Agarthlians

Chapter 2- have you heard of Agartha before?

Geography class drags on for ages. And when there’s half an hour left till the end, miss joy decides to put us in groups of three for a presentation. I can see everyone’s eager to be put in a group with me. Every direction I look at I’m met with big hopeful smiles and enthusiastic looks.

Miss Joy randomly puts us into groups of three clicking her elegant fingers as she tells us to get into our groups quickly.

“Chop chop class we don’t have all day.”

I turn to Elliot the quiet Dirty-blonde colour haired guy who sits next to me in tutor and smile.

He blushes slightly and smiles back awkwardly fumbling with the piece of plastic cover on his book. I swear he’s always got a book with him.

Jenevive on the other hand is busy playing with her dark curls twisting a strand of hair around her pale fingers. I grab the iPad and busy myself with scrolling through pictures of the Marova islands. Hopefully we can go there this summer if dad isn’t too busy.

“We could research about Russia and their government,” says Elliot the only one bothering with the work. I nod my head in response not really paying attention as I scroll through bright tropical islands.

“Have... have you guys heard of Agartha before?”

Both mine and Jenevive’s heads shot up suddenly and I find myself wondering where I’ve heard that name before.

“Are you talking about that mythical kingdom that supposedly exists inside the earth?”

I’m surprised by her loud steady voice- I assumed she had a quiet voice to match her quiet personality. Jenevive rarely talks at school.

“Yes some people say that it may be real,” Elliot answers.

“How can it exist inside the earth-isn’t there like lava and metal inside it?” I question.

“Well We don’t actually know 100.100% what’s inside the earth,” Elliot says matter of factly.

“Who says what the scientists tell us is the absolute truth? I mean they’re just speculations, and if there was a whole new world at the centre of the earth don’t you think the people in power would hide it from us?”

“Yeah that’s a good point. Apparently in 1926 an American explorer was flying above the North Pole when he came across a warm, lush climate with huge mammoth-like creatures and seven feet humans!” Exclaims Jenevive. “All this is recorded in the explorers diary,” she adds.

“Wow so he went there?” asks Elliot.

“I don’t know, maybe.”

“And you think this ‘Agartha’ is real? I question looking at her expectantly my head bursting with questions.

She looks back at me in the eyes, long lashes framing her hooded eyes.

“Listen I’m not saying it is, I’m saying it could be.”

“Think about it there’s so much we don’t know about the earth. Explorers know more about space than our own oceans.”

I think about this and realise she’s right. There must be so many places that haven’t been explored yet.

All three of us are silent as we ponder on what we’ve discussed. I’m genuinely curious about this place. These things don’t normally cross my mind. Mythical magical worlds and all. I usually talk with samei and laiyla about fashion, social media, our families and what we want to do in the future. This Agartha place seems so cool and it’s supposed to be right here on earth! What if it’s under us right now? As Elliot said we don’t know for sure what’s inside our planet and I can’t help wondering if there really is a secret world underneath us.

The bell rings and Elliot and Jenevive quickly grab their bags and head out the door. I’m still sitting on my desk a million thoughts buzzing in my head. I hear Laiyla and saemi walk towards me laughing about a place called ‘ugley bishop’s’ in England that they had searched about.

“Kia do you wanna grab some food and sit outside?” asks Laiyla.

“Oh I was actually going to go to the library to do some research.”

“The library? You never go there. like EVER!”

“Aren’t you hungry? I’m starving,” she moans.

“Guys listen there’s this place I really wanna research about- have you ever heard of a place called Agartha?”

“No... wait yes! it’s that lost kingdom located somewhere in Antarctica, I think.”

“No actually it’s said to be located at the centre of the earth- Antarctica is one of its gateways or portals or something,” adds Saemi.

There are portals to this place??

Suddenly curiosity takes over me as I swing my bag over my shoulder and quickly hug my besties promising I’ll join them soon. I need a trip to the library.