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Gerald looked confused; it was a look that often crossed his coarse features. Teague told him;?I said we need to get you a change of clothes Gerald?
The enterprise bruiser tilted his head slightly; like a hound who had heard an unusual sound. So Teague continued with; ?you look like bloody murder man.?
This was absolutely the case: the large man was currently in his shirtsleeves, having discarded his cotton jersey because it was drenched with his life's blood. This was due to Gerald's encounter with Vittorio in a back room of the Italian eatery that he and Teague and Fitz had been investigating.
To be fair; Teague was the one doing the investigating. Gerald and even Fitz had only been along as a form of backup. It was a good thing too, because Gerald had tackled the Italian who had been about to ambush his friend Teague.
Gerald shivered visibly because he remembered vividly, grabbing Vittorio and then the ensuing struggle that had ended with Gerald dying on the floor.
Teague looked at Gerald and said again; ?we need to get you a change of clothes?.
Gerald shook his head slowly; Teague thought it unlike the big man to be so quiet, but then he figured that will happen when you end up on the wrong side of an ivory handled razor.
Penrose spoke up: ?he's quite right Gerald. Go with Teague and get yourself some clean clothes.?
?Yes Sir Mr. Penrose,? Gerald said. The two large men turned to go and as they were exiting the room, their employer said to them: ?be sure to take the back stairs so you don't alarm any of the guests with your appearance.? Both men responded simultaneously; ?yes sir.?
After the two large enterprise men left his office; Penrose asked his diminutive guest; ?would you care for a drink Mr. Pecht??
The pixie answered the enterprise leader in a soft, high voice; ?I'll take a whiskey if you have it old boy? the short fae walked over to the settee near the window and nimbly hopped up onto it. He told Penrose ?Pecht will do old boy; and while your lads are going about their business, we can discuss your use of language around impressionable young men.? The pixie was smiling slightly while he spoke, and his expression grew to an outright grin when he saw Penrose's face darken with annoyance. ?you know that young Tobias shouldn't be exposed to such vulgarity?.
Everyone knew that Penrose did not care for vulgar language; and had only used the word Hell because he was caught off guard. First there was the whole meeting what had up to that moment been a literal fairy tale creature to him. And second had been his surprise when the aforementioned fairy tale being told him that he was in love with a fairy.
Penrose stopped pouring a superb whiskey to glower over at the pixie. The enterprise leader's expression would have caused any of his men to wince; but the pixie simply smiled like the cat who had got the canary.
?Lighten up old boy;? the pixie told Penrose, ?I'm just having a little fun with you?. Penrose poured a second whiskey and walked over to the settee near the window. As he walked there, he told Pecht, ?people don't generally have fun at my expense.?
Pecht told the enterprise leader; ?technically speaking, I'm not people?.
Penrose watched the small figure enjoy a healthy sip of whiskey and asked; ?is Pecht your given name, or your surname??
The response he received from the small fae was ?Yes!?
Penrose had made a habit of referring to most people by their surname and many often wondered not just why; but sometimes, how he found out that information if it was not readily available There was no mummery or magic involved. He had many contacts in many places; and had always had a penchant for gathering information. In the case of his man Teague; Penrose had contacts in the War Office who had supplied him with Teague's file. That is how he knew the man's surname was Jowan.
?well Pecht;? Penrose spoke, ?you mentioned something about a fairy and love??
?That I did old boy?, Pecht said to the enterprise leader.
Penrose nodded and stated; ?I believe you had said that Pixies and Fairies don't get on very well: why is that??
The Pixie took a long sip and upended the now empty glass before handing it to Penrose. ?I'll educate you on that while you pour me another if you please?
Penrose got up and went to the sideboard where the antique crystal decanter rested; now half full of 30 year old single malt whiskey. As he poured another healthy glass for his guest; he heard the small high voice from the settee. ?So many reasons not to like the fairies old boy.?
Pecht continued; ?I think for me, the main thing is that they think they are better than.? Penrose nodded slowly. ?Pretentious and stuffy I say,? the pixie continued. ?Your man Gerald might say something like: they got a stick up their bum.?
Penrose smiled slightly and offered; ?I could hear Gerald saying something like that.? The enterprise leader continued:?so you were saying; about the whole in Love thing??
Penrose returned to the settee and sat on the opposite end of it after handing the single malt whiskey to the Pixie.
?Yes;? the small figure said to Penrose, ?I am in love with a fairy.? Pecht took a sip and said; ?I would not have thought that possible, but she is a marvelous, beautiful creature.? Penrose nodded slightly; showing appreciation for the Pixie's intense emotion.
Pecht took another sip and said; ?your people would reckon her a fairy; but in the Mediterranean, where she is from, they would know her as a Nereid, or a sort of Sea Nymph.?
Penrose nursed his whiskey and asked ?is that a sort of Sea Fairy?? Pecht agreed with ?that's as good a term as any.? He continued in his soft, high voice ?you see, she hails from the waters near the Isle of Sardinia; and truth be told she's half my age, but I love her none the less.?
Penrose had a somewhat sketchy track record with love himself; but offered this, ?my sister used to say that the heart wants, what the heart wants.?
Pecht smiled slightly and said; ?a wise one, your sister.? The little fae continued ?her name; at least as close as you could pronounce it is Tenkha.? Penrose said ?Tenka?? Pecht's response was; ?no, Tenkha? ?Tenkla??, from Penrose. Pecht shook his head and slowly, in his high soft voice said ?Tenkha.? This time Penrose responded with ?Tenkha.?
Pecht reached out and in a friendly fashion slapped the enterprise leader's leg, ?that's quite right old boy!?
?in any case,? the Pixie continued, ?Tenkha grew up in and around the Isle of Sardinia, back when your Carpenter and his dozen cronies were wandering about spreading their message.? He continued; ?now some would say to beware Sea Spirits like her, and truth be told; if you are a sea faring sort, the Nereids could well and truly have their way with you.?
Penrose could recall reading classics like the Odyssey, and how much trouble Sea Nymphs could cause. The enterprise leader offered his thought. ?You mean like Homer wrote of??
Pecht nodded his head in agreement; ?you may be thinking of Circe; but she was a much more powerful, distantly related sort than my lovely Tenkha.?
