by J C Gilbert
I thought of Jonny and wished he was here. Part of me didn’t care if it would mess with a plot. I had to bring Jonny to see them. He would be happy forever.
The fairies walked over to the mushrooms. They felled one of them with a tiny ax and bundled it into a net made of some woven plant.
They still hadn’t seen me. I wanted to say hello. I wanted them to come up to me and talk to me in those little voices.
“Don’t move,” whispered the Librarian in my ear.
“Fairies!” I whispered back, turning to her.
“I know they are bloody fairies. Don’t move a muscle.”
“They are amazing.”
“Amazing? There isn’t anything amazing about these blighters.”
“They seem harmless.”
“Oh yes, they all look harmless until they tie you up with their wee ropes. I mean, I was just taking a nap on the beach…”
I looked back into the clearing. The two fairies were looking at us.
“I think they see us,” said the Librarian slowly, still staring.
The two fairies jumped into the air, their wings extending. They hovered for a moment. Then turned and flew into the jungle. “They are flying away,” I said.
“That is not good,” said the Librarian, “we need to leave. We need to leave right now.”
“But why?”
“Open your book, young Keeper. They will be rousing the queen's armies now. Thank goodness we have that book.”
Reluctantly I opened the book and began to read. I looked up before we fell into the pages just in time to see a swarm of tiny people flying our way.
“That was too bloody close!” said the Librarian once we had landed again.
“There were hundreds of them! How did they gather so fast?”
“There is not a fairy in all the multiverse that would have been able to resist the temptation of two travelers alone in a jungle. Especially if one of them is a gorilla, apparently. I don't know why. There aren't fairies in Paris, are there?”
“I think there probably are,” I said.
Once back in my bedroom, tiredness washed over me. I have heard that when you dream you process all the new information you have taken in during the day. Judging by all the places I had been and everything I had seen there would be plenty for me to process that night.
I lay back in my bed and started to doze off, still fully dressed.
That's when something caught my eye.
A blur of movement flew overhead. I sat up, my heart racing. I looked about the room, hoping, begging for it not to be what I thought it was.
Nothing.
I was just about to lay back down when another blur of movement caught my attention. This time it was unmistakable. There, walking tiptoe across the top of my laptop monitor was a tiny person, dressed in clothes of leaves, with two translucent wings shimmering on its back.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Slowly I swung my legs over the side of the bed and got to my feet. It didn't seem like the fairy had noticed me yet.
How did it get through?
It must have been in my hair, or my bag, or something. The Librarian's warning about not messing up the stories was still fresh in my mind.
I crept forward, closer, and closer. Soon I was almost close enough to reach out and grab it. All I needed to do was capture the fairy and get it back to its own world before the Librarian noticed.
If she found out about the breach then maybe she would just find another Keeper? Or Maybe The Library won't let me back in?
The fairy spun on its tiptoe and spotted me.
We locked eyes.
I smiled in what I hoped was a friendly, non-threatening kind of way. We were frozen for a moment.
I lunged forward.
Swift as anything the fairy was in the air and buzzing overhead. That's when I noticed that my door was open ajar. I darted toward it, trying to close it before the fairy flew through, but it was almost too fast for my eyes to track. It zipped out the door just moments before I slammed it shut.
I became aware that it was late at night and I had just slammed the door. It was late at night, and a fairy had just escaped into my house.
What even is life right now.
As quietly as I could, I opened the door and peered out into the hallway. All was quiet, and there was no sign of the creature. I left my door open a little, just in case it flew back in, and I could trap it.
I took a step forward and listened. Was that a rustle? Something dropping to the floor?
Was I hearing things?
Then there was a definite crash. It came from Jonny's room. I had to get it out before he woke up. If Jonny stirred and saw a real-life fairy in his room there was no way I could keep him quiet.
I edged open his bedroom door and stepped in. It was dark, and only a slither of light crept in from the hallway. By the looks of things, Jonny was fast asleep.
Good, but where was the fairy?
Another crash. I turned around to see the fairy rummaging through a mug full of pens. It appeared to be looking for something.
“Stop that,” I said.
It poked its tongue out at me and flew directly at my face. I tried to grab it, but it was too fast. It kicked me in the head and flew behind me. It didn't hurt, but it was really annoying.
I spun around and saw that it was now on Jonny’s pillow, investigating his face.
“Get away from there,” I hissed.
It looked at me and then smiled the most wicked smile that ever I saw.
It was holding a pen.
It was swinging a pen.
I got to it moments before it would have jammed the pen into Jonny's ear.
He stirred in his sleep but did not wake. I looked up in time to see the fairy flying out into the hall. I hurried out as quickly as I could, closing the bedroom door carefully behind me.
There was a blur of motion heading downstairs. I followed. The stairs creaked to an unreasonable degree. It was like they were trying to get me caught.
I got to the foot of the stairs and then stopped. The kitchen light was on, and there were the very definite sounds of Dad rummaging in the fridge.
