EASTER ISLAND: CHAPTER 5

 Hi everyone, 

Welcome back to my blog, totally inspired. 

Today we are reading chapter 5 of our story, Easter Island. 

Also we are introducing our first new CHARACTER! 

So far Aoife’s father died and her mother in marrying a despicable man called Gordon. So Aoife jumps overboard while on a cruise ship with the unbearable pair. She wakes up on a beach. 

Where do you think she is? 

(If you can’t guess, take a look at the title of this story). 

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Aoife vigorously rubbed her sore head. 

She had no idea where she was, but she figured it was probably an island. 

“Oh, great,”she mumbled. She had read Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Murpurgo before, and she hoped there wasn’t a crazy little man on this island! 

She pricked her ears for any sound of human activity, but no: this island really looked well and truly deserted. 

Confident she was all alone, she staggered up the sandy hill and into the wood, which led off the beach. 

The sun was hot that morning. Even though it was only 9:30, Aoife decided that she would die of heat. 

Aoife was starving. When had been her last meal? Probably yesterday at breakfast. 

This wood goes on forever, thought Aoife to herself, 

But at that moment, the woods suddenly stopped. Aoife stood near a low stone wall surrounding a large orchard. In the distance, she could see houses. 

Walls? Orchards? Houses? So there are people here! Aoife had to leave straight away! 

Aoife’s feet would not move. She was tired and hungry and there was a huge orchard full of rich, ripe fruits right in front of her. 

Before she could stop herself, she climbed over the low stone wall and began to pick apples, pears, plums, anything she could get her hands on. 

And she ate, and the fruit was gloriously ripe, and sweet! 

And then, on the other side of the orchard was a small stream. With no hesitation, Aoife bounded over and drank deeply from the cool crystal water. 

Feeling content and full, she went back to the other side of the orchard, and fell fast asleep underneath a large apple tree. 

The orchard was lovely and peaceful. The sun shone and birds sang. Aoife slept peacefully in a large clump of heather, at the back of the orchard. 

The pattering of small feet on the path didn’t wake her. 

The small feet belonged to Olive Bird, ten years, eleven months old. She was average height for her age, and had long brown hair, which was also quite average, but she had great glittering green eyes, that astounded anyone who saw them. 

Olive carried a small wicker basket and she hummed joyfully as she opened the rusty orchard gate and skipped to the trees, rapidly picking fruit. 

Rustling from the other side of the orchard woke Aoife. She peered around the tree and saw a girl, about the same age as her, picking fruit. She gasped. 

Olive heard a little gasp, and spun around to see who was there. She hoped it wasn’t the political party from the west side of the island. 

Thankfully it wasn’t. It was a girl about her age peering out from behind a tree. She had never seen this girl before. She could be a western spy! Olive shouted at her. 

The girl across the orchard shouted something at Aoife,  in another language, which she didn’t understand. 

Aoife didn’t know what to do. “Hi,” she said. 

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Things to think about: 

🟢 do you think Aoife should have stayed in the orchard?

🟢 what do you think of Olive? 

🟢 What do is the western political party that Olive thinks about? 

Thanks for reading, and remember if you want to see any of your ideas on my blog, please let me know in the comments section below. 

Orla 

EASTER ISLAND: CHAPTER 4

 Hi Guys, 

Here is chapter four: 

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A loud thunder clap awoke Aoife at half past eleven that night. 

Aoife suddenly bolted upright in bed, as lightning flashed outside the window. 

Aoife pulled her warm hoodie around herself and crept out into the dark hallway, treading softly on the expensive carpet. She didn’t know where she was going, she just walked. 

She walked around the hallways a few times and then she walked up the stairs and found herself standing on deck. 

She looked around and then walked to the edge of the deck and stared down at the murky water below. 

Suddenly she put her right foot on the top bar. Pushing up with her left foot, she balanced on the bar for a moment before toppling down into the Pacific Ocean. 