The Pixie looked towards the door and said ?your Big man has returned.?
Penrose looked to the open doorway and several long moments later; Fitz entered the office.
The Pixie grinned; and the enterprise leader frowned at the big man's exclamation.
?Branok:? Penrose said, ?you were saying that you feel you let me down??
Fitz rose back up to his two meter height and faced his employer ?Yes sir Mr. Penrose?. Fitz looked away momentarily; his employer knew the man well enough to see that Fitz was uncomfortable.
?of course you know that Gerald and I were there at the Italian place as back up for Teague:? Penrose nodded his head in the affirmative and prompted Fitz with; ?and?.?
?Well sir,?Fitz said, ?we had sat at our table and food was arriving just as Gerald got up from the table to go after Teague.? The Pixie chimed in with ?and??
Fitz looked down at Pecht then back up to his employer: ?well sir, we had spotted that snake Vittorio there as he went off after Teague.? The big man looked down at his feet for a moment before continuing; ?Gerald had already gone after them and I was going to follow; but the food smelled so delicious that I had to take a bite.?
Pecht looked at Fitz and slowly nodded as the big man continued. ?Mr. Penrose sir;? Fitz said, ?I was just going to take one bite and then go off to help.? He looked at his employer and said;? but after I took one bite, I took another. Then I took another. Then I took yet another.? Fitz looked troubled. ?Mr. Penrose sir, I knew that I had to go after Gerald and Teague. But I couldn't stop.?
Penrose looked at his man and Fitz said:?I swear on my mum sir. I couldn't stop. I kept eating until every bit of food was gone from that table.?
The Pixie broke in then saying ?it's alright big fella. It's not your fault.? Fitz looked down at the pixie with an inquisitive look on his calm, serious face.
?What do you mean Pecht?? Mr. Penrose asked.
The pixie told them; ?the Italians are using too much Pixie dust.?
Pecht continued; ?you see at the Cornish, we use enough to make it better but not so much that it turns into a compulsion.?
The Pixie looked at the confusion on both men's faces; so he explained further. ?the italians are using too much; and that makes eating the food like when people smoke too much of the poppy, or when a man falls into the bottle and can't make his way back out.?
Fitz nodded slowly as the last comment made him recall his own granddad who had drank himself to death at a relatively young age.
It also made the big man feel a little better that he had been so late in going after Gerald and Teague.
?Mr. Penrose sir,? Fitz said to his employer, ?I've some bad news though.? He continued:?after I finally went after Teague and Gerald, I found a room where there had been a struggle.? Fitz paused momentarily, with a sad look on his face.
?I didn't see a body; but there was so much blood sir: I can't see how Gerald survived.? Penrose told Fitz; ?there's actually some good news on that subject.? Fitz looked confused and said; ?but I found a bloody piece of Gerald's jersey sir; and there was too much blood. I'm afraid he's gone.?
Penrose looked over at the Pixie and said ?that's something we need to talk about as well.?
Pecht nodded his head and told the men ?we will.?
At this point there was a slight disturbance at the doorway as the two enterprise men returned from their clothing related endeavor.
Fitz looked at the doorway and saw Teague and Gerald. Gerald was in ill fitting clothing. The bruiser's trousers were a bit tight and his shirt was a bit loose. This was due to the fact that the bottoms belonged to Teague, and the shirt was one that Fitz recognized as his own.
Fitz had a confused look on his face when he saw Gerald come in from the hallway. It was a look that was much more common on Gerald's face. Fitz thought to himself; how can this be? But out loud he said; ?What the Hell!?
This story is loosely based on the events of future President, lieutenant John F. Kennedy. Commanding officer of motor torpedo boat PT-109 during WWII.
Salty seawater splashed his face as the boat crashed through the rough waters. The constant hum of the engine, like a swarm of mosquitos. The cool night air felt good after the sweltering heat of the day.
Ken stared endlessly into the sheer black, curtain-like night. His legs compensating for the never-ending up and down, up and down movement of the boat.
Their target? A Japanese cargo ship.
Seven other 80 ft PT boats (Patrol, Torpedo boats) identical to his own, followed behind in a scattered formation These small, wooden boats, were designed for maximum speed and agility. Both vital elements for taking out large ships.
A scout plane had spotted the cargo ship the day before. And, of course, it was escorted by multiple destroyers. The attack plan had been set in order that day. All boats were made ready by nightfall.
It had now been over two hours since they last set out. They had to be close.
?We've got ?em on our radar,? the captain said, picking up the handheld radio alerting the other boats. In code.
He was on the only boat fitted with a radar system in the squad.
He returned to his position. Four torpedoes were fitted on the side of the deck. Two in the front, two near the rear.
He and Phil were in charge of getting their torpedo into the water when instructed. They both braced themselves for the coming action. They didn't have long to wait.
Soon the vessels were in sight. Solitary lights positioned along the vessels alerted them of their presence. The low rumble of their engines could be heard across the waters.
The plan was simple. About as simple as it gets. Three boats would distract the destroyers, giving the others a chance at the slow-moving cargo ship.
Another flash. Another explosion. And then the bang of the gun, echoing across the water.
The earsplitting .50 caliber gun on their own deck began a burst of six shots followed by another six, and then another. The urge to cover his ears never could have been greater.
Soon, the gun up front began the same six-shot bursts. Wreaking havoc on those aboard the destroyers.
How he longed to be at those guns, instead of waiting the command to drop torpedoes. He knew he would have hated it just as much if not more, but at least he wouldn't feel so helpless. Just waiting for orders.
Another shell hit the water, sending water on deck. The boat rocked to one side from the wake. He thought he'd go overboard.
The boat made another turn to one side, then straightened her course for the larger vessel.
This is It, he thought. We're going in for the kill.
A few seconds passed, as they gained speed. Then the command came.
?Release!?
He and Phil unfastened their torpedo from the rack mounted on the side and rolled it overboard. With a gigantic splash, the two-ton warhead was on its way. Another on the opposite side was released simultaneously. The two bombs left a clear, white trail, as they headed for their target.
Everyone let out a whoop as they saw their success.
