The Adventure of the Magic Chia Plant

Chapter 16: The Deal

Bench ran forward desperately, flicking blood at the foliage in front of him every hundred meters or so whenever they threatened to close up.  He felt like he'd been doing this for days, certainly much longer than his original trip to find the enchanted well.  He wasn't exactly sure anymore if he was going in the right direction, but at this point, all he wanted to do was get away from the Guardian and the angry faerie.  He figured if he just kept going in a straight line, he'd eventually reach the edge of the forest sooner or later.  At that point, he'd just have to walk along the beach until he found his siblings again--if they'd stayed put, which he was starting to doubt by now.  He'd been gone so long that he was almost sure they'd already started looking for him.  Even a cursory examination would have revealed his footprints.  Brent could be desperate enough to follow them despite having Beth in tow.  

The precious bucket bumped painfully against his hip, but he made sure to keep a firm grip on it.  They would need it very soon, hopefully as soon as they all got free of the forest.  

Finally, he started to see light in front of him, the dull glow filtering between the trees.  Elated, Bench stumbled forward, excited to be reunited with his siblings again and have a good, long rest.  Upon passing the farthest hedge, however, he stopped in horror.  

He was back at the clearing where the well was.  The Guardian had long gone back to its nest, but the faerie herself was still hovering a few feet above the ground beside it.  The glow he'd seen was nothing but moonlight.  He'd been going in a circle!

The faerie locked eyes with him and laughed mockingly.  

"Didn't you wonder why I didn't follow you, stupid human? You can't leave this forest.  Without me, you'll never be able to get out! You'll wander around, lost in this labyrinth forever!"

Bench clenched his teeth in frustration.  "And what would it take for you to lead me out?"

The faerie grinned slyly.  "I want your solemn vow that you'll give me the magic bottle that you're talking about---the one you need the bucket to retrieve."

Bench thought rapidly.  The faerie hadn't mentioned exactly when they'd have to give her the bottle. Hopefully, they wouldn't need it anymore once they'd watered the seed that would create a portal back to their own world.  He could give it to her then.  

He could exploit that loophole, right?  He wished Brent were here.  He was so tired and hungry that he wasn't thinking straight anymore. 

"Why do you want that bottle, anyway?" he asked, stalling for time so he could look at his decision from all angles.  

For the first time, the faerie looked sad and vulnerable.  "Several years ago, the river that flowed through this forest dried up.  Now, the reservoirs under the ground are being depleted, as well.  It hardly rains anymore, either.  Even though we're near the ocean, the trees in this forest can't use that salty water."  

The faerie fluttered down and touched one of the leaves of a nearby tree.  Even though it looked dark green, it snapped off easily and crumbled to pieces in her palm.   "Every day, the ground get drier and drier. The plants are dying, and everything is turning to dust.  They call out to me, asking for help.  They're afraid, especially when there's a lightning storm.  All it would take is one spark to set everything aflame.  Maybe that magic bottle will be able to save us."

Bench felt an unexpected surge of pity.  "You're not lying to me just to get my sympathy, are you?"

The faerie met his gaze once more.  "I cannot lie."

Bench sighed, realizing that he had a no choice.  Hd never get that bottle--or get home--if he didn't escape from this forest in the first place.  "Well, I guess it doesn't matter because I have to trust your word, anyway.  It's a deal."

The faerie walked towards him and held out her hand.  Hesitantly, Bench took it.  There was a sudden flash of light between their palms, which Bench felt as a mild electric shock.  He instinctively knew that he couldn't back out of the agreement now without dire consequences.

The faerie nodded.  "It's a deal. Now, follow me."

She flew off in a completely different direction.  Bench followed her wearily but triumphantly.  If it was true that the faerie couldn't lie, than she'd accidentally told him a big weakness that he could use to his advantage.  

All it would take is one spark to set everything aflame.