Fairy Rock

Chapter 34: Elroy's Hideout

Richard floats on a small rowboat in the Purple River. He struggles to pull and push on the oars as the currents in the water are strong. He looks up at the orange star in the clear black sky and rows the boat in its direction of it.

The purple water below him turns white. He puts the cowl over his robe, protecting himself from the chilly temperature. He pulls out a compass made of green, round, hardened cream full of Elroy's magic. The needle on it points north. I've reached the North Forrest. My parents, Susan, and Tevin weren't in the West Forrest. I hope to find them here.

Richard rows through the pain of throbbing shoulders. Luckily, the currents slow down as he drifts into a swamp. Dead bugs are hovering in the water. He sees a pink toad with navy blue spots on its back floating on a beige leaf pad. The toad sticks his tongue in the water and swallows some of them.

"I'll never get used to this world," Richard says.

He stops his boat and pulls onto an island of burgundy sand. He takes his bow and bag of arrows and walks through the beach into the North Forrest.

Richard tries to calm his breathing as his fear wants him to return to the boat. He observes the turquoise maple trees and light blue bushes.

"What in the world?!" Richard shouts.

He quickly sprints into the bushes as a stampede of light blue moose run by him.

Richard hides behind a tree, removes his special glove from his green robe, and puts it on. He puts a flame arrow on his bow as he clenches his cheeks. I must be brave. Only the strong will live in the World of The Fairies. I must find Susan, Tevin, and my family.

"Help!" a voice screams.

Richard pauses as he listens to the sound of the scream. "That's my mother."

Richard sprints through the blue scrubs and red bushes. He passes by the purple trees and goes through the tall, yellow grass as he throws caution behind him.

He makes his way down a white hill and braces himself as he witnesses three dark wolves bigger than the moose, he has seen digging their razor-sharp claws through the roof of the human-made underground bunker. Blood and dirt are all over their bleeding paws. The monster's red, beady eyes are getting bigger as they stick their tongues out, waiting to taste some human prey.

"There must be people in there," Richard says.

He shoots his arrows, striking all three beasts as they flee, engulfed in flames.

The grass and bushes are blazing due to the fire's residue. The smoke pollutes the bunker.

A group of people climb out of the hole. They look thin and dehydrated. Their torn clothes are filthy.

Richard gets within a few feet of them. He notices they are his parents and Tevin's parents.

Richard removes the cowl of his head, drops his bow and arrow, and goes toward them with his arms open wide. "Mom and Dad. It's me."

Mrs. Johnson covers her mouth. "Richard."

Mr. Johnson extends his arms out. "Son, is that you?"

They immediately run over to embrace him.

Richard sighs heavily and chokes up. "I miss you, Mom and Dad."

Mrs. Johnson rests her sobbing face against his robe. "We didn't know where you were."

"We never stopped looking for you, son," Mr. Johnson cries.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins come over to Richard and hug him.

Richard sees the bags under their eyes and the patchy gray beards on his dad's and Mr. Jenkin's face. I can tell they went through a lot to survive over the years.

"We are glad to see you," Mr. Jenkins expresses.

"I'm glad to see you too. Have you heard any news about Tevin?" Richard asks.

"We believe that he was sent back to Earth by the fairy, Sparkle," Mrs. Jenkins responds.

"Come with me. I'll take you somewhere safe," Richard says.

Richard leads everyone through the colorful forest back to his rowboat, and they sail away.

They row through the swamp and back to Purple River, watching the pink trout jump in and out of the water. Everyone in the group's stomach growl as their mouth salivates for the delicious fish.

"Is there any food? Where are we going?" Mrs. Johnson asks.

"Yes, plenty of it," Richard mentions.

"Are there any cigars we are going to?" Mr. Johnson wonders.

"Yes, cigars, beer, and liquor," Richard smiles.

"Hurry up and row this boat. We must get there," Mr. Johnson demands.

They arrive at Elroy's place. It's a hideout ten feet below the surface, near a giant black Sequoia Tree in the South Forrest. Elroy's new home has many fresh, smelling fried fish and shrimp cooked by Melinda, Jason, Reginald, and Bartholomew.

Richard sees his people look stunned as they watch the three feet tall pointy-eared elves.

They immediately come out of shock, run toward the dinner table, and chow down on the food.

"Richard, it looks like they haven't had any real food in a while," Elroy analyzes.

"I'm just happy that they are safe," Richard says.

"They are safe for now. Queen Vanessa will never stop searching for them," Elroy says.

"Let's get them cleaned up," Richard commands.

Several more hours pass, and everyone is clean, wearing green robes.

Richard and his father sit on a floor made of green tree bark and sipping rum. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are not drinking or smoking because of their Christian faith.

Jason and Bartholomew roll up a pack of thick cigars for everyone to smoke.

"Make sure that cigar is great because my dad hasn't smoked in a while," Richard says.

Reginald lights up one of the cigars. "You are courageous for leaving this hideout, and I wish I had your courage."

Bartholomew slurs his voice. "Blah, blah, w-we will fight with you. S-someday."

"Bart, you're too much of drunk to do anything," Jason retorts.

"Blah, blah, I-I'm not a drunk, okay. Nah, nah. Now pass me some liquor," Bartholomew mumbles.

Melinda stands up and dances, trying to lighten the mood. The other elves toot as they admire the beauty of her brown eyes, luscious red lips, and shiny, freshly shaven legs.

Mrs. Johnson fancies the paintings of the numerous elves in green robes throughout the walls made of green wood in the hideout.

"I'm so thankful that the elves cared for our Richard."

It is getting late as everyone starts to rest for the night. Richard's parents and the Jenkins sleep on the new, makeshift beds full of soft, incanted orange leaves.

Elroy combs his beard and finishes his fifth glass of rum as he stands beside Richard.

"Your parents have had years of malnourishment, and these leaves will slowly regenerate them back to health. It will take time, though."

"I'm so glad that they're going to be fine. I need to find Susan now."

"It is very dangerous out there. We are lucky that we avoided capture this long."

"She is my girlfriend, and I have to save her."

"We searched almost everywhere for her. The only other place she can be is in the East Forest."

"I'm leaving tonight to find her. I can't wait any longer.

Take care of my parents and the Jenkins."

"You are our best archer, but you're no match for Vanessa. Be Careful."

"I will."