The water was cold and unwelcoming, but Aoife ignored it. She started swimming. Swimming, in no particular direction; just swimming. 

She didn’t know why she jumped overboard; maybe it was because her mum seemed like a stranger, or maybe because she missed her dad, or maybe it was because Gordon was a hideous, self-obsessed gargoyle; she didn’t know, and she didn’t care, she just wanted to get as far away as possible from Mum and Gordon. 

Maybe she would find land, maybe she would not. Maybe she would survive, and maybe she would not, but either way, it didn’t matter. She was hungry and tired, and decided whatever happened was okay with her. 

She stopped swimming after a while, for she was getting tired, and let the ocean currents carry her along. 

She feel asleep, out there in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, wondering if she would ever wake up again. 

She did wake up, on a quiet deserted beach with her head throbbing and her eyes burning, but still; alive! She sat up and immediately banged her head on a palm tree. 

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I hope everyone is enjoying Easter Island so far because next week we have our first new CHARACTER! 

Remember, if you want to see any of your ideas appearing in Easter Island, let me know in the comments section below. 

I’ll be back again next week for chapter five! 

Orla 

EASTER ISLAND: CHAPTER 3

 Hi everyone, 

Are you ready to read chapter 3? 

Now without much further ado, let me present to you; Easter Island, chapter 3! 

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Aoife had probably been on the ship for about two to three weeks now, and there wasn’t any sign of this holiday ending any time soon. 

Most days were the same, Aoife went down to the restaurant for a breakfast buffet, while Eliza and Gordon had their breakfast in bed. They spent the morning in the pool and had lunch at the bar next to it. Then they dried off and went to play tennis, or squash, or whatever they wanted to do. They had dinner and then Aoife went to bed, while Eliza and Gordon got dressed for their salsa dancing session, from which they didn’t return from until eleven o’clock. 

Then one day during lunch, at the little bar beside the pool, while waiting for his meal, Gordon switched on his phone and went into his weather app. “Oh,” he exclaimed “there’s a storm here tonight.” 

“Oh, I hope it’s not too bad!” Replied his fiancée. “It would be such a shame if we had to miss salsa night!” 

Aoife said nothing. A storm didn’t mean anything to her. 

Just then, the food came. Eliza and Gordon immediately tucked in. Aoife just sat there thinking. 

“Eat up,” Eliza told her daughter “you’re skinny as it is!” 

Aoife didn’t reply. She just sat there thinking. 

She thought of her Dad, and home. And how she used to run in to him on a stormy night. And how he used to cuddle her close, and then he would get up and make them both hot chocolate. 

“Aoife, are you listening to me?” Said Eliza. 

Aoife closed her eyes. She thought of stormy nights and hot chocolate and her Dad. 

“LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!” Yelled Gordon. 

Then Aoife felt a sharp slap across her face. She opened her eyes. 

“Go to your room child!” Eliza muttered. 

Aoife went to her room. She had no intention of staying with her mother and her revolting fiancée, anyhow. 

Even though it was only lunchtime, Aoife suddenly felt tired. Still in her clothes, she lay down and slept.

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The real excitement starts next week in chapter four! 

Thanks for reading, 

Orla 

Easter Island: Chapter 2

 Hi Everybody, welcome back! Today we’re going to dive straight into chapter 2! 

But first, here are things to expect: 

🟢 the nicest cruise ship ever. 

🟢 the worst night of Aoife’s life. 

🟢 something very unexpected. 

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“Gordon, when will you be here?” Eliza asked. “Soon? Okay. Bye bye Darling!” Eliza made kissing noises at her phone, before hanging up and slipping it back into her handbag. 

Aoife groaned. 

“He’ll be here soon,” she announced. 

We had been waiting outside the airport for over half an hour, but Eliza faithfully waited for Gordon even if it meant having only twenty minutes to get through security! 

Eliza refreshed her lipstick again like she just done five minutes ago and five minutes before that and five minutes before that. 

Aoife was growing restless. 

