Travel to Sockland

Chapter 39

They were swallowed by the trees within minutes, their footsteps crunched on the undergrowth. When they had viewed the forest from the beach it had looked normal, the trees and leaves branching out in the usual browns and greens. But now it all changed. The trees were tall, orange, silver, purple. A rainbow of woodland and many colours between. There were scurryings and rummagings surrounding them on the forest floor. The blue sky and organge sun could be made out through the upper branches. They marched onwards, straight ahead.

Arnie looked back and saw the pink beach and lined up bottles retreating and getting smaller with each step.

"How far must we walk Arnold?" Flimgog asked. Arnie wondered how he was supposed to know.

"I don't know. He said we had to get to the everblue tree. I don't see a blue tree anywhere." And sure enough, despite the huge range of colours, none were blue.

In amongst the trees Arnie saw a motion. It moved quickly, flickering, seeming to appear and disappear over and over in constant motion. Then he saw another.

"What's that?" he said, pointing into the trees and off the path.

Isabelle and Flimgog peered over. The flickering continued. It had a shiny blue tinge.

"It's blue!" he exclaimed, a little louder than intended. "Maybe we need to go there." He made to move off into the trees and felt his hand grabbed. He stopped and looked round. Isabelle stood staring at him. Was it fear in her eyes? "What is it? It's blue!" he said, forcefully. He wanted to get to the blue shimmering light. He knew he had to.

"I...I don't think that's right Arnie." she said, sounding nervous.

"But it's blue!" he shouted again. He couldn't understand why she couldn't see the obviousness. He knew that it was correct. He could feel the pull. It was strong.

"But we were to walk straight and not to stray. That's not straight." she said.

Arnie paused. He couldn't explain why but he just knew they were supposed to catch that blue. If they could catch the blue, then they would be carried to the Queen.

"I just know. Can you trust me on this one?" he said, trying to mask the frustration he felt at being held back. He knew he had to get there.

Isabelle said nothing, but he saw the fear lingering in her eyes. Flimgog spoke now. "Arnold, that isn't correct. We were told to head straight. It seems to be a test."

He knew they were wrong and couldn't understand why they wouldn't see reason. He stayed silent and thought through his options. He knew he had to reach that flickering, glimmering blue before it disappeared.

"It is the only blue anywhere in sight." he said, sounding defeated.

"But it isn't straight ahead, it isn't continuing on the path like we were instructed." Isabelle said, a note of pleading in her fearful voice. Arnie let his arm go limp and slumped. She sighed in relief and he felt her grip on his hand slacken.

"We must continue." said Flimgog, authority in his high-pitched voice. "And I am sure the Everblue shall appear."

Arnie wrenched his arm free and took off into the trees without warning.

"Arnie!"

"Arnold!" Flimgog and Isabelle shouted in unison.

"No!"

Isabelle made to take off after him, but Flimgog grabbed her leg. She stumbled but managed to stay standing. "No Isabelle. We mustn't leave the path. Just wait." She stopped and looked as Arnie charged into the trees towards what they had seen.