Dream 5: Fairy

The Fairy Who Was Imprisoned In His Own Forest Said He’s Going to Tag Along With Me

…

“Oww…” Hail cried and slowly opened his eyes as he held his head and sat up from the ground. “What was that…?” he asked, muttering to himself as he held the back of his head that hurt. “What the hell just happened…?” he asked, and then suddenly froze when he realized something.

Ah! I just slept, didn’t I?! He thought, shocked. His eyes then brightened with ecstasy. Then, I should be back to my… world – he thought and went pale because he saw that he was still inside the forest.

“Damn it.” He cursed in a low voice and then lowered his head. So I’m still stuck in my dream? He thought and heaved a sigh.

“Hey.” A voice called. “What are you moping there?” the voice asked.

Hail’s eyes went wide in shock when he realized that there was another voice around aside from his. He immediately turned. “The ghost! Ah.” He muttered when he saw a person behind him.

Well, ‘person’ since which person would glow? That is right. This ‘person’s body is glowing, and very brightly!

Hail’s eyes went wide. “Isn’t this…?” he muttered and then remembered the fantasy movies and stories that he watched and read before. A fairy… he thought as his mouth fell open in shock. He felt aw.

“Huh?” the fairy muttered and flew towards him when he saw that he was in a daze. “Hmm… as I’ve thought, I was really just mistaken.” The fairy said and flew away from Hail. “You can go now.” He said and waved his hand, shooing him away.

“Huh?” Hail muttered in bewilderment. He didn’t understand what the fairy meant. But, he seems like he’s letting me go. He thought when he saw the fairy’s hand waved at him. “W – well, thanks…” he said and rose from the ground. “I’ll be taking my leave, then – ah.” He muttered when he suddenly remembered something. He turned to him.

“What?” the fairy asked, picking berries.

“Err, I’d like to ask – “ Hail said and pointed to the river. “ – how can I get out of this forest?” he asked.

“Huh?” the fairy turned to me, puzzled. “’how to get out’…” he muttered, then lowered his head. “Just follow the river. It’ll take you near the Capital.” He told me.

What happened to him? Hail thought when he saw that the fairy’s expression looked off. “I – is that so?” he asked, then forced a laugh. “T – thanks. I’ll be leaving then – “ he said and started to walk.

Hail submerged his foot in the river. So I was really right to follow the river earlier… He thought and glanced at the fairy who is still hanging his head. He must have his problems, too, even though he is a fairy… he thought.

He resumed walking, following the flow of the river.

…

Blue  sighed and flew down the ground when the guy who fainted earlier left. “I’m really pathetic.” He muttered and buried his face on his knees. His tears fell.

“How can I get out of this forest?” he remembered the guy asked him earlier.

“’get out’, huh…?” he muttered and laughed. A bitter laugh. “Even I myself don’t know that.” He said when he remembered that he told him to follow the river earlier. “That idiot. He really believed me to follow the river.” He placed a hand on his stomach as he laughed.

This forest has been changing for as long as he can remember to imprison him. No man has ever entered in here before, so how would he know how to –

He suddenly froze when he realized something. “’how to get out’…” he muttered. “How did he get in here in the first place?!” he exclaimed in shock as he turned to the direction where Hail left. “That idiot. Could he actually be a genius?” he asked and immediately brought out his wings.

That guy… he was the first to enter here. He thought as he followed the river. Maybe… just maybe – he balled his fists as he looked forward, as if he found a new hope. He could get me out of here. He thought as he flapped his wings harder.

…

“Huh?” Hail muttered and suddenly stopped as he looked around. “Didn’t I already pass here?” he muttered and looked at the tree with a curly vine. “Hmm…” he pinched his chin as he pondered. “Huh?” he muttered after he turned.

He saw a boulder beneath a tree whose roots surrounded the boulder and almost pierced it into two.

“I also passed here earlier, right?” Hail asked as his forehead knotted. He felt more bewildered as time passed. “Is this really the right way?” he asked and looked around. “But, the fairy said – “ he muttered.

“’just follow the river.’ Yes.” A voice spoke behind him.

Hail’s eyes went wide in shock and he jumped in fright. “Waaah!” he screamed and his foot slipped on a rock.

The fairy caught his back before he could fall. “You’re really clumsy.” He told him as he helped him stand upright

Hail turned to him. “Thanks.” He told him. He saw his fluttering wings on his back. “So why did you follow me?” he asked him.

The fairy’s eyes went wide and his face went red. “I – I didn’t!” he said then looked away.

Hail’s brows raised in suspicion. “Really?” he asked and resumed walking.

“Hmph!” the fairy frowned and glanced at him.

Hail smiled when he felt him following him.

…

“Seriously, why are you following me?” Hail asked as they stopped on the riverbed. He is grilling the fishes that he caught earlier on the way. Now, it is sunset.

“Huh? I’m not – “ the fairy said and looked away.

“I thought fairies are pure creatures – “ Hail said and looked at him. “ – thus, they can’t lie. So – “ he said and stared at him. “Why did you lie to me to follow the river?” he asked.

After an hour of going in circles, Hail realized that he is still lost. He just kept quiet earlier and caught fishes when he got him.

The fairy turned to him. Then, he saw him heave a sigh. He flew down the ground and sat across him before he crossed his legs. “I’m not really lying…” the fairy started.

Hail’s brows raised.

“Really!” the fairy said and frowned.

Hail just shrugged and started eating.

“Back in the days, the river really led the way out of this forest. But – “ the fairy said and lowered his head.

“’but’?” Hail asked.

“The forest changed when I was imprisoned here.” The fairy said.

“Huh?” Hail was taken aback and he stopped eating. He looked at him. “’imprisoned?” he asked.

The fairy nodded and looked at him. “I was imprisoned, though I don’t know why or by whom.” He honestly said. “I realized that one day, when I can’t get out of the forest anymore…” he said and lowered his head in dejection.

“Err…” Hail muttered and looked at him. His eyes are full of pity. “I feel sorry for you.” he told him and resumed eating.

The fairy just fell silent.

“But – “ Hail continued and looked at him. “ – why are you following me, anyway?” he asked. “It’s not like I could get you out of here or something.” He said.

“You can.” The fairy cut him off.

Hail stared at him.

“I think.” The fairy added and looked away.

Hail frowned. “How can you say that, anyway?” he asked and resumed eating.

The fairy looked at him. “Starting the time when I was imprisoned – “ he spoke. “ – nobody has entered the forest.” He told him. “And the forest also changes to keep me here, that’s why.” He added.

“So – “ Hail spoke and threw the fish that he just finished eating. “ – you mean to say, we have no way out here?” He asked.

“There is.” The fairy answered.

Hail’s brows raised. But, he didn’t speak and just waited for him to continue.

“This is the first time somebody entered the forest, which I think is kept away from the people.” The fairy said. “So if you, the first person ever to enter here, entered, then – “ he didn’t continue. But, he looked at him with his eyes full of hope and determination.

Hail pondered over it.