Fairy Tale

Chapter 6: Autumn Wood

Hand and hand with my sisters, I led them through the backyard and into the forest.

"Where are we going?" asked Maya.

"You'll see." I smiled and produced an apple from the picnic basket I carried on my arm. I was taking the girls on a picnic at my favorite place. "You can eat this on the way there."

Dot struggled to take a bite with her tiny mouth while Maya tore out a huge chunk. I sighed. Maya will be Maya.

I led them through the forest, hoping to find the Fairy Tree soon. I had wanted to show this place to them once I had discovered it, but I hadn't gotten the chance because of my parents. I wanted them to have the joy in this place that I had.

A few moments later, I stopped them and looked up at the colossus tree.

"Here we are," I whispered.

Dot stared up at the towering tree and dropped her apple, gaping. Maya broke out into a huge grin and ran up to it.

Suddenly, Sophie appeared on the other side of the tree.

"Autumn?" she said.

"Hello," I said quietly. I didn't want to disturb her, so I grabbed a hold of Dot's hand.

"Hi!" She ran up and hugged me, which was a huge surprise.

"Uh, hello," I said, stunned.

She smiled broadly; I hadn't seen her this happy since her father passed.

"I'm so glad you've come here. I needed some comfort." She looked over at Maya and Dot. "And who might they be?"

"These are my sisters, Dot and Maya."

She kneeled down beside Dot. "Hello! I'm your neighbor, Sophie. It's very nice to meet you." She shook the girls' hands.

Strange. Sophie had never been this friendly to...well...anyone!

Dot and Maya greeted Sophie cheerfully. 

"So...what are you doing here today?"

She grinned, but then looked at the ground, ashamed and embarrassed. "I....it's hard to explain..."

"We've got time." I sat on a tree branch.

"Well...you see, I've done something I shouldn't have done...and I'll never do it again..." she started. "I harmed myself, and what I did is illegal."

Drugs...I thought.

"I promised to never do it again. I was hurting. Badly. But...I managed to make it here..." she looked up at the tree. "and it saved me."

"What?" I wondered aloud. "How could a tree save you?"

She grinned again. "Magic."

"Magic?" Was she going insane?

"It's real. It is a Fairy Tree. I've searched for the magic in it for years, but I never found it till today."

"Right..." Maybe she needed help...

"You don't believe me?" She looked hurt.

"I'm sorry Sophie. Magic isn't real."

"Yes it is. I've felt it myself!"

"See that's the thing. You thought you felt it. It didn't really happen."

"Yes it did. I had a horrible hangover about an hour ago, now look at me!"

Maybe I should call someone... "The drugs were making your hallucinate. It didn't really happen."

"Yes it DID!"

I walked over and felt her forehead. "Wha-What are you doing?" she asked.

"Making sure you're not running a fever."

"I'm not crazy! I know what I saw and felt! This is real magic!"

"Magic isn't real."

"Yes it-"

"No," I cut her off. "If magic were real, I wouldn't have such a miserable life."

Sophie took a step back. Silence...

"How...What makes your life miserable?"

I could feel my face flush. I shouldn't tell her...but it would take a great burden off my shoulders. Then,  Maya spoke up, "Our parents."

"Your...parents?" Sophie looked stunned.

"Yes," continued Maya. "They abuse us-and by 'us' I mean Autumn."

I didn't stop her.

I felt...better.

A lot better than I had in a long time. Someone knew.

Someone finally knew what was going on at home.

She was the first person to know after eleven years of being beaten almost daily.

She knew...

"Is-Is this true?" Sophie asked me.

I stood there.

And I nodded.

She knew...

Finally...

Salvation...