Exposed Belly Buttons

    By Storybird

    Exposed Belly Buttons cover image

    19 Dec, 2023

    a boy with no shirt standing in a room with a window and a coat on the wall behind him

    Ethan, a twelve-year-old boy with a curious mind, had heard the strange tales about a mysterious hotel in his small town. His friends whispered about how the hotel only admitted boys with their belly buttons exposed.

    a man in a white shirt is looking at his cell phone in a room with a desk and a man in a white shirt

    Intrigued, Ethan decided to investigate. He wore a loose shirt, leaving his belly button exposed, and bravely entered the hotel. He was met with a welcoming smile from the receptionist.

    a boy with a shirtless torso and a backpack on his head in a classroom with other boys in the background

    "Welcome, Ethan," the receptionist greeted, surprising him. He wondered how she knew his name. He was led to a room filled with other boys, their belly buttons exposed just like his.

    two young boys standing next to each other in front of a door with a brick wall and a door frame

    Ethan spent the day getting to know the other boys. They seemed ordinary, just like him. However, he noticed that they all shared a similar look of fear and confusion.

    a young boy standing in a hallway with a chandelier above him and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling

    That night, a strange energy filled the hotel. All the boys, including Ethan, were led to a large hall. He noticed a peculiar symbol drawn on the floor.

    a woman in a blue dress standing in a hall with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling

    A woman entered the hall. She was dressed in a long, black robe and held an ancient-looking book. As she began to chant, Ethan felt a chill run down his spine.

    a person with a cape on standing in a room with a door and a bed in the background and a door open

    Ethan watched in horror as the symbol on the floor began to glow. He felt an uncomfortable pull at his belly button and realized that the others felt it too. He had to do something.

    a man with a cape on his head and a sword in his hand, standing in front of a cloudy sky

    Ethan made his way towards the woman in black. He shouted, trying to disrupt her chant. Suddenly, the glow of the symbol faltered and the pull at his belly button weakened.

    a couple of people standing next to each other in a alleyway with a building in the background and a sky in the background

    The woman in black turned towards Ethan, her eyes flashing with anger. But Ethan stood his ground, determined to save himself and the other boys.

    a boy is holding a book and looking at it with a glowing star in the background of the picture

    Ethan remembered a spell he had read in one of his fantasy books. He recited it loudly, hoping it would work. To his surprise, the glow of the symbol vanished completely.

    three young children are standing together holding a book in their hands and looking at the camera with a sad expression

    The woman in black shrieked and disappeared, leaving behind the ancient book. The boys cheered, hugging each other in relief and gratitude towards Ethan.

    three men in suits walking down a street in a city with buildings in the background and a clock tower in the distance

    Ethan grabbed the ancient book and together with the boys, they fled from the hotel. They returned to their homes, promising to never speak of the hotel and its dark secret.

    a boy standing in a street with a backpack on his shoulder and a building in the background with a person standing in the street

    The next day, the hotel was nowhere to be found. It had vanished as mysteriously as it had appeared. The town returned to its peaceful state, the boys safe once again.

    a boy sitting at a table with a book in front of him and a window behind him with a light coming through

    Ethan, now a local hero, went back to his normal life. But he always kept the ancient book, a reminder of the adventure and the courage he didn't know he had.

    a man in a suit standing in a hallway with a chandelier above his head and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling

    And so, Ethan learnt an important lesson. Curiosity could lead to danger, but it was also the key to bravery and discovery. He would never forget the hotel and the exposed belly buttons.

    Exposed Belly Buttons

    AI Mystery Stories