Questmyre

by HaaJar Johnson

  The sounds of screams and taunts slowly began to recede as they moved deeper into the black forests. Darkness began to envelope them as the lights from the town became all but a memory.

  Just as Robin began to get anxious, the servants pulled out large metal sticks. Each stick had a chunk of Akwo crystal shining brightly at the end. They pulled their ropes with one hand and shone these lights with the other. This light beamed into the dark forest and helped them to navigate through the ever growing dark shadows.

  “See Roami? I wasn’t going crazy after all. There were green servants hiding around there and leaving our meals at the door. All that time I thought maybe the town was haunted.” Robin knew she must be scared because she was nervously grasping for something to talk about that would get her mind off the extreme danger they currently faced.

  Looking over at Roami’s worried expression and the openly frightened little baby, Robin could not hide from the reality of their predicament or her growing fear.

  “Maybe it really is haunted. After all, the evil under the surface in Wongswited will eventually come to haunt everyone there.” Roami said while staring pointedly at the Reposer.

  The Reposer sat stiff and silent. From his expression they could tell he was simply along for the ride to ensure his job was done and the child was taken away. In response to their little jibes he rolled his eyes and yawned in response.

  “How do you sleep at night? Knowing that you destroy lives every day?” Robin glared at him, her hands just itching to attack.

  “I sleep just fine, thank you. I have the finest house in all of Wongswited; second only to the king. I have all the pleasures and luxuries a person could ask for. Believe me; I have no problems sleeping at all. You two are so naïve. Didn’t you hear the truth from the kings’ very lips? If given the chance, every one of those filthy Fitzian criminals we allow to live in our beautiful town, on our lofty roofs…would kill us in our sleep! They would take over the town and enslave all of those who they left alive. We are only doing what the victors; the mighty and the strong are meant to do. We lead. They follow. It is what it is. Now please shush about all of this nonsense, you’re boring me to death. Ah here we are, finally!” He noticed the carriage had slowed to a stop. Smiling he opened the door brusquely and made his way out before turning around to motion for them to step out as well.

  Robin made her way out first, glaring nonstop at the Reposer. Roami came out with the baby lying snug in his arms.

  “Well now, out you go! I won’t get any closer if I can help myself. Who knows what kind of monsters lurk out here and no one in their right mind would step foot near Blindfellow Orphanage.” The Reposer looked around fearfully. Robin noticed his body shook slightly and jerked anytime an odd cry or shuffle sounded from the depths of the dark forest.

  Once he had all three standing to the side of the carriage, he raced back inside and slammed the door shut behind him. “Let’s go! Move it!” He quickly ordered the servants to start making their way back towards Wongswited.

  Before they moved even a step forward the two nearly identical looking servants looked at the children sadly as if they were fish bait.

  Shaking his head one mumbled to the other, “Poor kids don’t stand a chance. The monsters of the forest will take care of them…”

  The other nodded sadly, “Yes, just like all the rest...”

  CHAPTER 11

  “Great, now we’re really going to die! Did you hear what they just said Roami? Monsters… Monsters! ” Robin whimpered dramatically as she backed up into Roami’s side. Her eyes widened as she searched the shadows which seemed to steadily grow around them.

  Roami wrapped his arms around the young green child and tried his best to stop its soft whimpering.

  “Robin think of all the challenges you and I have made it through already. We made it out alive before and we will do it again.” Roami said with determination.

  She did not look too convinced by his words. Robin searched the ground for a make-shift weapon in the event the stories of monsters were more than just that; stories. She walked in a tight circle around Roami, searching the ground intently. Finally she found a sharp gray tree branch. It had broken off so one end was pointy enough to scare away any potential aggressors. Smiling Robin held it in her hand and made her way back to Roami’s side.

  The baby continued to cry softly and kept repeating, “What is my name and where is my mama?” His large purple eyes looked so sad. Just looking at his agony made Robin nearly fall apart inside.

  Heartbroken by its appeals, she said, “Roami, we should give him a name. You know what I think would fit him perfectly?… ‘Free’.” With a soft smile she ran her hand through his silky golden curls then placed her hand on the side of his face in a loving caress. This stopped his cries a bit and he nuzzled his plump green cheeks against her slender brown hand.

  Roami nodded and smiled as well, “Sounds perfect to me.”

  “That is your name little one, okay?” Robin said softly as she patted his head soothingly.

  The baby nodded and nestled against Roami. Within seconds he fell sound asleep. As Robin looked lovingly at his face she could not push back the visions of a similar abandoned baby she had held in her arms so very long ago.

  Free’s face began to mesh with that of baby Jessica who she had been made to take care of while she herself was no more than a small child. The little Hispanic baby girl with the light brown skin, hazel colored eyes, curly hair and contagious giggle came to the forefront of Robin’s mind. She had fed, clothed, burped and loved the poor forsaken child while fending for herself in that particular house of horrors. Every now and then she could not help but call out from her soul to that little girl. She wondered where she was now. Had she ever been adopted; had life hurt her the way it had let Robin down so many times? She could only hope not

  Robin had been successful in closing off these thoughts but something about Free and his painful abandonment brought those memories back to the forefront for a split moment. As she shook the thoughts away Robin was amazed to realize it had been quite some time since she had been assaulted by her ugly past. Somewhere along her journey through strange and exotic worlds, Robin had lost most of her old self. She was not sure she was in any hurry to find that particular Robin again.

