Monsters Beyond the Gate

Chapter Four: Wolves and Tea

"Where is he? WHERE IS HE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. My eyes frantically searched the entire area below, but still Fisher was nowhere to be seen. My breathing became labored and bile rose to the back of my throat, stinging as it came up and left behind an awful, bitter taste.

I wretched, falling to my hands and knees. I grabbed the edge of the platform to steady myself. The metal was hot to the touch from baking in the sun all day, but I ignored the searing pain in my palms and continued to look around the field for my little brother.

"FISH!" I called, "FISHER, WHERE ARE YOU?"

Liyra was approaching more quickly, but I could tell such a fast pace was taking it's toll on her. I watched as she grew closer and closer, her face a mask of calm, but as she came into focus I could see the panic wreathing in her light eyes.

"Stop that howling and get down here, child," she snapped.

Her voice was like a splash of freezing water hitting me right in the face, and to my surprise it snapped me out of whatever delirious state I'd started to go into.

Shakily, I climbed down the tall ladder. My knuckles whitened from gripping each bar so tightly. When my feet finally hit the grass below me both of my knees buckled. I nearly collapsed, but Liyra was by my side instantly, supporting me by my arm. She feverishly began to wipe her fingers across my face, and it was only then that I realized rivers of tears had been pouring from my eyes.

"L-Liyra...L-Liyra, t-the guards...t-they're d-dead," I stammered once I was able to speak.

Somehow, Liyra didn't seem surprised by my statement. She gently grasped my wrist and started leading me away from the gate.

"Everything is alright, Dear. Follow me back to the cottage and I'll make us some tea," she murmured soothingly.

I stopped dead in my tracks, pulling my arm away and gave her an outraged look. How could Liyra be acting so calm at a time like this? Fisher had vanished and was nowhere in sight, yet she wanted to go drink tea?

"Liyra, Fisher is gone." My words came out much clearer than they had when I first spoke, and I didn't bother to hide my look of utter bewilderment.

"I know, child, we must hurry."

"But Fisher is gone," I said more loudly.

Liyra gave me the sternest look I'd ever seen on her face. The sight of it sent a wave of discomfort through my stomach.

"Adeline Charolette Grey!" Her face suddenly softened, "Those things might come back. We must get to the cottage and come up with a plan."

"Things?" I replied, stumped, "What things? Did you see what happened to Fisher, Liyra?"

Liyra's lips pursed into a thin, tight line and she nodded grimly.

"I will explain once we get back to the cottage. It will be safer there."

She left no room for discussion, but instead, firmly gripped my arm and tugged me towards her house. I spent the whole walk there looking over my shoulder in hopes to see that Fisher had magically appeared back in his same spot, picking away at those little yellow dandelions. Perhaps even making a bouquet of them for step mother and I... like he loved to do, but there was no sign of him. The further we got from the wall the lower my hopes sank. 

Once inside of the cottage, Liyra closed the door firmly behind us and went straight to the kitchen to start the tea. 

I stood awkwardly in the middle of the living room and for the first time in my life, I didn't feel at home in the cozy little cottage. I felt as if a huge piece of me had been left behind and the gate and everything would be different from here on out.