A Month of Midnights

VII

"Stop freaking out," Rudy poorly therapized. Though the world was completely ink black, and I could not see Rudy's face, I still glared. His attempt to calm me only ignited my tense emotions even more.

"It's not that easy. You can't erase paranoia, Rudy," I snapped. How could he possibly know what it's like? I thought bitterly.

"You have nothing to be paranoid about. You're fine," he promised.

"Nothing to be paranoid about? Someone around here sought me out, not to mention they know my name? I know I'm not going crazy, you saw that thing speak to me," I sputtered furiously. Since the night the strange dragon made of fire had spoken to me, a noxious feeling had tainted all logic and reason inside of me. I felt the fear of everything begin to collapse around me, and it was driving me to the edge of my insanity.

"If there is something out there looking for you, we'll protect you. I....promise," he struggled to say. I sighed morosely.

"Getting tired?" I asked softly.

"Yeah," was the raspy reply. I pulled my hand away from the horse's forehead, and the colors of the forest illuminated back into view. I had sent Upright and Minnie down the path a little farther to gather some wood for the fire. It had been a day since the fire incident, and the two still would not get along. Minnie promised that by tomorrow we would find the three Elder Faeries' cottage, but my anxiety was beginning to convince me otherwise.

"Could you possibly hover any closer? Your magic is gonna make me sneeze!" Upright griped in the distance. I rolled my eyes.

"Are you always this negative?" Minnie exasperated.

"Yes! It's my thing!" Upright hollered unnecessarily loud. I rubbed my temples; my stress induced headache would never leave as long as they were arguing.

"I guess sending them off alone didn't work," I commented with disappointment. Rudy snorted in agreement. The sound of twigs snapping and leaves crackling came closer, and soon Upright and Minnie reappeared with wood and kindling. A fire was set ablaze again, and Minnie generously created more food for us with her magic. I watched the faery and the dwarf scrupulously, seeing to it that they didn't upset the other one and set off another magic spell. I sat farthest away from the fire in fear another creature would emerge and freeze me in place, using the magnetic evil in my blood to hold me prisoner in its gaze.

It was a particularly chilly night; the farther we traveled in this direction, the colder it became. I saw Minnie quivering in her thin, summer dress as she flew closer to the fire for warmth. I looked over to see Rudy was already asleep, and Upright had begun to snore softly with his stocking cap over his eyes.

"Minnie," I called to her gently, "are you sure you aren't to cold?"

"I'm f-f-fine," she answered. I looked at her doubtfully. I held my cloak open and showed her one of the hidden pockets on its inside.
"Are you sure you wouldn't be warmer over here?" I asked again. Minnie bit her lip and quickly flew inside the pocket.

"Much better," she said contentedly. "I don't suppose you could move closer to the fire?" Minnie saw my hesitation and quickly added, "I understand if you'd rather not."

"No, no," I insisted, "you need to warm up." I awkwardly scooted closer to the calm, crackling fire. It looked less hostile tonight which gave me additional comfort. I cradled Minnie in my cupped hands.

"This trip has been so amazing. I can't say it enough, Blyss," thanked Minnie sincerely.
"Really?" I honestly was puzzled. In the two days she had been with us, Minnie had endured a fiery explosion and a stubborn dwarf. I certainly wouldn't have considered that amazing.