ok, ok, I get it but how are you gonna turn back?” Lily, now informed said with a puzzled look on her face.
[[Continue->Paragraph 28]]“Well, when we were in the cafe, I heard these people talking about a wizard just south of here who might be able to turn me back!” Maya said looking at the girl with hopeful eyes.
“Wait, wait, no! Nuh-uh nope, I am not going with you to some random place, to look for a wizard who could for all I know be fake, with some girl who says she was an “ant” but could be a psychopath!” “Nope, count me out.”
[[Continue..->Paragraph 29]]“C’mon, please! It’ll be fun!” Maya looked up again.
Lily thought for a moment.“.....FINE!” And with that, they continued on their journey!
[[Continue->Paragraph 30]]Maya and Lily headed south towards the wizard and ended up inside a circus. “We.. finally made it!” Lily panted, hands on her knees.
Maya nodded in agreement, looking up at the circus tent in front of them. “Max’s Marvelous Circus” Maya read aloud.
[[Go inside the tent]]
[[Take a look around outside]]They both walked in still cautious of their surroundings. The Inside of the tent was all red and some blues. To the left Maya could see little kids getting their faces painted, to the right she could see loads of popcorn and cotton candy machines. In the corner were a group of clowns doing a small act. Maya could almost smell the excitement.
[[Continue->Paragraph 34]] “You’re probabaly right, the wizard might be out here. Let’s take a look around.” Maya said sounded a little defeated.
“Ok! You head left, I head right?” Lily asked tilting her head to the side.
“Sounds good! We can meet back here in 10 minutes.” Maya agreed.
[[Continue left->Paragraph 31]]
With that, Maya started walking towards the left side of the outside area. As she walked she could see different outside attractions. She saw a man who could lift a 1,000 pounds, A lady with a beard, and even a mermaid acttraction.
[[Continue->Paragraph 32]] She continued to look around but with no luck she didn’t find the wizard. She felt hopeless and decided to just go back to the front of the tent. Lily was most likely already there anyways.
She turned the corner only to find a dissapointed faced Lily. “Find anything?” asked Maya.
“Nope. Just a bunch of weirdos dancing around in bright purple bodysuits.” Lily sighed. “You?”
“Nothing over there either.”
[[Continue...->Paragraph 33]]“Well, I guess we should head inside?” Lily bargained.
“I guess.” Maya said looking over at LIly and for the first time in a while, she smiled. Lily, a little taken aback smiled, and they locked hands as they head for the entrance.
[[Go inside the tent]] “Let’s go inside there” Maya pointed to the entrance to the main show. They sat down in the front row and all of a sudden the lights when out.
“I think it’s starting” Lily whispered out of the side of her mouth.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 35]]All of a sudden a ringmaster came out and introduced the show. In the show, there were many amazing acts including acrobatics, clowns and even a huge elephant act. Just as a new act was about to begin Maya saw a man in big blue robes.
“It’s the wizard!” Maya pointed hastily at the man. Lily nodded and followed Maya as they pushed through the crowd to try and reach the wizard.
[[Continue!->Paragraph 36]]“There he is!” Lily pointed enthusiastically to the front entrance where the wizard had just left through. They ran and ran but the wizard was already gone. “Uhhhh, what do we do now?” Lily said still catching her breath.
[[Continue!->Paragraph 37]]“Let's ask that lady over there!” Maya pointed to a lady with two kids. “Um, excuse me?” Maya said hastily.
“Oh, hello!” The lady replied a little surprised at the Immediate conversation.
“Did you see an old man in dark blue robes and a weird looking hat-thingy run by?” Maya asked with a hopeful expression on her face.
“Hmm, well actually yes! I’m pretty sure he headed west towards the zoo!” The lady said trying to reassure the worried-looking girl.
“Thank you so much!” Maya said as she grabbed Lily and rushed for the wizard.
[[Continue!!!->Paragraph 38]]After walking for an hour they had finally made it to the zoo. Inside the zoo, they saw many cool animals but still couldn’t find the wizard.
“Uhh, we’ve been looking for hours can’t we start again tomorrow?” said a very exhausted Lily.
“No! We’ve come this far we can’t stop now!” Maya said shutting up Lily.
[[Continue->Paragraph 39]]They started asking around to see if anyone had seen the wizard and found one man who had spotted him near the giraffes. They headed towards the giraffes and quickly spotted a man in blue robes. Maya had ran-up to the man and almost pounced on him when he turned around. “Hah! We found you-wait what?” It was not the same man they had seen in the circus.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 40]]“Get off me!” The guy yelled freaked out as to why a stranger had suddenly recognized him.
“Oh, s-sorry,” Maya replied quite embarrassed.