With one target gone, they started for the next. A PT boat was already starting its run against the next destroyer. Their own boat now followed beside the other. Yet keeping plenty of room between them so that they wouldn't become an easier target.
Once again shells plummeted around them. Bullets hit the water near them. The ever-present searchlights. Their own machine guns blaring.
Flashes on deck their target were seen a millisecond before bullets slammed into their own, wooden deck.
?They're hittin' us!? he shouted over the gunfire.
The boat swerved to the right. The searchlights lost them for a second. Then a shell exploded on their left. The engine roared as they reached maximum speed.
Another round of bullets plummeted on deck. A shell exploded just in front of them. The boat leapt out of the water, then crashed down once more. Ken smashed his face hard on the deck, starting his nose bleeding.
He felt more helpless than ever. Having already released his torpedo he had nothing to do but hold on for dear life. Suddenly the front gunner cried out, as he fell to the deck.
Ken made his way to him as fast as possible. He examined Ben's leg. It didn't look promising. Motioning for Phil to take Ben, he took charge of the gun.
A flash from a destroyer gun alerted him of another, oncoming shell. He felt the PT boat jolt as something smashed into it. Fear clenched him as he waited.
Suddenly he was thrown into the abyss, as the boat blew apart. A large fireball erupting above it. He hit the water square on his back, driving the air out of him. Struggling helplessly, he gasped for air.
He didn't pay his burning arm any mind as he swam for the floating wreckage. Half the boat still floated but was taking in water. Most of the 14 crew were eventually clinging onto the temporary life raft. Although, some never made it that far.
It was a sinking feeling to see their own fleet heading for base, leaving them to fend for themselves out in the sea. They had probably assumed that no one would have survived an explosion like that. Or they had tried to find them, but in such darkness, had little success.
One way or another, the end result was the same. They were floating on a sinking piece of wreckage. They had to do something.
The nearest island that wasn't occupied by Japanese, was at least a three-mile swim. A swim that far in perfect health would prove difficult. But with wounded men as well? It was almost unthinkable. But what other choice did they have?
Ken's neck ached as he hauled his comrade along. His limbs, although trained for use in the water, began to give out. His breath came in large gasps.
The dark waters seemed to stretch forever. Direction seemed lost. Clouds covered the stars. The only form of sea navigation. The only thing he had to cling to was the wind. He had noted its direction when they had set out. As long as it had not shifted, they would be heading in the right direction.
Hours pasts. The East finally started to glow, as dawn began to break. The first ray of sunshine broke over the horizon as they reached a sandy beach. Dragging Ben onshore, he collapsed in the sand. They had made it. They were no longer drowning.
In the little pitter-patter of the rain, spring bloomed like a heaven-woven quilt. With every step forward, Effe, the pig's toes bathed in the bubbles of the liquid magic underneath. She drew in a sharp breath, revelling in the scent of the rainbow garlands of the flowers everywhere. It was a perfect day in every sense of the word? until ?
?Save me!? a desperate voice called out from not more than half a mile ahead.
Reluctant, Effe turned her ears towards the whimpering voice. Her legs begged her to rush back home, knowing she had come too far. But her thumping heart ordered her to stay still. Among her brothers and sisters, she played games of strong knights, tired of being the captive forever. Knowing this could be her only chance to be a rescuer, at last, made a smile grow on her lips.
In the centre of the path stood a tree with its branches stretched towards the sky. Its bark a valley filled with silvery water streams of the rain. And from one of the branches, Effe noticed the thick rope and on its end, a lean, black-furred Coyote, upside down
She could see the rope digging into the fur, and Effe's mouth contoured in a grimace. ?Are you hurt?? she asked, stopping right under the tree's shade.
The Coyote's dazzling eyes found Effe's. ?Yes,? he whimpered, screwing his eyes shut. ?And hungry ?? his tongue gazed over his lips, ?? but the pain?? he cried again, throwing his head back, ?? it's intolerable!?
Hunger? Effe had her heart in her mouth at the thought. Eyes still locked with the Coyote, she took a few steps back. She was no rescuer, only a little piglet who couldn't run fast enough.
?Don't worry,? the Coyote said, wiggling around, ?I won't hurt you.? His features were clouded with pain again, and he let out the loudest wince, ?I only need you to help me out of this rope!?
No one attacks their rescuer, Effe knew that from her games. And now that she had locked her eyes with the Coyote, she couldn't abandon him. He also promised not to hurt her. Letting out a sigh, Effe nodded. ?Hold on?? she whispered, before beginning to chew on the thick rope that held the Coyote captive.
Chewing and chewing? Effe's jaw was ready to fall apart? until the rope snapped and the Coyote landed on his paws gracefully. ?Thank you,? he said, freeing all but one leg from the tightly bounded rope, ?I'll never forget this favour!?
Truth be told, Effe still had her heart in her mouth. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea. ?That's alright,? she replied, jerking her head towards her farm, ?I must return now.?
?Do you live on the farm nearby?? the Coyote asked, looking over the horizon.
?Yes,? Effe nodded.
The Coyote's eyes glistened with amusement. ?You must've access to all sorts of delicacies then.?
A light blush crept onto Effe's already pink cheeks. Her farm hadn't been doing good. Forget delicacies, they could barely afford food. And while a tiny ?Yes' sat on her lips, her mother's words echoed in her head.
?A lie would always be caught,? her mother had said.
?Not really,? Effe replied, shaking her head, ?Our farm isn't doing too well.?
?I don't believe you!? the Coyote cried, he circled her, stopping to gaze into her eyes. ?With your bright, sparkly eyes, I swear I thought I saw stars!?
Letting out a chuckle, Effe dunked her head. Heat rose to her ears and she was sure the light pink of her cheeks must've turned bright red by now. Stars? She couldn't look that beautiful, could she? ?Really, we don't eat much.?
?That's a shame,? the Coyote replied, pursing his lips, ?If I could, I would pay you with all the exotic fruits I've ever eaten for your kindness.?
Wide-eyed, Effe stepped closer to the Coyote. ?You've had exotic fruits??
