My Story: A Walk Across Miles

My Story is a collection of writings by young people, including short stories and poems. The stories are collected and published by Espoo City Library. Find all stories on the My Story page.

Written by Eidan Cottier

Hello there! So you have decided to read this book. I would like to tell you a few things before you start reading. This book is entirely fictious (with some inspiration), except for a few things like the DC-10 (an airliner). Before you read you’ll need some backstory. So many locations are mentioned in this book (which all are fictious). You can find more information about these later in the map. Anyways, I hope you enjoy reading this and have fun!

Our story begins in the small town of Benzil, located in Merdia, with an 8-year old girl, Anaëlle. She moved away from her original home in Katzle, far away from Benzil in the country of Potanria, after her mother left. Often she ponders why she left, usually while she lay in the thick green grass on the patio of her small house. She always used to ask her father, Donald, why she left, but is left with aspirated silence. or “I don’t have time now”. She stopped asking long ago, because it is worth nothing. All she remembers is her father walking through the door and monotonly said “Mother left.” But now Anaëlle has grown up, and is expected to forgive and forget her mother. She often also feels anger for her mother, but is usually drowned out by her tears. She is also now meant to go to school. 

Her first year was taught at home, by her father. Her father thinks it is the right choice for her, so she can make friends. At first, Anaëlle greatly detested this. Eventually she surrendered. Anaëlle never had friends. Only a chicken at Mr. Kont’s farm. She never even talked to Kont. She just pointed to the chicken, and then he would nod. She would then rush to the chicken and yell “Helen!”. The chicken was named Helen by her, even though it was a cock. Anaëlle would stay up all night, looking at Helen’s
eggs, and telling her how she lays beautiful eggs. “Helen, you have a talent. You should get a job!” obviously the chicken would just cluck. 
“Interesting answer” Anaëlle would say with a chuckle as she stares at the stars. But now she is preparing to go to school. She is scared of what it may behold. But she knows it’s the right choice.

Anaëlle has one day before she must start school. The summer is becoming milder, winds heavier and days shorter. Donald walks through Anaëlle’s room door and says “I’ve packed your bag. You’ve got pencils, erasers, paper, snacks. Oh, and I packed a picture of Helen in case you miss her.” She smiles and responds with a simple thank you. At the supper table. Anaëlle says “What if the people at school don’t like me?” “They will, you are a lovely person.” Donald responds swiftly. “If you says so” she mumbles under her voice. “If only your mother saw you going to school, she would be so proud!” Donald says. “Now, go to bed. You have a long day ahead of you.”. Anaëlle goes to bed, but stays up pondering. “Why did mother leave? Where did she go? Was it because of me?” All these thoughts pile up and sound like a crowd. She shakes the thoughts off and goes to bed.

She wakes up to her father shaking the bed “Wake up! Or you’re going to be late.” He ushers. Anaëlle runs out of bed and puts her outfit on. She grabs her bag and heads of to school. It is next door, so she decides to walk herself. Once she is there, she finds the teacher, Ms. Rowandohl, calling student names. “Maria?” a voice in the crowd shouts “Here!”. “An-e-ell?” Anaëlle stands shocked and yells “Here! Also teacher it’s An-” Everyone looks at her “She never realized her accent was that obvious. Probably because she barely spoke. The teacher then continues “Evan?” “Here!”. This goes on for few minutes. Eventually, they walk in. Someone walks up to Anaëlle and asks “Are you from Potarnia?” “Yes, Katzle specifically. Why do you ask?” she replies “Because you sound weird. Go back to your home country.” She asks the teacher
to go to the toilet then runs to the toilet and sits on the ground to cry. “Why are people so rude, I am just like them. A human!” She pulls out the picture of Helen and cries “How does a chicken understand me more than a human?”.

