Chapter 2, Horrors and Revelations

Norbert looks for Lenny in the woods, but only finds dark secrets hidden away by time.

Norbert waited for a moment before calling again. He had no doubt her anger would drive her deep into the woods. What if she got lost? Well, she could spend the night in the woods, then. But then, it began to rain. Norbert stepped under a tree, where only a few dripping leaves showered his head. He grinned. Lenny would be driven back by the rain and forced to admit that she had failed. Norbert shouted again. It was just a matter of time before she came back shamefaced and admitted defeat. Proving that girls weren't meant to be adventurers. But just after one more shout, he heard a scream rip through the air. It was cut off abruptly. Chills ran through Norbert's bones. Had that been Lenny? Of course, it was her voice. But...was she in trouble? No, she was a girl. She was probably overreacting to something. Like a dead rat. Norbert's grin returned, but shakier now. His lips trembled; his hands shook. What if something terrible had happened? What if Lenny was hurt? Norbert tore through the woods without another thought, cupping his hands to his mouth and shouting as he went, "Lenny? Lenny, where are you?"

No answer. Fear ripped through Norbert's mind. He shouldn't have sent her in here. What if Andy was right? Or, at least, right about something dangerous being in here? What if she had been mauled by a bear, or killed by a wolf, or...Norbert sped his pace, screaming Lenny's name now. Branches whipped and scraped Norbert's arms and legs as he ran. But he didn't slow. At last, there was a response. But it wasn't Lenny.

"Are you in need of assistance, young man?"

Norbert whipped around and stared at the tall, dirty, blond-haired, blue-eyed, fur-clothed man. Norbert would have grinned at his shaggy appearance. It was something an adventurer like himself would admire. But he only stared dumbly. At last, he found his voice, "H-have you seen my friend? Lenny?"

The man's eyes flashed, and he turned his head, hiding his face from Norbert.

"Follow me," was all he said. The man turned around and plunged into the darkness again. Norbert rushed to catch up. They reached a tree, which the man began to climb. Then he stopped and glanced down at Norbert.

"Careful," the man said. "No matter what, don't let go. Don't fall."

He seemed to want to say more, but he just continued climbing. Norbert hesitantly began to climb, and he reached the top safely in a minute or two. Concealed in the branches and leaves, Norbert saw the tree house that he probably should have seen before. The man led him inside, and by the time Norbert got in a torch had been lit. There was something on the table, but a thin white cloth was covering it. Norbert stepped forward slowly. The man did not stop him. Norbert closed his eyes and yanked the cloth off of the table, dreading what he may see when he opened his eyes. He snapped his eyes opened and screamed. He spun around and stared at the man, who's face was almost as pale as Lenny's. Tears were streaming down the man's face. His eyes were closed.

"W-what happened?" Norbert stammered. The man opened his eyes and took a deep, shaky breath.

"She fell," he admitted. "I found her lost in the woods, calling for help. She was drenched from head to toe and shivering against a tree. I tried to take her up here, to give her shelter for the night. But...but there was an accident, and she fell. Lenny died just a few minutes ago."

Norbert felt tears spring to his eyes.

"I knew I shouldn't have sent her in here!" he raged. He was angry at himself and he was angry at the tree and he was just angry.

"You sent her in the woods?"

"I...yes. I did. I was trying to test her, to see if she was brave enough...and it's all my fault that she's dead."

There was a long, silent pause, and then the man whispered, "Please leave."
Norbert watched the man's tormented face and decided to obey. He backed away from the table and almost fell out the door. He gripped the doorway for a second, knuckles white, and then swung down, climbing as fast as he could without falling. His feet hit the ground and he ran for home.


The door slammed shut, and Norbert locked it behind him. His mother, who always stayed up late watching shows and playing board games with no one in particular, lifted her head.

"Norbert?" she said, eyes wide. "I've been worried. I couldn't find you anywhere."

Tears were streaming down Norbert's face. She got up and embraced him.

"What is the matter, dear boy?" she whispered in his ear.

"I...I sent Lenny in the woods. Alone."

"Why? Norbert, why in all the earth would you do such a thing? Hasn't she come out yet?"

He opened his mouth to tell his mother the dreadful news, but his throat closed. He couldn't speak the words. What was he supposed to say? "Lenny died in the woods and it's all my fault"?

"Yes. I walked her home to make sure she didn't get lost." The lie felt hard and cruel on his lips. "But she was drenched from...from head to foot...shivering...I just feel so guilty."

"Oh, Norbert. It's alright. She's fine, right?"

Norbert nodded, head feeling heavy.

"Then I'm sure she'll forgive you. Now, head to bed."

Norbert nodded and trudged to his room to sleep.

