The Fairy Way

Chapter 4

    The man looked around nervously, "If you must know, its... well..." He sighed deeply, "There's an old quote, 'To someone you may be the world.' What must happen is centered around that quote. That book, 'The Fairy Way,' is our world. So someone who is your world, must voluntarily give their life, to save our world, but first you have to search Death Valley. Yes, a rather unpleasant name, I know. Anyway, you must search Death Valley for its hottest spot, which should be about 279 degrees Fahrenheit, find your brother, grab the book, and then, well... you already know what needs to happen," he glanced at Raegan, as if he was already planning  his obituary.

   "No," Ebony said, "Raegan's not dying." 

   The man replied sadly, "It's what must happen. I'm so sorry, but there's no other way."

    "Please," Ebony begged, "There must be some other way." She pulled Moony, who was now crying desperately, into a hug. "Look at her. How can you do this?" Ebony cried. 

    The shook his head, "He's the only one."

    "The only one what?," she thought, "Does he mean that weird quote about people being the world. No! That couldn't be it. I barely know this boy." Ebony's emotions were flooding her thoughts. "Could that be the reason?" She wondered, "After all, I'm practically weeping and he hasn't even died yet, no, not yet. He's not going to die," she reassured herself.

     "Fine," the man relented, seeing Ebony and Moony's distraught faces, "If you can find another way, by all means, take it, but be prepared to be disappointed."

     "All right," Ebony gave in, "At least I have a little hope left." Ebony and Moony clung to each other as they walked over to Raegan.

    "Come on," Raegan said, determined, "Let's go save the world."

    Moony scowled, "You're not going to die!" 

    Raegan smiled sadly, "Like he said, it must be done."

       Ebony said nothing, but watched the two siblings squabble, with silent tears running down her cheeks. She turned towards the door and ran. She figured, if she had to save the world, she'd do it herself, so no one got hurt. She leapt over the stream, somehow landing on her feet on the opposite shore and kept running. She was almost at the crest of the hill, when she tripped. She saw the ground rushing towards her, and cried out in pain as she landed hard on her elbow. She sat up, gasped from the pain of that simple movement.

       An hour later, Raegan had splinted her arm and told her that he was coming with her. "Me too," Moony added, her voice serious.

      "No," Raegan demanded, "You're not coming. It's too dangerous."

      Moony snorted, "Says the one, who is literally already planning his own death." Moony's smirk didn't match the pain in her eyes, as she said this.

      "Let her come," Ebony pleaded, "She's your sister."

      "That's exactly why she can't come," Raegan argued.

      Ebony grabbed Moony with her good arm, and started climbing up the hill again. "Are you coming or not?" She shouted down to Raegan. She watched as he quickly caught up with them.

      "What's wrong," Ebony asked, as Raegan paused.

      "I... I've never been pass this point.

      "Really?" Ebony asked, "How come? Do they never let you out?"

      "Never," Raegan replied, "We're not allowed to leave until were sixteen. Only Lem got to break that rule, but no one knew why until just now. He was sent to search for you."

     Ebony scowled, "That's so unfa-" Her words were cut off as the world erupted in flames around her.

Wow. The world's on fire.