CHAPTER#59

"I imagine what you are experiencing is a small part of what I do. Our coupling has enabled you to tune into the frequency of the forest, but you are still much like a visitor." He waved his hand toward the woods. "Even so, you now have a greater understanding of the life that thrives out here, away from mankind and its machinations."

"It's so beautiful." She rubbed a tear from her eye. "It's like being able to see color for the first time."

Bigfoot rumbled pleasantly at her. "And with this gift, the forests of the world are yours to travel."

"Thank you." She kissed his lips one more time. "I must go now. This gift will help me to help others."

"Wait. I have something for you." He stuck his hands in his fur, rummaging around for several seconds before holding them out. She held her palms beneath his, and he dropped several odd looking acorns into her hands. "The trees for long distance travel will grow from these seeds. Plant them next to local trees and they will disguise themselves to fit in."

"Thank you." She closed her hand around the seeds. The magic they contained pulsated in her hands.

"It will take many years before they are large enough for you to travel through." He made a rumbling noise in his chest. "And I hope that I will get to see you again."

"You can count on it." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the chin. "Until next time." She walked away from him, her fingers curled tightly around the seeds in her hands. Her mind swirled with all the possibilities, but she knew one thing to be true.

It wouldn't take her years to grow these, it would only take her days. Using these trees, she could travel the world in mere heartbeats, returning to her beloved home instantly if there was ever any danger.

"C'mon Daisy," she told the fairy, holding up a hand. Daisy flew down from the nearest tree, landing delicately on her outstretched palm. "Let's head back. Emery is probably worried sick." With that, she blew a kiss to Bigfoot and stepped through the portal that would take her back to the cabin.

-

Mike opened his eyes, his gaze on the ceiling. He sat in silence for several minutes, his hand rubbing his stomach while Naia gently stroked his head. There was a slew of emotions running through him, and while some questions had been answered, the door had been opened on several more.

"She fucked Bigfoot." He had to say the words out loud just to hear them.

Naia's laughter was like the tinkling of bells. "It wasn't the last time either. Those were precious memories to her."

Mike fought back a laugh. Bigfoot, much like the monsters in his own home, had been surprisingly human to him. Then again, all of the women of his house were people. Even Reggie, who still wore those goofy plastic glasses, had impressed upon him a humanity that he often failed to see in others. "Are there any other celebrity monsters on her list that I should know about?"

Naia laughed again. "If you want, I can show you. I think it's more fun that way."

"I'll pass for now." As much as the thought of a sexual highlights reel appealed to him, he had actual problems that he needed to deal with. "How come I was able to see Daisy? I haven't met her yet."

"These memories happened outside of the house and are not privy to its protections."

"I see. Were those all of the memories about portals?"

"Essentially. There are a few others that are scattered, but they involve Emily planting those trees across the ocean and using them to travel. The range is limited to an extent, so she had to plant them strategically."

"Hold up. If she used the trees as an emergency route to come home, then where is the tree here?" He sat up in the tub and turned around to face her. "Is it in the greenhouse?"

"I..." Naia's face went slack for a second. "Those memories are missing."

"Like from the geas?"

She shook her head. "No. With the geas, the information feels like it's on the tip of my tongue. The missing memories are things I just simply don't know. However..." her face darkened. "When you asked me about the tree just now, I felt like it was both. I've forgotten something that's been blocked."

"How did she grow them so fast? Did she use magic?"

The reaction he got from Naia was the same as before. She shook her head in frustration.

"That door has been closed to me, too, I'm afraid. But there's something else." Naia placed a hand on her stomach. "When I try to think of it, I feel something else. I feel... afraid."

He didn't know why, but hearing Naia say those words made his stomach sink. "Then don't think about it any longer. I'll figure it out." He gave her a kiss, then held her against him. "Besides, the optimists of the world always say that when someone closes a door, God opens a..."

"Mike?" She had felt his body go rigid.

"The skin of the tree was dark." He let go of her and stood, water washing off of him in rivulets. "I think I know what happened!"

His heart raced while he put on his clothes then ran out of the room. He walked toward the stairs, his eyes on the lone wardrobe at the end of the hall. The silver handle gleamed in the lights of the hallway, the dark ebony panels soaking up the rest of it like a sponge. How many times had he been led here, tempted to open it in passing? His full attention on the piece of furniture, he felt it now, a calling from within. There was no dust evident on it, no signs of wear and tear. He placed his hand on the wood.