Bethany

The Green-Blue Eyed Boy

CHAPTER 1

I daintily fluttered through the air, looking down at the cold, desolate road. It was empty, save one car. It sped away slowly, as if it had no where to go so it was in no hurry. I watched it ride away and sighed. There was nothing to look at on this street so I flew away. I passed many streets filled with quaint homes. Most of them were dark inside, as it was 2:10 in the morning and very few were awake. I kept on searching for one particular home. It was not here so I flew on. I came to a forest on the edge of town. A bat flew up to greet me and I decided I would blend in better if I looked like it. I thought hard about the bat; it's features, texture, color. Suddenly, my my arms began to grow and my body shrunk and tiny hairs started to cover it. I heard a slight pop and knew my transformation was complete. I angled my arms, now wings, sidewase and began my descent towards the dark forest. I flew between thick trunks, careful not to bang into any. With my new, powerful ears, I sent out clicks and knew where everything was. This new type of sonar helped guide my way through the dense brush so that even water falling from the large leaves overhead didn't fall on me. I then heard something. It sounded square and odd shaped, compared to the other echoes I was picking up. I flew towards it and thought it best to choose a form with better eyesight. I thought of my first form and began to change back. I saw a house in front of me when I was done transforming. Perfect. This was what I was looking for, according to the note. I flew in and realized I was wrong...again. Cursing myself, I turned around and was about to ascend once more when something caught my eye; or should I say, someone. It was a boy, and he looked to be about my age. He was outside at the back of the house. He sat on the porch there and seemed to be looking at nothing in particular. I hid behind a leaf and examined him closely. He was tall, it seemed, with blondish, brown hair. What intrigued me the most was his eyes. They were unlike anything I had seen before! I turned into an eagle so I could look at them better. His right eye was deep blue, but his left was forest green! It was beautiful and unnerving at the same time. Still in my eagle form, I descended to the earth by his feet. He gasped, shook his head, and stared. I didn't mind. I was doing the same to him, so it was only fair. We just stood there, staring into each other's eyes for the longest time. I finally broke the reverie when I turned to see that the sun was coming up and I flew off, my wings already fading. He watched me leave, shock eminent on his angelic face. I sighed and kept on, hoping to see him again some day.

I arrived at my lonely cabin just as the magic faded completely and I was myself again. I, Bethany, have had this curse since I was 13. Ever since then, at night, when there was a full moon, I began to transform into a faery and not just any faery. I could change into any winged creature just by thinking about it. As soon as the sun came out, my body would return to normal until the full moon. I looked down and saw all my limbs so I began to put clothes on once again; for if I wore them during my transformation, they would fall off because my body was too small. I walked slowely over to my quilted bed and thought, for the first time in years, about that dreadful night ten years ago.

I had just turned 13 and was celebrating with my parents in our small cottage when a loud crash was heard from outside! My father went to investigate and I never saw him again. My mother became very worried and went out to see if he was alright. I had followed behind her like a shadow. Mother opened the door and gasped! A man stood in our front yard, dressed from head to toe in black. He had golden eyes and dark black hair, almost blue. In his hand, he held a smooth wooden stick. It was about two feet long and was the purest white. My mother screamed for him to go away. She kept saying something about destiny and to leave her family alone. The strange man had sighed and he raised the stick, muttering under his breath. My mother wailed and then disapeared into thin air. I had yelped and my eyes grew wide as I stared at the man in our front lawn. he smiled at me but it held no warmth. "This curse is a special gift from your parents." he had said and his stick, I now realized was a wand, began to glow. He pointed the wand at me and said, "Every full moon, your true self will be reveiled. Your parent's tried to hide this but I shall overcome their seal." And with that, he vanished in a puff of smoke. I had been left alone ever since.

Rain began to patter on the window, the sound echoing in the now very quiet cottage and pulling me out of my memories. I was 23, so legally I could live alone, but when I was 13, I struggled to live on without the higher-ups knowing of my solitary existance. I never really had any friends. I couldn't share my secrets with anyone and they found me to be quite odd, so they left me alone. I guess now it would be normal to have your own house by yourself but during the full moon, I'd have to excuse myself and that would eventually make people suspect things if they got too close to me. I sighed, wishing that the day when my life changed had never happened. I didn't ask for any of this! Why didn't the wizard bless some 5 year old who would faint for this kind of "power"? I didn't even know what I was anymore! I wasn't human, that's a fact and I'd never met a faery, but I was sure they didn't have my kind of transformation powers. Maybe I was an alien. I chuckled sadly at the thought. I decided to take a shower and stop thinking about the past. It was too depressing and weird. I mean, I didn't know wizards existed and still wouldn't if that man hadn't amply proved his skills. Now, the supernatural relm didn't come as a shock to me. I bet if a ghost ever came up to me, I would've waved hello to it. I stood up and walked down the hall to the bathroom. I turned the knob in the shower to turn on the water and a minute later, I was standing under a warm waterfall, moaning with pleasure. My back always hurt after my moonlit trips. I had been searching for the wizard. I always was. I had read in a book that if someone is cursed, the only way you can undo the curse is if the person who cursed you in the first place took it back. I would find the wizard who destroyed my life and demand that he fix me and give me back my parents. For I believed that they were alive and waiting for a savior. Waiting for me...

