Passages (On Hold)

Chapter 2

              The Light filled my eye and there was a loud, high pitched ringing in my ears. I gasped for air while my eyesight slowly started to focus again. I could smell flowers and fresh grass and saw a blur of green. What happened? All I could remember before this was being surround by police officers and Danny… Danny killed Brad. I don’t know what got him riled up so fast. I never thought Danny would be capable of murder, even though he was a greaser. I know the whole school is going to give both of us hell. Maybe we should just run away. My parents have good amount of money, maybe we could go to Chicago or a real big city!

                Suddenly my eyesight was crisp and clear again. I could tell I was in a small grove I’d never seen before. Where am I? I looked around me and no one else was there. I was surrounded by tall green trees and a pretty little pond. I tried to stand up but, to my defeat, I collapsed back to the ground. My legs felt as if I hadn’t used them I weeks.

“Hello precious.” I was started by the little noise and turned around quickly. Standing behind me was a weird looking creature. I raised my eyebrow.

“And who are you supposed to be? Halloween isn’t for another few months.” I tried standing up again. My legs were still week but strong enough to keep me standing. I turned to the woods and yelled. “Y’all can come out now! I know this is a prank!” The thing snickered and placed its hands on its hips.

“The names Tuftly. I assure you that this isn’t a prank missy. I don’t even know what Halloween is!” He raised his hands up in an awkward frustration. My eyes widened a little and I took a step back.

“Then where am I? Do you know where Danny, my friend, is? What are you?” Tuftly sighed and gave me a look of annoyance.

“Look, if I tell you, you’ve got to remain calm.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “And please don’t attract any attention to us?”    I looked around to see if there was any other way out of this. Perhaps it is was a dream or maybe the others were hiding in the tress, waiting for me to eat up everything this… thing is going to tell me. I finally pursed my lips and nodded for Tuftly to answer my questions.

“We are at the edge of the Goblin City. It’s ruled over by a fae named Jareth. It’s a beautiful place. Although we who inhabit it are quiet the mischief makers. The closer in to the city center, the dirtier and the uglier it gets. I mean even though some of the forest can get a little ugly –“

“What about Danny?”

“That one is back at my house. I’ve had him there for a couple days. I guess he really likes it here. He told me to keep a look out for you…so here I am! For what I am, well…. I’m a goblin of course.” I wasn’t in shock when I heard that but I was in a state of disbelief.

“I must be dreaming.” The goblin frowned and grabbed my hand. I tried to pull away but his grip was hard and firm. Tuftly started dragging me across the field while I started yelling at him. “Get off me! What are you doing? Stop---you’re hurting me!” The goblin quickly stopped and put a finger to his lips.

“Hush child before the Goblin King hears us and comes to investigate.”  I stopped abruptly and he rolled his eyes. “I’m taking you to Danny. Make he can knock some sense into you. Follow me.” He started to walk away and I stood there and thought for a moment if I should follow him. Yes I have moxy, but I’m in a whole different place. What if he’s tricking me or something? I finally came to the conclusion, he said he knows Danny and…. If he knows Danny that’s good enough for me. I started to follow him my arms wrapped around my waist. The first few minutes of the walk were quiet and awkward, but I just trudged along with it while observing the strange animals around me. There was a bird with four wings flying beside us. It wasn’t a like stunning beautiful creature you’d imagine, but  gruesome. It’s feathers were dusty brown and looked like they’ve never been washed, the sound it made was a cross between and squeal and chalk rubbing on a chalkboard. I felt nervous and tortured until it finally flew away, and I couldn’t help the bitter silence between Tuftly and I.