?Only some,? the Coyote replied, nodding. ?Like the jackfruits of tropical Asia, rose apples from East Indies, persimmon from China, African pear?? he began counting, eyes turned skywards. A grin spread on his lips, showing off the set of perfect, sharp teeth, ?? to name a few.?
Just the mention of the fruits made Effe's mouth water. She gulped in, shaking her head to erase the images from her head. For if she kept thinking of the fruits, she would never be able to eat the corns waiting for her back home. ?You must've travelled a lot?? she asked, blinking a couple of times.
The Coyote hung his head. His brows furrowed together, a sorrowful grimace replacing his grin. ?Most people don't like me, so I have to keep moving,? he replied, hiding his face in the crook of his elbow as he sniffed.
Effe's heart tightened in her chest. Her lips curled downwards, she blinked back the tears sitting at the corner of her eyes. ?Why??
?They think I'll hurt them, but I mean no harm,? the Coyote replied, raising his head. He forced a tiny smile, ?I sustain on fruits and vegetables.? Puffing out his chest, the Coyote held his head up high. ?I can help you gather something from the farm I live at as a gesture of my gratitude,? he said, jerking his head in the direction opposite of Effe's farm, ?you can share it with your family.?
Upon the umbrella of trees, the dancing drops played their melodious musical beats. And while the rope around his leg, bothered Raven to no bound, he kept a smile on his face. It was harder to catch the farm animals now with traps everywhere. But when a pig willingly accompanied him, he could feel the hunger inside him easing. Though the Pig needed a little fattening up? eventually she could be a whole four-course meal.
?I'm Raven,? the Coyote introduced himself, eyeing the Pig's neck for a brief second. He could already feel the sweet scent radiating off the Pig intoxicating all his senses.
?I'm Effe!? the Pig replied with a bright smile.
?I can already tell we'll be great friends!? Raven said, a lopsided grin dancing on his lips. A few lies never harmed anyone. Well, it did harm some, but not him. ?If you ever need my help, I'll repay you!?
Amid the dancing golden wheat, there were more hues than Effe was used to seeing. The land rolled out farther than her eyes could see. There was a frisson of joy adding its fragrance to the already beautiful day.
?You live here?? Effe asked, already shrinking back as the images of her muddy, tiny farm crept into her mind.
Raven nodded. Taking a step forward, he looked over his shoulder, ?Why don't you wait here?? he whispered. ?The others don't like intruders, and might hurt you,? he said, pointing towards the entrance of the farm, ?I'm not well enough to protect you myself.?
Effe wasn't complaining. On the contrary, she was glad! It would be horrible if she embarrassed Raven in front of his friends. They all looked well-groomed and well-fed. She, on the other hand? was covered in mud. ?I hope this isn't a trouble,? she whispered, nodding.
Raven smiled. ?This is the least I can do for you.?
As the days went by, erased by the gentle hands and ticking music, Effe waited for her new friend near the tree they met. She assumed it to be gratitude and pity after seeing her farm, that Raven always bought food for her from his home.
It was unlike her to be found in her pen during the afternoon. Yet, she sat there, away from her brothers and sisters. A deep frown embedded on her face, staring off at a distance. She was thinking, Edmond, the dog, could tell, with her lower lips tucked between her lips.
When she sighed again, Edmond, couldn't help but chuckle. ?You're here today?? he asked, tilting his head to one side. ?Not out on an adventure??
Effe shook her head. ?My friend told me he is going on a trip to Amazon today,? she replied, rising to her feet, ?he told me he'll return tomorrow, and then we can hang out together.?
Edmond was taken aback. What possible friend of Effe could take a trip to Amazon? His sharp eyes scanned the farm, counting the friends in one sweeping glance. ?Do you even know where Amazon is??
?My friend told me, it's fifteen farms over,? Effe replied, pulling her lips up in a smile, ?He is also bringing Cupuacu back.?
Thoughts scattered, Edmond raised his brows. There was not a single friend on the farm he could think of who was missing. Neither one who would lie to Effe. He narrowed his eyes and asked, ?Who is this friend of yours??
Effe craned her neck with pride. ?Raven.?
Feeling his brain pause for a moment, a wash of cold made Edmond shudder. That's the friend Effe had been having secret meetings with for the past few days? Edmond's mouth turned into a grim line, as he replied, ?He's not a friend Effe.?
Effe gasped, blowing out her cheeks. ?Why would you say that??
?Because Amazon isn't fifteen farms over and he is the Coyote hunting the chickens on the next farm.?
?He told me that everyone always assumes he'll hurt them,? she replied, shaking her head, ?He lives on fruits and vegetables.? As if Edmond had plunged the knife of betrayal in her chest, she cowered away from him, ?he even helps me get food every day for my family!?
Edmond wondered if the curtain of Raven's lies would lift if he took Effe there. The place he was most likely to bury the truth. Or would Effe turn a blind eye towards what would stare her in the face? There was only one way to find out. ?Would you like to take a walk with me like old times??
At the end of the brown-hued forest floors, the rocky walls of darkness stared at them. Its corners stench with lies and from underneath its soil peeked the crowns of skulls and long bones
Cowering behind Edmond's legs, Effe glanced at the den. ?What place is this??
?Raven's home,? Edmond replied, pulling his shuddering friend by his side. He knew it was a little too much for her delicate heart. But lies needed to come to light.
?He doesn't live here, there is not one fruit or vegetable peel here,? Effe replied, tearing her gaze from the horrid place, ?he lives on the farm next to ours.? She could feel her stomach churn at the sight.
?Why would anyone keep him??
Something stood out in the soil. Twisted together like a braid, it was a sickly shade of greenish-brown. Effe narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better look at it. ?Is that a rope??
Edmond nodded. ?Why is that important??
?I helped him out of a rope,? Effe replied, feeling her heart skin to the pit of her stomach as if someone had replaced it with a cemented brick, ?he told me the farmer got the remaining off his leg.? Her brain had turned to a big ball of fog. ?What is it doing here??
?I don't think it was the farmer who helped him.?
?What do I do Edmond?? Effe asked as silvery tears sat at the brim of her eyes. A tide of sadness washed over her, trying to put together the pieces of Raven's lies. Every second they had spent together must've been a lie as well. The thought that Raven never even considered her a friend made her heart break into million shards.