**********

Amid nightmares of screaming and tree houses and big, scary men threatening to kill him, Norbert heard a real-world sound. A scraping. He was awake immediately, clutching his blankets to his chest, eyes wide and terrified. He heard it again. It was coming from the window. He went over and peered out. He saw nothing. Norbert opened the window and breathed deep of the fresh air. The cool winds whipped his boyish hair around and cooled his sweating face. He sighed and closed his eyes. Then he felt a fist grab the front of his shirt and pull him out. Norbert yelped as he fell, but a hand covered his mouth before he could scream. Norbert struggled. A fist hit his head and he went limp.

**********

Norbert awoke tied to a crude wooden chair. He felt disoriented. He looked around. All was dark. A torch was lit, and familiar surroundings lurched out at his eyes. Norbert immediately began to struggle.

"Calm down," a voice said. The voice of the man. He was there, too. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Norbert struggled harder. He had to get away from here.

"Look, kid, listen to me for a moment," the man said. He put his hand on Norbert's shoulder, and the touch sent chills through Norbert's body. The man sighed, "C'mon, kid, will ya just stop struggling and listen to me? This isn't getting us anywhere."

Norbert stopped struggling, breathing hard. The man bent down to Norbert's eye level, his own eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and sorrow.

"I know what you must be thinking. I'm sorry I kidnapped you. But it was the only option I deemed sensible enough to take. The authorities have been wanting an excuse for tearing down these woods to build new city buildings. News of Lenny's death will give them that excuse. I can't have that. If they tear this forest down, I loose my home, my food, my life. And the rest of you do, too."

Norbert simply stared at the man, bewilderment shadowing him. How could this man's death cause the death of the rest of them?

"I see you are confused," the man said. "Let me clarify. My name is Jamison Larr, and I am the Defender of City Four, the last of the four cities of our island. If I am killed, or this forest before me, then the Enemies will destroy the Barrier and kill all of you."

Norbert's eyes widened, noticing the last name. Larr. Nothing else made sense but the name, which only gave him more questions.

"Lenny's last name was Larr," Norbert blurted. Jamison smiled sadly and shook his head.

"Yes. she...I was her father. Before I came to live out here, and fulfill my duty."

Norbert glanced back at the table that still held Lenny's stiff body. Her face still held the terror from falling.

"You're her dad?"

"Yeah. She was just a baby when I left. I'm surprised she remembered me." Then Jamison shook his head and added in a strained voice, "But we're getting off topic. You need to promise me you'll tell no one about Lenny's death."

Norbert stared at him for a moment, and then he scowled. "What happens if I don't promise?"

"I'll wipe your memory of the night," Jamison growled. "and return you to your bed."

"You can do that?" Norbert gasped, eyes wide.

Jamison grinned grimly. "This forest is home to many magical herbs and other plants."

"O-okay," Norbert gasped. "I promise that I won't talk about Lenny's death."

"And you haven't already?"

Norbert shook his head.

"I almost did," he admitted. "I almost told my mom. But...I lied, instead."

Jamison grunted.

"Well then," he said. "I should get going."

"What!" Norbert cried as Jamison turned and swung down. "No! You can't leave me here! Come back! Please, come back!"

**********

As Jamison stalked through the forest, he clenched his jaw and thought of the kid in his house, screaming at Jamison as if he was the one who'd killed Lenny. Sure, Jamison had led her into the tree, but he was trying to protect her. The boy had just been trying to test her. "See if she was brave enough." Jamison snorted angrily. The kid was selfish, arrogant, and rude. But then Jamison remembered how scared the kid had looked, how worried he'd been for his friend. He'd wandered into the woods to look for her. Jamison sighed. He supposed the boy wasn't too bad. He might make a good Protector. The thought took Jamison off-guard. That kid? A Protector? Definitely not. Although, Jamison had made the mistake of telling him exactly who he was. He realized with a chuckle how little "Protector of the Fourth and final City" would make sense to a city kid, who didn't even know about the outside world. He frowned, considering. If the boy accepted the offer, Jamison decided he'd take the boy on. If not, Jamison would return him to his home. Lenny's mother, however, would be a totally different case. She'd have to be transferred, which meant Jamison would even more need an apprentice. Jamison grimaced. Lenny's death and discovery had caused so many problems, and so much work.

**********

Norbert saw the sun rising on the horizon. And he was still securely fastened to the chair. Jamison had been gone all night. Where was he? Norbert was starting to fear he'd be stuck in the chair until he starved when Jamison climbed back into the tree house.

"There you are!" Norbert exclaimed. "Where have you been?"

Wordlessly, Jamison untied Norbert and helped him to his feet. Moments later, a woman's head poked into the doorway.

"This is where you've been hiding out for all these years?" the woman gasped. Norbert recognized her.

"Mrs. Larr?" Norbert gasped. She turned and looked at him.

