Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – (15-18 years prior)

      Drea was born on the east side of the island.  East Phonola’s main inhabitants were compiled of three originating bloodlines.  Intertwined over the years, the families lived an extremely simple and purist lifestyle.  Strangers rarely past through the cookie cutter village and were almost never welcomed.  The young Drea was part of the East bloodline though treated with as much respect as a drifter.   Forced to live a life of unhappiness and solitude constantly reminded her how different she was from the world.    Her parents treated her like a monster.  Unable to understand their daughter, they became terrified and negligent.  The girl was clearly cursed by the devil.

      Drea spend most of her youth in the attic of her family’s home.  She had known this to be both her safe place and prison.  She was roughly five years old when it became clear to her parents how different she really was.  Drea was often found in the yard speaking aloud; yet no one was ever seen.

      Drea’s home was located on miles of rich farm land butted against Phonola’s grand forest.  Being an only child with frigid parents, Drea was left to entertain herself.  When she wasn’t secluded to her attic prison, she was frequently found just beyond her family’s property line; never far enough to enter Phonola’s forest.

      Today was an incredibly special day for Drea.  She put on her best party dress; well the best party dress an adolescent girl with very little luxuries could wear.  Thankfully, her imagination had few limitations.  What a perfect choice for today’s event.  She stood in front of an old free standing mirror, twirling round and round admiring her beautiful costume.   

 Pink and ruffled, wavy hem, polka-dot texture with a ribbon waist.  Her auburn ringlets loosely tied back into a matching pink bow.  She skipped down the rickety steps; hand on the banister, grinning from ear to ear.  Once outside the house, she eagerly ran barefoot through the grassy, over-grown field until she came to the top of the hill.  Catching her tiny breath, she sat next to a patch of colorful wildflowers.  Turning around she glared at the farmhouse in the distance.  Thankful for the space between herself and the structure she laid on her back to stare into the sky.  Closing her eyes, she could hear various whispers.  As the wind blew, the voices gradually became louder.  She could hear the trees speaking to the leaves who whispered to the grass circulating messages to the flowers sending tingles through her tiny body.  The whispers encouraged her to continue her short journey to the forest line.  She stood, brushed off her pink dress and continued to walk through the field.

      The whispers grew louder, bouncing in every direction.  “Drea, you look beautiful!” said a voice fluttering in the distance.  “I told you she’d come!” a deeper voice equally as soft skimming the top of the field.  Drea was used to hearing everything around her but these voices were not familiar.  Increasing her pace she began skipping through the soft meadow taking in her surroundings.  She wiggled her tiny toes, spreading them apart allowing the soft cool grass to poke through.   The sweet scent and vibrant colors of newly bloomed flowers brought a warm smile to Drea’s pale face.  Even the weeds had a place in this beautiful setting, reminding Drea of the simple imperfections of life.   As little princesses do, she began to spin around, arms out, nose pointed to the sun.  This was her release and mental escape from the rickety farm house in the distance.  Here, she felt loved, not feared or alone.  Again, the whispers grew louder.  “Maybe she isn’t able to hear us. “  Sighed the soft voice.  “Well, make her see then” muttered the deep fluttering presence.  “We need to be sensitive and not frighten the child.”  Drea, dizzy from spinning stopped to steady herself.  Spheres of bright light levitated several inches from her worried face.  “What did I tell you?  Don’t you see she is afraid?”