Suddenly she hears a knock on the door, “Come out! You’ve been in for three minutes!” She gasps and wipes the tears of her face and tries to think of an excuse. “I um…Am blowing my nose! I have bad allergies.” “Katzle girl?” she hears. “No! I-I my voice just sounds weird because of my allergies, OK?” She replies. Suddenly it goes silent. The person at the door has left. She washes the tears of her face and rushes back to her class. She sits down and looks out of the window. Suddenly she hears the teacher yell “Anaëlle, come up and introduce yourself to the class.”. “Me?” she questions. She then walks up to the front. “Hello! My name is Anaëlle” whispers fill the class. “Tell them where your from!” adds the teacher “Oh, um. Well I’m from Potanria. Specifically… Katzle.” She then runs to her seat and sits down. Suddenly a note falls on her desk. She expects to find some insult, but to her surprise she, she finds a letter saying

Dar Analle,
Im sorry that pepole in my clas are mean to you. i think that you are very nice . do you want to sit togeter at lunch time???
-Evan

Suddenly a smile strikes her face after seeing some hope in humanity. (Accompanied with the surprise of all the spelling mistakes). Later at lunch, Anaëlle searches for Evan in the canteen. She soon sees a boy waving at her and asking her to sit down. She fearfully walks towards the table, hoping she will be accepted there. When
she tries to sit down, a voice shouts at her “Go sit somewhere else you outcast!”, Unsuprised, she strolls to another table. “Stop!” yells a boy from the table. “You can sit with us! And stop being so rude to Anaëlle, she’s just like us.”, Surprised, she walks back and sits down. A silence fills the table until Evan says, “So, how are you?”, “I’m goo-” Anaëlle says but is interrupted. “Don’t talk to her! She’s not from here!” One of the girls blurted out. “Come on, speak up! Do it just like me, so they know who’s boss!” Whispers Evan to Anaëlle. She puts all her might and blurts out “W-well, you’re not one of us either! You eat so much you look like a fat pig!”. Suddenly she notices that the entire canteen has gone dead silent. Anaëlle slowly sinks back into her seat, embarrassed and proud at the same time.

Soon the bell rings and Anaëlle runs to her dad outside. She tells her dad about what happened, except for the fat pig incident, and they head home. “I made a new friend! His name is Evan.” Anaëlle says with glee. “That’s great! Now let’s get home and make some soup, OK!” Donald replies. At home, Donald starts cooking. Anaëlle is relaxed in her room, but sad about all the rude people at school. She stares at the picture of Helen, wishing that she was human. Suddenly the sound of sizzling
is covered with sirens and explosions. She jumps up from her seat. “Quick to the bunker!” Donald cries. Anaëlle runs to the bunker hand in hand with her father. They rush in and sit down on the floor. Anaëlle stares at the dusty photo of Helen and says “I hope your still okay.” with tears running down her face.

Inside the bunker there was muffled explosions. There always was small war around them, but never a bombing. Anaëlle, holding the picture of Helen tightly, looks to the roof and hopes for the best. She would of never believed that this would ever happen. “I’ll get the radio from the cabinet.” Said Donald. He switches the radio on, and after two long beeps, suddenly a voice pops up “Dear citizens of Benzil and surrounding areas, seek shelter immediately. I repeat-” Donald puts the radio on the ground. “Why did they do this?” Anaëlle cries. “Because they want our land and because they are selfish.” replies Donald. “You know I called someone a fat pig at school today. They were mean to me. So I gave them a taste of their own medicine” Anaëlle says. “That’s my girl!” Donald says while rubbing Anaëlle’s head. 

Suddenly the radio beeps again. Soon, a voice starts talking “Dear citizens, our country is under attack. The bombs have been identified as from Potarnia, our neighbors. Please for now stand by for more information and stay in shelter.” The radio beeps and repeats the message. “Potarnia! T-they betrayed us!” Anaëlle cries. “As I said, selfish people. Never trust anyone, unless you truly know them.” Donald says with a disappointed tone. The radio beeps again and blurts out “Dear citizens, we have confirmed that the bombs were purposely to us. There’s no more detected bombs or other weaponry on our radars. Please all military staff, on duty or not, report to East Benzil Base. We will come get you if you do not report immediately. Children and other members of family will be taken away. We repeat-” Donald looks stunned and dazed. “Father, what’s wrong?” Anaëlle questions. Donald responds “I must go. I’m sorry, this should of never happened. All because of those selfish, s-selfish…” he bursts into tears and falls to the ground. Anaëlle finishes his sentence “…people”.

