Gabi Gabi's new school bag had just arrived, and the first day of school was getting closer and closer. She lay on her bed, holding her cell phone and playing her favorite game, Guardian of the Forest. She was so excited about all the new adventures school would bring! These happy thoughts swirled in her head like colorful leaves dancing in the wind. But as she kept playing, her eyes started to feel sleepy, though she didn't notice. She blinked a few times, and suddenly, the phone slipped out of her hand. With a gentle sigh, Gabi drifted off into a world of dreams. Gabi woke up and blinked her eyes open. She felt a soft breeze on her face, making her long blonde hair dance in the light wind. As she sat up and looked around, her eyes widened with wonder and fear. This wasn't her room or bed—this place wasn't her home. Instead of being tucked in safely under her covers, she found herself sitting on the ground, where the soft moss felt like a blanket beneath her. All around her were flowers, tall trees, and the rustling leaves of a forest. The unfamiliarity of it all sent a shiver down her spine but also sparked a sense of curiosity. Gabi squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed them, hoping it was just a dream, and she would wake up in bed. But when she opened her eyes again, the Forest was still there. Her room was nowhere to be seen. Tears welled up in her eyes as she slowly stood up, her legs shaky beneath her. She looked around, her heart racing. "Mom?" she called out softly. Then louder, "Mommy!" But there was no answer. She could only hear the whispering wind in the trees and the cheerful songs of birds high above her. "Mommy, where are you?" she cried again, her voice trembling. The silence that followed made her feel even more alone. She hugged herself tightly, trying to steady her shaking hands. Gabi's heart began to race as she realized this wasn't just a dream she could wake up from. The Forest around her was real, with the scent of pine filling the air and the earth cool beneath her bare feet. She spun around, trying to find something familiar, but all she saw were towering trees and tangled vines. Her breath quickened as fear started to creep in. "Mommy!" she called again, her voice trembling. But the Forest remained silent as if waiting, watching. Gabi hugged herself, trying to stop her hands from shaking. She felt so small and alone in this vast, mysterious place. Then, like a gentle whisper, a memory floated to the surface of her mind. It was of her favorite game, Guardian of the Forest. She had played it so many times, guiding her character through enchanted woods, solving puzzles, and finding clues left by the Guardian. The Guardian was always there, just out of sight, helping her along the way. A spark of hope ignited in her chest. What if this Forest was like the one in her game? What if the Guardian was here, too? The thought calmed her, and she decided to play along like she did in the game. After all, she had always been good at finding clues. She took a deep breath and looked around again, this time more carefully. The Forest no longer seemed so frightening. Instead, it felt...alive, like it was waiting for her to make the first move. Gabi noticed a faint glimmer on the ground a few steps away. She walked over and crouched down, brushing aside some leaves to reveal a small, glowing stone. It pulsed gently in her hand, like the acorn in her game. This had to be a sign! The stone's gentle glow seemed to whisper to her, filling her with a sense of hope and determination. With the glowing stone in her hand, Gabi felt a little braver. She looked around for more signs, hoping the stone would guide her home. Slowly, she began to walk, her steps careful but determined. As she moved deeper into the Forest, she looked for anything unusual—anything that might be a clue. The stone's glow seemed to lead her forward, its light growing brighter with each step. The path was winding, and the Forest grew denser, but Gabi didn't feel lost anymore. She felt like she was on a quest, just like in her game, and that thought filled her with a sense of adventure. After a while, Gabi came to a small clearing. In the center stood an ancient tree, its branches reaching out like welcoming arms. The stone in her hand glowed brighter than ever, and Gabi knew this was where she was meant to be. She approached the tree, her heart pounding with anticipation. Standing before the tree, she noticed a small door carved into its trunk, almost hidden by the thick bark. It was just like the secret doors she had found in her game. Gabi hesitated momentarily, then reached out and gently pushed the door open.