After the glorious shower, I stepped out, shivering. I changed into my most comfortable clothes and began to brush out my silver hair. Yes, silver hair. It hung down, just a few inches below my shoulders, glistening with water. I had rather pale skin and grey eyes that could either look blue or red tinged. Although my mother said when I got older I would look horrible, right now, my silver, almost bluish hair looked almost attractive. With the dark circles under my eyes, though, I never looked really healthy. My parents would've been worried silly, but they weren't there and I didn't care enough to fill in for them. I drifted over to the kitchen and grabbed the closest food to me, not really caring what it was. When they left, nothing seemed to matter anymore. I became I walking shell, a void, empty of feeling and emotion. I munched on an apple and thought about the boy I had stumbled across. His eyes, his sadness, it made me want to find out what was wrong with him. What had happen to make him that way? I shuttered. This boy was making me feel and that was something I did not want. I had never smoked or drank and yet a numbness had enveloped my body, leaving me without happiness but also without pain. I needed that security blanket but I found I couldn't keep him out of my mind. His eyes. They had fascinated me more than I wanted to admit. I wondered what he had been thinking about; wondered if i could see him again. Maybe it's better if I stay away. This boy cannot be anything good...

I thought and walked over to the TV, flipping it on but not really watching what was on the screen. After my exhausting night filled with flying and mysterious men, I was out cold long before my apple was done. I let sleep come and dozed for hours in a dreamless wonderland...

CHAPTER 2
Next Full Moon




My life flew by and before I knew it, the full moon had come again and I was in the air once more against my will. Sure that the wizard was not anywhere near me, I decided to visit the boy from last full moon. I swooped down towards the forest again. The wind was whipping through my hair and I couldn't help but smile. Although I was deperately trying to undo this curse or whatever it was, I couldn't lie and say I didn't enjoy flight. It was thrilling and beautiful in a terrifying sort of way. It was October 31 surprisingly and the night was nippy with frost on its way. I was wise enough to bring a coat and I was sure I could hide my wings under it. I found the boy's house easily with my night vision and almost photographic memory. I was puzzled to find the boy sitting exctly where he was when I last saw him. He still looked sad and i knew I had to talk to him. I fluttered to the ground and put the coat over my wings, stepping out from the tree I was hidden behind. I looked at him and gasped! He...he had wings! Beautiful, iridesent green wings with golden flecks and swirls that spread from his back! He had his very own wings.
Just like me...

The boy looked up at me and his eyes lit up for pure joy! His smile was so radiant, I almost had to look away. "It's you." he said. I looked at him curiously. What on earth is that supposed to mean?

I thought and my face must've shown my confusion because he clamped right up and began to walk over towards me. I began to back up. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to come here again... "My name is Thomas." the boy said, stretching out his hand, ready to shake hands with me. "Sorry if I frightened you." He said. I gulped. "I'm Bethany. You can call me Beth though." I said, still backing up until I hit a tree. I gasped as my delicate wings took all the impact. Thomas looked concerned and his wings flapped behind him. I wondered how I hadn't noticed them before. "Are you alright?" he asked. All I could do was bite my lip and nod. There were many more nerves in my wings then in any other part of my body! It had hurt...badly. He took to the air and swooped behind me, snatching off my coat. I yelped, partially because I didn't want him to see and partially because my wings were plastered to my coat by some liquid. My wings didn't bleed but something was flowing out and that couldn't be good. Thomas didn't look surprised at all but he winced as he asessed the damage. I slapped his hand away as he moved in to touch my fragile wings. "Don't touch them!" I yelled. He looked sympathetic. Well, I didn't want his sympathy! "Those darn wings are a mistake so I don't care if they get beat up! The only problem I have with them breaking is I now have no way to get home fast!" I said, turning to face Thomas, who was still behind me. "They aren't a mistake." He said with a voice like silk that definitely didn't sound human, "You were born with them." "I was not! Some wacked out wizard did this to me and I have to find him and get my parents back and my life back as well!" I said, rather annoyed at all his assumptions! This boy did not know me; didn't know anything about me! Right? Thomas sighed. "So I guess you really don't remember anything. Well, you will when I take you Home with me. But not tonight. Your wings aren't in good shape and it would be too much for you to take in at once. Next full moon we shall go. Come here and we will go." He paused, then said, "Why don't you spend the night here and tomorrow I will take you to your house." I looked over at his house with caution. As if reading my mind, Thomas said, "Don't worry. No one is home right now and the guest room is empty and clean." Still worried about just waltzing into some guy's house to spend the night, I looked over my shoulder at my wings. They were battered and crumpled. I sighed, without a choice really, unless I wanted to spend the night outside. "Fine. Thank you for your hospitality." I said as he led the way to his home and I followed doggedly behind.