With the promise of Edmond's knowing smile, Effe sat out to meet Raven at her usual time. Underneath the brilliant smiles radiated by the promising sun rays, she walked by her foe in disguise, shortening her usual strides. There was a plan? how much of it would work had kept Effe up all night.
A shiver ran down Effe's spine, trying to keep an eye out for Edmond. ?They all attacked you?? her voice came out as a squeak, wild eyes gliding over Raven in a quick sweep.
?Yes,? Raven replied, pulling his lips down in his customary frown, ?I tried to save the Cupuacus for you, but they robbed me!?
A rustle on her left made Effe jump. Her heart hammered like a thousand drums. ?That's alright,? she managed to whisper, coming to a halt in the clearing near the tree, ?I'm just glad you came back safe.?
?You're a wonderful friend Effe,? Raven cried, letting out a soft whimper, ?What did I do to deserve your friendship??
Lengthening her strides as they reached the corner of the path leading to her farm, Effe watched Raven behind her from the corner of her eyes. Her heart shrank to half its size when she noticed his lips curl back, claws extending towards her.
Her heart jumped out of her chest when Edmond's leaped from behind a bush. Like a golden river, he galloped over the earth. Placing himself between his friend and the intruder, that had run away with his tail tucked.
?That's Raven, alright!? Edmond exclaimed, coming to a halt near Effe with a steady gait. Chest puffed out, he kept his gaze fixed on where the black-furred Coyote had disappeared. Not ready to lower his guard, in case the beast returned to snatch away Edmond's friend.
?Was he sneaking up on me??
?Don't worry,? Edmond said, placing his paw on Effe's shoulder. ?At dawn tomorrow, we catch him.?
As the dark clouds rolled by, dawn rolled in as promised. And with her trembling feet, Effe made her way to the tree she had set the captor free. She felt the fear coursing through her body, but with every step forward, Effe felt it slip away. She was going to ride the wave and see where it would take her.
At the end of the path, the captor and she came face to face.
?I'm sorry Effe,? Raven whimpered, head lowered and tail tucked between his legs, ?I was too scared after being attacked??
?You left me alone in danger,? Effe said, turning her face away from him. Her jaw gritted as she tried to hold back her tears. ?Even when you promised you would repay me if I ever need help!?
?I know I'm a terrible friend,? Raven replied, hanging his head low, ?Forgive me.?
Exhaling sharply, she pushed her tears away. It was time to be what she always dreamt of. A knight. She braced her heart, plastering her face with a smile. ?Only if you tell me more about your adventures,? Effe replied, her bright eyes locked with Raven's.
?Let's go on one ourselves today,? Raven announced, eyes twinkling with joy.
?Where are we going??
?I spotted some limes here when I was coming back from Amazon,? Raven replied, stuttering his way through the maze of trees. Unlike before, he had his head raised with pride. ?I thought we could share some.?
?Limes?? Effe asked, scrunching up her nose, ?I've had limes!? she stuck her tongue out, ?I don't like its spicy taste.?
Watching Raven stutter to cover up a lie, made Effe smirk. ?You don't?? he mumbled, chuckling as he avoided Effe's gaze, ?I've always liked limes for the spice.?
Rolling her eyes, Effe glared at his form. Her mother was right, the truth can't be hidden for too long. It was time for Raven to fess up. But not before she had flustered him enough. Recomposing her face, Effe asked, ?Wasn't Amazon that way?? pointing in a vague direction towards the East.
?Forgetful me!? Raven cried, leaping to the East, ?I messed up.?
Effe pulled her lips up in a smile, ?Why don't we eat some cherries today??
?Sounds good,? Raven replied, nodding. ?I'll have a stomach full today.?
?I know where we can get some.?
The pathway threaded through trees lined up one after another. The rain-quenched earth had removed all footprints, but Effe remembered the way to the den and stopped short of it.
Pulling his lips back in a snarl, Raven squinted his eyes. ?You knew?? he asked, placing his heavy steps in Effe's direction.
?I thought you were my friend,? Effe said, holding her breath as she watched Raven loom closer, ?Why would you lie to me??
He threw his head back as a mirthless chuckled erupted from his lips. ?I didn't think you'd actually fall for half of it,? he replied, his hunched exterior and sharp eyes aimed towards the Pig he had fattened up enough to enjoy for two meals. Fattened up enough to make it hard for her to run away.
?The truth always comes out,? Effe said, eyes fixed on the loop of rope that skipped Raven's eyes. Her breath quickened when the leaves over it shifted as Raven stepped closer.
Gazing his tongue over his razor-sharp teeth, Raven launched himself forward. ?In this case, it will forever remain a secret.?
With a loud snap and a little whimper, Raven wooshed upwards faster than Effe's eyes could follow. Dangling from the branch of an overgrown tree, Raven wiggled with his legs bound together, ?My friend,? he cried, ?Save me, I won't harm you!?
From behind the tree, Edmond jumped out glaring at the Coyote, growling as he made his way over to his brave little friend.
?This time no one is freeing you,? Effe said, craning her neck to meet Raven's eyes. Nodding to her friend Edmond, she turned on her heels. Only to come to a halt and look over her shoulder. ?And Raven?? she spoke through her clenched jaw, ?? limes are not spicy.?
Walking upon the wide brown path, Effe could hear the splashing footsteps of the farmers nearby.
?Are you okay?? Edmond replied, nudging Effe in her side.
She nodded with the widest smile. ?Didn't I do good??
?Certainly.?
?Give me back my talisman!? shouted a girl.
She was surrounded by short men with pointy ears and crude smiles. She had a torn, brown blouse and tattered black stockings. Th men had green, neat, freshly pressed clothes.
The ringleader was the brownie clan's favourite son. He had the handsomest pointed ears, vibrant carrot hair, eyes as blue as the pond they used. He had a triangular, red hat he wore every day.
?No, way Stretch!?
He rattled the chain in front of her. Her dark face gnarled in effort, trying to catch him.
Sonny sneered and his grubby, red nose glowed as he laughed at the tall girl he bullied. She ran towards him to steal back her family heirloom but he threw it to Piggy, whose lard stomach jiggled as he sluggishly caught the necklace in his fat, white hands. The girl snivelled and ran from Sonny, the ringleader to Piggy.
