I sat down on the couch, exhausted after a long day. Everyone in the house but me was asleep. My husband. My wife. My precious little child. All three tucked away and asleep. Due to my new job I wasn’t able to see them in the evenings lately. However, soon I would be able to adjust my hours again. At least I could see them in the morning.
I heard a small noise, and saw the dog twitching in her sleep on top of her bed. I smiled, hoping that the dog was having good dreams. I was about to stand up to get ready for bed, when I noticed something peeking out from under the couch cushion.
I pushed up the cushion so as not to tear the piece of paper via yanking it. It looked like a drawing my kid made. It was a colorful assortment of scribbles, but I smiled again, knowing that she must have had fun creating it. I reached out to touch it, when everything went silent.
I found myself unable to move. I couldn’t even blink or breathe. It was suffocating. And then, I was surrounded by darkness.
I could move now, albeit a bit slowly. My speed seemed to increase, as if I was being thawed. I struggled to my feet. Dirt. I was standing upon a dirt floor. At least, that’s what it felt like under my toes. My toes. I’d been wearing socks. That’s when I realized that I was completely naked.
I tried looking around, and discovered that I was, in fact, not surrounded by darkness. There was a dim light flickering in the distance. I stumbled towards it, noting that the walls appeared to be made of stone. What was this? Was this a cave? Or a tunnel? I had no idea.
It didn’t take long to discover the source of the light - a group of green humanoids carrying torches and weapons and bags. The straps were dripping with pouches of all shapes and sizes.
“Is that a human?” one of them pointed at me.
I was startled, but stood my ground. “Yes.” My voice was shakier than I thought it would be.
Another one of them smacked the one who spoke upside the head. “Don’t be rude, Gerald.”
Gerald mumbled an apology.
“Sorry about him. Jade?” The pointy-eared humanoid looked over at who I assumed was Jade, a creature carrying the largest backpack I’d ever seen. It was fitting considering that Jade was the largest person of the group.
“You’re lucky I’m always prepared,” he reached into his backpack and pulled out a set of clothing. The other creature, who seemed to be in charge, took the garments from him.
“My name is Maud. Take this.” Maud handed me the clothes.
“Thank you.” I quickly pulled the clothes on. I had to roll up the pant legs and arm sleeves as the clothing was far too long. I was much smaller than these creatures. “Where am I?”
“How specific do you want me to get?” Maud asked.
“As specific as you can be.” I replied, confused.
“This is a treasure tunnel under the city of Hivescot.” Maud paused, “Do you know how you got here?”
“Probably wandered into the tunnels after a few too many drinks,” a new voice said. This comment was followed by a slapping sound.
I ignored this, and said, “I was at home, and when I picked up my kid’s drawing I ended up here without my clothes. I have no idea what happened.”
Maud thought for a moment. “What kind of drawing was this?”
“Just scribbles.”
“Maybe to you,” he muttered.
“What?” I prompted.
“Most likely, your child drew a rune. It’s rare, but it can happen where the creativity of a child results in real magic. That drawing must have had something going on to be able to transport you here. The problem is, how far away were you before you got here?” Maud was explaining, but seemed puzzled about the situation.
“Well, considering that I have no idea what you even are or where I even am, I would guess that at the very least I’m not on the same planet anymore.” I laughed half-heartedly, trying to make light of the situation.
Maud gestured around at the group. “We’re goblins.”
I thought they looked a bit tall considering how I’d always pictured goblins in stories, but I didn’t say anything. “So… does anyone know how I get back?”
“You’d need to find the right wizard is my guess,” Maud said. “But first, Let’s get you out of the tunnels. You’re unarmed and a liability.”
He was right, but I was still a bit annoyed at that.
We made our way out of the tunnels.
