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Chapter Eleven

RYLIE

Sitting under my tree looking around at everything and nothing, a sudden buzzing noise has me looking up. Swarming around all of the flowers are hundreds of hummingbirds. Their little wings beat furiously as they fly in and out of the many buds.

Smiling at the sight above me, I lean back so I can enjoy watching their movements and colors better. I have no idea how I know, but suddenly I’m not alone anymore. I catch the shadow appearing out of the corner of my eye, but I don’t acknowledge him immediately. Then I wonder how I know it’s a guy. A voice whispers in my mind, but once again it’s hard to make out the words, that is until I address him directly. “ You have been gone for much longer this time.”

“ Forgive me, I didn’t want to leave you at all. Are you enjoying it here?”

“ That’s an odd question. Why would I not be, is this not where I should be?”

“ We won’t speak of it again. My name is LeX , what’s yours?”

A buzzing close to my head has me glancing away from the shadow sitting next to me. He asked me a question, my name. Should I know this? Why does he care?

“ Why do you care?”

“ I am simply trying to get to know you better. I was hoping to enjoy this world with you, it is very beautiful here.”

My world? Is this all mine … I wonder? All he is doing is making me think, and I don’t seem to care for that. I want to sit here and listen to the quiet words and watch the colors.

“ I have decided I don’t want to discuss my world … if it is mine. Can you hear the soft words? It’s a story, but I don’t know who or where it’s coming from. Do you?”

“ I do … if you come with me, I will show you.”

I see a shadowy hand reach out and for a moment it takes shape, appearing to be yellow in color, but I don’t want to leave quite yet, so I ignore his gesture until his hand fades away. “ Did you know yellow’s my favorite color?”

“ I did not, is this your favorite tree as well?”

“ I’m not sure, it seems oddly alive, a world of its own creation within itself. Its plentiful limbs, I feel, embody the many who have passed through our lives. The blooms opening and closing represent the relationships we’ve experienced as we walk our chosen path. The ones that have fallen to the ground … show loss. Either a loved one or a forgotten friend. But the roots which we sit upon now, they are what keep us grounded on this long walk of life. You may stray away, but strong roots will always guide you back home.”

He doesn’t say anything, just sits here with me and the words slowly surround me again.

The little bird turns and hovers right in front of my face, turning its head back and forth, looking at me curiously. “ Don’t be rude Randy , tell her good morning!” I hear Petal say.

“ Ohhh , good morning then.” I look down at Petal . “ Can she even hear me?”

“ Yes , silly man, she can.” She actually rolls her eyes at me.

“ Well , sorry if I’m not quite caught up with the whole fairy glen that I have here in my bedroom. You seem to know more about what’s goin’ on around here than I do. I think you’re just using me for room and board.” I laugh out loud. “ And why isn’t everyone, or should I say, why aren’t you or any of your flying friends here scared of me?”

“ I have watched you your whole life, Randy . I already knew your name. It just startled me, waking up with you standing over me. Now sit down. I’m breaking my neck, staring up at you.”

To be three inches tall, she sure is bossy. I sit down in the chair and pull it up as close as I can to Petal . “ What do you mean you have watched me my whole life?”

“ I have been in the fields for many seasons, I have gotten to watch multiple people come and go throughout the years. I actually remember the first time I saw you. You were much smaller than you are now, but compared to me, you were still huge. You were walking hand in hand with an older lady. Her long and beautiful hair extended all the way to her butt. She always smelled so good, like wild roses. She would come every spring and walk the fields. It was clear she enjoyed watching the flowers grow. I can remember you and a puppy running along with her and she would chase after you. I think I really remember the laughter the most.”

“ Do you know who the story is talking about?”

“ I believe it’s the main character’s grandmother. She seemed to enjoy a world similar to yours as well.”

“ I’m delighted by the peacefulness for sure, but now I wonder why. Why can’t I see you?” Suddenly , something feels off, “ Maybe you should go away. I didn’t feel this way until you showed up.”

I can feel his distress like it’s my own and just as I start to reach out for him, the shadow is gone and so are the soft words. Rubbing my chest, I glance down at my fingers, noticing the tips of them are turning yellow. My mind brushes it off as pollen left over from all the yellow flowers around me. Wait a minute, look at all of them lying on the ground! Have I lost that many? Tired and confused, I lay down on the ground, something that suddenly feels hard where it was soft and comforting earlier.

Suddenly , my body jerks and I sit up, startled. I almost call out for the shadow, what was his name again? LeX . I don’t remember ever knowing anyone else by that name. Standing up, I take a moment to really look around when I realize I don’t recall any other names. The tree I am standing under is the same, but what was once a bright sky with billowy clouds has now darkened. Black clouds dim the area, and a cool wind blows, chilling my exposed skin.

Blinking , I hold the material out on the dress I have on; it’s made out of flowers. Have I had this on the entire time? I step back against the tree when I see lightning in the distance, realizing the tree is the only solid cover around. Sliding down, I lean against its trunk with my arms wrapped around my legs, rocking back and forth. I watch the storm in the distance until my eyes become heavy and the darkness pulls me back under.