The Key

Young genius Lucius Dalworthy climbed from his Subterranean Tunneller, straightened his top hat, and strode into the underground chamber. ‘Surrender!’ he cried. ‘There is no escape for you now!’

Standing amid the steam and dust, Cressida Mandeville – his equally young and equally brilliant arch-enemy – raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s odd. I was just about to say the same thing to you.’

With a flick of her wrist she summoned a ball of flickering, golden flame in each palm and thrust them both at Lucius. He pushed at the ground and leapt up, dodging the attack. He quickly countered by sending a powerful current of air at his foe, knocking her back. He did this once more, throwing Cressida around like a ragdoll until she fell hard to the ground. Filled with rage, she got up and bombarded Lucius with fireballs. He pulled out a silver cane from his long overcoat and twirled it around, creating a barrier in front of him that deflected the attack in the opposite direction. The flames flew back and engulfed Cressida but she didn’t seem to feel pain, only anger towards Lucius. She closed her eyes and the fire absorbed into her body.

‘You know, surrendering is still an option,’ he said. ‘I can make your stay in prison more enjoyable if you hand yourself over. I’m not a patient man, Miss Mandeville.’

‘Give me the key, Lucius!’ Cressida yelled. ‘I’m not leaving without it!’

‘What is with everyone today?’ he asked suspiciously. ‘I haven’t got a key. Unless you mean my house and car which of course I’m not handing over.’

‘No, Lucius,’ she said. ‘It’s no ordinary key. Remember that stone you found while battling the undead army in Eastwick? The one that glowed white with strange patterns carved into it? Well, I need it.’

‘If it’s so important, what does this key actually do?’

‘That’s for me to know,’ Cressida replied with an evil smirk, ‘and for you to find out.’

In a blink of an eye, she burst into flames. Lucius held his arms up to shield his eyes from the blinding light. When he stopped to look, she was gone.

Lucius decided to retire to his apartment, only to find the door unlocked. He entered with caution, resting his hand on his pistol. He was halfway across the room when the lights were turned on.

‘It’s good to see you, Lucius.’

He recognised the voice immediately. ‘You know you could have knocked, Eldridge,’ he said, ‘or waited until I arrived.’

A elderly man walked in. His long beard brushed constantly against the black suit he wore. In his gloved hand he carried a small parcel.

‘I’m sorry for barging in like this,’ Eldridge apologized, ‘but this is a very urgent matter.’

‘I’m guessing it’s about the stone. It’s some sort of key but what does it open? Not a simple door obviously.’

Eldridge carefully unfolded the parcel, revealing the stone.

‘This key releases every single demon from the apocalypse.’

By Kira Hughes, Year 8 (Female)