Piggy looked to and fro fearing she will collide with him and knock him down. He passed the necklace to the spritely and quick brownie Pip.
Pip had the pointiest ears and the most facetious grin. He always scoured the neighbourhood for a new place to cause havoc. He sprinted circles around all the boys in his gang. So, it was child's play for him to outrun the girl with her lanky legs.
Pip passed the jewellery off to his younger brother, Patter who started hopping from leaf to leaf. She tried to grab the object , to no avail. Patter laughed and threw the rope necklace to his younger brother Bunny.
Little Bunny could hide well. When she twisted around Bunny had vanished, but really, he was hiding behind a shrub.
She bawled. The remaining four boys circled her like buzzards. They poked her with sharp sticks until she danced like a firefly in an empty jar.
?Ouch!? she sang.
?Tall girl! Tall girl!
Higher than tree!
When she falls, she could squash me!
When she falls, she could scare the bees!
Buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz!
Tall girl, tall girl, kills the bees!
Buzz, buzz!
Tall girl, tall girl, kills all the trees!?
The boys sang a mocking song in her ears while beating and prodding her with sticks. She covered her face and sat in the circle. Something rustled the bushes and frightened the little brownie boy, Bunny from his hiding place. He forgot the necklace momentarily and ran to save his own skin.
He screamed. His older brothers halted their harassment of the sore, scared girl. Sonny still enthusiastically beat her with his green-stick.
?What is it, Bunny?? asked Pip, the oldest from the Poppy family.
Bunny hid behind Patter and Pip. The girl was curled into a ball with only her feet sticking out.
?Monster, in the bushes?? Bunny said in a shaky voice.
Pip's eyes widened and he threw his stick in the air, incidentally it whacked Sonny on the head. It took off his hat.
Sonny shouted.
?Monster?? asked Pip. Patter too started shaking and his lips quivered.
?I hate monsters,? Patter cried.
The two Poppy boys embraced one another. Sonny had developed an ugly, red scratch on his perfect forehead.
?There are no monsters!? wailed Sonny.
He raised his stick and readied to whack the poor girl again.
Momma's necklace that she had got when she turned five.
?Thank you,? she told the monster.
?What happened this time Opal??
?The Brownie gang got me again.?
?Those boys are getting too brave! I'll teach them a lesson or two!?
?Don't bother, if my own Pa don't care I'm hurt, why should anyone else??
She sniffed and wiped her nose.
?No, that's not true?Pa does care.?
Momma Apple bottom, Opal's mother, reassured her falsely. He never involved himself in anything to do with Opal. She was mother's problem, he often said.
?Cheer up, Cherry is having a wedding party today and we was invited.?
It was too good to be true but Opal always carved the best figurines for her friend, since they turned three. So, she had to be invited.
?You're old enough to look for a good brownie boy to tie the knot with.?
?No, boy wants to be with me. I'm too tall and they are all little.?
Mother Apple-bottom brushed her curly black hair until it was straight-ish.
?Trust me, just go to Cherry's party in this dress and you will have men lining up to ask you to be their bride in no time.?
Opal sighed.
?Ok? she said taking her mother's lovely yellow frock with a green apron. Opal polished her mulch ballet slippers until they sparkled. She wore the dress and then put on the shoes. She looked so pretty.
Mother Apple-bottom wore her best green dress and escorted her daughter to the party. Opal was five heads taller than her mother.
Opal was the tallest brownie, which was strange because it was the men who were taller than the women.
A lot of things were strange about her actually, she had unusual dark black curly hair and brown skin as if she had been baked in the sun too long. She had eyes the colour of dying pine cones, very concentrated in shade. And bizarre, round lobed ears. But at least she had a short, snubbed nose like all good brownies did.
They were a sight to behold as they entered Cherry's party. The flower chains that were hung around their hut were snagged by Opal's big head. The parents shouted at her.
?Ms Apple-bottom, was it not clear enough in the invitation, only you were invited and not your gargantuan daughter?? asked Cherry's mother.
Opal's mom was wide as a pumpkin. Her fat hand knocked Cherry's mother over as she clapped her on the back playfully.
?Come, now Ms Birch-blossom aren't we making mountains out of molehills. Look, Opal brought your daughter a gift too!?
Everyone at the wedding party groaned. All the brownies knew that Ms Birch-blossom's Achilles heel was a present. Just the thought of one could make her forgot what she disliked, in the drop of a hat.
?A gift, you say?? she pulled Ms Apple-bottom along with Opal following closely behind.
Cherry frowned when she saw Opal. Opal greeted her friend enthusiastically but Cherry gave her a flat hello.
?Mom, why is Opal here??
Opal and her mother grimaced.
Cherry's mother chastised her.
?Do not be rude, Cherry. See, she brought a gift!?
It was in an elephantine box she found with flowers and creepers decorating it.
?It's probably just a stupid wooden carving like always.?
Opal sighed.
She clutched her box and gave a broken smile.
?I made it special.?
Cherry glowered at the box.
?Put it, with the others.?
Opal went to the table where there were colourful paperclips, rare jewels and shiny rocks. Everything matched except her dinky box. She lowered her head and put it there next to the more desirable presents.
She sat behind everyone because if she sat in front,no-one would see the couple. Cherry was the most beautiful brownie girl: thin with fair skin and brown hair and pointy ears and eyes as green as the meadows.
She stood in a green gown next to Sonny Grassy, the chief's son and Cherry's fiancé. They held each other's hands and stood in a small ring. Their parents, Ms Birch-blossom and the brownie chief, threw white daisies and carnations at them as the crowd chanted.
After the chant ended their hands were bound together. They were betrothed. The girls stood inside a ring made by the other brownies. One by one a male brownie went pick a girl to dance with.
A boy with brown hair went into the ring and held out a hand to Opal. She thought he wanted to dance with her but he just wanted to rip off her apron, which was a disgrace for unmarried brownie women.
All the women stared. It was said if an unmarried brownie woman had her apron torn at a wedding gathering, she would never be married. That had happened to Ms Apple-bottom as well.