  Focusing on the present, she looked at Roami and said, “Okay now that he’s resting, we should start moving towards some sort of shelter.”

  “Yes, but which direction? It all looks the same from where we stand.” Roami grimaced as he looked around them hoping they would make the right decision on which way to start walking.

  “Um…” Robin squinted slightly, “I was thinking maybe that way… Everything seems to be gray and black and desolate but far over that hill a bit… I think I see something…green.” She said as she walked a few steps in the direction she was pointing.

  Free had fallen asleep in Roami’s arms so the two began to whisper. “Okay, I guess we have to start moving at some point. Lead the way Robin.” Roami said softly so as not to wake Free.

  Robin held her wooden stick firmly and began to walk across the black grass and thick gray dirt. The ground seemed as if it were akin to quick sand. With each step they struggled to pick their feet up to make the next step.

  “Do you feel that Roami?” Robin asked with a frown as she wiped the sweat from her brow. They had barely gone a few feet when she realized how tedious each progressive step was becoming.

  “Yes… there is something wrong with the ground here. But it is surrounding us; we have no choice but to push through Robin.” Roami said as he struggled with both his and the heavy babies weight as he followed Robin in the ever growing darkness.

  Realizing that any traces of light from the planet Yur were dissipating, Robin stopped for a moment to pull the Akwo stone she had hidden away in her small black pocketbook.

  “See, I told you some of my souvenirs might come in handy.” Robin smiled back slyly at Roami. He could not help but s
mile a little at Robin’s attempt at light-heartedness at such a trying time. Her energy helped rev him up slightly so that he did not fall into the gray sand and simply allow it to suck him under.

  Roami stared at the passing sea of black leaved trees and saw that Robin had in fact seen a trace of green beyond a small gray hill. Standing before them were three large trees with green trunks and purple leaves which shimmered magically in the wind.

  “Looks like there is still a little life in this dead forest after all. These trees are so beautiful. It’s crazy to think this whole place may have looked like this before those crazy Wongswited started destroying everything for their own selfish reasons.” Robin said sadly. She held her hand against the green tree trunk and caressed its smooth surface.

  “Yes, they said the blue Akwo stone is what kept the forest alive.” Roami said as he shifted Free onto his other hip in order to take some of the burden off of his right side. The baby was sweating slightly and his golden tresses were plastered against his head in disarray.

  “Oh yeah, you’re right.” Robin looked thoughtful for a moment. “I want to try something out. It may be silly but…” She walked a few feet over to one of the gray trees they had just passed. Lifting her hand, she placed the glowing Akwo stone on the trunk. Nothing happened. Biting her lip she went down to her knees and stuck the blue rock in the dirt at the base of the tree. Within seconds the gray trunk began to turn green. Moments after that the black leaves fell to the ground and shiny purple leaves sprouted beautifully in their place.

  “Oh my…” Robin turned to look back at Roami who stood with his mouth gaping in astonishment.

  “How did you know you could do that?” Roami asked incredulously.

  “I just figured… I mean… It’s sort of logical…” Robin said with a smile. She pulled the blue stone out of the ground and stepped back to look at her handy work.

  “It’s beautiful Roami.” She said with her brown eyes open wide in awe.

  “And to think… all they need to do is keep the blue stones where they belong. This forest could be a paradise for them…” Roami shook his head sadly.

  “Yes…” Robin sighed.

  Roami sighed as well, “Robin… We have to keep moving. Night will come and we need to have shelter in case there really are monsters or something out here.” Roami as usual was the voice of reason.

  “Okay.” Robin continued walking in the direction she had set. The trees and ground turned back to the desolate gray and black they had slowly become accustomed to. The air seemed to become thinner the deeper in they went. They soon felt as if they were walking through even air that had become like quicksand; slowly sucking them into darkness.

  Before long, the ground itself changed from gray to a deep charcoal black. Once they hit this piece of land it became so difficult to walk they were soon moving at a snail’s pace.

  “I just hope these monsters are not too fearsome. I do not know how I will keep them from harming you and the baby.” Roami muttered aloud to himself. Robin overheard him and turned to shoot him an encouraging smile.

  “Don’t worry about me Roami, just take care of Free. I can fend for myself.” She stated simply.

  “Yes, I know.” He replied automatically. He knew of course that she could not and he would never ask her to. Roami could not help but think of Robin as his one true friend. As such it was his responsibility to keep her safe and happy.

  “Roami do you see that?” Robin squinted again to ensure she was seeing what she thought she was.

  “Yes. It looks like a house. It looks like the House of Intrigues to be precise but…that’s impossible…” Roami also squinted to make out the structure that stood far in the distance.

  As they got closer Robin spoke up again, “Wait… what was that place the Reposer warned us about? He said something about an orphanage…” Robin wracked her brain for his exact words.

  “Blindfellow Orphanage?” Roami said with dread.

