Hugo looked out the window of the train. The vast rolling hills of green were calling for adventure. The train hammered to Silver City. Its metallic towers loomed in the distance, magical, mysterious, and full of wonder. But Hugo was already approaching the open train door. Air whistled and tried to push him away. He trudged forward and held his flat cap on his head to stop it flying away. He looked at the ground outside. It was a blur.

Hugo took a deep breath, tensed his legs and jumped out far onto the hard dirt. The train hammered behind him. The screeching metal deafened his ears.

In another life Hugo stayed on the train. He had a grand adventure. He met a gypsum, a dandelion witch, befriended a drackon, and freed the town. But our Hugo needed more than that. 

With the simple act of jumping, Hugo changed his future. Would this adventure be grander… more dangerous?

The young boy stood up, dusted himself off, and adjusted his flat cap. He was standing at the top of a hill. He looked to the east, but only saw the green hills. His home was long gone now.

He saw a river at the bottom of the hill. A shape dipped in and out of the water. Sprinkles of diamonds sprayed as it leapt. What was that?

A toothy grin grew on Hugo’s face. He ventured toward the river.

To Be Continued…