The Watchmaker's Gift

by Charles Zitta

  “Now would be a good time to have a flashlight,” Michael said.

  “I don’t think they have flashlights in WONDER,” Charlie replied.

  “Wait a tic. If I can just remember how to do this,” the frog said.

  The sound of snapping fingers echoed through the cavernous hole: snap…snap…snap…snap…buzzzzzzzzzz. Featherwink’s middle fingertip began to glow, lighting up the area in which he had fallen. Allowing the others to see him from above.

  Midnight slowly crawled down into the hole towards his large, purple friend, who at the moment, was in very tight quarters for such a giant frog.

  Charlie and Michael followed the cat down into the hole. The rocky walls were covered with strange drawings of human and animal figures, symbols, odd creatures, and writing of some sort. The further down they climbed, the more obvious it became. This was no hole created by their friend who had just fallen, but rather, a hidden cave.

  “Hey, fellas, I see a couple torches over there on the wall. If you would please go grab them and bring them over here, that would be most helpful,” Featherwink asked politely.

  Midnight flicked his tail, lighting the torches so they could see.

  “Now, good friend, if you wouldn’t mind? It’s a little cramped in here for someone of my size, and I can’t free my arms up enough to change back to my usual tiny self.”

  “Oh, right, right, right,” the cat said. Midnight flicked his tail again, this time, returning Featherwink back to normal.

  “That’s more like it.” The frog flew up out of the hole and onto Charlie’s shoulder.

  “So what is this place?” Charlie asked.

  “Whatever it is, it doesn’t look very inviting,” Midnight said.

  “Can we get out of here now?” Michael asked.

  “I think that’s a—”

  There was a noise up above. A loud thunderous noise. Footsteps, growing louder with each step. Shaking the ground so hard, dirt and rocky debris fell from the ceiling of the cave.

  “Quick, over here,” Charlie said. He had found a niche in the cave wall. Everyone gathered tightly together—hiding from whoever, or whatever was approaching from above.

  “The torches,” Featherwink whispered. “Put out the torches.”

  Just as Midnight put out the torch lights with the flick of his tail, another light source lit up the cave entrance. A large hand, highlighted by the light, reached in, grabbing along the outer edge of the cave. A giant head peeked in with big round eyes and a long beard. It was Flamario. His giant face was hauntingly backlit by the torch, creating dark, long shadows, which made his appearance all the more menacing. His piercing eyes stared deeply into the cave, then quietly, he pulled his head back out.

  There was a deep inhale, then the crackle-pop sound of fire. Flamario’s head reappeared in the cave entrance, this time with puffy cheeks and bulging red eyes.

  “Shield your eyes,” Midnight whispered.

  The fire breather unleashed a firestorm that roared through the cave, past Charlie, Michael, Midnight and Featherwink.

  They pushed back towards the wall, turning their heads, to avoid the flames and tremendous surge of heat, which could easily claim the life of any living thing in its path.

  When the flames retreated, Flamario’s head emerged once again for another look inside the smoldering cave. Satisfied nobody could survive the flames, he moved on—his thunderous footsteps faded away into the distance.

  “OK, go ahead and light the torches back up, the frog said.

  “I think it would be wise if we head that way,” the cat stated, gesturing towards the path leading deeper into the cave. “The last thing we need right now, is to have another run-in with that hot head.”

  “I agree,” Charlie said.”

  “We stand just as good a chance down here as we do up there,” Featherwink added.

  Michael nodded.

  “Very well then, keep your eyes peeled and your ears open,” the cat said. “I think it is safe to say, we are in a Shadow of WONDER.”

  “A Shadow of WONDER?” I think Frank told us about those earlier this week,” Charlie said.

  “Yes, I believe you’re right, Charlie. As you may recall, shadows are dark places. Undesirable places. Hidden within, or between, the realms of WONDER,” Midnight said.

  “Usually…they are places we try to avoid,” the frog added.

  “Yes. Well unfortunately, it looks like they have found a way to pull us into one of their shadows,” Midnight said. He began walking further into the cave, leading the way for the others to follow.

