The Unfinished Story: An Inkheart Spinoff

Ink flowed from his pen like magic, as Mortimer 'Mo' Folchart sketched the outlines of a character from the book he recently read - 'Inkheart'. It was a tranquil evening with the sun setting down, casting long shadows in his study. Dustan, his newest creation, was a roguish rogue, charming yet dangerous. Mo had intended to draw Dustan to life and be his companion for the evening. But as the last stroke of ink touched the parchment, Dustan sprang out of the pages, much to Mo's astonishment, thus proving the Inkheart's magic.

Dustan, fluid as water, adjusted himself to his new environment and looked at Mo with a twinkle in his eyes, 'You must be the famed Silvertongue, eh?' he said. Silvertongue, a title that Mo had earned unintentionally, allowed him to bring characters from books to life by reading them aloud. But sketching them to life was something he had never thought possible. As Mo and Dustan conversed, an unexpected visitor knocked at the door. The visitor was Basta, the silent hunter, a character from the same book. Basta sought Dustan, his revenge for a past humiliation in the Inkworld. Mo, though shocked, stood in front of Dustan, protecting him. Basta sneered, 'Out of my way, Silvertongue. He must answer for his actions.'

Mo looked at Dustan, the rogue now seemed more vulnerable realising, the book's predicaments were now his own. Basta drew his dagger, this was not going well. But Mo was not devoid of ideas. He picked up 'Inkheart' from his desk and started reading out loud. The passage described a grand feast with guards enjoying, becoming unaware of their surroundings. Just as he finished reading, a loud noise came from the outside. Basta distracted, Mo seized the moment. He drew his pen and quickly sketched a door on the wall. The door turned real, and he gestured Dustan to escape.

Dustan winked at Mo, thanking him, and ran into the door, his figure disappearing behind it. Mo then quickly erased the door, leaving Basta fuming behind in his study room. Basta left swearing vengeance while Mo sighed in relief. Dustan might have escaped, but his story was far from finished.