"Norbert?" she whispered. "Why are you here?"

"I brought him here," Jamison admitted. Mrs. Larr glared at him.

"What does he have to do with our daughter? Where is she?"

Jamison pulled the sheet back, revealing Lenny's face. Mrs. Larr's hands went to her mouth, eyes wide in horror.

"My baby!" she cried, rushing forward. "What in the world happened?"

Jamison didn't answer. His face was contorted in pain.

"I'm so sorry, Madelaine."

"Is this your fault?"

"I...yes. It is my fault, somewhat."

Mrs. Larr stood and glared at him.

"You killed my baby!" she shouted at him.

"She fell from the tree."

"And whose fault is that?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen! She was out alone, soaking wet and afraid, and I was trying to give her a place to stay for the night. What's wrong with that?"

"If you hadn't disappeared--"

"If I hadn't disappeared, she would have been lost in the woods. You and I would have worried and fretted--"

"That's better than her dying!"

"We would all be dead anyway if I hadn't come out here, Madelaine!" Jamison shouted. "I'm sorry about what happened with Lenny, I truly, sincerely am. But do you really think I would have left if I had a choice? It was my duty to help the people of this city, including you and Lenny!"

"And what is this duty? What has taken my husband from his family?"

"I'm the Protector."

"That means nothing to me. I've never heard of such a thing."

"Of course you haven't. It's a secret job. That's why I vanished instead of saying goodbye."

"But what is it?"

"There are forces you know nothing about, Madelaine. Have you ever been outside this city?"

"I...no. No, I haven't. Have you?"

"I live in the woods. But that's beside the point. Outside this city is not what you think. It is a barren wasteland, where beastly creatures live. There are only four cities, Madelaine. Only four, not thousands. They are all large, and surrounded by woods. Outside the woods is a red wall called the Barrier. The Enemies, the beasts, are always trying to break in. It is the job of the Protector to ensure the Barrier is upright and in good condition. If it's not, the Enemies could break in, ravage the woods, tear it to the ground. They'd come into the city, and...well, we'd become like the old Fifth City. Their Protector slacked off for only one night, and the Enemies broke in. Everything was gone. Everyone was killed." Jamison stepped closer to Mrs. Larr. "Understand, Madelaine, that I want to protect you, as my job requires."

Tears streamed down her face, and she choked, "You're not a warrior, Jamison. You're a carpenter."

Norbert edged his way to the door. He figured now was his time to escape. Norbert turned to climb down the tree.

"Norbert, wait."

Norbert froze at Jamison's voice. He turned and saw Jamison staring at him. The man sighed, closing his eyes briefly, and then said, "Norbert, I'd like you to be my apprentice."

Norbert's eyes bugged out.

"What?" he gasped. "You mean come live out here? And become a Protector?"

"I'll admit, I don't think you're the right kid for this, either. But with some training, you'll become the right kid. I won't be around forever. I'll need a successor."

"But...I'd have to leave my mom? My friends?"

"You'd come to live out here, with me. I'll teach you everything I know. And if you refuse, I'll wipe your memory of the night and bring you back to your house. You'll know no more about Lenny's death than anyone else in the city."

"You can do that?"

"These woods are home to many magical resources. That's part of how I'm able to repair the Barrier. Consider carefully, Norbert. This would be quite a dangerous adventure."

That word, that adventure, whirred through Norbert's brain for an instant. Wasn't that what had started this whole thing? Wasn't that what he was all about? Adventure? Norbert breathed deep.

"I'll do it," Norbert said. "I'll be your apprentice."

Jamison smiled grimly.

"Good," he said. "Then we can start by transferring Madelaine."

"What?" Mrs. Larr gasped. Jamison turned back to her.

"Many people here knows that you have a daughter. It'll be suspicious that Lenny just disappeared. There'll be search parties. They'll search the woods, and find out the truth. You need to be transferred to a different city. I hear City One has an opening. I will personally transfer you to City One, and Norbert will keep watch here--as soon as I have trained him enough."

"But I can't leave my home!"

"Your home is in City One now. You'll live here with me until then."

"What about me?" Norbert asked. Jamison glanced at him and shook his head.

"You'll begin your apprenticeship in a few days, at least. At most, a month. It would be suspicious if you, Lenny, and Madelaine all disappeared in the same night. Go home for now. It's Saturday, so you won't be expected to go to school. Tell your mother that you woke up early and decided to explore the woods. I'll come and get you when I have deemed it safe enough to extract you. When I do, leave a note saying that you're staying at a friend's house for awhile."

Norbert nodded, processing the instructions.

"Go now, before your mother gets worried."

Norbert swung out of the tree, climbing down quickly and bolting through the woods. Thoughts whirled through his mind. He was a Protector's apprentice now. Or would be, before his eleventh birthday.