Questmyre

by HaaJar Johnson

  Robin looked him over and realized he and the others were dressed in simple gray outfits similar to the Fitz who lived on the Wongswited rooftops. Their clothes had so many tears and holes they seemed like nothing more than pieces of Swiss-cheese.

  The large room did not have a single piece of furniture or decorations. It was just a simple square room with creaking gray wooden floorboards and walls barely covered with chipped gray paint. The windows were completely blacked out by layers of dirt and grime.

  They did however see two doorways to adjoining rooms. Robin noted this as she wanted to ensure they had a means of escape in case something more menacing than a bunch of children found its way towards them.

  “Huh? I don’t understand. Please explain.” Roami asked the young boy since no one else in the group seemed willing to speak up.

  “We were once The Lost and now we are The Found because the headmistress found each one of us at some point or another. Now if you don’t hide you will be like us and will never be able to leave the Orphanage again. You will be like us, forced to live here forever…” The boy said sadly.

  “And what about now? Now that some of you have been found what does that mean? Why are you still hiding from her?” Robin asked as she thought the situation over in her head.

  “Once you’re The Found… If she catches you again…you just...disappear.” The same red-headed boy said with tears in his eyes.

  “Oh no, that sounds horrible! How could anyone-” Before Robin could properly voice her opinions on the situation, the sharp sound of high-heeled shoes marching across the floor resounded throughout the house.

  “Ahhhh!” Intense screaming permeated the air as the children began racing about in a flurry of pure terror. They scattered like roaches running from the light.

  Robin and Roami got swept up in the sea of fear and ran about nervously trying to hide from the sound of what was apparently approaching doom.

  Robin led the way. Grabbing Roami’s hand, she raced towards the doorway near the far right of the room. This took them to another identical room and yet another doorway. They continued moving through room after room. Sneaking through doorway after doorway with no end in sight. In the back of her mind, Robin wondered if the house was under some sort of spell. She was sure, from the outside, it did not look big enough to have held so many rooms.

  Each room appeared like the one before it, all had gray wooden flooring and black windows barred shut.

  There was very little lighting. The only light came from a single blue Akwo gem lantern hanging from the ceiling of each room. Not one piece of furniture could be found to hide behind.

  “This is crazy!” Robin said breathlessly as they realized they needed to hide in a place which offered absolutely no secure hiding spots.

  Along the way they saw a myriad of small green faces racing past them in panic. They were unsure which children were lost or found and could not stop to find out since they were busy struggling for their own survival.

  “That looks like a closet!” Robin screamed as she noticed a light green door in the back of one of the rooms they were just about to leave. She pulled Roami back towards it then threw open the small door. Before Roami could respond she shoved him and Free inside. There was just enough room for her to squeeze in as well.

  Once they were all in, she stepped inside then shut the door behind her securely. The closet smelled of mildew and moth balls but it was a hiding spot. Therefore, Robin did not stop to note they were sitting on damp wood or packed so tightly her neck was stuck somewhere near Roami’s elbow.

  They struggled to bring their breathing down to a normal pace. Robin even covered Free’s mouth to ensure the small baby did not make an errant sound.

  A sickening quiet began to settle throughout the house as each moment passed by.

  The only sound that could be heard was the fearsome march of sharp shoes across the wooden floorboards of the house. Every now and again the trio would hear the feet stop and the sound of screams as an old woman’s voice screeched, “Gotchya!”

  Robin began to cry silently and shake with fear. Roami tried his best to calm her but to no avail. “Oh Roami, I am so… so sorry.” She whispered through her tears.

  “Sorry for what?” He whispered back while listening intently to determine how far away the steps were from their current location.

  “I’m sorry for saying you were dumb to pick your skin color. Remember in Source One when you told me that your people were allowed to pick the color of their skin and I said you should have picked something lighter?” She sobbed a bit and waited to feel Roami’s nod in acknowledgment.

  “Yes, I remember.” He said softly. Although it was not the easiest feat, Roami found her face and gently wiped the tears away with his hand.

  “Well I am truly sorry for what I said. It was an ignorant comment and I just want you to know now… that I think you are beautiful and I love your color.” She hiccupped then continued, “I would love you; my friend, no matter what color you were...” She said as she hugged him and little Free to her chest.

  Just then the two froze realizing they had not heard the headmistress’s steps for quite some time. Before either could remark on this strange fact the door to the closet swung open with a powerful force.

  They each screamed as they looked into the face of an old woman with small eyes covered in a white film; blind and squinty.

  Her skin was gray as opposed to green or purple and her long straight hair was completely white. She was dressed in a formal outfit with a shirt, dress jacket and skirt all of which were dark gray and looked as if they had been worn every day for a century. Her fingers were large and her long, ragged, brown nails reached out towards the children.

  “Gotchya!” she cackled as she lurched forward to violently grab at them.

  “Ahhhhhh!” The threesome screamed at the top of their lungs. Before the headmistress could get at them however an invisible force shoved her backwards. The closet door then slammed shut.

  Robin, Roami and Free remained as they were; screaming, crying and holed up in the dark closet.

