Selected for Editor's Choice! Some secrets refuse to remain silent. Deep in Switzerland, the Intyamon valley was once home to many humans and strange beings. Years ago, in a wooden chalet rooted on the side of the valley, there lived a young girl who was desperately lonely. In the middle of Lessoc, a small village, there was a fountain. Humans had a charming legend they told about it, but fairy creatures whispered of dark deeds and bloodshed. On a farm nearby, there was a boy growing callous and cold from the harsh life he was given. A path in the valley forest led to a hill covering a vast hall under its rocky layers. A fairy king held his court in that hall and the great fairies danced and feasted throughout the nights. There was a horse with a battle-scarred coat and soul, who longed for redemption. And there was one last creature whose heart has withered away long ago. Lessoc Fountain would call them them together.

The first terraformed world, Tau Ceti Four, was now ready for colonization. Some called it Paradise, and it seemed a fitting name. The initial conditions before the terraforming began were perfect, too perfect for botanist Mora Torr. Something was not right. Engineer Gan Finn came over with the other colonists on the Ark Hope ship. He, like Mora, was as much running away from an anguished past as seeking Paradise. But twelve light-years distance itself does not cure broken hearts. "So, are there any alien jubjub birds, bandersnatches, or jabberwocks around here I should be worried about?" Laughter rolled from her mouth at the Alice in Wonderland reference. "Oh, nothing like that. It's not the big scary creatures we should worry about, besides other humans that is, but the tiny ones. History has shown us that things like bacteria, virus, and small parasites are the real killers. The deadliest creature in all the human history is a mosquito with a pathogen." ** Re-edited ** ** Open Novella II - Short List and Ambassador Pick ** ** Wattpad Editor's Choice (January 2020) **