We began running in circles. I felt like I was running for my life. “Ah ha! Caught you! You have nowhere else to go now!” She turned the broom around to where she was holding it near the bristles.
BAM!
Wood jolted across my chest, releasing air from my lungs.
POW!
My legs caught another blow. Buckling to the ground, feeling wet hay beneath me, I let out a shriek.
WHACK!
To quiet my squealing, she hit me across my head. My view left me as I fell into the dark abyss.
CHAPTER 7
OUCH!
My sight slowly returned. Everything around me still a blurry mess, I rubbed my hands into my eyes. “What? What is that!?” Starting to lose my composure because I could not focus, my hands detected a liquid surface smothering my face. Scared and unable to function properly, I plopped my hands to the ground on each side of me. Leaning back, my brain began to recap the trauma that had just happened.
As the blurriness lifted, my vision became clear. I could see again. I rubbed my eyes once more. Now able to see, I had to know what the wetness was that I felt on my face and that I was also sitting in. My mouth opened wide to let out a yowl. Silence. Only silence. Nothing would escape my mouth.
Blood. Bright red blood was swarming me. Mother had left me to die out here.
As I regained my strength, I stood on my wobbly legs. My head began to wobble as well, and I started to feel faint. My hands were clammy and a fear of dying started to wash over me like an eclipse covering the light from the sun.
GASP…
A bright figure stood before me. My eyes were in such astonishment that I forgot about my fear. I closed my eyes for a moment. When I popped them back open, the bright figure was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, I noticed I was no longer sore. The pain had lifted from me. I could stand, and I didn’t feel faint.
I could feel the sparkles in my eyes, trying to believe what I had just witnessed. What was that? Amazement when straight through me. This was something I would hide in my heart, I thought to myself as I made my way toward the castle.
Walking up to the stairs, Mother passed me, wiping something off her cheek. Was that a tear? She did not even acknowledge me as she headed up to her sacred room. Maybe it wasn’t a tear. Maybe her eyes were watering from how fast she was moving.
I started thinking about all the possible reasonings behind what I had just perceived. Maybe she does love me. She might actually feel sad for what had happened. My thoughts were starting to give me hope. Hope that Mother might love me after all.
Almost reaching the top of the stairs, I spotted something through the crack of the door of Mother’s sacred room. No one in the entire castle was ever to step foot in that room. She made that very clear when I was younger.
My mind re-wound. A vision of Mother in a black ensemble with a glass of that stuff that looked like blood. She had shouted her demands while letting the door slam behind her. But I was older now. And curious. So, I snuck up to the door to have a peek inside. What is so sacred that it cannot be seen?
Sweeping strands of hair out of my eyes, shock waves penetrated through me. What was I seeing? Mother was crying. I had never seen her like that. I leaned in further with my gaze. She was wiping her face with a cloth. I heard her speak: “Why do I continue to torture my little dove? She’s so innocent.”
Huh? A wave of sorrow and sympathy flooded over me. Swiping away the drops of water that were blurring my vision. I heard another voice. It cackled and I heard it say, “Because she deserves it, remember?”
Gulp.
I didn’t know who she was talking to. Something didn’t care for me, and it wanted to hurt me. But why? I tried to think of all the reasons something would want to hurt me, and I couldn’t come up with a single one.
It cackled again, and I froze like ice, not wanting to budge. “You will do as I tell you, Cheylenna, or I will prey on Kedron as well.” Mother nodded in silence and the look on her face was one of entrapment. There was no way out.
Absolutely shaken, I ran up the stairs to my room. I wedged a chair against the door in hopes to lock it up tight so no one could enter. Sitting on my bed, stroking my fingers through Sampson’s fur, I tried to keep calm. But I could not be calmed. Racing visions would not allow it. I needed to strategize an escape.
I leapt off my bed. I needed to leave home, and fast. I needed to be stealthy in order to not be seen. Snatching a bag from underneath my bed, I opened my dresser. Grabbing everything I could think of, I started to drift off in thought.
