Summary: When Marti mysteriously vanishes, it’s up to Derek, Casey, Edwin and Lizzie to join together in an effort to find her before it’s too late.

Disclaimer: Don’t own Life With Derek. ‘Nuff said.

Author’s Note: Okay, so this was inspired by a trailer made by Roswellalien47 on YouTube. The second I saw it, I knew someone had to write a fic about it, and when no one did I decided to do it myself. I just hope I do it justice.

Enjoy!

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The Key
Prologue

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“See you tomorrow, Becky!” Ten-year-old Marti Venturi called out to her fellow classmate, waving goodbye as they split up and went their separate ways.

Once the redheaded girl left her line of vision, Marti twirled around and grinned, inhaling the fresh air that was Spring. It was a perfect, if not the perfect, day; the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the grass was green and the flowers were in bloom. She’d also gotten an A+ on her last spelling test, and on top of all that, Dimi Davis -- her neighbor, best guy friend and current crush -- had given her a new charm for her bracelet: a unicorn, which she couldn’t wait to show the rest of her family.

In short, life was good -- very good, and nothing could possibly shake her mood.

So overwhelmed with excitement, and desperate to get home in a hurry, Marti decided to take a shortcut through the park.

She had just arrived at the swing set when the wind suddenly picked up, ripping her spelling quiz from out of her hands and sending it flying in another direction. She gave a surprised yelp and followed it, but every time she got close, another gust would blow it away. It wasn’t until she reached the edge of the forest that the wind finally died down, allowing her to catch up with her test and snatch it.

“Gotcha!” She announced triumphantly, before folding it three times and sticking it in her pocket. “There. Just try to get away from me now.”

She was about to head back to the playground (and in the long run, home) when she heard a faint giggle from behind. Whipping around, she was faced with… nothing. Then a rustle sounded from her left and she spun again, only to catch sight of a red blur before it vanished. Curiosity instantly plagued her senses and she ventured forth, but another giggle echoed about and she froze, trying to find the source of it. When she turned back, a second streak of color flew by in the distance, and against her better judgment, she followed it, ignoring the nagging voice that seemed to be whispering in her ear: don’t go.

It seemed as though the deeper into the forest she went, the farther away the blurs would be and the louder, and more maniacal, the giggles became. Still, she paid no heed to the latter, despite how incessant and eerie, and continued on her way. She fought through bushes and branches, and climbed over rocks and large tree roots -- all in an effort to keep up with the blurs.

What were they?

She had to know. She needed to quench her thirst for knowledge -- and more specifically, for the unknown.

As soon as she reached a clearing, however, they disappeared and everything fell silent.

Marti came to an abrupt halt, peering around her surroundings. It occurred to her then that she had no idea where she was, and from what she could tell, she’d wandered off the path.

She was lost.

Snap.

Her muscles tensed in fear, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose on end.

She wasn’t alone.

She could feel someone else there -- sense their presence.

“Daphne…?” She called out unsurely.

But no one answered.

Ba-bum… ba-bum… ba-bum…

Her heartbeat sped up, pounding rapidly against her chest, and her hands trembled uncontrollably. She clenched her fists in an attempt to stop them from doing so, but it was no use. Her arms became decorated with goosebumps as a crow cawed above her, sending chills down her spine, breaking the foreboding silence that had taken over. She swallowed and shrunk a little, peering around her unfamiliar surroundings. There were no houses in sight -- just a field.

Biting her bottom lip, Marti inched back, preparing to somehow retrace her steps and figure out how she was going to find her way home -- but she met something solid instead. Her body stiffened and she sucked in a sharp breath, blue eyes widening in fear before she hesitantly turned.

Then everything went black.

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Short, I know, but it’s just a prologue… so… yeah.

Hopefully, the next chapter will be better. That’s what I’m aiming for, anyway. I just didn’t want to give anything away, you know?

Anyway, please REVIEW!

-Lady Azura-