The Lonely Ones

Chapter Eight: The Barnette Boy

Travelers on the Jolly Road are the fundamental source of business in Eidenswill. Maggie's family owns a shop at the entrance to the road that has been in their family for four generations. They set their hot rolls and baked goodies on plates for the weary travelers that crave something sweet and warm before the fearful journey, or needing it afterwards. Business is good, although it hasn't always been.

The last few years have been rough on everyone. After the Crimson Plague, new families moved in, chancing living along the treacherous Grim Woods while hoping to make a profit from the Jolly Road. Most realize their horrid mistake too late. Maggie does her best to give advice, but isn't surprised to hear the gossip that the newest family, the Barnette's, young son, has gone missing.

"We told them a hundred times not to go in the woods," Lionel repeats as if he thinks his daughter hadn't heard him the first five times. "And to salt all the doors and windows. For all we know, a fair one snuck into their home in the middle of the night and snatched him from his bed."

"Can we not talk about this?" Maggie asks. She hates speaking of the Grim Woods, of what it has done and will continue to do. The beauty of the woods is a lie to shield the ugly within.

Maggie leans out the window to observe Artemis' shop down the road. The doors and windows are closed. He hasn't returned from the woods yet. She worries, especially when he didn't return until after dark the other day without his sled, and he was injured! She tried to tend to his wounds, but he wouldn't allow it. He wanted to go home and sleep while she wanted to help, to maybe see his smile again.

"Sorry, sorry," Lionel says, pressing a kiss to Maggie's temple. "I know you don't like speaking of this. I'm frustrated that we can't do anything, and sad that their boy is gone."

"I know, Papa." Maggie pats his arm.

"I better get going. I promised Old Janny that I'd cut some firewood for him today. Make sure to be home before dark," he orders, heading off for Old Janny's house on the opposite side of town.

A handful of travelers visit Maggie's storefront. They talk about goblins stealing their coins or kobolds disguised as children heckling them from the forest. All the usual tales that Maggie laughs or frowns at until Artemis appears, dragging his catch into the shop on a new sled. Her heart skips.

"Thanks so much for your patronage!" Maggie calls when the last customer leaves.

The blonde eagerly packs up. A small cake is wrapped in cloth, waiting among the leftovers of the day. She carries it all in a basket, jogging down the road. Her pigtails bounce with every step. But at the door to Artemis' shop, she falters.

Mr. Barnette stands at the counter within. His wild red hair stands at odd ends and blue eyes widen when he says, "I know what you can do, boy. You travel the Grim Woods! You're the only one who can, so you can find him, you can find my boy! What do you want? I'll give whatever you need. I'll pay whatever you ask for, just tell me!"

"We warned your family when you moved here to be wary of the woods," Artemis says with his back turned, working on skinning the animals.

"Are you trying to say that it is hopeless? You haven't even tried!" Mr. Barnette retrieves a coin purse from his belt. He dumps silver and copper coins atop the counter. "Here, this is all I have, but I'll get more. I'll sell the farm. Better yet, you can have it! Please, please look for him."

Maggie leans against the exterior of the shop, ashamed of eavesdropping, but hopeful of Artemis' answer even if she knows she shouldn't be. He has never accepted anyone's request to search for their loved ones, although there are rumors of a boy who has saved people from the woods. Who else could it be but Artemis? But why does he always decline?