Do you dream of me in the next life?

Chapter 8: An enchanted encounter

"A distress signal," Josie questioned in her mind. Both Josie and Aiden stood there in a surprised daze until Josie spoke up.

"Where is Frost Valley?"

"It's in that direction. Just go to the Enchanted Forest and walk a ways up from there, just look for snow." said Alvin while he pointed the way.

Josie flew away to the forest and landed on the ground with a skid. She carefully looked around the sea of trees that greeted her eyesight. Snow was nowhere to be seen. All she saw was shrubs, birds, a lone fox that retreated as she walked by, and of course, the many trees that towered over her. Josie thought to herself that she liked how scenic this forest was.

She kept up a good walking pace until she suddenly tripped. Or so she thought, because in reality she got caught in a trap that hanged Josie upside down.

"What do we have here? It doesn't look like an animal." said a voice.

She looked below and saw a group of children, some of them were wearing animal costumes while others had pointy ears.

"I knew my eyes weren't lying! You're a dragon." said a child with pointy ears and a bowl haircut.

"Yeah, I'm a dragon. Could you please help me down from this trap?"

The boy rubbed his chin. "I don't know...what do you kids think? Should we let our new friend down or..." He walked forward a bit before spinning around with his bow out, an arrow at the ready aimed at Josie. "should we eat her instead?"

The kids were jumping up and down with happiness and cheer, chanting "Eat her! Eat her!"

"This is just great, I just got reincarnated hours ago and here I am about to die again!" Josie thought to herself.

She pleaded against their cheers and waved her hands while saying "No, no!" followed by "I taste awful! Let me go!" but the kids were not listening. Then the boy stopped their cheering so he could speak.

"Alright, I'll help you down. We were just kidding, ok?"

The boy aimed his bow and arrow at the rope and shot it down. Luckily, she caught herself with her wings just in time to soften the landing. She got up on her feet with a little help from the boy.

"So, what's your name and business in these woods?"

"My name is Josie and I am trying to find Frost Valley."

The boy looked at Josie with surprise and confusion. "Frost Valley? Are you sure that is your destination?"

She nodded her head. "A distress signal was sent out from there and a friend of mine told me I should help them. Could you please help me uh..."

"Finley. My name is Finley. Of course, I would help you. If someone's in trouble then the more help they can get, the better."

Finley turned around to the kids, some of them were goofing around while others were patiently waiting.

"Class dismissed everyone! Evelynn and Gary will take you home."

Some distance away from the kids, Evelynn and Gary approached. Evelynn had pointy ears like Finley and blonde hair that was tied up in a bun. She carried a brown handbag with the handle around one arm. Gary wore cat ears on his black haired head. Evelynn was taller than Finley and Gary looked like he was the same height as her. When they got closer to the group, Evelynn ran up to Josie.

"Oh my! It's a dragon! If you mind me asking, but could I touch your muscles?" Her light blue eyes seemed to sparkle as she stared at Josie.

"U-Um, sure."