The boy laughed and stood next to her bullies; he was a part of the brownie gang too.
?Stupid Stretch! No-one wants to dance with you!? said Sonny.
Cherry joined in, in her mocking.
?Stupid girl, no-one will marry you now!?
?No, stop! Leave her alone! Stop, you evil people!? Ms Apple-bottom wept, her face turning a bright pink.
Opal stood, fed up and kicked away the brownies around her. They flew all over. Soon some of them started fleeing Opal ran away.
?Opal! Opal!? cried Ms Apple-bottom.
She never turned back, ashamed of facing her mother.
She returned to the meadow. There were caribous grazing and the monster she met earlier in the day was with them. Every time it went near the mothers and calves the big, male caribou would show jab its antlers at the scaly beast.
The caribou would yell if the beast came near them. It would then be forced to move back. It eventually remained a few feet from the group.
The group started when it saw Opal. The monster slithered to a mother caribou that had stayed behind. It cuddled with the mother. The mother showed its belly. It suckled from her nipple.
A few caribou mothers stared after the solitary mother. They waited for her at the end of the meadow, at the junction of the forest.
The mother eventually felt a longing to re-join her group and despite wanting to stay with the scaly monster she left?
The monster cried but the mother caribou had gone away. Opal slowly approached the beast.
?Hey, was that your mother? It's ok I am here. I saw how no-one wanted you near them. I understand.?
The animal looked at her with sad brown eyes. It cried. She hugged its oversized head.
It was warm. They comforted one another. Opal got hungry so she turned and she went home.
She jumped when she heard rustling. She gazed back and saw the blue grey snake creature following her.
?Oh, it's you. Look, you can't follow me home.?
It tilted its head. She walked. It followed her. She stopped and it stopped as well.
She gazed at it with an irate gaze.
?Don't you understand??
It huffed and licked her hair. She giggled.
?Ok, but behave.?
She returned home and her mother smothered her with hugs and kisses. The beast stuck its head in the doorway looking at them.
?Opal, don't run away ever again.?
?Ok, momma.?
Ms Apple-bottom let her go and that is when she noticed the beast and its oversized head in the doorway.
She blinked.
?Opal, is that a dragon??
Opal squinted at her mother.
?A drag-what?? she asked.
?A dragon! Where did you find it and where is its mother??
?Its mother had to leave it. And it followed me home. It was sad.?
?Opal we can't keep a dragon! They eat brownies!?
?But it didn't eat me, you or the brownie gang.?
Opal's mother stared dumbfounded. They had always been taught dragons ate brownies; so, how come this one was different?
?Please momma. It's my friend. It helped me when the brownie gang was hurting me. Let it stay.?
Opal's mother watched as it snaked into her little home and sniffed around. It found an apple pie and it swallowed it whole. It vomited back up the tray. She grimaced. Something that large would need lots of food and poop a lot. But so did her daughter and they managed, somehow.
?Fine, but it sleeps outside at night.?
Opal smiled.
?Thank you, momma.?
?What is it doing?? she asked nervously.
?It's just giving us a hug,? said Opal
After a week staying with the dragon Opal had named it Daisy because it liked eating those flowers from her momma's garden beds. It was two heads taller than her when she found it but, in the week, she had found it; it had grown twenty pounds.
They had read dragons grew to be the size of human houses. And it was only the size of a baby deer at the moment.
Daisy would start the day by waking up Opal by scratching at her window. Then they would hike before she returned to bath.
Opal woke one day. She felt a heaviness in the depths of her gut. Something was wrong. There was a scream; it was Cherry.
?MONSTER!?
She got up and changed before looking out her window?
Daisy was not outside.
The brownie village had gathered around daisy and stared at Daisy in trepidation.
The chief said: ?Get rope, men! We will tie it up!?
Sonny and the brownie gang circled it, like they had Opal in the past and they threw a rope up Daisy's back. Daisy growled in irritation. Sonny punched the beast and it tried to push him.
The men wrestled Daisy down and tied it down. It wailed and then Sonny pulled a snapdragon and forced it into its mouth. Daisy wailed. Opal shook as Daisy looked at her and wailed.
.
Cherry and all the women praised the men. Ms Apple-bottom realised her girl was not home and she did not see her giant pet. So, she went to find them. She saw Pa and the brownie men harassing the dragon. Pa took an axe and swung at Daisy. Daisy cried.
Opal grabbed the axe from her Pa.
She pushed off Sonny and kicked away the other men. Pa's brown hair waved as he shook his head.
?Daughter? What are you doing? This is a dragon.?
?It doesn't matter. It is my friend and t's the only creature other than my momma that doesn't think I'm not the perfect brownie.?
She hacked away the rope and removed the snapdragon from its face. Daisy cowered behind Opal's green stockings.
?See, Ms Apple-botttom! This is why we was never meant to take a strange babe from the forest! Now, she has brought a dragon into our community!?
?Pa??
?Do not call me, Pa. I am not your Pa and your momma is not your momma! We found you as a babe, ten years ago in the meadow. I told her to leave you there but she wanted a babe!?
Opal was dumbfounded.
?I don't care if she's not a brownie and that she could be an elf! She is still my babe.?
Her bully unjustly accused her and she held up her head.
?Then leave for the outlands I will.?
Her momma tried to leave with her but her Pa gave her the hairy eye.
?Let the girl go. You have done enough for her.?
?Tall girl, tall girl?. kills all the bees.?
But this time she dd not cry. She had s friend. Her and Daisy left the brownies and the caribous and went to the Outlands, to discover what were these elves that were mentioned to her.