  They stayed this way; screeching in blackness for what seemed like an eternity…

  CHAPTER 12

  Both Robin and Roami continued screaming for some time with their eyes shut and their fists clenched. However, even intense fear when repeated nonstop for a long duration could become overrated. Just like anything else they eventually grew tired of it. They stopped screaming and grew quiet with only the sound of their frantic heartbeats filling their ears.

  “What happened?” Robins’ voice had become raspy from all her screaming. The two opened their eyes slowly. Something odd had happened. They could feel it in the air; something had changed but neither could put their finger on it.

  “Roami?” Robin felt for his face. He took her wandering hand into his to give her a sense of security.

  “Yes, I’m still here Robin.” Roami said.

  “I thought she was supposed to grab us and make us one of The Found. But we’re still here… What do you think happened?” She asked shakily.

  “I have no idea but I know we cannot stay in this closet forever. We will have to step out and see for ourselves.” Roami said.

  “Roami… I hate to admit it but… I’m scared and I don’t want anything to happen to you or Free. Let’s just stay in here for a few more days or a month or just until we can-” Before she could finish that thought Roami pushed open the closet door with an exasperated sigh.

  Both were absolutely dumbfounded by what stood before them.

  “Oh my god…” Robin gasped in astonishment.

  Roami too, could not believe his eyes. Handing Free over to Robin for safekeeping he stood up and stepped outside of the cramped space of the closet.

  “How is this possible…” Roami walked haltingly. His knees were shaking uncontrollably. Roami could not tell if it was because they had sat so confined in the closet or if the shock was making his knees weak.


  “You’ve got to be kidding me...” Robin said as she picked up Free. Following suit, she stepped out of the closet to stand by Roami’s side. “It’s the Nommo tree!”

  “Yes. Just as we left it in Source One. Robin, we’re back in Source One!” Roami beamed with happiness. In his rapture he grabbed Robin’s hands; then began to dance around and scream into the air with joy.

  Free laughed at the two and kissed Robin’s cheek before joining in their screaming fit. His giggles and screeches only made them feel even happier and full of abandon.

  “Wow! How did we get back? What was the riddle and how did we solve it?” Robin said as she turned around to glance at the green closet door. Within seconds it quickly vanished into thin air.

  “You solved the riddle Robin!” Roami hugged her to him and spun her and Free around in a dizzying twirl.

  Robin could not help but laugh out loud. Without realizing it she kissed him on his cheek. That slowed their actions and seemed to cease even the flow of time itself.

  Roami smiled down at her sheepishly and she looked down bashfully. Where oh where had the old brusque and brass Robin gone, she wondered. She could not remember ever having blushed or giggled until she met Roami.

  Trying her best to brush the odd moment away she spoke up to break the silence, “I guess the main thing we had to learn in those worlds was that color is not important. I realized that whether you were a dark color or light color you are still my friend. This is something the people of both the water world of Fitz and the town of Wongswited, had not figured out for centuries. It’s odd something so simple could be overlooked for so long…” Robin sighed.

  She was at once, ecstatic to have left the two worlds behind but also felt a sense of sadness that somewhere, far away the people of Fitz and Wongswited, all still lived in deep ignorance.

  “But you got it Robin! You saved us!” Roami beamed with pride for his best-friend then hugged her to him once again.

  “Oh….” Robin said in awe. “All I can say is… Wow!” She smiled with open delight.

  It was at that moment they each looked at each other as if for the very first time. They did not see their differing skin colors. They did not think about their varying pasts. Both teens just saw their spirits shining brightly from within.

  After this life changing moment passed, Robin was hit with a painful realization. While they were free; many were still living in various forms of captivity. The Found at Blindfellow’s orphanage were somewhere, in a seemingly alternate dimension, perpetually running for their very lives. Then there were the poor Fitzian rooftop dwellers…still forced to drink bunk juice and living their lives as slaves of the Wongswited. Thinking even further back, she clearly saw the light green Mobbins of Fitz walking listlessly; their heads hung low, as they made their way along gray paths doing the bidding of the Fitzian royals… And what of dear Mirub? Robin could still see the beautiful woman drifting away in an endless sea of gray waters.

  Was this truly how life was meant to be? Robin shuddered back a moan as she realized how many problems there were needing to be solved and how helpless she was to do anything about any of it.

  She however did not share her dark thoughts with Roami. His smile was far too bright at the moment to dampen his spirits. She would bring her concerns up at a later time; for now they would celebrate only the goodness life had to offer. Shaking her head and forcing a smile; Robin forcefully pulled away from her heavy ruminations. So what was next? Apparently at that very moment, Roami was asking himself the same question.

  They each took a look around them and began to settle back to reality. “Roami,” Robin laughed, “Can you imagine what we must look like to outsiders right now?”

  Both Robin and Roami were still dressed in their silk pajamas from Wongswited and their slippers were caked with black dirt. Free on the other hand was just that; free and naked.

  Robin held the naked baby to her side and tried unsuccessfully to cover him with parts of her own robe. They both had to get changed and get Free some clothes as soon as possible.