  “Yes. Blindfellow Orphanage.” Robin whispered shakily into the darkness.

  “Yes, well I guess he was referring to that.” Roami said as he pointed towards the large dark house, now just a few feet away.

  The large black leaves of the forest trees nearly blocked out the odd looking house but what little Robin could see was scary enough to make her want to run back to Wongswited and seek refuge.

  The massive wooden house was made in the same fashion of the average houses on earth and did look very much like the House of Intrigues from afar. Up close, however, Robin could see the differences plainly. The body of the structure was pale gray with a slanted blood red roof made of marble. The windows were all blackened with grime and the front porch was barely standing. Robin could see that part of the porch had indeed collapsed in on itself.

  “Oh no! I’m not going anywhere near that thing. It’s way too dark and scary. I can imagine the types of monsters just waiting to eat us in there.” Robin said as her lips quivered in fear.

  “Well just think of all the monsters that are waiting to pounce on us out here in these dark forests.” Roami said pointedly.

  “Good point.” She said as she stepped closer to Roami. “At least in there we’ll have shelter and four walls surrounding us while we’re being eaten alive.” Robin said sarcastically.

  Free was beginning to wake and as they made their way up the three creaky wooden steps of the porch, Robin saw his purple eyes open. They lit up as he lifted his head from Roami’s shoulder and looked around curiously.

  Robin and Roami walked cautiously towards the large gray door.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in all my life.” Robin whispered as her eyes glistened in the dark. She gritted her teeth trying her best to put up her bravest front.

  “It’s okay Robin. Be tough, we’ll make it through this together.” Roami said as he took her hand with his free hand then squeezed it slightly.

  When they reached the gray wooden door, Robin did not wait for fear to grip her but knocked on it immediately. They did not have to wait long for it to open. As the large door creaked ajar the two automatically stepped back.

  “Yes, can I help you or what?” A skinny green woman asked impatiently as she stood in the doorway.

  It was so dark both on the porch and inside the home, they could barely see her. She appeared to be a maid of some sort. Her gray colored dress was dingy and torn with a black apron draped over it.

  The young maids shoulder length hair was yellow and stringy while her light green face appeared sallow. Her eyes were very small and the pupils looked dark red; Robin could not tell due to the blackness that engulfed the entryway. Overall her whole look screamed creepy.

  Robin was too dumbstruck by the ghostlike look of the young woman to be of any help at the moment, so Roami spoke up.

  “I um… We got lost in the forests and need to find a place to stay for the night.” Roami said quickly; stammering slightly.

  “Yes, well…” She eyed them as if they had completely lost their minds. “Have you never heard of Blindfellow Orphanage then?” She asked with some surprise.

  They shook their heads.

  “I must say I don’t think we ever had anyone willingly knock as this door before… very strange indeed.” The maid stared at the trio as if they were aliens. “Oh well, come in then.” She said as she roughly pushed them inside.

  The entryway was just as dark and sinister as the exterior of the house. Before Robin or Roami could say anything the maid quickly shut the door. The two now saw it had at least twelve different locks and bolts running across it. The maid deftly locked each one.

  “Yes, well I suppose you should know the headmistress will be making her rounds in a few minutes.” Before she even completed this statement the maid disappeared in the dark shadows leaving the three guests standing in the middle of a darkened entryway. They were unsure of where to go or how to get there.

  “Oh boy, what have we gotten ourselves into?” Robin’s breath quickened
in near panic. She held onto Roami’s hand so tightly he could hardly think past the pain.

  “Well, let’s not just stand here. Come on.” He said as he carried Free in the crook of his left arm and pulled Robin along with his right.

  “Mama…” Free whimpered. He had had a nightmare while he slept only to awaken and find that reality was far worse at the moment.

  They stood on deep yet worn red velvet carpet. The walls were painted black and there were no pictures or furniture to be found anywhere.

  Robin spotted the stairwell leading upstairs from the entryway. The children made their way up the creaky wooden steps. When they finally reached the second floor they found a single red door standing before them. That was all. No long corridor, no other doors or choices to make.

  “Odd…” Robin whispered.

  Roami grabbed hold of the black knob and cautiously opened the door before them.

  Robin held her breath, afraid of what was on the other side to greet them.

  “Ahhhhh!” A chorus of screams erupted the moment the door was ajar.

  Littered across the floor of the room were young children; all of whom were various shades of green. Every one of them appeared extremely scared, excruciatingly thin and painfully tired.

  Roami stepped backwards, keeping Robin safely behind him. He waited a moment for their screams to die down then inched forward into the room.

  “Oh, sorry! We thought you were the headmistress!” Someone said from among the crowd.

  The children were all very small and skinny from lack of proper nourishment. They had bags under eyes which seemed to glow green in the dark room; like small animals lurking in a jungle at night.

  “No, we are not the headmistress. We just came into the house. Who are you all?” Roami asked. Free was completely wide awake after hearing the chorus of screams. He turned around to eye the children curiously.

  “We are ‘The Found’. And you will be who we are if you don’t find a hiding place soon. The headmistress is set to go on her rounds any moment now.” A small boy with a head full of red kinky hair said fearfully.