The Wizard's Herbarium: The Wolf Child

Part 29

After all of Colt's tip-toeing and trying to be considerate of Kova's feelings, he hadn't expected such a firm response from Atticus. Atticus' tone left little room for argument and from Kova's shocked silence, it was clear that the boy's thinking was similar to Colt's.

Silence spread like a blanket over them. The birds chirped their song outside the window, but inside the air felt stifling. Kova looked as though Atticus had slapped him, if his stunned expression was any indication.

It was Atticus who relented first, drawing a deep, tired sigh. "Magic like that is outside of my ability," he said. "I heal, not transform."

"Then - then find someone who can!" Kova's voice was shrill and yet hopeless, as though he knew in his heart that what Atticus was saying was true.

Colt couldn't see Atticus' expression, but it must have conveyed something. Perhaps it was pity, or exhaustion, or both, but Colt could see the tears that welled up in Kova's eyes again, spilling over and down his cheeks. Kova glanced at Colt, as though he could provide confirmation of what Atticus said wasn't true. Colt couldn't speak for or against him. There was a rustling of fabric and the soft patter of footsteps as Kova ran past Colt and out of the small cabin.

Colt's heart went out to the child. How alone he must have felt right then. Colt couldn't hate Atticus, he'd saved his life and it wasn't as though he'd treated the child badly. It was just a shitty situation they all found themselves in.

"The forest is beginning to take on the burdens left behind by the forest spirit Ivalio," Atticus said. He'd closed his eyes again. "There is only so much I can do to ease the transition. The effects will begin to make themselves known soon."

"And what sort of effects are those?" Colt asked.

Atticus shrugged. "Each environment is different. Did you know that the humans consider this forest to be a rain forest, and the very last of its size in this world? I suspect that soon, that status will be lost. Like other rain forests, humans will continue to cut down the trees and kill the ferns to make room for their monstrous dwellings, paths for their noisy machines they drive over the dirt hills they make, and pollute the waters and the earth. Rivers may not run so clear and plants may not grow so in abundance."

As he listened, Colt once again felt a stab of guilt, as though he should have done more to prevent something like this. He thought of all the times he'd failed to recycle, or not turned off the tap when he'd brushed his teeth. He knew that his actions alone wasn't enough to cause this, but it was the attitude he had - that everyone had, right? It's only for today. I'll do it tomorrow. There always seemed to be a tomorrow, but what if that tomorrow suddenly wasn't coming?

"Atticus. Who are you? Why am I here? When I got hurt, why didn't you call an ambulance?" Colt asked.

Atticus turned his head, looking at him with tired eyes. He seemed to deliberate for a moment. "I suppose that you have already seen Ivailo. If you allow word to spread, then the Council will kill you anyway." There was a pause before Atticus continued. "I am guardian of this forest, that would be the easiest way for you to understand. The creatures who live here are fantastical in their own unique ways. I help them on their journeys. With the forest spirit Ivailo, I eased her pain before her passing. My services benefit humans, although only peripherally. If I had allowed you into a human care facility with your wounds, you may have blabbed about me. You were in shock, and the rest of the town catching wind of some strange going ons about me would cause an inconvenience that I am not ready to deal with. Healing you myself would keep my reputation with the town residents intact."

"You talk about humans as though you aren't one," Colt said. "With the crazy things I've seen over the last few weeks, I'm not too surprised, but then what are you?"

"I have studied human folklore, and in your terms I could be described as a wizard."

"A wizard. As in magic wands, pointy hats and cloaks?"

"In some cases, yes," Atticus said. "Now, come over here so we can change out your bandage."

The wound that he'd sustained came from a tree branch during the storm. The branch had left a hole about the size of two golf balls through the right side of his body, below his rib cage. While it hadn't pierced him straight through, Atticus assured him that it had still knocked around his innards as though there had been a professional baseball player using his guts as a batting cage.

In Atticus' home, he was healing slowly. Colt knew that if he were in the hospital, going through the process of recovery would take much longer, and a full recovery from that kind of injury was likely impossible. In a hospital, he would have his friends and family. Here, Colt was alone.

"You are well enough to leave if you wish it," Atticus said when Colt asked him when he'd be able to go home. "Your recovery has progressed to the point where you should not have any problems on your own. Once you leave, you will be unable to return here, however, I can't have curious visitors poking about."

There was still so many questions that Colt had for Atticus, and the idea that he'd be unable to return once he had left made him think twice about it. Was anyone really missing him beyond the borders of Atticus' garden? He was separated from his friends and family in the city who likely didn't even notice he was gone.

The forest itched at him, and everything Atticus had been talking to him about too. Maybe it was something that niggled at him for a long time without him noticing it, but it all clicked into place in an instant.