“I knew there was a catch. What will you collect?” I knew there had to be more to this. He probably wants my firstborn or something, which would be a good thing because I never plan to marry.
“Well, it depends. It could be something as simple as asking you to provide a service for me or as complex as requiring that you turn over your firstborn to me. But I have already done that and really don’t wish for another child.”
“Are you for real? This sounds like something out of a fairy tale.”
“Oh, Malia, we all live in a fairy tale. We all see the world as we wish it, and we learn to make what we can out of this life we have been given. I can make you fabulous if only you’ll let me.”
“Can I think about it?” This is just too much to comprehend. He is promising to take me away from all of this. He is promising that whatever I want to happen to Carter and her cronies will, and he says I won’t have to leave my mom. He says I will be powerful, and all I have to do is help him when it’s time to collect.I wonder what it could be? Can’t be that bad, can it?
“You only have a few minutes to think about it. I don’t have much time.” He points to his watch. “And there is something important you need to remember before you decide. Once you commit to doing this, there is no turning back. You can’t change your mind. Understood?”
“Understood.” I quickly think about all he is promising, and I hate to admit it, but I want to do it. Before I can talk myself out of it, I blurt, “I’ll do it!”
“Excellent!” And with a wave of his hand, everything changes. We are immediately transported to the most beautiful forest I have ever seen. The trees stand utterly still like statues, and although there is no movement, I can hear the tall, strong trunks creak as if they are somehow alive—not like how a plant is alive but more humanlike. I lift my face upward to allow the light and shadows peeking through the branches to dance across my skin. It’s so quiet and serene, and I find myself not wanting to be anywhere else but here. It’s magical.
I take a step closer, and goose bumps run along my spine. The old man follows, staying close at my side.
“Where are we?” I ask him.
“We are in Nysa. The land of rain nymphs and fairies.”
“Nymphs and fairies?”
“Yes, you are now their queen.”
“Their queen? Really? And my mother?”
He smiles. “She will be here shortly.”
“Look, Mister—what was your name again?”
“My name is not important. As I have explained, you are now in a fairyland—a land where nymphs and fairies live harmoniously and bullying is forbidden. Across the river is the kingdom of Illyria, which is ruled by King Philip. There is one thing you need to remember. Never—and I mean never—go to Illyria. King Philip is not a nice man and doesn’t like fairies. He’s ruthless and murderous and would not think twice about trying to destroy you.” He smiles at me kindly and then says, “Your mother will be here, and next to you, she will be the highest valued fairy in the land. After all, she is the queen mother.”
“This is all surreal. Am I really a queen?”
“Yes, Malia, you are. Everything I promised will come to fruition.” He pauses and then points at the embedded and untouched trail running down the center of this alluring forest. “Look down the trail, Malia.”
I do as he says, and beyond the forest, sitting atop a small hill, is the most beautiful castle I have ever seen. It puts Cinderella’s castle to shame, and that’s saying something.
“That, my dear, is your new home.”
This is all so much to take in. I am totally overwhelmed by everything. “What about Carter and her friends?”
“What do you wish to happen to them?”
I think about what he asks for a minute. As much as I would like to inflict all the pain they caused me back at them, I realize that if I do, it will make me no better than they are. I will truly become one of them, which is not what I want. I would never want that. “The only thing I ask is that they realize firsthand how bad their bullying is and that they stop. I’d hate for someone else to be the victim of their abuse.”
“That’s all?” he asks, surprised. “You are truly a kind soul, Malia. If it were me, I’d ruin them. But alas, you are not me.”
“Yes, that is all. I just want them to stop.” I think about all the times I wanted them to hurt as badly as they hurt me. I was foolish to think that way and realize now I could never inflict that cruelty on another human being.
“Then consider it done.” He pauses. “Now, let’s get you settled in your new home. Shall we?”
We walk along the trail watching the power of the sun penetrate the mist as it seeps through the trees. When we get farther into the forest, I hear rustling water. Is it a brook?When we approach, we are standing on the bank of a crystal-clear stream. It’s picturesque with a colorful rainbow arcing across the water. I have never before seen anything so beautiful. Suddenly, I hear chirps of birds. I am acutely aware of roaming insects of various sizes buzzing through the air. It is as if my senses are heightened, and I can hear every little noise.
“You feel it, don’t you?” he asks.
“I do. What is happening to me?”
