Stuck in Candyland

Story by May Chan

| SHORT WRITING CONTEST

“Owwww!” Mason shrieked. Mason passed out and found himself in a familiar but peculiar place. He rubbed himself more and noticed he was in an abnormal place that was full of candies.

“Oh no! Is this another one of my visions or am I dreaming?” Mason asked.

Mason was a strange kid who had experienced constant disconcerting visions as a youngster, who was traumatized by the death of his mother, and who secretly enjoyed escaping his house and his new family. Whenever he struggled with tumultuous noises, he plunged into an intense dream, and now he was dreaming about candies. 

“Who are you? Oh my gosh! There’s a kid stuck in here,” a candy cane yelled. 

“My name is Mason. What are you guys? Candies, what? How do I get out of here?”

“First, Mason, we have no idea how you got stuck in here. Second, there’s no way of escaping unless you are willing to fight The Peppermint Queen. By the way, you will never be able to defeat The Peppermint Queen,” the candy cane exclaimed. 

Mason was confused by this dream, but also admired the beautiful, engrossing view. He looked around and saw a vast field of different candies. To the right was chocolate land: a melted chocolate pond, a chocolate road, and chocolate truffle trees. To the left was a land filled with gummies. Gummy worms wiggled on the frosted cake bushes. Gummy bears walked toward the chocolate pond to find gummy fish for food. 

“Okay, we need to get you out of here. You don’t belong here. This world might look like a beautiful or adorable place, but look more closely into them and you will find your inner demons,” the candy cane said. 

“Well, it really can’t be worse than my current situation at home, so direct me to this queen,” Mason said.

“You might even recognize this Peppermint Queen. She might symbolize someone in your current life,” the candy cane said. 

The candy cane handed him a poster that was hanging on the chocolate truffle tree. It pictured a woman with long, dark hair and large dark circles. Mason immediately knew who it was. It was his evil stepmother, who ridiculed him and harbored a strong hatred for him. This Peppermint Queen really did represent his inner demon.

“You know what, I am ready to fight her. We must end her! She’s made me suffer and it's time for my revenge,” Mason yelled zealously. 

“The Peppermint Queen lives in the land of the mints. The land of the mints is three miles away from chocolate land. Let’s go!” the candy cane said. 

Mason and the candy cane scurried along the chocolate road to fight the powerful Peppermint Queen. Mason did not know that he was heading toward the most mentally and emotionally challenging impediment he would have to overcome in life. Even though Mason had faced a harsh, grievous childhood, the challenge he would soon face would push his limits and change his life.