  “So there are more shadows?” Michael asked.

  “Oh yes. Many more,” Featherwink said.

  “And growing larger in number all the time,” Midnight added. “Which is why we can NOT afford to waste any time. Each day the dark forces continue to grow, decreases our chances of stopping them from taking over WONDER.”

  “Yes, Frank has explained to us why the Patrons can not allow this to happen. That’s why Michael and I are here to help,” Charlie said.

  “You are both good boys,” the cat replied.

  They continued to walk deeper into the cave—their pathway lit only by the torches carried by the boys.

  Charlie and the others had been walking through the cave for a lengthy period of time. Until now, there had only been one path to follow.

  “What do we do now?” Charlie asked, as they stared at five alternate pathways. Featherwink flew off Charlie’s shoulder, turned to face the others, then said in a decisive tone, “Simple, we pick one and move on.

  “But what if the one we choose is more dangerous than the others?” Michael asked.

  “No reason to worry about that now, young man,” Midnight said. “The frog is right. We need to make a decision and deal with whatever comes our way, without fear or hesitation.”

  Feeling encouraged by the cat’s words, Charlie spoke out, “Choose a path, Midnight, and we’ll move forward.”

  The cat picked the pathway second from the right. “This way, gents.”

  The boys followed their feline friend, with Featherwink riding along on Charlie’s left shoulder.

  The cave bent left, then right, then rose upward, before bending right again. As they leveled off, a slight breeze met their faces. The sounds of crickets, owls and other creatures of the night could be heard. Then, an opening appeared, highlighted by the soft glow of the moon.

  “We did it,” Michael proclaimed, as they exited the cave into a small clearing in the forest.

  “See, it wasn’t really that bad after—”

  “Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

  Charlie and the others spun their heads around.

  It was the silver fox, perched above the cave opening. And gathered around him, a pack of wild, gnarly-haired wolves, waiting on his word to attack.

  “But…but-but, how did you find us?” Midnight stuttered.

  “It was only a matter of time. Really, I’m surprised it took us this long to track you down,” the silver fox said, staring up at the moon. “Lovely night, isn’t it?”

  “So what do you want?” Charlie asked with a stern look.

  “Hmmm, heh-heh-heh. Oh, I think you know what we’re after. And it isn’t your fluffy cat friend, or the little purple guy with wings.”

  A large python snake slowly slithered down to a lower branch in the tree behind them.

  “If it’s the watch you’re after, you can forget it,” Featherwink shouted.

  “Really?” the fox questioned. “And how do you plan to keep it from us? It appears to me that you are surrounded.”

  “There’s always a way out,” Midnight replied in an angry tone.

  “Not likely,” the fox said. “Get ‘em!”

  The pack of wolves leaped down off the rocks and charged Midnight.

  The elusive cat spun around and took off in the opposite direction of his agressors.

  “Run boys!” Featherwink shouted, as he leaped off C
harlie’s shoulder and took to flight. “Head into the woods, it’s our only chance to escape.”

  Charlie and Michael turned and ran as fast as they could towards the woods.

  Everything was happening fast. The forest was a blur of snapping sticks, crunchy, dead leaves, rattling shrubbery, long shadows and darkness, as the boys ran deeper and deeper into the woods. The torches each carried in their hand were the only source of light to help them through the dark, wooded terrain.

  “Do you see Midnight anywhere, Michael?”

  “I haven’t had time to look. Ouch.” Michael’s shirt sleeve got snagged and torn by a low-hanging branch, which left a deep scratch on his upper left arm.

  “You OK?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Michael replied as they kept running.

  Charlie came to a sudden stop. Michael followed suit.

  “What is it, Charlie?”

  “You hear that?”

  “What? I don’t hear anything.”

  “Exactly. We’ve lost our friends.”

  Midnight was in a full-out sprint, staying merely seconds away from his hungry pursuers. Ducking, leaping and cutting from side to side, the frantic feline gave it his all to increase the distance between him and the pack of hungry wolves. But it was no use, the panting and growling sounds only grew closer. He needed to find an alternative way to escape.

