Jezebel (Watty Awards 2012)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

"It's our village." I whispered as I climbed to my feet and followed Kelvin out into the clearing. From the looks of the old, burned wood sticking up from the rubble that had once been homes of the other elves in our village, it had been burned down to the ground a long time ago. Probably not long after we left. Tears filled my eyes as I noticed an old half scorched, worn-out, cotton-stuffed rag doll strewn on the ground. I had known the baby girl that had once belonged to. "Oh, Kelvin."

"Don't touch it." Kelvin said in a soft tone, but it was stern enough to let me know he was very serious. I jerked my hand back as if his words had burned me. "I wish...I wish with all I have that I could fix this, but this is beyond my abilities."

I put a hand on his arm and he looked at me. "There is nothing that can or could be done, big brother. This is not your doing. We have to move on." I looked through the trees towards the horizon. The bright orange sun was almost gone completely. We didn't have much time. "It's getting late. We have to get out of the forest."

"You may think that, but the forest is also a safe haven." Kelvin replied.

"To do what?" I scoffed. "Hide? Come on." I looked back at the child's doll on the floor. "We have to go."

He nodded before pulling out a compass and glancing at it. He looked around the clearing and then up at the sky and tree tops. Kelvin had the natural knack to fix and create ANYTHING he could get his hands on and could figure out the most confusing maps. He also had an incredible sense of direction. I have to admit. I envy him at times for such an amazing and smart ability. This dude never gets lost.

"This way." Kelvin began to pull me and we disappeared into the green forest within the blink of an eye.

The thought of Jezebel's happy face as we'd rescue her and that we'd become heroes for saving her life drove me forward through the thick bushes and huge green leaves. I'd not only be finally able to change the way people look at me, but I'd be rescuing my best friend. As much as I tried to hide it, I was worried sick about her. Because of my cowardliness and shame, I had been rebelling against everyone who was trying to steer me right, but I was going to do the right thing now.

As we continued through the forest, darkness fell upon us like a soft blanket. I knew we were nearing the mountain side by now as the thick tree trunks of the forest had now become tall, bendable, thick trunked bamboo trees. Flowers everywhere of all types and colors swayed in the quiet darkness of the night all around us. The breath-taking colorful scenery would have been an astonishing sight to gaze upon if it wasn't for our mission. The wet mildew-soaked bushes and tall grass of the tropical environment slapped playfully at my legs as we dashed through the trees and the full, bright moon was huge in the night sky, but I could barely see it through the large amount of leaves that spread across as if all the trees were connected like a canopy.

Finally, we slowed to a stop as the bamboo trees gave way to another small clearing where a lone beautiful Cherry blossom tree stood in all its magnificent near a stream of clear creek water with the moon's reflection dancing off its ripples. I looked at Kelvin and he nodded for me to follow him down the stream's path. The mountain could be seen completely now looming over us and a chill ran through my body at the sight of it. So many years since I had seen the wonderful castle and to be honest, I was actually dreading it. I was sure the magnificent castle probably looked dreadful now and I didn't really want to see it that way. I wanted to keep the gorgeous image of its better days in my memory instead.

Suddenly, Kelvin stopped short again and pulled me behind him. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as my stomach twisted in knots. A twig breaking from our left across the stream suddenly caught my attention as we stood perfectly still, not even breathing as we waited, squinting into the darkness.