DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 5: Fielders Forest
Molly worried, waiting in the dark, silent forest until the sun spread its rays through the black sky. The night air had been chilly despite her bed of leaves and she was grateful for the warmth of her green cloak. Ravenous, she searched through the leaves, finding a few plants with berries which she hungrily devoured.
Looking up at the sky, she wished it would open again so she could once more dance with her friends. She knew, however, there was only danger for her there. Completely bewildered by all the turmoil of the last few hours, Molly had no idea what to do next or where to go. However, she knew she could not remain in this place forever, doing nothing at all.
She began walking down a path that was partially hidden beneath the overhanging branches of a very old looking tree. Where it would lead she had no idea, but if this forest was real after all, there must be others here. She was determined to find them. Frightened at the thought, Molly nevertheless squared her small shoulders and continued on.
She had not gone far when she saw something in the grass alongside the path. After first making sure the angry bird-like creature was nowhere around, the young fairy made her way carefully to the spot.
Pulling the grass aside, Molly gasped at the sight in front of her. The young man, whom Jar-Ed’s men wounded and so callously left for dead, was lying face down on the forest carpet.
How on earth had he arrived here in the same place? Had he somehow been pulled through the sky as she had been? In the chaos and confusion of that moment, she had no time to notice anything other than her own predicament.
Molly drew in her breath sharply when she heard a small moan escape from the bloodless lips of the injured man. Carefully she turned him over, shuddering at the sight of the large area of blood that covered the entire front of the man’s shirt. His eyes, dark blue and filled with pain, fluttered open, looking directly into hers for one brief second. Attempting to raise his head, the effort proved too much for him. In his weakened state, his consciousness left him again.
Unsure of what to do, Molly sat back on her heels, thoughts running willy-nilly through her head. Obviously, the young man needed her help. His wounds needed to be cleansed and bandaged. How could she help him or provide shelter for him when she had no idea where to go in this unfamiliar forest?
The day grew warm as Molly sat beside the wounded young stranger. Finally, she stood, removing the green cloak, hanging it over her arm. Her broken wings hung limply down her back and she mourned for them. They had always been beautiful and Molly was devastated at their present condition.
At that moment Molly noticed that something had fallen from the pocket of her dress. “My wand!” she exclaimed aloud, picking up the slender yellow rod. She had forgotten it in the confusion of her rescue. It would be of some help she knew, even though there was no chance to dip it into the mystical fairy pot for wands. “Only a trace of its magic left,” the fairy uttered, hopeful it would work in this strange place.
Unfolding the wand, Molly waved it above the wounded man’s chest, hoping against hope it would heal him. To her dismay, however, nothing happened. There were no ringing chimes that usually accompanied the success of a wand. Next, she waved it around her broken wings. It had the same result. Nothing happened to repair them. The Spungle fairy felt an overwhelming disappointment. The wand’s magic was no longer strong enough to heal.
Molly decided to leave the wounded man to look for help and possibly shelter of some kind. She placed her cloak over him, knowing it would serve to warm the young man and mark the spot where he lay so she could find him again.
Walking down the path, Molly set out for the second time that day. Soon she heard the sound of rushing water. The fairy headed straight for the sound that called to her from the dense bush of Fielders Forest. She came upon a river, smooth, dark red stone lining its banks. Down river it narrowed, coming to an end in a glorious cascading waterfall. More of the smooth red stone formed a path leading under the falls and Molly hurried along it.
Her heart lifted at the sight. She would wet her clothing and carry it back to the wounded man to bathe his wounds. Scooping up as much as she could of the sparkling water, Molly drank from her cupped hands until her thirst was gone. Removing her clothing, clad only in her long white undergarment, she soaked the dress in the cool clear water. Careful to protect her wings from further damage, the fairy swam away from the falls, allowing the gentler current to soothe her soul.
Feeling refreshed, Molly made her way behind the waterfall, finding more of the red stone and a deep cave. “Here is shelter and water to drink as well!” she exclaimed aloud. It was far more than she had started out with, Molly thought, feeling greatly relieved. If only she could somehow bring the young man here, a large part of her problems would be solved. She doubted that she could carry him herself, but was determined to find a way. She knew she could not let him die.