  Where, where, where can I go? the cat thought, scanning the woods as he continued to run. Up? Up is good. Midnight leaped and dug his claws into the nearest tree—climbing, clawing and scratching his way out of site.

  One, three, six, nine wolves went streaking by, their focus straight ahead on their intended prey.

  The cat was safe for the moment.

  Buzzing up, down, in and out, and around the forest trees, like a bug hopped up on Red Bull—Featherwink frantically searched for his friends with his enormous, lime-green eyes, which also acted as headlights.

  There was a howl in the distance, Midnight, he thought. The frog landed on a rotted tree branch. I should help him. But what about the boys? Midnight can survive without me, the boys cannot.

  There was a CLICK several hundred feet to the left from where he was perched. The purple, winged frog took off from the branch to investigate—his eyes, shining brightly through the dark woods, as he zipped along.

  Where are you? he thought. Hopeful it was the boys.

  Two more clicks came from nearby.

  He was getting closer. It has to be the boys. But I must remain quiet until I know for sure. Just in case. The sound is coming from just around that big tree up there, Featherwink thought.

  As the frog circled around, he found a large branch, hanging just so, it would serve his purpose well as a vantage point to scan the area. Silently landing on the branch, Feathwerink searched the area below. Hmmm? I don’t see them. Maybe they’ve already moved on? Let’s take a look over by—

  Psssssssssssssst—THWAK!

  Just as the frog leaped from the branch to take flight, the tail end of a giant python snake blind-sided him—sending the unsuspecting frog into the trunk, which knocked him unconscious and sent his tiny, limp body plummeting to the leaf-covered ground below.

  CRACK, “Helloooo fellas,” Mr. Jollysnaps said, while striking a large rock—turning it to gold, as the boys came into a small clearing on the west side of the woods.

  Charlie and Michael spun around and shot off in the opposite direction.

  Jollysnaps leapt to his coach and took to the air. Within seconds, he cracked his whip, nearly striking the backsides of the terrified boys—both running in full stride with torches in hand.

  Each strike of the whip turned whatever it touched to gold. The coachman laughed wildly, knowing well the surprise that lied ahead for the chosen outsider and his younger brother. “Run boys, run! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

  They sprinted left, right, then straight on through a thick cluster of shrubs and trees, where Charlie almost tripped and fell over a fallen branch. No matter which way they turned, or how fast they ran, the coachman, with his golden whip snapping, stayed close behind—forcing the boys due east.

  Having eluded the pack of wolves, Midnight slowly, and ever so quietly, climbed down out of the tree and worked his way towards the south end of the woods. His eyes were fully dilated, allowing him to see every detail of the dark forest which surrounded him. The magical feline kept low to the ground, moving carefully with each step as to not make a sound.

  The wolves will return soon, he thought. Keep calm Midnight, you can do this. On this course, I should have a very good chance of finding Charlie and Michael.

  The cat came upon a clearing in the woods. He was back where he had started, by the cave. But this time, no one was around.

  There was a rustle of bushes, two snaps of a twig, and footsteps crunching leaves.

  Midnight hugged the ground, then turned to look west. With my black fur, they will not see me if I remain still.

  The rustling noises and footsteps crunching leaves combined—growing louder with each passing second.

  Two figures emerged from the shadows of the woods and into the moonlit clearing. They stopped suddenly, putting their hands on their knees, trying to catch their breaths.

  The black feline focused in on the two figures, trying to make out their faces. Identified!

  “Charlie. Michael, psssst, over here,” Midnight whispered.

  The two boys looked up towards the hidden voice.

  “Midnight? Is that you?” Charlie whispered back.

  The cat rose to his feet and began to quietly walk towards them.

  “Indeed it is.”

  “Ohhhh, Midnight, you don’t know how good it is to see a friendly—”

  CRACK…CRACK-CRACK! Two small trees and a shrub near the boys and cat turned to gold.

