Mia woke up drenched in sweat in her bed. The night was sultry, no wonder it was midsummer, too, but that night was different from usual, she could feel it. The girl got up and went to the window. She let her gaze wander over the deserted courtyard, which was only lit by the full moon. There was an eerie silence outside. Only a few bats rustled out of the old barn at the far end of the yard. But there was something else! Something or someone strange that didn't belong on the property.

The next morning Mia was the first to get up, packed her school supplies and went downstairs to the kitchen, made breakfast and then checked on her horse Meteor, her five-year-old black stallion. She looked at the clock with satisfaction. Half past five. "That was a record performance", she thought, "if I hurry now, I can still ride the Meteor" No sooner said than done. After Mia threw herself into her riding clothes, she cleaned the horse and saddled it.They rode a short forest path and then across a meadow where the stallion could let off steam because it was good for galloping. Back home, Mia showered and changed into clean clothes, grabbed a toast, and went to school. When she got home that afternoon, her mother was waiting for her. "Well, dear, how was school?" She wanted to know. "Quite well, except for this math work that we wrote today," replied her daughter, "I just eat quickly, what then I go to do housework"
Later she went outside to check on her horse, which was peacefully in the pasture. Meteor snorted happily when he saw Mia. "Hey, honey, how's my little one?" she called and crawled through the wicker fence. She stroked her black horse's forehead. She had inherited her love for horses from her mother and since taking over her grandfather's estate, they could also afford a horse. It wasn't a real farm where Mia lived with her family, but there was plenty of space.Her father had switched to catering and had the former cowshed converted into a guest house. Business was very good as many people were attracted by the beautiful nature and hiking trails. She led the stallion into the stable because it was getting too hot outside. It was then that she heard that groan of pain for the first time. The girl listened up. It had to come from the other part of the stable, as it was around the corner. Mia had never set foot in this section, but now the curiosity was greater than the fear. Now, for the second time, that moaning as if someone had been impaled. The fifteen-year-old paused, but then gave herself a jerk and followed the noise. But she couldn't find anyone because it was so dark. She went back, armed herself with a flashlight and a kitchen knife, and went inside one more time. This time she had the flashlight and scouted every corner. There, suddenly a rustling. Very close. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and her heart pounded wildly as she pushed apart the heap of straw from which the sound had come.The sight that was presented to her there would have led anyone else to a heart attack. The straw was smeared with blood below and finally a body emerged, a human body. The icing on the cake was when this person opened his eyes. Mia screamed as if she had seen a ghost, but quickly calmed down.
When she saw that the guy needs medical help as soon as possible, she pulled out her cell phone and wanted to dial, but the boy in front of her raised his hand and said in a weak voice: "Please ... n ... not ... please ... .." Then he passed out. Mia didn't understand why, but she accepted. She quickly got hot water and towels, some gauze bandages and adhesive plasters. She freed the boy from the straw and with difficulty pushed a blanket under his back. Then she washed his wounds and bandaged him. He looked a lot better now. But he had scratches and cuts everywhere…. as if someone had done it to him on purpose.Mia took away the dirty water and got some of the rest of the lunch, which she put down next to him. She covered him with the winter blanket from Meteor and put a washcloth on his hot forehead.
Then she went in and washed her hands. It was now eight o'clock and thus dinner time.
Her mother was already waiting. "Where have you been? I haven't found you," her mother asked. "Oh, I moved to the stable to study", Mia lied and grabbed a bit of salad. "I'm dog tired, I'm going to sleep," she said after a while and went upstairs. She lay down on her bed and wondered where the young man could come from. When she heard that her mother was in the bedroom with her husband, who was again so late, and got changed, she grabbed hers
Flashlight and snuck outside to check on HIM. It lay there unchanged, except that he had opened his eyes and the glass and plate were empty."Hi", she said and sat down next to him "I'm Mia, and you? What happened to you anyway?" "I'm Alex ... and what happened to me, I am not allowed to say. If you hear that, you think I'm crazy. But thanks for the food ... and for connecting. "
He smiled. "How old are you? And where are you from?", She wanted to know. "I'm 16 and I actually come from Hanover, but I would be more interested in where I am ..." said Alex
"Um, you are here in Albstadt ... And now I want to know why you are here !! I'll keep talking to you until you tell me !!!", she grinned at him with a cheeky undertone .
"Yes, as far as I'm concerned, but you mustn't tell anyone else ... promise !?"
"Promise !!" "Okay. One evening I heard voices, but since we also live in a country house outside the city, I thought nothing of it. And when I went for a walk with my dog ​​one evening, I got a bum attacked a few very short men… ..approx.as big as dwarfs, but with wings. I know that sounds crazy and you probably think I'm the biggest fool ... ..but it's true !! ..... in any case, they circled me, pressed their lances against my back and talked about something about the chosen one ... "" Mhmm ... can you get up?
I believe you ... I hear voices every now and then. Wait, I'll help you. We're going to the library over to the guest house ... it's huge. And there we also have books about elves, "she says and helped him up.
When they finally got to the library, Alex couldn't stop being amazed. "Wow! It's huge !!" was his only comment. As he slumped into an armchair, he groaned and rubbed his aching back. Mia came to him and asked: "Now you have to explain to me exactly how you got here! Because it's a good 600 kilometers from Hanover to Albstadt." Dog was outside.It was already dark and I was pretty close to the edge of the forest. Suddenly a couple of guys were buzzing around me, with lances, saying that I should come with them, because I am the 'chosen one'. I didn't want to, then they threatened me, stabbed and cut me, after all I must have passed out because I only looked at long tunnels that were underground. They must have pulled me along there. Because the first thing I can remember is a pretty girl standing in front of me and screaming, "he finished his story with a smile. Mia rummaged around
around the shelves and came back with a huge book. "That's one of many," she said and opened it. "Mhmm ... where are you?", She leafed through the yellowed book, "Ah, there it is. So, watch out: every hundred years a girl and a boy are chosen to find the rose of equilibrium, the Contains the Sacred Touchstone These special stones are collected by the elves every hundred years in order to maintain the perfection of equilibrium.You need people for this job, but only those with a pure heart and soul. "They looked at each other." And you mean the two of us ...? "Asked Alex. The girl nodded. Her long dark hair fell into her face. She looked at him and her green eyes shone."