Write a Book in a Day 2017

CHAPTER 2: Pure Imagination There, in his hands, Riley held an old stuffed koala toy with soft, fuzzy fur, plastic black claws and a shiny nose. One of the emerald button eyes was almost falling off, held by just a few threads. Charlie was speechless.

“I can’t believe it! I thought we lost Kami years ago. How is this possible?”

“I don’t know, it just appeared!”

Kami the Koala had mysteriously come with the treehouse when Charlie’s family moved in over ten years ago. A recurring starring role in their games, Kami had always been up to play the part of a pirate, a monster, or the chest of gold. Looking at the state of it, it seemed as though for the last few years, Kami had been playing the part of the abandoned stuffed toy.

Riley looked at Charlie. “Do you remember the last game we played here?”

Charlie looked away. “No.”

She felt a small brush of fur against her cheek. Riley stood behind her, holding Kami.

“Come on, I know you do - it was your favourite!” Riley pushed.

Staring out the broken window, Charlie willed herself not to smile. Riley had this miraculous talent for making her laugh, and she had serious things to think about now. Riley grabbed Charlie’s hand, and dragged her down the ladder to the grass. They stared up at their home in a tree.

Charlie’s nose itched for the smell of salty sea air.

The treehouse was a treehouse no longer. In its place stood a grand sailboat, complete with silken sails and a deck spanning the length of the tree.

“Wow.” Charlie exhaled.

“I knew you’d remember.” Riley smiled. “Come on...we’ve got work to do before we set sail.”

Racing up the ladder, the cardboard boxes became deck chairs. A magnificent ship’s wheel had sprung up in the middle of the chairs, and a striking sail towered above them. Ropes were thrown over the sides, and secured for the journey. Charlie stood up on top of the ship’s hull, and inhaled the salty air. Sparkling crystal water spanned for miles. Her splendour was interrupted.

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