“You must leave to war?” Anaëlle asks. “Yes, yes I must, and I hope to see you again one day. Would you like to walk me to the base?” Responds Donald. Anaëlle grabs his hand and they walk towards the base a mile of their house. They arrive at the base. “Will I see you ever again?” Says Anaëlle still in shock. “Let’s hope we do, but if we don’t, I loved you greatly. So did mother. You are an angel to this world, but it’s sad I can’t witness all of it.” Replies Donald. Donald walks in the base, and looks back at Anaëlle and whispers “I love you.” A tear rolls down her face as the guards take her away. They take her to a bus, and she sits down on a seat. All around her are children like her, covered in tears and in shock. She looks out of the dusty window. The grass is now brown and wilted and the farm decayed. She closes her eyes, and imagines what life would be like without the war.

Soon the bus arrives, and the children off board. Anaëlle follows the man in the uniform and arrives in the building. A grime covered cheaply built building. It was a prison before. You can see the bars and it’s high security, it felt dehumanizing. She was no longer a personality, but just a piece of flesh that must be kept alive. All the food was just expired dry oatmeal, and and they only got one serving in a cup per day. And whenever anyone would say anything bad about it, they would not get food for a day.

Anaëlle heads to her room, which in reality was a concrete chamber with hay in a bag as a mattress. She threw herself on to herself on the mattress and screamed in her pillow, “Selfish people!”. She never noticed how loud it was and then heard a guard running towards her cell. “The guard busted in her cell and dragged her to a weird dark cold room and yelled at her “Language!” and then smashed the door closed. Soon, she hears a voice yelling “Anaëlle is that you?”. Shocked, she looks towards the voice and sees Evan’s face. A smile strikes her face and they run to each other. “Evan! How did you get here?” Anaëlle asks. “Well probably the same as you, mother went, father went, they took me here, I misbehaved and voila! I’m here now!” replies Evan. Anaëlle nods her head. “We need to get out of here!”Anaëlle says. “I tried, that’s why I’m here.” “Okay…” replies Anaëlle. Evan says “The guard should come soon. Don’t ask me how I know.” “Have you been here before?” Anaëlle questions. Evan stays silent. Suddenly the door opens and a voice yells “Sleep time!”. “Yes, Time to go back to the cell!” Evan celebrates. They both head back to their cells and say good night.

In the middle of the night Anaëlle wakes up coughing and spluttering and her chest is in agony. She tries to go back to sleep, but is awake till dawn. When the guard comes, he notices Anaëlle is not well. He takes her to hospital. Anaëlle doesn’t even talk. She is debilitated. She’s half asleep while she is dragged there in a stretcher. Once she gets to the hospital, she suddenly notices that she could easily escape through the window. But she is too sick. Once Evan wakes up, he heads to lunch for his oatmeal. He strolls around to find Anaëlle, but fails. A guard comes up to him and asks Evan who he is looking for. He tells him that he is looking for Anaëlle, but Evan is met with the fateful news that she has come down with a illness. Evan is devastated and goes to sit down. He just stares at his oatmeal. Once he finished his lunch, he heads to his cell.

He starts making a plan on his wall with a piece of charcoal. He writes in big letters, still not knowing how to spell Anaëlle, ”SAVE ANELLE AND GO”. He will set out a midnight, and break the flimsy locks with a fork. Then he will go to the dark room where misbehavers go. There is a small sun roof where he can jump out from. Soon, once the sun sets, he will take action. 

It is now time. His eyes are heavy but his heart determined. He picks the lock with ease and heads to the freezing cold dark room. While climbing to the sunroof, he hears footsteps and a whistle. He tries to escape but someone grabs his boots. “Hey! Stop there you little shit!” shouts a voice. He tries to wriggle out, but the man’s grasp was too tight. Evan slaps the man and the man recoils. Evan pushes him self out and is now in the cold autumn air. Grass is no longer luscious but decayed from the damage. He knows that was just the start, and braces himself for the future of this adventure. He seeks refuge in a shed.

