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  “The animal part of you tells me differently. Look at you, you’re a killer. I bet that even now if I gave you the chance you would end my life.” Carrie vanished. “Why not, right? You think you’ve been wronged, you naïve child of the wood.”

  The faerie reappeared only a few feet away from Keira’s left paw.

  She could swipe at the woman. The princess felt the genuine disgust. She could see the hatred in Carrie’s eyes. They were reddish green and intense.

  “So now you want to bait me?”

  “You’re not the first mountain lion I’ve faced. Did my son tell you how your mother met her end?”

  “She’s not dead. You’ve been misinformed.”

  Carrie laughed. “Misinformed? I was there, you foolish gnat.”

  Keira couldn’t restrain herself. With superfast reflexes, she grabbed onto the faerie and squeezed with her claws.

  “I’m letting you do this. You know that, right?” Carrie didn’t fight the ever-tightening grip.

  “All you are doing is proving my point. You’re a killer and you won’t listen to reason. A pity you are their hope.”

  “When do you shut up, stupid sprite? Take back what you said about my mother and I will ...” Keira felt her eyes welling up.

  “You’ll what? She died a coward’s death. At least you have some sass. I will give you that. Your mother did nothing as we struck her down.”

  Keira fought back the tears. She wanted to squeeze the faerie until she was dead. Instead, Keira slowly released her grip.

  “I won’t kill you,” Keira cried.

  “Then you are a fool.”

  “So be it,” Keira stepped away from the faerie. As she lowered her head, she felt her body shifting back to her human form. “I don’t care what you say. All of you faeries are a bunch of liars. Take your son, do a prayer. I don’t care, just be gone with you.”

  Carrie clapped her hands two times. On the second clap, the faerie disappeared and the mound of rocks collapsed. Keira was alone again. She had a lingering feeling that her journey and challenges had only just begun.

  Chapter 3

  Keira spent several hours alone at the cave entrance. She debated whether to go back to the crystals but reluctantly grabbed her backpack and began the walk back to the truck.

  It was a slow walk. She was in no rush and each step felt heavy as she played the conservation with the faerie back in her head.

  “She knows nothing about mother. I’d expect Bilal to brag about anything to get the upper hand. But no, Carrie simply wanted a reaction. Stupid faeries. Bad blood. I hate them.”

  Keira added with a resounding firmness, “Meddlers is what they are. When I see her again, I don’t know what I will do.”

  “You could kill her, but that’s what she wants, an excuse to attack,” whispered a deep voice. “Even today, she could have acted.”

  Keira stopped in her tracks. She had not yet left the boundary of the trail. Even though she could see the dry riverbed ahead, she still had the lush vibrant leaf covered trees surrounding her.

  “Who said that?”

  She took one step back and looked around for a sign of where the voice belonged.

  “Does it matter? We saw what happened, child. She couldn’t have harmed you unless you had the intent to kill her.”

  “What are you talking about? I was squeezing her.”

  “She let you believe you were squeezing her, Keira of the Forest. But you let go of that feeling and she could no longer act on it. You passed the first test.”

  “The first test, huh?” The teen looked above her at the many branches. “There are more?”

  “Your trials have only just begun, child. She won’t be a problem for the foreseeable future, but you may cross paths again, depending on how your journey goes.”

  “Please tell me. You aren’t a salamander are you? No offense, but I just can’t handle them right now.”

  The deep voice chuckled. “No we are far older than those things. Older than anything in this wooden grove.”

  “So why can’t I see you?”

  “You can. You just aren’t open to what you are seeing.”

  “Oh, great. Why couldn’t Lane have taught me more? I’m learning algebra and physical science when I should be ...”

  “You’re fine, Princess. Nothing could prepare you for this. Child, you look like you need a friendly voice to talk to and to listen. We heard your thoughts, so why not respond?”

  The teen ran her fingers through her curly black hair. Keira continued to look all around her.

  “Fine. If you insist on talking to me, where should I sit? Or do I keep on walking?”

  “You can sit. Here is fine.”

  A gentle breeze picked up from the west. Fallen leaves were blown away revealing a good size rounded rock, perfect for sitting.

  Keira took off her bag and placed it between her feet.

  “Thank you.”

  “Why do you keep stewing over what you have no control over, child? You are but one piece to this puzzle started so many generations ago. You won’t be the last.”

  “But what if I fail?”

  “Do you really expect to do everything right?”

  “What if I had killed her?”

  “Then things would have shifted accordingly. That’s how life works. You are dealt a deck of cards, you play with what you have, even if the rules or the deck change.”

  “That doesn’t seem fair.”

  “Was it fair that your mother was taken from you? Was it fair that you lost part of yourself before you knew what it was?”

  “I suppose not.”

  “Then how would you explain your life?”

  Keira burrowed her eyebrows. She took a deep breath. “I understand. But why?”

  The deep voice chuckled again. “Why, you ask? Oh child of the woods, you are honored for such a question, one that has a plethora of answers. Perhaps it is better to simply share that life isn’t fair, because there is no way to learn otherwise.”