David As nightfall gently wrapped the forest in darkness, Gabi and Twig found a cozy spot under a big tree. Gabi set her new bag on the ground, sat down, and leaned against the trunk, closing her eyes for a moment of rest. Suddenly, rustling in the bush in front of them made Gabi jump. She opened her eyes wide and looked at Twig, who was staring intently at the bush. Then, out of the shadows, a figure stumbled and fell to the ground. "Ow," muttered the figure grumpily, "Stupid bushes," as it struggled to stand up. Gabi couldn’t help but giggle, and she quickly covered her mouth to stifle the laughter. The shadowy silhouette glanced around nervously and called out, "Who's there?" Gabi felt no fear—she felt a sense of relief, as if she somehow knew there was no real danger. "We’re here," she said softly, her voice gentle and reassuring. The figure slowly stood up and stepped into the dim light that filtered through the forest canopy. As Gabi’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see that the figure was a boy, taller then her, but slim and with long hair that almost reached his shoulders. “Ah, there you are!” the boy said with a sigh of relief. “I thought I was lost in the bushes forever.” He dusted off his cloak and straightened up. “I’m David. And who might you be?” Gabi stood up, brushing off the moss from her clothes, and smiled at David. “I’m Gabi, and this is Twig. We’re on a quest. Are you lost too?” David’s eyes widened in surprise. “A quest? That’s quite an adventure you’re on. And yes, I am lost too, I played my game, fell asleep, and woke up in this strange forest. I was just trying to find my way home.” Twig, who had been observing David closely, gave a small hop of excitement. “David! You’re a traveler then! Maybe you can help us. The forest is full of mysteries, and we could use all the help we can get.” David looked between Gabi and Twig, then nodded. “I suppose I could use a bit of guidance myself. If you’re able to find way for me to get back home, then I’ll join you.” Gabi smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with David. “It’s a deal, then. We’ll help each other. Together maybe, we can find a way for us to get home.” David’s expression brightened. “That sounds like a plan. Let’s see where this adventure takes us.” As they settled around the small fire David had started, the flickering flames cast a warm glow on their faces, creating a comforting atmosphere. Gabi, Twig, and David each took turns sharing stories about their adventures and experiences. Gabi found herself intrigued by David’s tales. “So, you’re saying that you also fell into a world from a game?” David nodded, adding, “Yeah, it’s quite similar to what you described. I was playing my game when I must have fallen asleep. Next thing I knew, I woke up here.” Twig’s ears perked up with interest. “It sounds like we might be in the same world or at least a very similar one. The forest is magical, and it might be connected to the world of games and dreams.” Gabi nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe the forest has a way of bringing people who are meant to be here. Like it chose us for a reason.” David looked around at the dark, enchanted forest, his eyes reflecting the firelight. “I never would have guessed that my game could lead to something like this. But it’s exciting. And I’m glad to have met you both.” As the night grew deeper, the three of them relaxed into their makeshift camp. Gabi felt a sense of adventure and purpose that made her excited about the journey ahead. Despite the uncertainty, she was grateful for the unexpected companionship.
Adam As they reached a bubbling stream, a shadow suddenly flew over them. They looked up and saw a glider soaring through the sky. It was made of huge green leaves and sticks, with a slim figure skillfully steering it. The glider circled above them, slowly descending toward the ground. As it descended, it headed straight for them. "Watch out!" the figure on the glider shouted. Gabi, David, and Twig quickly jumped, throwing themselves to the ground. They felt a rush of air as the glider swooped low over their heads. With a soft thud, it hit the ground, and the figure cried out, "Ouch!" as the glider flipped and splashed into the stream. The figure made a big splash in the water but quickly scrambled to his feet. He was a tall, slim boy, now drenched and shaking off his wet clothes. "Okay, I missed the spot a bit," the boy said, turning toward them with a big grin. "But wow, that was fun!" he added, laughing. Gabi, David, and Twig slowly got up, brushing off the dirt and leaves from their clothes. They stared in amazement at the boy who had just crash-landed in front of them. His glider, now partially submerged in the stream, looked like it was made from the very fabric of the forest itself—huge green leaves, sturdy sticks, and vines twisted together in a remarkable design. The boy, despite being soaked from head to toe, seemed completely unfazed by his less-than-graceful landing. He wrung out the hem of his shirt and shook his hair, sending droplets of water flying in all directions. His grin was infectious, and it was clear he was more thrilled by the adventure than concerned about his mishap. David’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Adam?" he asked, surprised. The boy looked at him, his face turning serious. "David!" Adam exclaimed, pointing a finger at him accusingly. "You... it’s all your fault! You and your stupid game!" Adam thundered. "‘Let’s play it, it’s cool, it’s fun,’ you said. But no, it’s not fun! Look where it brought us!" Gabi looked from Adam to David, her face full of confusion. "You two..." she started, then paused. "You know each other?" David glanced at her and smiled. "Yes, he's my brother," he said before rushing over to Adam and giving him a huge hug. Adam, who was almost twice David's height, tried to stay serious, but a smile crept onto his lips as he returned the hug. Gabi’s mouth dropped open in surprise as she watched the two brothers embrace. The tension in the air began to dissipate as Adam’s stern expression softened, and he ruffled David’s hair affectionately. “You guys are brothers?” Gabi finally managed to ask, still trying to process the sudden revelation. David nodded, stepping back from Adam with a grin. “Yep! Adam’s my older brother. We used to do everything together before... well, before all this happened.” Adam sighed and shook his head. “Yeah, everything was great until that game.” He glanced at David, his expression a mix of frustration and relief. "There's a cabin not far from here—I saw it from above. We should head there before nightfall," Adam said, pointing in the direction of the cabin. Gabi, David, and Twig all nodded in silent agreement. “But we need to pull the glider out of the stream,” Adam said. “If we leave it there, it could get stuck and cause problems during rainfalls.” Gabi and David quickly joined Adam in pulling the glider from the stream. They dragged it a bit further away and left it on the meadow, where the leaves and sticks would eventually return to nature. With the glider out of the way and Adam now with them, the group set off toward the cabin, hoping to find shelter for the night. Along the way, they picked berries and fruits from the forest, ensuring they’d have something to eat when they arrived at the cabin.