-!WARNING! IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED MITH, DO NOT READ THE DREAM!!!
The Story of Years
As I fill my bowl, I hear part of Podo and Nia’s conversation.
“What? Lia ought to know better! And Janner, if I’ve told that boy once, I’ve told him a jabillion times! They’re to watch over them-”
“Hush, now, Papa. They’re safe. That’s what matters now. And it’s not like you can make Maddie leave, the others would ask too many questions.”
I suck in a breath and sit down, watching my plate without eating much.
We don’t say anything for a while, but Podo bursts open the door, hobbling over to Leeli.
“WHAT’S THIS I HEAR ABOUT LITTLE RENEGADES TERRORIZING THE TAR OUT OF THE LOCAL LIZARDS?”
“Now get in here, lads and lasses, and tell me a tale that’ll make me quiver in me boots.”
Janner and Tink push their chairs back and run to follow him. I get up slower and return the chairs back to their correct spots before I head out of the kitchen.
Podo makes us tell the story four times, but let me sit out of speaking.
Finally, Nia herds us up to our room and we climb into bed.
I’m spared from my most common nightmare, but end up with another.
“Mr. Bon-fire,” I whisper, reaching towards the old man, “Watch out before they trap you too!”
He steps away with a chuckle, “Lia, my dear, why do you think you’re in that cage?”
I stare at him, non-understanding. Some of the creatures come up behind him and my eyes widen, “Mr,-”
He holds his hand up and the Fangs still.
Bonifer smiles and waves the snakes away.
“Lia, I am under no harm here. They will not hurt me. With you, on the other hand, they will not hesitate. Try to cooperate with them, Okay?”
I nod out of instinct. It’s not like he’ll be a fool about it. He’s helped my Uncle and Grandfather make decisions that were good, why would that change now?
“Yes, sir. I understand. Where’s Papa?”
His smile seems different now, but I don’t know how.
“He’s just where you can’t see him. He’s doing everything you’re doing. Don’t you worry yourself one bit, princess”
He smiles once more and leaves and I sit down, watching him exit.
Nodding off a while later, I shoot back up, realizing something he said, “Lia, my dear, why do you think you’re in that cage?”
“No,” I whisper.
No wonder he knew where I was. No wonder the snakes listened to him. He let them into Anneria. He’s the reason I’m here.
Well, I was the reason I’m here, but he’s the reason for everyone else.
I put my face in my hands.
How? How could he?
-so . . . any new thoughts on Bonifer?
-I don't really know how much of a "nightmare" it is, but it's definitely something.
Wow…yikes! Bonifer is so bad 😡
This was good!
I AM OUTRAGED!!!!