acatalepsy

T H R E E Pixies and Tea

T H R E E

Pixies and Tea

. . .

The path was long; winding along hills of various sizes and extending across large stretches of green field. Peter kept me entertained. As we walked in companionable ease, he demonstrated a variety of different tricks and disappearance acts. I asked a multitude questions, hoping I would catch him off guard. But Peter was never specific in his answers, dutifully replying in questions and riddles of his own. Often enough, he would simply opt of responding, and in turn, he would easily distract me with the peculiar magical wonders of this labyrinth. We fell into a regular cycle of 'question, trick'.

It had been well after an hour when we came upon a large river with an old, wooden bridge arching across its rushing waters. Our traveled path led over the walkway, leading in the distance towards looming maze walls and a finale exit way. I stared warily at the path, uneasiness churning in my stomach. From the corner of my eye, I watched as Peter gave me a fleeting, unreadable glance before swiftly turning his attention once more towards the bridge.

We slowly set across the overpass, the wood creaking underneath our feet with strain as we cautiously took steps forwards. As we approached the middle of the arch, I slowly glanced down to the rotting wood below - the flow of gushing water a roaring taunt beneath me - before freezing in my tracks. It wasn't the surging water below that had caught my attention - though that did play a factor in my uneasiness - but the slight flitter of what looked to be... a small person.

With wings.

"Peter..." I slowly backed away from the board in front of me, worry edging into my voice.

"Wha-" he started in agitation before suddenly, the board beneath him ripped out from below, dropping down into the river with a heavy splash and Peter soon following suite.

"Peter!"

My plank ripped out from beneath me simultaneously and I swiftly fell through the hole, my limbs flailing. My upper body caught just along the top of the ledge - painfully knocking the wind out of me. I grappled at the edge, my fingers desperately digging into the nooks and alcoves of the bridge floors.

But the feeling of hundreds of tiny nails seized at my legs and yanked on my feet. I soon lost grip, finally pulled through with a viscous yank. Time seemed to slow as I freefell through the air; my heart climbed to my throat and the wind roared in my ears in a deafening noise.

Cold, icy water rushed up my nose and filled my mouth as I crashed into the water beneath me. Disoriented, I frantically clawed my way through the water, my lungs burning as I broke through the surface. I gasped for air, only to be struck by water in quick succession and sent sprawling below.

I'm going to drown.

My desperate strokes towards the surface became weaker as water flooded my vision. I was in an addled haze as I slowly sinked, my limbs floating limp around me.