      The child was no stranger to peculiar phenomenon, this occasion being no exception.  Fear did not explain Drea’s feelings, though curiosity summed it up quite simply.  Very interested in her new visitors, Drea stared into the fluttering lights ahead of her.  “Are you the voices I’ve been hearing?”  Drea asked inquisitively.  Immediately following Drea’s question, the glowing burned out, leaving the outline of two fluttering creatures.  Slowly, Drea stepped closer.  The smaller female creature fluttered round and round Drea’s head, causing the child to spin in circles.  “Enough!”  Declared the male voice Drea had become familiar with.  “Show yourself to me.  It’s only fair; you seem to know me already.  I’ve been hearing you talk amongst yourselves for some time now.”  Spoke Drea in a firm tone.  The masculine presence fluttered his way to Drea as she lifted her small hand.  Palm up, fingers spread, he knelt on the soft surface.  “Hahahaha, stop!  That tickles” the child reacting to the winged creature as he landed, intentionally dragging his translucent, glass like wings against Drea’s skin.  “My name is Oren, and my overly animated sister there is Lily.”  He had sandy blond hair that flipped up slightly, framing his pointy face.  Pale, crystal blue eyes gleamed back at Drea.  Lily misjudged her landing, slipping off the side of Drea’s palm, frantically gripping for her baby finger.  Pulling herself up to her feet, gathering her composure, she glared up at Drea with beautiful crystal blue eyes.  “Hi Drea, we’ve been waiting for you.”  Smiled the miniature winged creature.  “I’m pleased to meet both of you.  I’m always happy to have new friends.”  Drea looked down at her bare feet,  nervously biting her bottom lip.  Glaring up at her extended hand, the child’s eyes began to light up.  “Why have you been waiting for me?  I’ve been here for all of my life you know and have never seen  but heard your whispers.”   “We didn’t think you were ready Drea, most children are quite curious but shy away from us.” whispered Oren.  “Oren, we knew she wasn’t like most children.”  Lily declared matter-of-factly.

      Jumping off of Drea’s hand, the winged creatures fluttered their wings mid air, inches from the child’s face.  Flinching slightly, Drea remained curious as to the purpose of Lily and Oren’s visit.  “You are positively small, the both of you.  What are you?  ..I uh…I mean…why are you here?”  Drea’s cheeks turned a soft crimson while fidgeting with her hand.  Looking down she hoped she hadn’t insulted her new friends.  “It’s ok Drea.”  Lily said in a reassuring voice.  “We anticipated your questions.  We are wood pixies, from deep within the Phonola Forest.”

      She cocked her head, raising one eyebrow.  “I’ve never met a pixie before.  Hmmm…you still haven’t answered me.  Not that I’m ungrateful for meeting such interesting creatures, but why have you been waiting for me?”  “We’ve come to take you away from this place Drea.  You don’t belong here.”  Fluttering backwards, with his chest facing towards the child; Oren had the look of concern painted over his tiny surface.  “Don’t be silly Oren, I belong here just fine.  Mom and Dad and my room, they are just up the hill there.”  Pointed the child.  “We’ve said enough Oren; let’s get her on her way.”  Pushing her brother to the side, Lily fluttered to the child’s shoulder changing the subject.  “I love your dress Drea.  May we accompany you?”  “Thank you Lily.  Of course you may but we have to hurry.  I must make it back home before dark.”  Drea muttered in a saddened tone.  “Well, what are we waiting for then?” Lily exclaimed with a wide grin.  “I’ll race you Oren!”

      The trio quickened their pace, one skipping in long strides as the other two, playfully fluttered their wings in unison.  Contagious laughter filled the air as the new friends made their way to the property’s edge.

      Welcoming the threesome was an eclectic collection of stuffed animals and dolls dressed to impress.  They lined the Forest’s edge, waiting ever so patiently.  Teddy bears, baby dolls, new and old all draped in brightly colored fabrics.  “Hello everyone, thank you for joining us, I met some friends on the way.  Oren and Lily these are my best friends.”  Drea pointed to the dozen cotton filled dolls.  The fairies glanced at Drea’s plush army, awkwardly waving as not to be rude.  “Drea thank you for your hospitality. What is the special occasion that brings all of your…best friends together?”  asked Oren in a soft voice.  “Oh! It’s Oscar’s birthday.  He’s very shy but we wanted to do something special for him.”  Beamed Drea.  She ran to retrieve a small basket from behind the trunk of a large willow tree.  Quickly removing its contents she revealed a shredded quilt that at one time was most likely a beautiful piece of art.  She lifted it high in the sky several times shaking out the many wrinkles.  Flat on the ground now, she presented each of her party guests with various elements.  Rotted barn pieces became  fine china.  Large leaves, the salad bowls and chipped cups and saucers were used for tea of course.  “Lily will you help me set the table please?  Oscar should be arriving any time” Lily fluttered to Drea’s side pretending to lift the pieces that were many times her size.  “These are the dishes we will use to eat Oscar’s birthday cake!  They are the most beautiful pieces aren’t they Oren?”  Rustling noises in the bushes interrupted Oren from responding to Drea’s tiny pleas.

