Page 30 of With the Potion in the Courtyard

This wasn’t like the dancing trees. These trees were older, bigger, and their movements were solemn. I had to move between them, careful not to get tangled on roots, or squashed by trunks. When they stopped and settled back in, I felt a measure of relief, but then, I looked around and could no longer see the light from the clearing. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t go back now.

Tears stung my eyes. I kept going, trying to pick a path through the woods, shouting Robbie and Jessie’s names. But every so often, no matter what, the trees moved around, and I felt even more lost. Lost and hopeless. How could I ever hope to find them if Iwasn’t even sure where I was going?

I felt tears gathering at the corners of my eyes when I suddenly caught a movement in the woods. There stood a beast, some mix between a wolf and an alligator. It had a huge mouth with giant fangs, and green, leathery skin. I had never been more certain in my life that something was dangerous.

Then, it began to sniff, and I knew I was in trouble. I hid between the trunk of the tree and saw that one of its branches was low enough for me to reach. Grabbing it, I hoisted myself up and kept climbing for what felt like forever before I heard the sniffing, this time even closer.

Looking down, I spotted the frightening creature, and its head jerked up. My heartbeat stilled in my chest, and then a low growl emanated from the creature. What am I supposed to do now?

I never thought I'd find myself clinging to a tree that stomped around like it had places to be. But here I was, my heart thudding in my chest as the snarling beast below snapped its jaws at me. I looked down at it, all teeth and bad intentions, and couldn't help but think it looked like something a kindergartener might dream up after too much candy.

"Shoo," I yelled, hoping it understood plain old human scolding. It didn't. Instead, it roared louder, splashing upside-down waterfall water everywhere.

Thank goodness for this tree. With a heave, it took another step, and the beast finally decided I wasn't worth the trouble. It slunk back into the water, disappearing.

"Okay, Cendi, time to get down," I said, eyeing the ground. The tree lowered itself enough for me to hop off. My legs shook, but I managed to stay upright.

"Jessie, Robbie," I said again, scanning the horizon and spotting two figures that had to be them. "Jessie, Robbie," No response. They vanished before I could even start running. But I knew the direction now.

"Keep heading toward the sun," I whispered, repeating the tree spirit's advice. "Always trust the sun."

With a deep breath, I pushed forward, the landscape shifting oddly with each step. Drawn flowers bobbed their heads as if cheering me on. After what felt like hours, I stumbled upon a portal. A swirl of colors, like finger paint gone wild, beckoned me closer. This had to be what would take me to Jessie and Robbie.

"Here goes nothing," I said and stepped through.

It wasn't them. It wasn't even close. Mountains loomed over me, marker strokes scribbled across the sky. A pang of frustration rolled through me, but I remembered the tree spirit's words. Toward the sun.

The mountain path was narrow, barely there. One slip and I'd join the clay bushes far below. My breath came in short gasps, my body ached, and when I thought I couldn't go any further, I saw it, a scrap of blue fabric caught on a twig. Robbie's shirt. Hope surged through me, dulling the pain.

"Almost there," I told myself.

That's when rocks rained down on me. Neon monkey-creatures hooted above, throwing debris with glee. I ducked and dodged but knew I wouldn't last. I fumbled for my wand, gave it a desperate twirl, and out flew a squadron of flying snakes, right out of the tip. They swooped at the monkeys, who scattered, allowing me to bolt from their reach.

Finally, the path opened into a sanctuary, a paradise drawn in pastel chalk. And there, munching on fruit that lookedlike it was glued together from construction paper, were Jessie and Robbie. The relief hit me so hard I nearly collapsed.

"Jessie, Robbie," I cried, rushing toward them.

They turned, their faces breaking into grins as wide as mine. We hugged, a tangle of limbs and laughter, relief washing over us like warm sunshine.

"Look at this place," Jessie gestured at the oasis.

"Can you believe we're here?" Robbie added, still holding onto me.

"Let's rest," I said, spotting a door embedded in the mountain, curious but too tired to care. "Is that a door?"

"Yeah," Jessie said. "Robbie and found it while searching for you. We explored a little but decided to come back here to camp and figure out how to find you."

Robbie smiled. "But you are here now."

Yeah, I was here now.

As the night crept in, the temperature dropped. I used my wand, casting a warming spell thatenveloped us. We tried to sleep, but the eerie sounds of Doodle kept us awake.

A branch snapped. I jerked and my heart slammed against my ribs. I shoved myself upright, scanning the shadows for danger. "Who's there?"

"Sorry, just me." Jessie's voice cut through the dark, her figure reappearing from behind a tree.

"Jessie," I exhaled, relief washing over me. "I thought you were…"