What was I doing? Where was I even going to live? How was I going to survive? I couldn’t even make money. Then, it dawned on me. I was trapped – just like my mother. Dropping my head in my hands, salty liquid filled my eyes and all I could see was defeat.
CHAPTER 8
Trotting on Ghost to school, I started to contemplate how I could escape the castle walls without really leaving, since I couldn’t survive on my own.
Tailya! Her name lit up in my mind like a light bulb. We would have to go against her father’s rule of humans befriending fairies, but I needed somewhere to hide.
Tay’s world was all I could think about during school. We were taking a test and I just could not focus on the paper in front of me.
I heard the bell ring and thought school was out. But it was only the recess bell. Ugh! This day was dragging on and on. I sighed deeply. Walking over to give Ghost a good stroke and give him a carrot, I began to wonder…
What would happen to Ghost and Sampson if I left home? I could bring them with me! Thinking about this brought something else to my attention… It wasn’t going to be my choice. I would have to ask Tailya.
The bell rang for us to get back to class for a discussion over the test. When time came for my turn to speak, I could say nothing. Mrs. Bell was concerned. She walked up to me with saddened eyes, sensing something was out of sorts with me. I could tell her nothing. I simply did not want to share.
Mrs. Bell saw something different in me that day. She looked my way once more and said, “I do not know what it is you are going through, but it is changing you, Annalise.” She walked back to her desk and a feeling of exasperation lit up inside my heart. I felt like I wanted to scream.
Sitting there, my body started to feel an overwhelming heaviness. I could feel the change Mrs. Bell saw and it felt like my heart was starting to tear again.
The bell rang again, this time to indicate the end of the school day. Rushing to Ghost, ready to ride to Tay’s, I thought, “What if this doesn’t work? Then what will I do? Where will I go?” I rode to where Tay picked her berries, but she was nowhere in sight.
“Tay? Tay?” I called. There was no answer. “Tay, please! I need your help!” I cried with pleading in my voice. I closed my eyes as a strong burn pierced the back of my eyes. Opening one while rubbing the other, a bright light appeared before me. “Quick! Over here, Anna!” Tay said with secrecy in her quiet voice.
A flash rose from her as I turned my sight toward the tree, for her light was too bright against my sight when she changed to human form. “Okay, Anna, you can look now.” she said as she swatted fairy sparkles off her arms. She asked, “Where have you been? I thought you didn’t want to be my friend anymore.” “No! Of course not.” Placing a hand on her shoulder, I began telling her the story of what had happened since we met last.
Her eyes twitched as they filled with water and she grabbed my hand firmly, never leaving my gaze. Tay cared. I knew I could trust her.
She took my other hand and asked me, “What is it that you need, Anna?” Air filled my lungs as my chest rose high. “Can I stay with you as a fairy by night and turn back to a human by day? I need to stay far away from the castle. Something is trying to harm me. And could you find some place safe for Ghost and Sampson as well? They are my animals, my friends.”
I watched her take it all in as I poured it out. I thought to myself there was simply no way she could do what I was asking of
her. She was but a child herself.
She opened her lips with, “I will do my best as to what you ask of me, Anna.”
My heart warmed and I felt safe. With darkness filling the sky, she looked at me with a playful stare. “Ready?” she asked. My lips grew wide as I nodded my head. Poof! I was a fairy once more; only this time Tay ‘poofed’ Ghost and Sampson to my side as well!
“There is a cave among the log we meet by. Stay there at night and no one will harm you. Eat as many berries as you like. You have been placed with what you have asked. By night a fairy, and by day a human. But Anna, I do not know how to reverse this if you change your mind.”
Shaking my head profusely, I looked at her with contentment and said, “Thank you a thousand times! You do not know what you have just done for me. I honestly feel safe and I can find rest now.” She was trying to warn me of something, but I did not care. I was safe and that was all that mattered to me.