  “Learn? Like I have to face this challenge to be ready for the next?”

  “Exactly. You got it. More so Princess life isn’t fair because there are too many pieces moving. We can’t please everyone, if we did, what challenge would there be? Who would do anything? Why would people bother to live, let alone love?”

  Keira tapped her foot on the hard ground.

  “I suppose, but knowing this doesn’t make things easier. I feel like I now have to watch my every move and be more aware of everything.”

  “You’ll drive yourself crazy, child. Just remember you are never alone and you are given only what you can handle.”

  “My dad would say something like that.”

  A warm breeze shot across the trees blowing several branches in Keira’s direction.

  “He is a wise man who needs your help.”

  “I can’t do that here, can I?”

  “You’re where you need to be. But you must make your way to where he is. He can’t do this alone.”

  “Do what?” Keira looked around her, hoping to see where the voice was coming from.

  “You’ll see, child. You can trust on that.”

  “That’s a warning if I ever heard one.”

  The voice laughed for a third time.

  “You have a good heart, Keira. Trust in that and you’ll be fine. We’ll talk again when the time is right.”

  “Are you going to tell me your name, who, and what you are?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  The voice disappeared into a gust of wind. Keira watched the leaves swirl around her until they dropped to the ground near her feet. All had become quiet and she was alone with her thoughts and prayers.

  * * *

  “We should go back to get her,” Riley suggested.

  “I say not so much. She’ll manage. She’s got the power now,” Luza said as the duo made their way down the well trodden path towards the entrance of the park.

  “It�
�s been too long. I don’t want her to get into any trouble.” Riley’s face was crossed. He looked up the dry riverbed

  “Then go to her. Be that prince who rescues the damsel. She doesn’t need it. You’re just going to make her angry.”

  “Are you sure? Maybe you will be the angry one.”

  “Like I need your company Riley? I’m fine. I’ll just go hang out with the llamas on the side of the road.”

  “That would be a sight. I think cars might stop to get a look at you.”

  Luza stopped midstride. She held up her right hand. Her index finger protruded from the sleeve of her oversized letter jacket.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Don’t be like that. You know what I’m talking about.”

  “Do I now? What’s wrong with my appearance? What are you not telling me?”

  Riley rested his tongue on the side of his mouth and exhaled.

  “Umm,” He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and looked away from the white-haired girl.

  Luza watched his fidgeting frame. She tapped him on the chest.

  “Umm what?”

  “For one, look at your hair. That color is not normal.”

  “Frost colored isn’t common place?”

  “Not exactly.”

  She crossed her arms.

  “What else, boy?”

  “Your clothes are way too big for you. Granted you look like you are in a dress, but your skin is so pale. It’s almost translucent.”

  “Okay. How is this a problem, since clearly I love not being a fox?”

  Riley shrugged. “Maybe it’s just me.”

  “Just you, huh? Scoring lots of points, deer boy.”

  “I think you look cute but I’m not sure others will ...”

  Before Luza could respond, a familiar squawk filled the air. “Albino is that you?”

  In the distance, Birchard, the oversize loon, perched on the entrance sign to the trail.

  “Maybe it is Red Eye, maybe it’s not.”

  “I would say you still got your eyes but even they look different. At least you’re alive.”

  Riley caught up enough to hear the comment. He ran his fingers across his throat.

  “Something wrong with your hand, boy?”

  “You stupid bird,” Riley said.

  “He’s not stupid. He’s looney,” Luza smiled.

  “Cute Foxy. Now tell me, where did you leave your fur?”

  “Blame the Princess.”

  “Since it’s clearly her fault,” Riley added.

  “It is. How else would I end up like this?” Luza focused on Birchard.

  “I like the new look. You look spunky. And now I can do this.”

  Birchard swooped down from the sign.

  He wasn’t a massive loon, not anywhere the size of a Canadian Goose, but he was bigger than a Mallard. Yet in a graceful move, he balanced himself on Luza’s forearm.

  “I feel like I’m a pirate.”

  “I’m not some stupid squawking — bird.”

  “I know Red Eye. I’m just playing.”

  Luza reached out and stroked the bird’s black wings.

  Riley’s jaw dropped at the sight of the pair.

  “What?” Birchard turned his beak.

  “He’s jealous you’re getting all my attention.”

  “I am not,” Riley insisted.

  “Then why are you staring at us like that? Do you need a hug?” Luza snickered.

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Birchard rested his head on Luza.

  Riley took one step closer. He stared into Luza’s glistening eyes for several seconds.

  “It means she’s back to normal.”

  She looked deeply into those deep brown hues. She didn’t know how to respond.

  “Normal” wasn’t the word that came to her mind. Before she could say anything, Keira nonchalantly walked out and away from the forest.

  If the others hadn’t been standing in that direction, she would have snuck up on them completely. As it was, the teen looked like an average hiker with her bag slung around her shoulders and her hair now up in a side bun.

  She had more color to her face, than earlier in the day. It was more than a set of rosy cheeks but some new found freckles dotted her face.

  “She returns,” Birchard said.