      Peering from the greenery stood a beautifully awkward buck.  He cautiously lowered his head sniffing wildly towards the pixie siblings.  Large almond shaped black eyes stared back at the party goers.  His muscular body was a beautiful brown suede like surface supported by four long twig like legs.  He curiously cocked his head staring at the young girl.  “Oscar!” beamed Drea.  “You’ve come too early; we are not ready for you.”  Panic was evident in Drea’s tiny voice.  The Buck stepped closer to the group sniffing wildly.  “What is this about Drea?” the animal asked while surveying the crowd.  “Well, don’t be rude Oscar.  I’ve brought my new friends to meet you.  Lily and Oren, this is Oscar” the strangers, all nodded their heads politely.  “They are here to celebrate your birthday.  I’ve even made a cake to share.”  Drea, reached for the platter from the quilt which oddly resembled her mother’s cast iron skillet.  The child struggled with both hands to pick up the heavy dish.  “Have a look” she motioned for the buck to come in close.  “Thank you Drea, this is a wonderful surprise.”  Oscar nodded at the dish, scanning the plush party animals.  “It is nice of you both to show up so unexpectedly.”  Oscar gritted his teeth, glaring at the pixies with doubting eyes.

      Hours went by.  Innocent laughter and giddy screams were heard as Oscar playfully chased the child around the field.   
Drea and Oscar fell to the ground, exhausted from running and laughing they watched the sun set in the distance.  As if a switch had been turned on, Drea jumped from the grass.  “It is nearly dark, I must go back home.”  She said in a panicked voice.  Oscar lowered his head to allow Drea’s tiny arms to wrap around him.  She released the young buck from her grip, waived to the remaining guests and made her way back to the farmhouse.

      Drea was far enough in the distance, giving Oscar the opportunity to confront Oren and Lily.  “I’ve never heard of you.  What is your business with Drea?”  He asked in a stiff tone.  “We mean her no harm Oscar.  We are her watchers.”  Said Oren squinting his eyes toward the four legged animal.  “Who sent you?  Where are you from?”  Oscar continued to interrogate the fluttering creatures.  “We understand your concern for the child.  We are residents of the Phonola Forest but that is all we can speak of.”  Whispered the male fairy. 

      Lily fluttered to Oscar’s side.  “I can assure you that we wish to keep Drea free of harm as much as you.  You have our word.  I must ask you a few questions about tonight if you don’t mind.”  Nodding his approval, Oscar anticipated her obvious questions.  “Alright.  The cake we ate, although quite delicious, it lacked something.  The cake part.”  Lily raised one eyebrow and shrugged her tiny shoulders.  “And what of the dolly firing squad?”  Lily pointed towards the party guests.  Staring at the ground, Oscar answered Lily’s many questions.  “It is not my birthday.  I am all she has so I play along with whatever it is that brings light to her face.  The truth is today is…her birthday.  She knows nothing of the joys of being a child.  No birthday celebrations.  No presents.  No hugs or guidance.  No love or acceptance.  At least not from her parents.  I am her family now and do my best to help her along the way.  She is a child so of course she has an endless imagination which clearly explains the cake she served.”  Oscar raised his head to the direction of the farmhouse in an instant.  “Something is wrong!”  The group headed for the farmhouse in the distance.