Time went by day after day and night after night. Fairy, human; human, fairy. Not that I wasn’t grateful, but I started to miss my brothers, father, and yes…even the queen. It had been a fortnight since I had last seen them.
Before turning in for the evening, I asked Tay, "Do you think Kedron, my little brother could see me? He's probably fretting over my whereabouts right now as we speak."
"Why are you asking me for permission?” she giggled. "I'm not really asking for your acceptance to go; I'm merely asking if it's ok to expose you to my little brother? I know how your king feels about humans and fairies mixing worlds."
Tay fluttered her wings and gave me a slight nod. "If you've missed him so much, why have you waited until now to go get him?" she asked looking confused.
"I've been too afraid to go back, but my heart aches every time Kedron slips across my mind. The fear that's kept me away is being overpowered by the pang in my heart. I should've told him something, anything, but I couldn't risk getting caught and punished again, or maybe something even worse.”
“I shall go to him on the 'marrow, early before anyone tries to rustle out of their sleep."
"Tay, no! It needs to be me. I have to be the one to go." I could tell she was worried about my safety and wanted to come with, but if things were to go south, I wouldn't want her to be spotted or captured. Plus, I wanted to ease Kedron into this new life of mine and not freak him out.
Tay was understanding and sympathetic to my plea, even though I could tell she was upset that I was going alone. I said goodnight to Tailya and turned in for the evening. I laid there mustering up a plan on how to get my little brother and not be seen or heard until I drifted off to sleep.
Morning came and I went outside of the log, waiting for my wings to leave me. The sun had barely risen.
POOF!
Just like that my wings were hidden. "Oh! I wonder how Kedron is going to take this news!" I thought to myself as I rode off on Ghost.
In the background, I heard my friend yell, "Be careful Anna!" Looking over my shoulder I faked a smile. Every muscle in my body was tense from the thought of returning home.
Trailing through the forest I again went over my plan. I made it to the spot where the sunlight shines through the trees and I knew I was almost to the castle. Coming out of the trees, it was quiet. The chickens weren't even out and about. I jumped off Ghost, thinking it would be best to walk him instead of riding him through the grass. Our footsteps had to be light as feathers hitting the ground.
Everyone inside were light sleepers. I wouldn’t dare want to wake them, especially Queen Chelynna.
Tethering Ghost up near a stump by the back door to the kitchen, I noticed Kedron preparing himself some toast and jam. “Looks like he burnt his toast,” I thought to myself as a chuckle rose out of my belly.
“Pss… Pss… Kedron!” I whispered, trying to get his attention as soundlessly as possible. He jumped up, staring for a moment before realizing it was me. “What are you doing, Anna?” he asked with a peculiar look in his eyes. “Shh… I need you to be quiet, Kedron.” I said while putting one of my fingers to my lips to shush him. “What are you doing, Anna?” he repeated, only this time in a whisper. “How would you like to go on an outing with me?” I asked. He fled out the door and started jumping joyfully in front of me.
I raised him up onto Ghost and we tiptoed off of the castle grounds and into the forest. The second we passed into the trees, I knew we were safe, so I leapt onto Ghost behind my little brother. “Where are we going, Anna?” Kedron asked, with his voice vibrating as we bounced up and down on Ghost. “What is that?” he asked, while squinting his eyes to focus on Tay’s bright glow.
“Hmm… She must have been waiting for our return.” I said. “Who, Anna?” “My very good friend Tailya.” Kedron looked puzzled. Dismounting us both from Ghost, I took Kedron over to meet Tay. “This is my little brother Kedron.” “Pleased to meet you, Kedron.” “You are very bright!” Kedron said, rubbing his eyes with both hands. “She takes some adjusting to,” I said with giggles I couldn’t hold back.
Patting Kedron on the shoulder to comfort him, I let my little brother know he was safe. I asked Tay to change to her fairy form. My little brother's eyes lit up with fascination as I began to explain why I had been absent. "Kedron..." "Huh?" he answered with a blank stare. "The reason I had to leave you, well leave home that is, was because something is trying to harm me."