Dawn has awoken and so has Anaëlle. Her chest doesn’t hurt as much, and she considers escape. She first plans to wriggle out of the wide broken window. It shall be painful, but it’s worth it. She heads for the window, and braces herself for the pain. She pushes through the window, and comes out with a few cuts. Soon she hears a guard whistle, and runs away. She comes to a shed, and decides to seek refuge in a small shed and she busts in. She looks around, out of breath, just to be shocked that Evan is in the same shed as her. “Evan! What are you doing here?” she yells. “I dunno. Maybe because I escaped too.” replies Evan. Suddenly Anaëlle goes silent. She comes to the realization that this very shed, belonged to Mr. Kont. She is drowned in a mix of emotions of sadness, confusion and glee. “Why are you so silent?” Evan asks. “You wouldn’t understand.” replies Anaëlle.

After a moment of silence, Anaëlle says “We must leave now. It’s not safe here.” “But you are wounded, we must get help!” asks Evan. Anaëlle stares at Evan for a second and says “We can’t trust anyone. Even ourselves.” They both start devising a plan. They will head to Erhenur just north of the border. There should be people to help there. After that, they have no idea. If they make it out of this war alive or not, that is not sure yet.

They head out for Erhenur, setting the first step in their journey. They will head to the Benzil North Base, and sneak on a truck departing. It should take them to the Homsåph Cargo Center which is a short ride away from Erhenur. They’ll only get there if they’re lucky. Or, the trucks might stop early, and stop at the Mehil Base, miles east of Homsåph. If they end up at Mehil, they must improvise from
there.

Anaëlle strolls across the decayed farm. The green grass now brown. The fences now cracked. And the barn, screaming? Shocked, both Anaëlle and Evan inspect further. They open the wide barn door. A face pops out of the hay. “Anaëlle! Thank god your here. I got trapped under debris that fell.” Both Evan and Anaëlle rush towards the man. “Farmer Kont?” Anaëlle exclaims. They dig the farmer out of the
debris. He is covered in scratches and a few cuts. “We must now escape to Erhenur. Follow us Mr. Kont!” says Anaëlle” They all head of to the Northern base. “So, what happened?” asks Anaëlle. “Well I was inside eating and then I heard an explosion. I
thought something broke in the farm, but when I went outside I was proven wrong. I ran to the cellar. After that, it was just a blur.” responds Kont. “But all the debris?” asks Anaëlle. The farmer shortly replies with “The bombs had shaken the structure badly, so when I went back up it fell apart on me.” Anaëlle nods and they continue their journey. 

Soon they arrive at the base, but it is heavily guarded and the kids must get past. They brainstorm and come up with an idea. “Hello! I have left my supplies inside, can you help me find them?” Kont asks the guard. “ID please.” replies the guard. Kont flusters and is stumped. Lost for words, Kont says “I lost my ID. That’s what I lost inside!”. The guard rolls his eyes, but let’s him in. “I shall guard you.” says the guard. The guard has now left the door. Kont gives the signal for the children to come in. They rush in and head for the trucks, but are met with a lock. “What shall we do?” asks Anaëlle. Evan recognizes the lock. It is the same as the cell lock he picked. He pulls his fork out and opens the flimsy lock in seconds.

The kids signal to Kont to come. He runs towards the kids but is stopped by the guard “Stop! Where are you going?” yells the guard. Again, Kont has no words. He improvises and says “I left my ID in the truck that’s leaving soon!” he starts running just for the guard to yell to him “Do you think I’m an idiot?”. The whistle is blown, And Kont and the kids sprint for a truck. They hop in swiftly. Soon they hear a guard coming to search the truck. Everyone hides under the cargo and is as silent as possible. “Hello! Anyone there” yells the guard. The guard starts flipping over tarps, somehow avoiding the children and Kont. Eventually he leaves and the truck starts moving. Everyone takes a sigh of relief now that they are safe. They all sink in to the soft tarp. Their eyes are heavy, but they must stay on guard.

