Fairy Magic: The Forest Wars of the Fairy Princess and the Goblin Witch

Chapter 7

Ali and Ben searched every inch of the woods. They rode their bikes down the trails that lead to the park, the ones that went to the grocery store, and the paths that led to the stream. Still, they didn't find Gabby.

After nearly two hours of searching, they turned back.

"Let's grab some food, then we can..." Ben stopped mid-sentence.

Mr. Wilkins stood on the trail before them.

Ali squeezed hard on her breaks. They squealed in protest, but stopped before hitting the old man.

Mr. Wilkins appeared more disheveled than usual. Leaves protruded from his mossy gray hair. Grass and his trousers, and his shirt hung untucked.

"Mr. Wilkins, what are you doing out here?"

"The police came by. They asked about your sister."

Ali cocked her head. The old man sounded nervous.

Was he hiding something?

No...

No.

Not Mr. Wilkins.

He's weird, sure. Crazy even. But not a kidnapper.

Right?

"After they left, I decided to go searching for her."

"You've been looking for Gabby?"

"What made you come looking for her out here?" Ben asked.

He must have jumped to the same conclusion she had.

The old man ran a hand through his frizzy hair. "The shadow goblins."

Ben cocked an eyebrow. "The what?"

"I think I know where Gabrielle is."

Ben leaned back in his bike seat and crossed his arms, "Okay. We're listening."

"Shadow goblins. Ghastly creatures. They live in the darkness. Underground."

Mr. Wilkins seemed frantic.

Ben scoffed. "Underground? Really?"

The old man raised his hands. "I know, I know. It sounds absurd. But hear me out."

Ali placed a hand on Ben's shoulder.

"Let him talk."

"I was young." He pointed at Ali and Ben. "Even younger than you. When I saw them."

"The shadow goblins?" Ali asked.

Mr. Wilkins nodded.

"Saw it up close. Looked like a rodent, but stood like a man. Speckles all over its face. Beady eyes. Black as night. Skin like a snake. Scaley but slimy. "

Ali gripped her flashlight with both hands.

Was this for real? Mr. Wilkins couldn't be serious. But why go through all of the trouble of making up this story? Maybe it's some sort of sick game? Maybe he really is crazy. He sure does sound like it.

Ben held up a hand.

"Mr. Wilkins, stop right there. I know Ali and I are just kids, but we're not stupid."

The old man raised a finger. "Exactly. You're not stupid. Not like the cops. Not like adults. You can still see them."

Ben turned to Ali with wide eyes.

He obviously thought Mr. Wilkins was nuts.

Ali wasn't sure. Nothing the man said made sense.

"What do you mean Mr. Wilkins?"