Looking at me with pride he grabbed my hand while saying, "I'll protect you, sissy." My shoulders sank, "My hero," I replied. I had to fight back my tears. This little guy in front of me, who could barely see over the kitchen counter to make his own breakfast, wanted to be my own personal bodyguard.
I melted.
Placing my other hand over his I told him how brave he was and that I felt protected already, but I still couldn't return.
After bringing him up to speed, I told him with kind eyes, “So, you see Kedron, I have to stay safe.” He started tearing up as he realized I was not coming back home. Leaning in to console him, Tay smiled at me and winked her eye.
“Hey! What are all the water works for?” Tay asked with glee in the sound of her voice. Kedron sniffled as he brought his eyes to hers. I looked at her, wondering what she had up her sleeve. Walking toward him, ZAM! she turned my little brother into a fairy.
I started to panic, lumps started clogging my throat and I couldn’t breathe. “Anna,” Tay said, shaking me. “Anna! He is ok.” “Yea, I’m ok Annalise,” my brother said as he fluttered about around me. A stench of sadness started to brew up inside me. I had hoped to spend time with Kedron today, but I could only turn to a fairy at night. Since it was daytime and Tailya had turned him into a fairy, there was no way for he and I to spend time together.
While Tailya took Kedron about, I decided to take Ghost out. He needed the exercise anyway. We galloped through the forest, up to the meadow. There was a stillness around us that spooked Ghost and he would not pass through it. “What is it, boy?” I whispered to his ear. He neighed and began kicking. “Whoa… Whoa boy…” I said, trying to gentle him. Backing up slowly, we turned around and headed back home.
Calmly trotting after being far from the meadow, I thought about what could have startled Ghost in that meadow. What could it have been? Maybe a bear? Returning to my log, which was now home to me, I began to realize what I had gotten myself into. I didn’t see how I was ever going to return home, to my real home.
Kedron and Tay returned just a little before nightfall so I could get him back before I changed into a fairy and he got into trouble for being late.
He rambled on and on the whole way to the castle and all I could do to keep from crying was to act like what he was telling me was the most amazing story I had ever heard.
“Anna?” “Yes, Kedron?” “Can I come back tomorrow? Tay said she might let me stay with her.” “What?!” My heart started to race as I began to panic. In my head, I went over all the things Tay had told me. What did she want with Kedron? Was she really on my side? Are fairies r
eally loyal? So many thoughts jumbled my brain while my little brother was in the midst of telling me farewell.
I was so distracted that I didn’t say it back to him. I simply turned and left the grounds with my head down low.
CHAPTER 9
Night fell. I had wings once again. I needed to find out what Tay was wanting to do with my little brother. I fluttered toward where she said to meet her. I came up to the giant stone. It looked just like the giant diamond I was told never to return to.
“Tay…” I whispered. No response came. Was I in the right place? “Anna…” Tay finally whispered back. “Over here, Anna.” Flapping my wings toward Tay, I still had thoughts going on in my head. What did she want with Kedron? I was going to have to ask her.
“Hey Anna, how do you like your new wings?” “Well, sometimes they’re great, but sometimes, not so great.” Tay looked a bit shocked and offended. “It isn’t that I’m not grateful for everything you have done for me; I just get somewhat lonely from time to time.” “I don’t understand, Anna. This is what you wanted, right?” My new friend looked angry and frustrated; her voice loud.
I didn’t want her to stop being my friend, so I told her what she needed to hear. “Never mind, Tay. I am so incredibly ecstatic with being a fairy. Thank you so much for all you’ve done.”
I had learned at a very young age to tell people what they wanted to hear in order to stay in their good graces, even if I wasn’t happy. I had thought Tay would be different. That I could speak my feelings freely with her. But by the way she had acted, I was clearly mistaken.
Listening to Tay mumble, I concluded that I was still a prisoner. No longer in the castle, but now here in the fairy domain. The days passed by and I no longer found joy when nightfall came.
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