<!Blood pearled in small, bright beads at the base of her lips, dotting the edges of her mouth and staining her teeth the light color of strawberry jam. There was caution tape wrapped around her wrists. The bold black words against the Big Bird yellow background made her dizzy, but it didn't matter. She was already sitting down. The chair underneath her was made of brittle peanut butter candy, the kind that you would find at any old grandma's cabinet store. But this was no quaint shop in the woods. This was not the place you'd bring your children, unless, like a certain stepmother or two, you wanted to rid yourself of them and take all the bread for yourself. The caution tape alone was enough to ward off any innocent wanderer. Phinny was not lost. She hadn't wandered into this place. In fact, she hadn't even walked into this place. She'd been brought here against her will or, as some might say, her decisions led her here, piece by piece, slice by slice, bite by tiny little bite. If only Jean could see her now, sitting here all tied up like a goose and biting her lips so hard- way too hard- just to keep herself from telling the truth. The guard would be back any minute. He'd have food, maybe, and Phinny needed to start deciding whether this time she would eat it or not. The last time he brought food and it was hard, like rock candy, but tasted too smooth and calm to match the consistency. Looking at that food and then eating it was like cutting open your finger just to find a nest of newborn chickens inside. Jean would have eaten the food, Phinny knew that, but she still couldn't bring herself to swallow it. Somewhere in her head, she had this idea that if she accepted the food the guard gave her, she'd have to accept the facts of her situation, too. Footsteps clattered down the hall. Phinny looked up, grateful again that they hadn't blindfolded her. She could still see. She could see the room she was locked up in, all bare bones and bare floor and bare bare walls except for the peanut brittle chair, her caution taped wrists, the big black boots that she'd kicked off into the corner, and a singular spoon. The guard left it here the last time he came. If Phinny knew better, she would have guessed he left it there on purpose, as some kind of hint as to how she could escape. She would have done everything she could to get that spoon and then to move closer to the walls if this was a regular occurrence, but it wasn't. Phinny came from a family that was known throughout the town for their reputation. The Salinknowles had been held as the standard for gold for so long that once, when Phinny was till in high school, she'd been crowned every single kind of queen the student body could come up with. Prom queen. Homecoming queen. Winter Fest queen. Fall Ball queen. Spring Fling queen. She used to be royalty, and now she sat, tasting cold pennies in an empty room, her mouth dry with sleep and desperation. Phinny wanted to get out. She wanted to move her hands, her lips, her feet. She wanted to run to Jean's house and jump in her bed and crawl under the covers and squeeze Bonbon the Stuffed Rabbit until his beady black eyes bugged out of his head. How did she fall so far? When did the sky become a warehouse roof? These were questions that she had the answer to, basically, but the thing was, in order to leave, Phinny would have to talk. She'd have to tell them what they wanted to hear. She couldn't. She had her loyalties, her promises, her fidelities to protect. If Phinny told the guard she was ready to talk to his boss, she'd take out the last brick in a very precarious Jenga tower If that tower fell, it would crush her and everyone she loved, smash them into the gritty pavement of the gritty city and everything would turn fuzzy red, a mess of things out of her control. At least now, this way, the others were safe. At least this way, Phinny could buy them a little more time. The last few days had been, naturally, far from easy, but she'd handled them alright, for the first time being captured and dragged to a warehouse in the middle of nowhere. Despite being scared out of her mind, Phinny could see the benefits of the situation. It would, for one, give her plenty of writing material. That was one of the reasons she was so dang surprised when she woke up in this chair, her eyes still soggy with sleep and her hands aching, wrapped too tight in something bright and plasticy smelling. Phinny was not exactly leading what you call an exciting life. She wrote stories. They weren't even her own stories, not really. No, Phinny stole stories from the past to make them into her own, more modern, more twisty literature. She'd started with Little Red Riding Hood, the classic fairy tale of small vs. large, soft vs. sharp, teeth vs. knife. The story she wrote was from the huntsman's point of view. Everyone loved it. Before Phinny knew what was happening, her book was flying off the shelves, rocketing into the hands of eager people everywhere. Her fan mail began to stack up, the movie proposals racking in through her mail slot, the deals and managers begging her to write more, more, more. So Phinny, seeing that her dreams had come true, decided to keep going. She did Jack and the Beanstalk, and wrote about how, once Jack got to the top of the beanstalk, he found the Old World, a place that used to be inhabited by, well, the people we know now as ourselves. In essence, her book explored life underground, what might happen if our world as we know it suddenly sunk, leaving few people on the surface. The novel was, again, an instant hit. Phinny's book tour took her all over the world. She met Jean in Italy, where the two of them were accidentally scheduled to sit at the same booth. Neither of them cared, and they sat together. By the end of the night, they found they had so much more in common than just writing books. Phinny and Jean were roommates the next year, after Jean finished her tour and settled down in San Francisco. The two of them wrote their next book together. It was a brilliant retelling of a classical fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, but instead of their stepmother and father sending them out into the woods, the children trick the parents, leaving them stranded in the middle of Siberia with their new baby, left to wander around until they stumble upon an eerie witch's house. They go inside, only to find a house full of mirrors, one for every shape and size and color. There was a lot of made up symbolism in that book, and Phinny loved it best of all her works. Maybe because she wrote it with Jean. Maybe because it made her the most money of all. Now, Phinny was not happy with that book at all. She wasn't pleased with any of her writing, considering that's what landed her in this place anyway. The day of her newest book release, she was kidnapped. Three people in tight green pants and fancy feathered hats jumped out of a horse drawn carriage and snatched her away in broad daylight. Phinny had kicked and screamed, but to no avail. One pinch of that pixie dust and she was out cold, her hair fanning underneath her head as she lolled underneath the seats of the carriage. When she woke up, her brain was buzzing with questions and her phone wasn't buzzing at all. It had been broken, hammered to pieces by a man wearing a cowboy hat and crocheted suspenders. ?Hello?? ?Sir! She's awake.? He'd turned to her. ?You're awake.? ?That I am, but who are you? And why am I here?? The anti-phone repair man shrugged. ?I can't tell you that.? ?Why not?? ?It's above my pay grade.? He kicked the shards of shattered phone. ?Sorry.? After he had gone, a tall person had walked into the room, closing the door behind them and pulling up a chair. Phinny spent the next forty five minutes getting briefed on her captivity. Apparently, the fairy tale creatures got fed up with being used for stories, and they wanted to blame it on someone. Out of the thousands of writers who used them for their stories, they chose Phinny because of her success, her drive, her stamina, her lack of intelligence when it came down to not getting kidnapped They wanted answers about why she used them, how she learned so much, if she planned on ever repaying them, and most importantly, what kind of shampoo did she use for her hair? Phinny could never tell them the truth. Even if it killed her, she would rather die than let them know her secrets.>
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