Liza's Begining

"She hadn't just dreamt that dream. Had she? She couldn't have. No imagination that girl has, none." Liza's father was stern with his wife. "She spends too much time with them books. She needs to get out more; make actual friends. Not fictional book-friends."
"Don't be so hard on her. She's only seven. And she has plenty of imagination... too much I'm afraid." Liza's mother chopped vegetables into the pot larger than her head. The kitchen smelled of soup and rice with lilacs. Liza's mother adored lilacs. Liza has recently picked her some and the were sitting proudly on the only windowsill in the room.
"She has been having strange dreams about an uncharted land. And black smokey creatures with lighting powers. It sounds like one of them books on her shelf in her bedroom." Her father was reading the newspaper. The family lived in a small town on a small island with not much to do except clean, cook, and read. In fact, Liza's room was crammed with books on her shelf, her bed, under her bed, and well, anywhere. The panda's mother turned off the small stove and began pouring what looked like Cinnamon into the silver pot.
 "Can you find that little gal for me?" She asked.
"Sure. I bet she's reading a new book. She finished a whole book yesterday. 346 pages she read!"
 Liza's father got up from his chair and walked to Liza's room. She wasn't in there. He walked all over the one-story house and no sign of her. He even ran outside calling her name. No luck.
"Where is that little rascal?" He mumbled to himself.
"TIME FOR DINNER!" Liza's mother called from the only window in the kitchen.
Her husband stumbled back home. He burst through the slightly crooked wooden door.
"SHE'S GONE!" He breathlessly shouted. His wife dropped her stirring spoon. Where had she gone? She was in the woods. Playing with the sticks and leaves. It was almost dark but she didn't mind.
After a couple hours her parents hadn't eaten. They were searching for Liza, their only daughter. The night grew dark and dreadful. Liza grew worried and sick. She was only seven, so she had no idea what to do at this point. She had wandered to far into the woods and now the air was think and heavy on her lungs. She couldn't breathe the moist air and it was choking her throat. She felt like crying. She was alone in the woods at night and helpless.
Suddenly a misty heron appeared. Liza was even more afraid. She had just finished reading a spooky stories book and thought this ghostly heron was a spirit. The heron drew closer to her. It was almost as if she had read Liza's mind.
"Don't be afraid, I'm Mira. I will help you."
Mira guided Liza out of the woods in a flash. Her parents saw her and ran up to hug Liza. Liza looked up to thank the heron, but she was gone.
After years of reading, writing, school and love, Liza grew to be an adult. She had taken up exploring and had set her mind to find the land she had once dreamt of. There were tears when she left, mostly from her parents. She set out and sailed away from the island. After forty days she discovered a vast land with lush forests and sleepy mountains. She settled in a house by a familiar statue. She knew this statue was Mira. After searching the land, she discovered a ruined jungle with a chamber filled with books. She read the history of this land; Mira and Zios created it together.
She slept peacefully that night but awoke to see her friend she had met in the woods years ago.
"Hello Liza."
"H-Hi...are y-you MIRA?" Liza's voice was shaky.
The heron nodded. "I have chosen you to be the Alpha of Jamaa. You are the highest ranked animal in the entire land. You will guide new members to this island on their journey and help them. You are my new hope."
Liza closed her eyes and this time didn't feel scared. She breathed.
The next day Liza woke up and walked out of her cottage. She saw a lost animal and asked them what was wrong. Liza looked up to the statue of her friend and smiled.