The Enemy of my Enemy

The Cats out of the Bag

"I caught one! I caught one!"

Caroline turned, a sigh escaping her mouth as she followed the sound of Avery's cries. She was standing on the other side of the garden, beneath a grand oak tree that had been planted in the garden years before.

The Oak tree had been planted by her grandfather - her father's father - and had been a present to her grandmother. It used to grow using magic and produce delicious dragon fruits that would melt in one's mouth when eaten.

Occasionally, Emrys spoke about the Dragon Pie his mother would make him during the holidays - mainly his birthday, using the fruit from the tree. He could still remember the taste, and often craved the succulence that he could remember well.

The tree had stopped producing fruit after her grandfather had passed away. Emrys had explained later that his father had bound his magic to the tree, so the second he had died the tree lost its abilities, too.

Avery grinned happily up at her sister. She was only seven years old, her long brunette hair hung down as far as her waist, and her chocolate brown eyes glinted with happiness. She held up a glass jar, its lid closed tightly as a green glittering bug fluttered around inside.

"Avery," Caroline sighed. She rushed over, took the jar, and opened the lid. The bug flew out and disappeared into the leaves above.

"Hey!" Avery whined. "What did you do that for?"

"You have to put holes in the lid," said Caroline.

"Why?"

"Because glow worms need air to breathe."

Avery cocked her head with a frown.

"You know when we used to hold our breathe underwater?"

Avery nodded.

"Then our chests would hurt?"

Again, Avery nodded.

"That's because we needed air to breathe," Caroline said. "The same thing happens with glow worms. If they don't get air, they die."

Avery's eyes widened. "I'm sorry!" she gasped. She looked up, searching desperately for the glow worm. When she couldn't find it, she panicked. "What if I trapped him too long?"

"He's okay," said Caroline, placing a hand on her sister's shoulder. "We let him go in time. Here," she knelt and took her wand from inside her pocket. She tapped the lid of Avery's jar and five little holes appeared.

"What will that do?" Avery asked, awed.

"It will let the Glow worms breathe from inside," said Caroline. She handed the jar and lid back. "Go on. Try and catch one."

Avery grinned and run off behind the tree. Caroline followed, watching as her little sister climbed the tree as high as she could go, using the jar and lid to trap two glow worms inside.

"I got two!" Avery echoed, joyfully. "Look, Caroline!"

"Way to go, little rockstar!" Caroline called.

Avery giggled.

"I was told I would probably find you in here."

Teddie looked up from Caroline's diary, the book closing in her lap as she looked around. The woman in question stood in the doorway, leaning against the door frame with her arms folded. She was carrying a travelling cloak over her left arm and her hair was slightly damp from being outside.