There was no sign of the fairy.
I crept through the lounge and crouched down behind the couch. I listened as hard as I could, but the only thing I could hear was Dad’s humming.
Where was it?
The fridge door closed and the kitchen light went out. Dad walked into the lounge balancing a collection of fridge items and snack foods on a plate with one hand and holding two mugs of tea with the other.
It wouldn't take much for all that to fall.
I closed my eyes and prayed to whatever fairy god there was that my visitor would stay put for just one minute while Dad brought his treasure back to his den.
There was a flash of movement. It was heading right for his legs. I almost shouted out to warn him, but that would only make things worse. All I could do was wait and watch for the collision to occur.
“Whoops,” said Dad, swaying a little. I held my breath as I waited for a clatter of plates and mugs and humus.
It didn't come.
Slowly I edged my head out from behind the couch and saw that Dad was continuing his way up the stairs. It must have missed, or maybe it was heading elsewhere.
I could see the fairy now. It was browsing Dad’s collection of James Bond DVDs. He never watched them because we didn't have a DVD player of any kind.
Silent as I could, step after step, I crept towards the intruder. It didn't seem to know I was there.
Or so I thought.
It yanked two DVDs from their cases and held them in each hand like weapons, dual wielding. It growled a savage, but slightly adorable, growl.
“Just try it,” I said.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I squinted at the fairy and prepared to grab it.
The fairy dropped the DVDs and flew up until it was just beneath the ceiling and well out of my grasp. I looked a
bout for something to reach it with. I didn't want to hurt the poor thing. It was probably terrified, but I couldn't help it get back home unless I caught it first.
It flew across the room to the top of our old bookcase, curled up and appeared to go to sleep.
“Huh.”
Well, at least it wasn't flying about the place and throwing things. I wasn't looking forward to tidying up the James Bond collection.
I grabbed a chair from the dining room and placed it down next to the bookcase. Once I had clambered up, I quickly swept the top of the bookcase, grabbing for the fairy.
I got it!
The fairy tried to pull away, but I had it by the leg. My mind was on the stairs now. I just had to get it back upstairs and to my book. Even if I just got it to The Library, then that would be better than having it flying around my house.
That momentary distraction was all it needed. The fairy bent down towards my hand and sunk its teeth deep into my thumb.
The pain was enormous.
Before I knew what I was doing, I had shaken the fairy off, and it was once again free. I darted after it as quick as I could.
Then I saw that there was still a window open in the kitchen.
The fairy took one last look at me, hovering at the window sill, and then flew away into the night.
Hank tormented me all the way to school. The Library was wonderful. Perhaps it was too wonderful. How could I have already jeopardized my chances of being a Keeper?
I pictured opening up Alice and just reading like it was any other old book. I pictured the puzzled Librarian explaining to the next Keeper how some of their predecessors just ‘disappeared.’
I was almost afraid to try going back there. At least if I did not try, then I would not know whether or not I had lost that wonderful place forever.
School was a welcome distraction from my spiral of thoughts.
Even Gym was welcome.
Gym class is where they teach you that physical exercise doesn't have to be fun. I mean, I get that some people enjoy sports, but I have absolutely no idea why.
I simply cannot fathom it.
If Mr. Wilson were to suggest hiking in the woods or running in the rain, then I’d look forward to his class. But for reasons that I don’t understand those activities are not a part of the regular curriculum.
“Everyone in alphabetical order, please,” said Mr. Wilson.
Lilly ignored him and kept talking. “So anyway, I know that it's not normally your thing, but I was thinking it would totally be cool if we went on a double date with some boys.”
“What? Why? Who?” I stammered.
“You would make a great reporter, Alex.”
“Explain yourself, human.”
“Well I was going to see if you would like to go on a blind date, but I can't be bothered with that so I'll just tell you. With Daniel and Carl.”
“Which one would I be, um, dating?”
“Does it matter? Which one do you want?”
“Neither of them,” I said flatly, though to be honest, I wasn't even sure I didn't want to date. Dating is another thing I don't understand. It involves other humans, typically, and as such was completely outside my sphere of experience.
“Good, then we are on the same page. It's not about them really. I just think it's about time we get some practice in. You know, in case someone we do like comes along.”
“That's a pretty long term thought, Lilly.”
“I know, are you proud of me?”
“Well seeing as this plan involves me socializing with strangers I can't say that I’m all that proud.”
“They are not strangers, they are Daniel and Carl.”
I gave Lilly the ‘everyone are strangers’ look.
“Fine,” said Lilly, “you can choose where we go.”
“Lilly, I said alphabetical order. Last time I checked B and R were not next to each other in the alphabet!” said Mr. Wilson.
“Movies?” I ventured. I could already feel my stomach tying itself into knots and my mind trying to find an escape route.
“Does that even count?”
“Lilly!” shouted Mr. Wilson.