  “Red Eye we’re not blind,” Luza shrugged.

  “Hey Foxy, should I tell her what you said?”

  “What?”

  “Let me guess,” Keira grimaced. “It’s my fault.”

  “Close, her new look is anyway,” Birchard squawked.

  “Like I knew it was going to happen.”

  “I told her she looks spunky.”

  “That’s a good word choice.”

  “Would you use something else Princess,” Luza asked.

  “No I like spunky or maybe Sailor Moon.”

  “Why do I feel that’s not a complement?”

  “Can we take a break from Luza here?” Riley interrupted.

  “Wow okay. What would you rather focus on Bucky?” Luza shot a perturbed look in Riley’s direction.

  He bit his lip. “How about not you for a minute?” He turned away from Luza and looked at Keira. “Did anyone show?”

  The princess glanced back at the woods then to Riley. “This is not the right place.”

  “Of course it’s not. Ever since you did whatever you did my buddies flew off and those red bellied and blue necked birds showed up,” Birchard said.

  “Where Birchard?” Keira watched the trees cautiously.

  “How can you not see them? They are everywhere in the trees. To your left look at the branches.”

  The three teens saw several robins and blue jays staring back at them.

  “So a few birds showed up,” Luza said.

  “No you don’t understand. It’s not just a few. There are hundreds.”

  “I call that an exaggeration. Why would they show up now?” Luza looked carefully at the swarmed branches.

  “To see the two of you,” Riley added.

  “Why?”

  “Yeah why?” Luza stepped closer to Keira.

  “Why not? My buddies left to share the news. This is a big deal. We didn’t hear anything for hours but there was a flash of light and the air shifted. Even now it is not as cold as it was when we got here. Look at the trees even, they have new leaves growing on them,” Birchard flew to the hood of the truck.

  “How is that possible?” Keira said.

  “Can we just get in the truck, I’m hungry.” Luza walked to the passenger side door.

  “Of course you are,” Keira rolled her eyes at the teen.

  “What, it’s been hours since we left. It’s not like we had a big breakfast.”

  “Oh my goodness, whine, whine. Get in the truck Luza. I can’t wait to hear you complain more about my driving.”

  “When you put it that way, maybe I’m not hungry.”

  “If we’re going to go, let’s do it now, unless you want to say something to your subjects,” Riley added.

  Keira blushed. “No. I’d rather not.”

  More birds gathered on the surrounding branches.

  As Luza open the door, Birchard flew back to her arm.

  “Are you coming in too? We should be safe.”

  “You do know where you’re going right?”

  “To eat?” Luza smiled.

  “Not to eat. He means our next step,” Keira open the driver’s side door of the old Dodge truck.

  “Why do I think I’m not going to like this next stop?”

  “You’ll be fine. It can’t be worse than that dreary wood,” Birchard said.

  “We need to go to Moosehead don’t we?” Keira said.

  “That would be a start.”

  “But we can’t go without permission,” Riley interrupted while sliding into the middle seat.

  “You’re turning into a prude Riley,” Luza snickered.r />
  She sat next to Riley and closed the passenger side door.

  “It’s not a place you can just show up uninvited. Unless you want to wait. You thought the salamanders were bad.”

  “We’ll be fine. They are expecting us,” Birchard said.

  “I knew I liked you Red Eye. You get things done.” Luza ran her fingers over the back of the loon.

  “Don’t thank me yet.”

  Keira reached for the keys under the seat and started the truck.

  Riley felt a bit cramped between the two ladies. With Luza no longer Arctic fox size, and with Birchard in tow, Riley felt like he was on top of Keira.

  Luza wedged herself away from the door and against Riley’s side.

  “Feeling a bit snug in here. No funny business Riley, we need Keira focused.”

  “Not now you stupid fox.”

  “Hey I take offense. I’m not stupid.”

  “Nor are you a fox anymore,” Birchard added.

  Keira shook her head. She adjusted the driver’s side mirror.

  “Just be quiet, till we get moving. As it is, I don’t know which way we are going save Route 16. So if you can wait till we get back on that road, I’d appreciate that.”

  “She sounds like an old woman,” Birchard said.

  “Don’t look at me, I didn’t say it,” Luza laughed.

  Before she could make another comment, Riley glared in her direction. He kicked her leg.

  “Aren’t you abusive,” Luza said. “I thought Bilal was the mean one.”

  The two other teen ignored her comments. Keira put the truck into drive.

  * * *

  Quiet would be an understatement as the truck rumbled down the road that mid-afternoon day. Cathedral Ledge was in the background as Keira carefully drove the truck over the bridge and into the downtown area.

  The weather continued to improve with the sun shining down from above and a gentle breeze blew from a westerly direction.

  Keira switched the blinker on to turn left onto Route 16. The stoplight she had come to was a bit unsettling as it was a three way stop. Unlike the roads back in Gilmanton there were cars to contend with, including a North Conway police car that was on the north bound lane.

  “Please don’t stop me.”

  “Why would they do that? You’re fine Keira,” Riley reassured her.

  Keira’s voice quivered. “I didn’t do anything reckless.”