“I-I guess it’s not him,” said a disappointed Lily. “We can stay in a hotel tonight if you want, there’s one about a mile from here.” Maya nodded quietly in agreement.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 41]]Later at the hotel, it was very quiet. No one said a word unless essential, until Lily decided to make conversation. “Hey if you want we look again in the morning? Yeah! We’ll go straight to the zoo and then-”
“No,” Maya said completely stopping Lily.
“But-”
“I said NO!” Maya said as she slammed her fists on the table.
Tears filled the brims of her eyes.
[[Continue.->Paragraph 42]]aya got up and went to the bedroom and slammed the door. Lily was really worried and quickly followed her.
“Maya? Maya, what’s wrong?” Lily said as she knocked on the door. Lily put her ears against the door and could hear the faint sound of crying. “Maya? Are you crying?” and with that Lily slowly opened the door to reveal a brunette girl, hands on her face, and tears streaming down her cheeks.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 43]]“L-Lily?” The small girl choked between sobs. The older girl quickly embraced her into a tight hug. “Lily you were right! We’re never going to find the wizard!” Maya cried out.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 44]]“What do you mean?!? Of course, we are!”
“No, No we’re not!”Maya quickly replied, “We’ve searched all day and in the end, it was the wrong person! What if the wizard isn’t even real?!? What if I never turn back?!? What if-”
Then suddenly “SMACK” Lily had slapped Maya clean across the face.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 45]]“Maya, pull yourself together.” Maya finally realizing what just happened nodded not moving her eyes from Lily’s. “Now listen to me, no matter what happens, even if we never find the wizard I will always ALWAYS be here as your friend. Do you understand that?” Maya nodded and slightly smiled and hugged Lily once more.
[[Continue.->Paragraph 46]]
Then all of a sudden there was a big flash of light and right in front of them appeared the wizard. All the girls could do was stare wide-eyed and awestruck. He had big dark blue robes with stars. His hair white as snow almost touched the ground. He looked very pale and wrinkled and he gave the girls a wise smile. Maya didn’t know what to do for she was so surprised.
[[ Continue staring.]]
[[ Pinchy pinch time(she must be dreaming right?)]]
Maya was so awestruck she and Lily both sat ther staring. Then the wizard spoke up.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 47]]Maya pinched herself. “Ow!” she said out loud. So i'm definitely not dreaming, Maya stated in her mind.
Before she could say anything more the wizard started talking.
[[Continue-> Continue staring.]] “Hello Maya, Lily, it is I the great wizard.” The girls both looked excitedly at each other and smiled back at the wizard. Then Maya suddenly decided to speak up.
“Wait but how did you get here? We searched for hours and never found you.” Maya said quite confused.
[[Continue..->Paragraph 48]]“Well you see my dear girl, the strong bond between you and your friend here brought me to you. For your strength together was strong enough to summon me.” Said the Wizard looking between Maya and Lily.
“So you’re saying that the night I dreamed of becoming human, was strong enough to actually turn me human?” Maya responded with a puzzled look on her face.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 49]]“Exactly my dear, and if you’re ready I will prepare to turn you back now.”
“W-Wait now?!?” Maya said looking saddened at Lily.
“Unless you wanted to stay human? It is your choice, Maya.” Maya looked back between the Wizard and her friend. She did miss her family but the human world was so exciting and wonderful and it had Lily.
[[Continue...->Paragraph 50]]“I’ve decided, I want to stay human with Lily!” and with that Lily hugged Maya so tight she almost suffocated. “WIzard, will I still be able to say goodbye to my family?” Maya asked uncertainly.
“Oh, of course, you will! How about as soon as you wake up we go and say goodbye ok?”
“That sounds perfect!” Maya replied overjoyed.
[[Continue!->Paragraph 51]]The next morning the Wizard came and aloud Maya to say goodbye to her family before turning her human for good.
“Well Maya, this is where I take my leave.” said the Wizard smiling from the corner of his mouth.
“Are you sure? Why don’t you come have tea with us at a cafe?”
“I’m sorry my dear but even though it might not seem, I am very busy.”
“Oh well that’s too bad, thank you so much, Wizard!” Maya said waving.
“Just remember Maya good friends are hard to find so once you find them you must never let go.” With that, the Wizard was off just as quickly as he came.
[[Continue.->The End]]The next morning the Wizard came and aloud Maya to say goodbye to her family before turning her human for good.
“So wanna go to the movies after my shift?” Lily asked with a cheesy smile on her face.
“Oh I would love to” Maya replied returning the smile. Lily and Maya set off for the movies. After the movies, Maya went home smiling to herself. She was happy, because her old dull life, was now looking up.
THE END!