text: (This is my very first short story, I'm hoping to improve) I remember forcing myself to stay up at night just to see dad go inside the tools shed, and come back after almost an hour. I’ve been doing this ever since I was eight--I’m almost eighteen now. Why would I be doing this, you may ask? Well, my dad was known for being secretive, he never liked feeling vulnerable and exposed. But that didn’t stop me from finding out what’s inside the tools shed. I would usually go inside the shed and try finding something--unfamiliar. I would go and check whenever I had the chance, but because I was still a little kid, I wasn’t often allowed to go inside because it was dangerous. But now that I’m older, nothing’s stopping me from going inside, except for the fact that I’m not in our home. I take a look at all the people around, I see them mourning over my father’s dead body. Time flew so fast while I was remembering the past, the ceremony was almost over. Everyone remembers my father as a good, kind, and responsible man, I will always remember him as the man who kept secrets. A few weeks have passed and someone came to my apartment. It was an agent, and he was going to give me something, something that my dad wanted to give me. The entire interaction was pretty boring, but maybe it was because I was more interested in what he was about to give, and not what he was about to tell us. The conversation eventually came to an end, the man handed me a box and told me to open it only in the right place in the right time. The man didn’t seem to understand what my dad meant, but I do. I thanked him and as soon as he left, I quickly pack my things to visit my old house. I arrived just as the sun was setting, I asked my mom if she was given something, too. She said that she only got a CD album of her favorite artist. I told her that I would be staying for the night. She was pleased upon hearing this and we went to eat supper. Afterwards, I went upstairs to my old room and set up for the night... I went to the tools shed with the box I got. I went inside the shed and closed the door shut. It felt too cramped inside than I remembered. I held the box and opened it carefully. All that I saw was a compass, a plain old compass. This must be a joke, I took a closer look at it and it turns out, it was just a legit compass. I stare at the compass, the arrow was pointing at a certain direction. By instinct, I quickly followed the arrow and to my surprise, it led me to absolutely nothing. It just led me to a dusty corner in the shed. I was so disappointed, I was about to slam it down and destroy the compass, then suddenly the arrow started to spin, pointing at everything. It felt hotter but I didn’t want to let go. Suddenly, it felt as if the compass exploded, and I fell unconscious. I woke up, to see myself in a plain and empty space. All that I could see was white, just an endless void of white. But it took me a while to notice that I wasn’t alone in there. I saw my father. I was too shocked, I couldn’t move, he came closer to me until he grabbed me by the shoulder, and hugged me. I felt like crying, but before I could he told me, “I know you have questions, but I will only answer three,” he said. “Why only three?” I asked, “Because four is a bit of a mouthful, two more questions,” he said. I felt stupid for asking, “Wh-what is this place?” I asked, dad smiled, “I never actually gave it a proper name,” he said, “But it is a place where you can find peace among yourself,” he said smiling at me, as if to tell me something... “Last question,” he said. I stared at him, what do I ask? Suddenly, it hit me. “Dad,” I said, “Are you still alive?” I asked. Dad simply smiled as if he was expecting me to ask him this question. “I am what you believe I am,” he answered. “What does that mean?” I asked, “Sorry, no more questions...” he said. We stood there in silence for what felt like forever. “Can I please ask one more question?” I pleaded. Dad giggled, “You just did,” he replied. Not gonna lie, I laughed too. “Is that a yes?” I asked, he started to laugh, “Now that’s two questions,” he said. “Dad!” I exclaimed but I was too happy to say it with a straight face. “I just want to ask you,” I said, then suddenly the tension came back, “Why did you leave so soon?” “Son,” he said, “I never left...” he told me. Before I could ask any more questions, my vision got blurry until I couldn’t see. Suddenly, I’m back in the shed. I stared at my watch, an hour passed by while I was gone. I finally understood now, why dad went here every night, why he was so secretive to everyone. I quickly ran back inside the house, quietly of course. I laid down on my bed, still trying to comprehend what just happened. But I knew one thing, I’ll come back there.