  “My parents must be so worried. I have to get back to my village… I mean we have to get back to my village right away! You will come with me won’t you Robin?” Roami looked unsure of himself for the first time since she had met him.

  “Of course I will! Where you go, I follow. We’re friends… besides… you still haven’t shown me all of Source One.” She smiled as she linked her arm in his and let him lead the way toward his village.

  Roami took a moment to gauge their current location. With a short nod of his head he started walking past the Nommo and towards a familiar sky-blue forest path of Source One.

  Robin looked up at the blue leaves swaying in the breeze and smiled up at the minty green skies above. They were back “Home” and while even this world was alien to her, something about being where Roami was made her feel safe and secure. She had never felt this way on earth. A smile crept over her lips. With Free in her arms and Roami at her side she felt part of something worthwhile, for the very first time in her life.

  Roami looked over at her in wonder. He had never seen Robin as happy as she looked at that very moment. It was as if the hardest parts of her past had magically washed away over their adventurous journeys. He smiled as he watched the green light of day caress her beautiful brown skin and light up her brown eyes. His smile faded as a question popped into his head.

  Looking over at Robin he said, “I wonder how much time has passed here in Source One? I guess we will get the answer to that question when we make it back home. I just hope time stood still or my bearer will punish me for getting lost in the blue mists.” Roami said fearfully. He looked more afraid of his mom’s anger than the cold stare of the headmistress at Blindfellow Orphanage.

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll be too busy being happy you made it back to be too angry with you.” Robin said.

  She felt as if she wanted to skip through the blue grass. Or perhaps even dive into it and make grass angels. Robin was giddy with their accomplishment and so happy to be back. She was sure she had never felt so happy in all her life. Not only had she made a true new friend but they had single-handedly made it out of a maze of worlds that many would have been unable to solve.

  Part of her whispered the obvious; that she was still in an alien world and did not know what to expect with each second, but she ignored that voice. She knew that home was where your heart was and hers felt safest wherever Roami was.

  Earth had never been a place of love, warmth or refuge for her. Robin obstinately dared the butler of The House of Intrigues to call her back when she did not want to return. She would stay here in Source One; here with Roami no matter what.

  She was pulled back from her thoughts when Free nuzzled his little face into her neck and sighed happily. Robin smiled then looked at Roami as a thought dawned on her, “I think we’ll have to explain Source One to Free. I mean it is his new home now. Roami, you know this place better than me so I guess you can teach him everything.” Robin said.

  “Yes, of course.” Roami smiled and carefully pulled the big cuddly green baby, with soulful purple eyes from Robin’s arms.

  With Free in the crux of his arms, Roami began to show him Source One. Roami named each and every plant and type of creature they met on the way.

  Free excitedly repeated everything Roami told him.

  “Tree.” Roami said.

  “Tree!” Free giggled then wrapped his pudgy arms around Roami’s neck in a sweet hug. Roami laughed in response.

  “Molby Flower.” He picked one up to show Free it’s red and black striped petals and glowing white center.

  “Moby Bower!” Free grabbed at the flower, brought it to his nose and sneezed.

  Robin laughed at Free’s baby talk and said, “He’ll get it in time.”

  Robin was surprised to see how quickly Free had developed since the moment he was born. However, having witnessed some parts of little Brifton’s rearing she had guessed she
could not assume theirs was anything like human development.

  Roami was about to point out something else when they all stopped. Loud sounds were coming from some feet away. Robin instinctively moved closer to Roami for safety.

  “It’s my village…” Was all Roami said as he quirked up his ears to determine the source of the racket.

  “Sounds like… a party, I think.” Robin whispered.

  They continued to move forward but at a faster pace. When they finally drew nearer to Roami’s village they could hear it was in fact the sounds of a great celebration. The noise was a symphony of people chatting, singing and laughing. It echoed throughout the forest.

  Robin had missed the idea of parties after their dreary stay in Wongswited. There everyone was too focused on business and domination to throw a party every now and then. When she heard the beat of drums and the lilting sounds of flutes floating through the trees she stopped in her tracks.

  “Oh my God! Yay! A party!” She jumped up and down with enthusiasm. Robin could hardly recognize herself. She had never had cause to feel so carefree and happy. It almost felt as if she had been stuck under a heavy weight or walked beneath a small rain cloud most of her life. But now she was liberated and had her Free and her Roami. Together she was sure they could do absolutely anything they put their minds to.

  She turned to look at Roami only to find him frozen in place and frowning slightly. Robin automatically grew tense; wondering what could upset him to such an extent.

  Roami turned to her and looked almost paralyzed by his emotions.

  “What is it Roami? What’s the matter?” Robin asked anxiously.

  His looked at her blankly and said, “There is a festival…”

  “Yeah, I know I hear it too. How Cool?!” Robin said with a smile and a quirk of her brow.

  “No. You don’t understand. That could only mean one thing…” Without another word, Roami placed Free in Robin’s arms and raced towards his home with a fevered look on his face…

  ***

  To Be Continued…