Find Your Wings

Chapter 10 - Mom?

We all made a deal that we will wait until tomorrow morning and then discuss what we need to do next.

Star was sleeping in Ryan's room, North was in the attic (I did not envy him), and I was in the same place I have been in for the past 10 hours: the couch. After about another hour I fall asleep. The second I'm fully asleep I immediately start dreaming.

In my dream, my mother is standing right in front of me, staring right into my eyes. It takes me a few more seconds to realize that this isn't a dream. Again. Ryan? I ask in my head.

No. This isn't Ryan. It's me, Neo. My mother says, but her mouth isn't moving. I'm reading her thoughts. And she's reading mine. I don't know how, but I can just feel her in my head.

Mom? Is this really you?

Yes. It's me. I'm here. But I don't have much time, so I'll tell you what you need to know and then I'll go. I'm sorry we can't talk longer. I really miss you, but I can't come back. I would if I could, but Edgar won't let me.

What did Edgar do to you? I ask.

He captured me. He took me as a hostage, and he wants to get some information out of me, but I haven't told him.

What does he want to know?

He wants to know what happened to the flowers. He thinks that it has something to do with the fairies dying, and he thinks that they may be able to grant him some other powers, like the legend says.

So what happened to the flowers? Do you know?

Yes, but I can't tell you. Not know. Not in your head, it's dangerous.

Why is it dangerous?

He is very powerful, Neo. He can listen in to our conversations if he wants. I don't believe he is listening now, but I know he will if i say something about the flowers. If I say their name it will wake him. He cast a spell that wakes him up if I ever say or think the name of the flower so he can get the information out of me.

So when will you tell me? Oh, and about the whole "Neo" thing... They, um, changed my name. It's Amber now. I don't know when, but as long as I can remember I've been called Amber, so... I emphasized They in the same way Ryan did. I'm not so sure what that means, but it's clear that They aren't just a random group of people.

Oh. I don't see why They would change it. Who's They?

I don't know. Ryan said They changed it. He didn't say who They are. I don't think he knows. When will you tell me about the flower?

When you come and find me, of course.

When I come and find you? How can I find you if I don't even know where you are?

That's what I'm here to tell you. I'm sorry I'm asking you to do this, but it's the only way for you to complete the quest. It'll be dangerous. You may even have to risk your life. Are you ready for that?

I paused for a moment. Was I really ready to risk my own life just for a bunch of fairies? But it wasn't just a bunch of fairies. It was Star. And my mother. And a bunch of fairies. I had to do this. I don't know if I'm ready, but I sure as hell will do it.

Yes. I'm ready.

OK.

Pause

Mom? Are you there?

Yes. I'm sorry.

OK. You can tell me now.

OK. I am in Edgar's lair. It's located in the fairy-world, in a cave inside the forest. I'll give you a map.

How can you give me a map if I'm dreaming?

Well, I can, because you're not dreaming. I'm contacting you in your sleep. I can do it when you're awake, too, but that takes too much energy. Here, take it and find me.

She handed me a rolled up scroll with a red ribbon on it. I opened the scroll and looked at the map. It was the most detailed map I've ever seen.

Wow.

The fairy world is an island. It doesn't look very big, yet it contains dry deserts, snowy mountains, rainforests, thick woods, beautiful beaches, and any other kind of climate or landform you could imagine. And it's all there. On the map. I can tell it has some sort of magic in it, because whenever I want to see something up closer, it just spreads out on the whole piece of paper, and shrinks back again when I want to look at something else.

What do you think?

What do I think? I think this is the most beautiful map I've ever seen! But how do I get there?

Ryan needs to help you with that part. He's the only one who can.

Ryan? Why him? He's evil! How do I know I can trust him? He lied to Star. Twice.

Lying doesn't make a person evil. Even if he lied to his sister. He is a complicated person, but you will learn to accept him and see his true self. The one he hides behind all that power. He just needs to forgive himself.

Forgive himself? What are you talking about? He doesn't even seem the tiniest bit sorry for what he did.

People aren't always what they seem.

And then I woke up.