Hi, I suppose this is the real start to my story now. I'm going to try and do an adventure story where Jesse ventures into Terabithia and the lands beyond in order to save Leslie from the Dark One.
But there will be a twist, as you shall see.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bridge to Terabithia or any of its characters. I do own anyone I make up, or any lands I create.

Leslie stood at the entrance to Jesse's house, wondering whether she should venture down the well worn drive to the little house at the end and find out if Jesse was in.

Probably not, she thought to herself. She glanced up at the windows of the little house, trying to glimpse Jesse behind one of the upper glass. No-one moved.

Maybe he's already there, she thought, he could be waiting for me.

So decided, Leslie started to run down the path that divided her house from Jesse's. It was a warm summer's day. It will be beautiful in Terabithia today.

Leslie reached the rope that marked the boundary between this world and her own world, the world of Terabithia. There had been a large storm that night and the water in the creek was higher than usual, faster too. Leslie watched the way it tumbled over rocks, knocking away the smaller pebbles unable to cling to the muddy bed of the creek.

It's because their fingers are too small, Leslie thought, their grip is weaker than the bigger rocks that can cling to the riverbed with such ease. Rocky fingers spread deep into the mud like rooky roots. She paused as she took hold of the rope to add, there are rocks like that on the cliffs of Terabithia. They aimless try and climb up the cliffs to the safety of land. Only the biggest, strongest rocks can make it, keep a hold as the rough waves batter them and seagulls dive bomb them. The smaller rocks have to wait until they've grown, but they can't wait too long or the sea will have drained them of their strength.

Planning to note that down when she reached the tree house, Leslie tugged on the rope to check it, stood in the usual position and leapt.

Holding on tightly to the rope, she swung. She could feel the breeze washing over her, cool and refreshing in the hot sun. The sky far above her was clearest blue. She could hear the gurgling of the brook beneath her. She could hear the birds whistling in the distance.

Then she felt something give in the rope.

Something snapped.

'No,' she said, aloud in fear, 'no! Help!' the last word was a scream as the rope broke.

Leslie tumbled down into the waiting waves of the river.

Something caught her on the side of the head.

If only Jesse were here, Leslie's diminishing thoughts were, if only...

Someone caught hold of an arm. Leslie's eyes opened. Water churned around her, frothing and bubbling. Someone had hold of her arm. A pale, slender hand, stronger than its delicate state looked like it should have.

Leslie felt the water pull her body downwards, deeper into the river. But she was soaring upwards, out of the dark depths, out into the sunlight again. She broke the surface and continued to climb, up towards the light in the sky. Looking down, she could make out her body beneath the ripples, pale and lifeless.

So this was it, she thought sadly, I'm going. She closed her eyes and prayed a silent prayer. Jesse, she thought, never stop believing. Terabithia will always be there, even if I'm not.

Something latched onto her foot. Leslie cried out as something dragged her back down. It was a second hand, but it wasn't like the first. It was withered and scorched and Leslie could see that its bones had been broken many, many times. Sharp talon like fingernails clung to her trouser leg. She couldn't see anybody connected to the hand, but could see where it was dragging her.

It was pulling her towards the shore where she believed Terabithia lay.

Please review!