  “It’s over mates,” Mr. Jollysnaps shouted, as he swooped down from sky on the west side of the woods, landing in the clearing.

  Before Midnight or the boys could get a word in, the silver fox emerged from the north side of the clearing. “Hello-hello boys, it appears you may have gotten yourselves into a little bit of a pickle.” The fox stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. Come on out, gents, and have a look at what we’ve found.”

  The pack of wolves leaped out of the woods, blocking off the north side of the clearing.

  CRACK! CRUNCH! POP! SNAP! BOOM! BOOM! THUD!

  Treetops shook back and forth as others snapped and fell, creating a giant pathway. In the center of it all was Flamario, who swung his arms outwards, snapping in half the remaining two trees between him and the clearing, where the others had gathered. The giant of a man stepped forward in intimidating fashion.

  “Ohhhh, I see you’ve run out of places to hide my little sneaky Patrons,” the fire breather said, followed by thunderous laughter. “This will be the end for you, and your friends too. Now hand over the watch little boy, or I snap you in two just like big tree.” Flamario gestured towards the waste of trees that laid in his wake.

  “Run!” Midnight shouted.

  The boys turned and sprinted towards the south side of the woods.

  “This should be interesting to watch,” the fox said with a smirk.

  As they sprinted along, the cat turned to glance back. To his surprise, none of the shadow villains had moved an inch. He turned back around and said to the boys, “Hold on fellows, something’s not right.”

  The boys screeched to a halt.

  “What was that?” Charlie asked, trying to catch his breath.

  “The villains. They’re not chasing after us,” the cat replied. “It’s as if they know something we don’t.”

  “Well, whatever it is, we can figure it out later,” Michael said.

  “I think Michael is right,” Charlie added. “I say we get through the woods and as far away from those guys as we can. We can worry about their plans later.”

  “Right. What was I thinking?” Midnight said.

  Everyone agreed,
then turned and headed into the south side of the woods.

  Only ten steps in, Charlie felt something wrap tightly around his left leg, which lifted him high into the air—holding the boy in an upside down position. He screamed for help, but it did not matter.

  At the same time, two large vines reached out and wrapped around Michael’s body—pulling him back so snug against the trunk of a willow tree that he could barely breath.

  Hearing the boys screams and calls for help, Midnight struggled to come up with a plan. The weight of the situation was almost unbearable. A freedom spell? No, too slow. His mind continued to spin. Petrified wood? Yes, that should do it, he thought. The cat turned and aimed his magic tail in Charlie’s direction, but something grabbed it and tugged hard. Midnight let out a loud MEOW, jumping straight up into the air with all four legs extended out horizontally. Two roots shot up from the ground—wrapped around the feline’s airborne body, then slammed him hard to the leafy ground, while a third root restrained his magical tail.

  The fox and coachman’s plan had worked. The magic dust they had scattered earlier over the south side of the woods had transformed the trees, vines and all other elements of the forest into a giant barrier of wicked woods. Charlie and the others were at the mercy of the shadow villains.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Against their will, Charlie, Michael and Midnight had been thrown into a wooden cage and were taken out of the forest on a wagon pulled by two small, thorny-scaled dragons to one of the deepest and darkest places known in WONDER, a shadow realm castle. Patron legend has it, few who have been taken into a shadow realm have ever made it out unscathed.

  Overseeing the captured Patron’s delivery from high above, in a golden coach pulled by flying mules, were Mr. Jollysnaps, the silver fox and Flamario—to assure Midnight and the boys did not try and escape.

  The rickety old wagon’s driver was a gruesome looking creature. With a body covered in dark brown hair, a curved spine, large snout for a nose, and two tusks protruding upwards from its mouth, the beast resembled some sort of mix between troll and wild bore.

  Midnight tried speaking to the driver, attempting to cut a deal that would set them free, but all the beastly creature did was turn and grunt with an unfriendly snarl—making it very clear that Midnight and the boys would not be talking their way to freedom anytime soon.