Out of boredom, Evan takes a look at the cargo. “This one says ammunition, and it’s going to Mudhel! Aren’t we going to Homsåph?” Anaëlle looks
terrified at Evan and says “I think we’re on the wrong truck! Mudhel is miles away!” Everyone in the truck looks shocked. One small mistake changed the trajectory of the adventure completely. Feelings of anger, woe and shock fill the back of the truck. “Well I think we have no one to blame. If we didn’t get in this truck, we would have been in an even worse position.” says Kont. “No! This is all your fault, if only you went on the right truck.” yells Anaëlle. “You ungrateful thing! I saved your life.” responds Kont angrily. A silence fills the truck. Evan suddenly yells out “Why are you all silent? Did you forget that our life depends on communication or what?” everyone sighs and gets to work with a plan. There is three army bases in Mudhel. The eastern, north and the airport. Where this is headed for is unknown. If it shall be north or east, the might be able to catch a truck. If it’s the airport, Kont may be able to use the money he has in his wallet to catch a plane. Where the plane will be going is unknown, but will be found out once they arrive at the airport. Soon their eyelids are heavy as steel, and everyone falls asleep. Soon they awake to the sounds of horns and yells. Dazed, Anaëlle sits up and looks out of the wagon, she sees
an runway. She soon see an aeroplane speeding past above them. The wind pushes Anaëlle back and wakes everyone up. 

“Is this the airport” Evan asks. “Yes it is. Get ready for an adventure.” Anaëlle responds

Soon the truck arrived at the security guards. “Remove all cargo!” the guard yelled. They were screwed. The guard would find them and they would be busted. Struggling to make a plan, Evan soon yells “Quick! Under the truck!” “Are you insane?” responded Anaëlle and Kont. “Yes, yes I am. But trust me, it will work.” Evan soon responded. Out of desperation everyone huddled under the truck. The guard started banging around the truck. Everyone had to stay as quiet as possible. Even the slightest noise could foil their plans. Suddenly the engine of the truck turned back on. The rumbling shock them. They quickly ran out of under the truck, and ran towards the entrance. Inside was full of conveyor belts and loud noises. They all plan to run through the door which take them straight to the tarmac. Guards are scattered everywhere, but the crew haven’t been spotted yet. They duck under a box to hide. The only way they can get through is just by avoiding the guards as best as they can. There is no way they could do it any other way without an idea. Kont says “Run to the door and avoid the guards. Use violence if you need to.” “Are you insane!” yells both Anaëlle and Evan. “Insanity is the only way to do this.” Responds Kont. The kids hesitate but eventually agree. “3, 2… 1!” They all sprint towards to door. Whistles blow, voices scream and tension builds. A guard tackles Evan. He grabs the guards neck and kicked him away. Everyone sprints to the door. “Quick, open the door” yells Anaëlle. “It’s locked!” Responds Kont swiftly. Suddenly a guard barges towards them. Kont tries to fight the guard off, but falls to the ground. Anaëlle quickly jumps to the guards waist and grabs his keys. She puts the keys in the door and slams it open. The guard is distracted and looks at the open door. “Stop!” Yells the guard. Kont then sprints out of the distracted guards arm and sprints for the door. They both run out. Suddenly a realization hits them,
Evan is gone. Suddenly a voice yells “Wait for me!”. He runs through the door frame but a hand catches him just as he gets through. Evan tries to escape the guards grasp but is helpless. Evan slams the door on the guards hand. A scream is heard and the guard let go of Evan. The door slams closed and is locked. The guards try to open the door, but Anaëlle has the keys.

The group then search for their next step in their plan. “Shall we board a plane?” Recommends Evan. “We shall. But first let’s get into the passenger terminal.” Replies Kont. “We must take the stairwell near the gates.” Adds Kont. They make their way to the gates, avoiding taxiing planes and vehicles. The get to a door and try open it. “It’s locked!” Shouts Kont. Anaëlle then casually passes the keys to him
while smiling. 

The eventually get the rusty door open. The walk up the long stairwell and make it into the busy terminal. Suitcases rumbling on the ground, and people running to their flights. “Now to find a flight to Katzle…” Kont says. “There! That one goes home, it leaves in five minutes!” Responds Anaëlle quickly. Kont then replies with “Quick we must run! To gate…” “Gate 5.” Adds Anaëlle. 

Out of breath, they enter the line to the plane. “Remember your tickets!” Shouts the lady at the gate. “Oh god! We don’t have tickets” yells out both Anaëlle and Evan. Kont then pulls out a shredded piece of paper out of his pocket. “I have a plan. Just go with it.” The kids, confused, eventually agree. "Ticket please!” Yells the gate agent to Kont. He then responds “Oh well you see, my son here has ripped it up! How clumsy of him.” “What! You lia-” says Evan but is interrupted by Kont. Suddenly a whistle blows. “Stop there!” The guards have caught up to them. The group quickly runs onto the plane. They swiftly then find a seat in the back of the plane. They hear the metal doors at the gate close. They hear the guards banging on the doors and the gate agent telling them that boarding has ended. The airplane door eventually closes and the group is safe. 