Just then, a black limousine pulled up and (the disgustingly handsome, disgustingly fit) Gordon stepped out. 

He was dressed in a pale blue polo shirt and dark sunglasses. 

“ Eliza darling, so sorry I’m late. Overdid it a bit at the gym, I think.” He flexed his muscles and Eliza giggled foolishly at him. 

Then they walked into the airport, arm in arm, leaving Aoife to carry all the bags. 

The flight to California was alright, since Gordon had first-class tickets! 

Once in California, they ate a late lunch and then caught a ride to a dockyard with a marvellous cruise ship named Coral. 

“Come on!” cried Eliza cheerfully. They checked in and to Aoife’s delight, Gordon had booked two rooms. This meant Aoife could have her own room! 

They brought their luggage up to their rooms, (Aoife doing all the work again) and then went downstairs for a fine feast! But then things took a turn for the worst, as Gordon told Eliza and Aoife that he was going to the bathroom. 

He came back in a crisp white shirt, fancy trousers, a colourful patchwork waistcoat and brown shiny shoes. 

The music slowed to a nice low tune, and the lights  dimmed. 

“Eliza,” asked Gordon, getting down on one knee, “you are clearly my soulmate and I would love for you to be my wife! Will you marry me?” 

Eliza screamed and jumped into Gordon’s arms. “I’ll take that as a yes!” He laughed. 

The people at all the other tables clapped and cheered. Nobody noticed Aoife silently running out of the door and up to her room, where she stayed until the sun rose up the next morning. 

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Thanks for reading, and I’ll be back next week with chapter three. 

Orla 

EASTER ISLAND: CHAPTER 1

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Hi Everyone! 

Who enjoyed the prologue last week? 

Are you ready for chapter one? 

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                               CHAPTER 1

Aoife stumbled out of bed on Tuesday morning. She didn’t particularly want to get up but her tummy strongly disagreed. 

The smell of bacon and rashers wafted throughout the house, and like a magnet, she was attracted by the smell. 

About halfway down the hallway she tripped over something, and almost fell down the stairs. 

She turned around and saw that it was a suitcase. In fact there were suitcases EVERYWHERE! 

This did NOT make any sense! 

“Mum,” she complained “What’s with all the suitcases?” 

Mum turned around. “Suprize!” She sang, “we’re going on holiday.” 

“Holiday?” Aoife asked. “Where?” 

“On a cruise ship! On the Pacific Ocean!” 

Aoife grinned! 

“Go pack your stuff honey,” mum said “Gordon will be here to pick us up in an hour!” 

GORDON?

 Of course GORDON was coming! Mum had to just go and ruin this trip by inviting GORDON! 

(If it isn’t already clear, Aoife despises Gordon.) 

To Aoife, Gordon is the disgustingly handsome, disgustingly fit, show-off that stole her mother’s heart! 

They met on twitter when Dad was sick and Eliza (Aoife’s Mum) was drawn into his fake, fake life! 

She was impressed by his profile content (including ridiculously huge muscles and his expensive mansion!) and yes, Gordon is a millionaire! 

So they decided to meet at a coffee shop, immediately fell in love and started going absolutely everywhere together! 

And Eliza never stopped to think that cheating on her sick husband was just downright cruel! 

She didn’t tell her husband about Gordon and she never told Gordon that she was already married, since he could leave her and go off with another one of the thousands of clueless women who were dying to meet him! 

Eliza didn’t tell Aoife either, But one Sunday morning, When Eliza was in the shower, her phone dinged and Aoife couldn’t help looking at it, And what she saw made her utterly want to throw up! 

It was a message from Gordon. Aoife read it over and over again, Unable to believe her eyes. She scrolled through the other messages, There were a lot of them, and it took over half an hour, but Eliza always has really long showers. 

As well as texts, Gordon sent Eliza pictures of himself and they disgusted Aoife more than the messages! 

Gordon was a strong looking man, who looked like he had spent his whole life in the gym! His black hair was slicked back with smelly hair gel and he had little cold black eyes. 

