Young Writers Society

Sirius had known that his mom was telling him to go to bed, but he didn’t want to. He walked up to his balcony and stood outside in the cold weather. With his hands kept on the railing for support, he gazed at the crescent moon. That made him remind his dog, Murphy. Murphy no longer existed. Sirius’ mom told him that when someone dies, they become a star. Sirius thought the moon, with stars in her care, would take care of Murphy instead of him.

Sirius felt alone. Even with the stars and the moon. Sighing, he tidied up his bed and read his favourite book “Chris and Moony”. In this book, Chris and his dog Moony would travel to different planets. He always read this book with Murphy, and without him here, Sirius thought this book was no fun. Sirius’ eyes were getting heavy from reading. He felt as if he was asleep, but he wasn’t. He got up and opened his cupboard to keep his book back. But there weren’t piles of books kept in the shelves. Instead, there was a huge puddle of black void, its particles distorting. Sirius thought it reminded him of something from the book he was holding. It was a portal.

Sirius thought it looked scary, but not scary enough to call his mom. He thought if he would throw something in there, the portal would disappear. He threw his book inside, but nothing changed. The big portal was still there. Inside Sirius’ fear, there was also curiousness. He clenched his fist and then moved them toward the portal. With each inch closing between, Sirius’ hand shivered more. Stopping it an inch away from the portal, Sirius sighed and threw his hand in. This was it. He saw his hand disappearing; he thought it was crazy. But it excited him. Closing his eyes, he went through the portal.

What he saw there was unbelievable. The rusty red sand moved beneath his feet. The stars were visible, and the sun too. But it didn’t look like it was morning. The ghost quiet atmosphere, with the red ground, could only be Mars. Even this unwelcoming place seemed alluring to him. He looked behind him. The portal was still there. But he didn’t think of going back. When he focused more, the place seemed cartoony. Sirius had known that humans couldn’t breathe on other planets. Oxygen was a must.

Sirius made sure not to get too far away from the portal, he could get lost. When he walked what seemed like a few hundred meters, he noticed a huge volcano-like structure. It was probably one. Sirius sprinted toward the volcano. It was the same hue of red he’d seen everywhere. Sirius got bored. Walking midway to his destination, he stopped. He wanted to go back home. But he was lost.

All looked the same. He bit his lips and scratched his head. He ran what seemed like miles and miles. He crouched and his hands darted to his face, tears flowed from his eyes. He screamed for help, but no one came.

His skin around his shirt felt that something was tugging at it. He took his face out from his hands. Before his eyes was no one other than his beloved dog, Murphy. Murphy’s golden hair seemed like actual gold to Sirius. He thought it was a blessing. Murphy’s eyes gleamed as it did before. Before he left Sirius. His familiar scent bought tears in Sirius’ eyes again. Murphy barked happily as Sirius hugged him. Sirius knew Murphy had gone nowhere. Murphy would never leave him.

Sirius saw that Murphy had bought a tennis ball along with him. Murphy gave him the ball, signalling him to play catch with him. This put an instant smile on Sirius’ face. Sirius played with Murphy for hours and Sirius still wasn’t tired, so wasn’t Murphy. Then Murphy suddenly ran away and Sirius followed him as he went up to the volcano. Come with me, I want to show you something!

This gave Sirius a shock; this was the first time Murphy had talked to him. But that wasn’t the most surprising thing that happened. After saying those words, Murphy leapt into the sky, high enough for him to reach the stars. Sirius’ mouth fell open, Sirius too jumped to reach where Murphy was. Then Sirius laughed along with Murphy wagging his tail. Sirius wasn’t afraid or sad anymore. He was happy that he was with Murphy again. He listened to Murphy about his adventures for hours. It reminded him of his favourite book.

Finally, Murphy climbed down the stars and to the ground again. Sirius followed him. They made their way back to where they came from. The dog ran around as Sirius chased him. Murphy walked along the planet with Sirius beside him. Sirius realized where they were going. Both of them arrived at the portal. Sirius without question went toward the portal expecting Murphy to follow him. But that wasn’t the case.

“Murphy? Come, It’s time to go home.” Sirius said.

“No, Sirius. I am staying here.”

“What do you mean? Everyone would be so happy to see you at home.” Sirius crouched down to Murphy’s level.

“Please, no. Don’t tell me to come with you. I want to stay on Mars.”

“No, no. Please. Come with me to home. I can’t live without you,” Sirius said as his eyes became moist.

“I am happy here. Sirius, you need to learn to live without me,”

Sirius didn’t reply. Murphy’s paw touched Sirius’ face. He wasn’t ready to live without him. He couldn’t.

“A last game?” Sirius asked. Murphy nodded. Sirius and Murphy played their last game. Sirius was about to leave. Murphy raised his paw and waved Sirius a goodbye. Sirius clenched his palm but finally waved goodbye to Murphy.

“Goodbye, Murphy,”

Sirius backed toward the portal and entered it. The portal closed behind him.

Suddenly, Sirius opened his eyes, realizing it was all just a dream with his favourite book beside him.