Suddenly the announcement yells “Hello and welcome aboard this DC-10 PolyAir flight to Katzle Intl.” Everyone sinks into their seats, knowing that this should be the last leg of their journey. (Expect for Evan, He is very enthusiastic about planes). All the memories flash by them, like when Anaëlle met Evan, the first bomb and everything else that has now been left behind in the past, to be forgotten. Slowly all the drama and trauma is slowly dissolving, and peace taking over. They’re eyes begin to get heavy and hopes higher. In just 2 hours, safety will be granted.

The 2 hours on the flight has flown away like water, and soon it is time for them to arrive. “Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts for landing. It is currently 5 pm in Katzle, so we will be there on time. Thank you for flying PolyAir, and we hope to see you again.” Says the announcement. Soon the plane comes in for landing, and hits the ground. Evan asks “Wait, has anyone thought of where we’re gonna live while we’re here?” Everyone goes silent. Until Kont says “I have housing here, no worries.”

The plane eventually arrives at the gate and everyone off boards. “So, this is out new life.” Says Kont. “We can walk to the house from the airport, it’s not too long away.” He adds. They all trot along the road towards the house. “So, how did you get this house?” Asks Anaëlle. “Well, my sister used to live here. She had a daughter, her name was just like yours as I can remember. But then she passed away suddenly. They thought it was cancer. One day at home, then at the hospital and now in heaven.” Replies Kont with tears rolling down his face.

They eventually make it to the house. Anaëlle is hit with realization and yells out “This was my old home! No way.” Kont then sticks his hand under a rock and pulls out a key. He unlocks the old creaky door. Everything was familiar. The curtains and
tiles. “So tell me more about your sister.” Asks Anaëlle. “Well if you want. She had her family here, husband and daughter.” Replies Kont. “What was her name?” Asks Anaëlle. “Maria. Why do you ask?” Replies Kont. Anaëlle drops to the floor. She bursts out in tears. “Mom! That’s where she went.” An entire sea of tears fall down Anaëlle’s face, all the puzzle pieces have now fit together. “Why did dad never tell me, why!” She cries out. “You were Maria’s daughter?” Asks Kont. “Yes, yes I was! But not anymore. She’s gone! And no one ever told me why?”. She runs outside and lies in the wilted grass. “If only I at least had that brother that mom and dad promised me!”.

Suddenly a hand touches Anaëlle’s back. “I can be that brother.” Says Evan. “Really? How would that work?” Replies Anaëlle. “Well, I’ve been here with you when you needed me for this whole journey, which is basically what brothers do so, why not?” Replies Evan. “Maybe you could.” . Replies Anaëlle. “Now, lets go inside.” Says Evan.
They sit down on the old creaky floorboards of the house. “So what do you think of the new house” Asks Kont. “Familiar” replies Anaëlle. “At least we’re alive” adds Evan.

The group have now found their new home and everyone is safe. Everyone begins to settle in. It is hard for Anaëlle to adjust to living here again after all the traumatic memories, but she is happy that she is safe now. Evan’s family has been tracked down and are coming to pick him up. “Where will you leave to Evan?” Asks Anaëlle. “Somewhere else. But I will come visit, okay!” Replies Evan. “You were always like a brother to me, and always will be. It was nice having you along with me in our journey.” Replies Anaëlle. Soon Evan’s family arrive outside the door. “It’s time for you to go now.”. Anaëlle and Kont walk Evan outside to his parents. Kont says his farewells and gives him a hug. Anaëlle hugs Evan and says “Goodbye, brother.” 

Evan and his family eventually leave. Anaëlle and Kont wave goodbye to him with teary eyes. Anaëlle’s dad has not been tracked down. But Anaëlle is okay with that. She knows that he always loved her, and is still in her heart. She pulls out a worn piece of paper out of her pocket. It is a picture of Helen. “I loved you too” she whispers to the picture.