The Silver Owl

9

Nobody never made anyone anything. Knows to let them run free. Children about the city's limits loved this. Leafcrossing was a beautiful city. They go between the river, and play in rivers.

North of the river, there was a tree.

Of this there was a women who lived in rivers, was jealous of the humans.

Alexandra, the river, wanted to stop governments from hurting the trees. Owls lived in these trees. The beautiful silver moon shine apon the trees and ones wounds could be healed from it. Killing the tree would take away the Owls home and the people's healing.

Governments chopped down many. Killing many birds homes. One day the silver moon shine on the tree and the owls sat on it.

What does that even mean?! What kinda latin fable was this?! I don't like it.

Zac and I find a nice little place to camp out. I stare at the note.

"What song is that?" Zac asks.

"Huh? What do you mean?" I didn't hear anything.

"The song you were humming. What song is it?"

I hadn't realize I was humming. My father sang it to me as a lullaby, as a kid.

Feather dance in the air
Among the moon in the night
Someone keeps the little child safe
All through the day, and sets her free at night.

Trees rock in the wind,
The little ones home stays strong and still,
Though out the wind that can break man.

Zäsacans will try to
Hurt her down.
The Protector will keep her safe and sound.

"It was a song my dad sang to me when I was little. Just a lullaby. Zäsacans were decaying snakes with rotting bat wings. They hunted anything pure. Zäsacans were evil. My father made up stories about them. Hunting the little kid, trying to hurt them, but their protector always saved them in the end. It was so cool!"

"-fable. Lizzie? Hello?" Zac snapped my attention back.

"Sorry," I apologize, "I was just thinking about the lullaby."

Zac shakes his head, dismissing my 'spacing out', "so where do we go from here?"

"Not sure," At least I'm honest, "I guess maybe we go south?"

"Yeah, pick a direction. Maybe that'll help. Possibly give us some more clues."

Zac tells me he knows a city south of here. Slagrum City. It's on the coast.

After catching several buses and walking forever, we finally get here.

Tall buildings cluster the sky, and people rush past us. We fight our way toward the beach. It's a busy city.

As the sun began to set, I can't help myself. I love the beach. I run into the sand and kick off my tennis shoes. I run into the water.

I play and enjoy the waves and the setting sun, and I turn around and motion for Zac to join me.

He shakes his head, "No thanks. I'm good."

I cross my arms and frown, "Please?"

Zac shakes his head. He chuckles.

I march out of the water, grabbing him and dragging him back with me.

He laughs and let me guide him into the surf. He chuckles and splashes me.

I put my hand to my chest, "Heeeeeyyyyyyy!!!" I splash him back.

Soon we are splashing each other. We come out of the water, soaking.

Zac laughs.

"So what do we do, since you know, we're soaked?"

"I have a friend down toward the inner city. He'll help us." He looks at me as I grab my bag, "You have a change of clothes in your bag, correct?"

I look at my sea green backpack. Actually, I didn't. And I was soaked.

"Haha," I laugh nervously, "actually..."

"Oh my gosh, Lizzie! Not not tell me you forgot a change of clothes in that bag!" Zac demands with a smile on his face.

"I kinda did..."

"Of course, Lizzie."

"I know a store a couple of miles in."

"Miles?!" I demand, "You forget I am not as athletic as you."