My name doesn't matter

Part 6

I started to cry.  The "horse" heard it and looked up at me.  Our eyes met.  I couldn't stop myself from feeling ill.  I threw up.

"Do you fear it?"  The voice asked.

I nodded.

"As you should.  They're only every bearers of evil."

"I hate it!  I want to go home!"  I yelled.  I felt myself turning again, my gaze pulling away from the horse.  That's when I finally saw what had a hold on me.

The owner of the voice was crouched on a thick branch next to me.  He was human enough for the inhuman parts to look wrong.  His eyes were just a little too big, like hand-me-downs from a cousin, and his mouth was too small.  He didn't blink enough.  His nose was too sharp.  There were too many teeth when he smiled.

"Mother will know how to get you home."  He said as he reached over and pulled a rope tied to the branch next to him.  The rope must have also been tied to my backpack because I felt it pull a little under my arms.  "Give me your hand."

I reached out my hand, and he grasped it.  His skin felt wrong.  He pulled me to the branch and helped me establish my balance.  The branch was very wide.  It must have been three feet across.

"My name is not important,"  he said, "but you can call me Key."

"Thank you, Key."  I said as he began to lead me toward the tree's trunk.

We walked from branch to branch, easily navigating by a system of rope bridges that were a little too steady.  I felt sick to my stomach.  The rat man being eaten kept playing in my mind.  I wanted to cry again.

After what felt like hours, we came across a large platform suspended between three trees.  In the middle of the platform was a cottage made of stone.  It looked like it had been pulled right off a storybook page.

"Mother's house."  Key said.

"It's cool looking."  I said.

"I assure you, it's very warm."  Said Key.

"What?"

"Inside.  It is warm.  See the smoke coming from the chimney?"  Key said, pointing to the whisp of smoke that drifted up from the stone chimney.  "Her fire is going."

"No.  Cool means something else."  I said.

"I can assure you, it isn't cool."  Said Key as he walked to the front door and knocked.