On the third day of the tempest, at the cusp of a time-soaked midnight, a colossal bolt of violet lightning speared from the roaring heart of the storm, striking an almost forgotten corner of Miss Martha’s garden. Insignificant to most, that corner held a solitary, rare blue creeper nestled against a peculiar stone arch, cobwebbed and half-swallowed by the lush wildness of untamed jasmine and ivy. The village children whispered that the arch was haunted, or cursed, or both, spinning gossamer tales of vanished cats and ghostly whispers for those who ventured too near after dusk.
But all myths forgot where they were born, much like the villagers had long forgotten the little anecdotes tucked in the moss-frayed stones of the arch. All, that is, except an eccentric figure called Uncle Willbury, a man of scruffy beard and sparkling eyes, always ready with a pocketful of strange stones and stranger stories.
The moment the lightning kissed the blue creeper, a magnificent shudder ran through the archway, summoning vibrations from the bones of the earth beneath. The air shimmered like a curtain of rain caught in the sun, and a portal thrummed to life—azure and whispering, pulling softly at the edges of reality.
It was this peculiar event that Miss Martha, Uncle Willbury, and three daring souls—Alice, Jasper, and little Tom—stood contemplating, with Uncle carrying his ever-present, tattered satchel, overflowing with paper scraps and celestial looking instruments.
“Stories of old tell of such portals,” Uncle Willbury muttered, squinting at the arch as though it were a peculiar beetroot in his salad. “Opens only when the moon sighs precisely at a forgotten dream, which seems tonight, quite exceptionally, it has.”
“I heard it opens into a land of ghosts,” Alice, ever the brave soul, stepped closer, her voice a mix of excitement and fear.
“Or into the very heart of time itself,” added Jasper, practically bouncing on his heels, eager for an adventure.
Little Tom clung to Miss Martha’s skirt, his eyes wide as saucers. “Is it safe?”
Uncle Willbury cackled, a sound like dry leaves dancing on an autumn wind. “Safe as houses, my boy! Though, perhaps houses built atop a cliff, during a storm, with a penchant for dramatics.”
With a protective arm around Tom, Miss Martha reached for her camera—a hefty thing of black metal and flash powder. “For posterity,” she explained, her determination lending courage to her tremulous companions.
One-by-one they stepped through, swallowed by the blue shimmer, their forms distorted then sharpened into a vibrant montage of another time.
They emerged in a world so similar yet startlingly untouched. Ancient forests sprang up where just moments before skyscrapers threatened to tickle the belly of the sky. The air was crisp, heavy with the scent of pine and wildflower. A deer, with antlers like twisted ironwork, watched them curiously, undaunted by their presence.
“This,” Uncle Willbury breathed, “is our world, hundreds of summers past.”
But the past held more than beauty. As they ventured, it became apparent that the portal had granted them an unseen quest. The shadows moved differently here, thick with a foreboding that pricked their skin. Creepers and twists of ivy seemed to whisper of an encroaching darkness—a blight that threatened to consume this untainted world and, by the entwined threads of time, their future.
Discovering a village of mud-brick huts, they were told a shadow-beast roamed the woods, corrupting the land with each moonrise. Legends spoke of a ritual to banish it, needing brave souls to gather sacred night-blooms under the silent witness of stars.
“Our presence here is a tapestry thread pulled by fate,” Uncle Willbury declared, his eyes aglow. “We must ensure this blight never finds its roots to our time.”
So, armed with ancient lore and borrowed spears, they sought the night-blooms, their petals shimmering with pearly dew under the crescent moon. Every rustle of the leaves penned another line of their unfolding story.
The shadow-beast—a creature made of nightmare and smoke—met them on a midnight-drenched clearing. Hearts pounding, they stood firm, weaving the petals into the air, crafting an incantation older than memory.
With a shriek that tore at the stars, the beast dissolved into a mist that fled the approaching dawn, leaving the forest cleansed, the air tasting of newly minted hope.
As they returned, the portal hummed a soft farewell, closing with the gentle sigh of a satisfied dream. Back in their time, Uncle Willbury, with a twinkle, sealed the gate with a tale, ensuring it became another forgotten myth, safeguarded by whispers and wary glances.
In the garden, amidst the relief of their safe return, little Tom found a night-bloom nestled in his pocket—a lingering proof of their quests, silently ensuring the continuity of their world and the bravery it might once again require.
Story Club Questions
- What role does the blue creeper play in the story? Why do you think its striking by lightning triggered the portal?
- Discuss the character of Uncle Willbury. How does his eccentricity contribute to the unfolding adventure?
- What do you think the portal symbolizes in the context of the story?
- How do the interactions with the ancient villagers enrich the narrative?
- What is the significance of the night-blooms, and how do they parallel the characters’ journey?
- In what ways does the story blend elements of fantasy with historical adventure?
- How do the characters grow from the beginning to the end of the story?
- What lessons do you think the characters take away from their experience in the past?
Historical Notes
- The concept of portals and time travel has deep mythological roots. Cultures such as the ancient Greeks and Norse mythology speak of entrances to other worlds or times.
- The belief in shadow-beasts or similar creatures appears in folklore across many cultures, often symbolizing a fear of the unknown or the corruption of nature.
- Tales of sacred night-blooming flowers can also be found in ancient stories, often representing purity, rarity, and the battle against darkness.
Further Reading
- The Wood Beyond the World by William Morris – An early fantasy novel with themes of mystical journeys.
- The Time Machine by H.G. Wells – A classic exploration of time travel and its consequences.
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis – For its use of portals to enter entirely different worlds.
- The Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper – A blend of mythology, history, and fantasy with a similar tone.
Related Movies and TV Shows
- Stardust (2007) – For its fantastical elements and adventurous spirit.
- Outlander (TV Series, 2014-) – Involving time travel and historical adventures.
- Stranger Things (TV Series, 2016-) – Focuses on children discovering portals to alternate dimensions.
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) – For its magical journey and themes of teamwork in another world.
Activities
- Time-Travel Craft: Create your own “time portal” using craft materials. Incorporate elements from the story, such as night-blooms and mystical symbols.
- Story Writing: Write a short story about what you think happens next. Do the characters encounter another portal or adventure?
- Role-Playing Game: Develop a simple role-playing game where you and your friends can explore different quests similar to the one in the story.
- Photography Contest: Inspired by Miss Martha’s camera, hold a photography contest capturing mystical or otherworldly elements in your surroundings.
- Mythology Research: Research creatures and myths from different cultures that align with the shadow-beast and share your findings with your group.