Once Dad died , Eliza immediately brought Aoife to meet Gordon. 

And he despised Aoife. 

And now Aoife was expected to be stuck on a ship with THE ONE GUY SHE HATED MORE THAN ANYTHING for goodness knows how long. 

Things couldn’t get any worse! 

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So, what thoughts do we have now? 

🔴 is Aoife right to be upset, or is she just overdramatic? 

🔴 is it fair to cheat on your sick husband? 

🔴 and do you think Eliza should give Aoife more warning about the holiday? 

What to expect in chapter two: 

🟢 the nicest cruise ship ever 

🟢 the worst night of Aoife’s life 

🟢 and something very unexpected 

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Thanks for reading and I’ll be back next week for chapter two! 

Orla 

Easter Island: prologue!

 Hi there Everyone, 

Is it just me or is everyone excited for the first day of A Chapter A Day! 

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Well, I’ll tell you one thing: I certainly am! 

So let’s get started! But first, let’s talk about Aoife, our character we met last week! 

There could be so many possible reasons for her to look so dismayed. 

So why is she? 

Now, let’s dive straight in. 

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It was the ninth of November, a dark dreary day. Aoife Watson was in her bedroom, strangling her stupid school tie, when she heard her father coughing on his special hospital bed in the room across the hallway. 

Dad had cancer. 

Aoife loved her dad so much. And as the clouds swirled angrily outside the window, she abandoned the hideous brown tie and went across the hallway to snuggle up with her father. 

The only thing that mattered was that dad got better. 

Eventually Aoife’s mother came in to tell her she was late for school and to ask her why her good school tie was in knots on her bedroom floor. 

Reluctantly, Aoife pulled herself away from her father’s bedside, and went to school. 

School was awful, (no surprise there) and on the way home, she stepped in wet cement, a puddle and a little present from a very kind dog who left it on the pavement just outside the jewellery store! 

And then things took a turn for the worst, when Aoife discovered the paramedics when she arrived home. 

This was not good. 

Aoife ran inside to find her mother dressed in black. A grim meaningless expression plastered across her face. 

“No,” thought Aoife, “this can not be happening!”

But it was. And I think I should leave out the part where Aoife goes in to say goodbye to her dad. 

She came out sobbing her little heart out. 

Nothing would ever be the same again! 

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So, what do you think? Now do you know why Aoife might be so sad? 

But this is only the beginning! I haven’t even started chapter one yet! 

In the prologue, it was about Aoife’s relationship with her dad, but chapter one is all about her mum! 

If the story inspires you, please let me know in the comments section below,  thank you! 

See you next week, 

Orla 

Together Inspired

 Hi everyone, welcome back, 

As you should know by now, i’m Orla McKiernan this is my blog Totally Inspired. 

We’re going to switch things up a bit, since you should be pros (or almost pros) by now. 

This new thing that I’m going to try next week is called: A Chapter A Week. Sounds simple enough right? I tell a story and every week you get to read a new chapter. 

But here’s the thing: in the comments section below, you can express your predictions, thoughts and even what you want to happen next! 

Okay, now the name of our story is Easter Island. 

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I first came up with this idea when I had just turned eleven. That’s over two years ago now. I used to get this magazine every month called News Flash. There was an article about Easter Island (because it was coming up to Easter) and I knew I had to write a story about it ever since. 

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Before you go, I want you to meet our main character: Aoife. 

Aoife is ten years old and it’s pretty clear that she is not from Easter Island. She’s from England. So how does she end up on Easter Island? Well, you’ll find that out next week. 

Before you go, here is a picture of Aoife (I did not draw this). 

Doesn’t look very happy, does she? 

Okay, that’s the end of this week’s entry, but I’ll be back again around Sunday and then our tale will begin! 

Remember, if you want to see any of your ideas in this story, go to the comments section below to share your ideas. 

Thanks for reading, 

Orla