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It was beautiful and deadly.
Today was my third day searching for my sister, and I was no nearer to finding her. I had, however, learned a lot about the island itself. If I allowed my mind to wander, my feet followed. It was as if the island was an intricate series of faerie circles. I could be in my bedroom, then out on the beach in mere steps. I could be in the entry then find myself wandering the kitchens. I wasn’t very good at controlling it yet.
Each time I wandered too long or too far, Rosie or Harry came to gently but insistently collect me. This time, I was far from the shore and castle. Somewhere inland in a lush, deep forest. It had been beautiful in daylight, but now the sun had set. In the darkness, I was beginning to question my own wisdom. Why did I come alone? Shouldn’t someone be along to collect me?
A blood curdling scream ripped through the night air. I froze, my heart pounding in my ears. Before I could duck or run, a large shadow soared overhead, casting a shadow that eliminated even the moon’s faint light.
I gazed up and saw the silhouette of a massive owl. For one irrational moment, I believed he would lift me up and carry me away. In his tree, he would strip my bones like a field mouse.
No, I comforted myself. It’s only an ordinary owl. Your imagination is playing tricks on you. But on the isle, I couldn’t be entirely sure.
Now I really, really wished someone would come to collect me.
Maybe they had grown tired of it. Maybe it was petulant of me to assume they would keep coming.
How could I get back on my own? There had to be a way. I could figure this out. Let’s see. If I could leave the castle by letting my mind wander, maybe I could get back by thinking of it.
I tried for a moment. It was difficult when every rustle of the wind set my teeth on edge. The castle. My room in the castle.
I heard a twig snap. Wait. What was that? Was someone following me?
My room. The castle, I insisted to my brain. Think of it.
It didn’t work.
Instead, I found myself entering a field of mist. First, it pooled around my ankles. Then it rose. I tried to turn and go back where I had come from, but the mist only grew thicker. Soon, I could see no more than a foot in front of my own nose.
Another twig snapped at my side, and I froze. I had the unmistakable, eerie feeling that I was not alone anymore. Someone walked beside me in this mist. I could feel their overpowering presence.
A primal terror pulsed through me. I felt like a deer in the moment before a coyote springs. Please, I prayed. Please send Rosie or Harry to collect me. I won’t stay out after dark again.
But no one came to my rescue.
Instead, I felt a nearly irresistible urge to reach out my hand as if to grasp another. Someone was waiting for me in the mist. All I needed to do was take their hand. Unthinking, I moved my hand inch by inch until the tips of my fingers disappeared into the mist.
With a jolt of horror, I jerked my treacherous hand back. What was I doing? No! I will not, I thought desperately.
My fingers wiggled, testing my resolve. I clasped my hands tightly together and increased my walking pace. I knew better than to speak. If I was correct, if I wasn’t alone, this mist might be my only friend. If I couldn’t see them, perhaps they couldn’t see me.
Somehow, I might yet escape this powerful pull.
Seconds passed like minutes. Minutes like hours. But eventually, the fog did begin to thin ever so slightly. Just ahead, I could make out the faint silhouette of low tree branches. Little lights danced within them—yellow, orange, pink, and red, blinking in and out.
I moved closer, wanting nothing more than to leave this shadow and mist behind. As I grew closer, I could see the lights were actually will-o'-the-wisps—tiny, flying fairies with sharp faces and ears. Each was smaller than my thumb and glowed like a bright orb.
"Hello," one greeted me, its smile exposing its razor canines.
"Hello," I returned tentatively. "Is someone else out here?"
They shook their heads. "Just us. Where are you headed?"
"The castle," I said more assuredly than I felt.
"Oh, no!" they chorused sadly. "You are going the wrong way."
Another chimed in, "Follow us. We’ll lead you home."
I didn’t believe them. But what other choice did I have? I couldn’t stay here. Something waited in the mist.