“Fine,” she said and then turned to the teacher. “It is absolutely absurd of you to suggest that the alphabet needs to be in order,” she proclaimed. “It's not as though words would change if the order of the alphabet changed,” she then spun back to face me. “Oh, what if it does?!”
So now I had a date thing to worry about. I think that this is why people invented books. Life is full of awkwardness and obligation, but at least between two pages, I could escape. I could kind of tell in my heart that there was only a fifty-fifty chance that I would even go on this date with Lilly and the humans.
Lilly suggested we get a Sunday afternoon show so that at least we didn't use up a precious weekend evening. I knew what she was doing. She was doing her best to try and make sure I didn’t freak out as even now I could see was probably going to happen.
I was sitting in history class when I saw it.
Staring out the window is a pretty standard activity for me in history class. This was not because I didn't enjoy history. As a matter of fact, it was one of my favorite classes. I just get easily distracted by the contents of my own mind.
The fairy flew right past the window, circled back, and then disappeared behind the oak tree in the courtyard.
“Shoot,” I said.
“What was that, Alexandria?” asked Mr. Stewart.
“Sorry, may I be excused?”
Soon I was out of my class and fast walking down the hallway. I knew better than to run. I couldn't afford to draw attention to myself. Maybe the fairy would come willingly? After all, it must be pretty lonely without any others of its kind around.
When I was outside, I headed for the oak tree and investigated its branches. The tree was in full sight of the classrooms, and I didn't want to look like a crazy person, but it was almost impossible to do anything in the courtyard without the possibility of being spotted.
There was no sign of my otherworldly visitor.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I happened to glance up at my history classroom at the same time as Jake Sawyer happened to look out. He smiled stupidly and waved at me. I didn't actually know him, but he knew how to get people in trouble.
That's when I spotted it again. The fairy was flying into the administration building. I walked towards it as fast as I dared. Walk with purpose and people will think you are meant to be there, right?
This was unknown territory. I had never had much reason to go into the administration building. There could be armed guards in there for all I knew. Inside, the hallway was different from the school hallways. It was carpeted which immediately changed the atmosphere. A phone was ringing in some unattended office.
There was no sign of the visitor.
I picked a door at random and walked in. I found myself in the teacher’s staff room. It was empty. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was still not the sort of place I wanted to linger for long though. I did a quick scan of the room.
Nothing unusual.
I was just about to leave when the sound of footsteps and voices made me freeze. Someone was coming right this way. I quickly looked about for some legitimate reason why I might be in the staff room and saw the coffee machine.
Almost tripping over a chair, I stumbled towards it, grabbed a cup, and pressed a button.
Two adults whom I did not recognize walked in. They were deep in conversation and at first did not realize I was there. I contemplated not moving, just in case they left without seeing me. But it wasn't to be.
“Oh hello,” said one woman. She looked like she might have been an accounts person.
“Hi,” I said.
“I don't think you are supposed to be here,” she said.
“I just needed to get a drink for Mr. Stewart,” I said.
“And Mr. Stewart wants hot water does he?”
I looked down at the polystyr
ene cup I was holding, and at the clear hot liquid it contained. I had somehow pressed the only button which wouldn't give me coffee.
“Yeah,” I said, “I better go.”
“I wish I had a kid to fetch me drinks,” said the other lady as I left.
Great, so now I had lost the fairy again and had a cup of boiling water to carry around. I was just about ready to go back to class at this point. I would just have to tell the Librarian that a fairy escaped into my world. She would understand. She hated fairies, right?
The cup of hot water was stressing me out. As soon as I was outside I placed the cup on the first flat surface I could find.
Then I saw the fairy. It flew out the school gates and across the street.
This was exhausting. I did not have an adrenal system suitable for this sort of work. What if I did just leave it? What's the worst that could happen?
I imagined an eight-foot gorilla kicking me out of the magic library at the center of all creation.
This time I ran.
If I was going to catch the fairy, then I needed to be serious about it. It's not as though school was that important anyway. I already had my career lined up at The Library. And even if it didn't pay much at least I would have a place to sleep.
I followed the blur of movement down the road and then down a side street. Where was it going?
It flew uphill now. The fairy had the significant advantage of flight. There was another oak tree ahead. Maybe it liked oak trees?
Just as it got close, it turned around and saw that it was being followed. It didn't seem at all concerned. In fact, it looked like it was laughing at me.
Its expression turned to puzzlement as my face dropped in horror.
A cat leaped from its vantage position in the tall grass and clawed the fairy to the ground.
“Bad kitty!” I said and ran forward.
Big mistake.
The cat was off like a rocket, the fairy hanging limply in its mouth.
This was worse, definitely much worse. The cat sprinted down a path. About halfway down it leaped onto a fence and then down into someone’s backyard.
I tried to see over, but the fence was too high, and I was frankly terrible at jumping. I would have to go around. I cringed at the thought of being caught creeping around someone's house, but it wasn't as bad as how bad I would feel if the poor fairy died.