CHAPTER 3
The Long Night



I was really nervous when I entered his cottage. No one else was there and I hardely knew the guy! Every pore in my body was screaming RUN!!!

but it was either run into the dark forest in which I can hardely find my way around without my wings or stay here and return home the next morning. Thomas offered to bandage my wings and I accepted. Not once did he put too much pressure on them and his hands never stayed in one place for more than a second. It hardely hurt, for which I was grateful! I then took a shower, careful not to get my wings wet and Thomas led me to the guest room when I was done. It was simple. Perfect for me. The only things in the room were a bed and a wooden table beside it. He left me and I locked the door. Just in case...

I thought and collapsed on the bed.

The next morning, I woke up and tried to fix my probably raging hair before I walked out of the room. Thomas was in the kitchen, sitting at the round wooden table. He looked amused. I was puzzled by his face but forgot about it and hurried to the bathroom where there was a mirror. My hair was awful but with a hair tie, I managed to get it under control. Thomas tossed me an apple when I walked out and started to walk towards the front door. I followed. Outside, parked right in front of the house, was a battered red truck. He flung the keys through the open window and opened the door to the passenger side for me. My wings were gone now, so I could sit down. Curiously, I looked over and was shocked to find that Thomas's wings hadn't faded. I wondered how he would sit down. He began to fold up his wings in a way that looked quite uncomfortable but they wouldn't be crushed when he was sitting down. He slid in and started the car. "Are you ok? Sitting like that, I mean. It looks uncomfortable." I said, breaking the silence that permiated the car. "It's not so bad." he replied, not taking his eyes off the road. "Why are your wings still there? Mine always fade." I said, turning to face him. He said simply, "I've had these since I was born, like you, but mine were never taken away." I was puzzled and contemplated what he said in silence. They had now reached the city and at a stop light, Thomas turned to me and said, "It's ok. You don't need to understand this right now. Give it time." I gave him directions to my house. It was a rather long drive across town near the outskirts. Thomas didn't complain. In fact, he looked almost relieved. I was rather confused by how he had been acting. He was an odd one, that was for sure. We came down the driveway of my silent house and I hopped out. "Thank you," I said, "That was really nice of you and you hardly even know me." "The pleasure was all mine." he replied and did a little bow. It was very gentlemanly. In fact, he had been nothing but a gentleman the whole time I was with him. I smiled. "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you later hopefully." "Yes, come for the next full moon. I hope your wings have healed by then." Thomas said, backing towards his truck. He waved and was gone leaving me to face my dark, empty house alone.

I walked around to the back of the house and climbed in through the window I had left open for my return. With a thud, I landed in my living room and shut and locked the window behind me. I turned to see a dark room. I shivered and flipped the switch near the door. A warm glow tinted the room as the light came on. I glanced at the watch on my wrist and knew I would have to get ready fast or I would be late for work. I rushed into my bedroom and stepped into my work outfit. I brushed out my hair and grabbed a granola bar before I left. I swept the key into the ignition and was off. At this rate, I'm going to be five minutes late!

I thought and pushed the speed limits for each road. I turned and drove into the parking lot for Flo's All You Can Eat Buffet. I had an extra shift tonight because Harriet called in sick. I parked and got out, not looking forward to the day ahead.

Work was the same; grouchy old men who didn't know how to tip, teens who were too busy texting or talking to their friends and forgot to tip, and dirty 4 year olds who didn't know how to use a napkin and their parents were too busy yakking away on their cellphones. I said 'hi' to one of the girls I vaguely knew and who had decided to eat at Flo's for lunch but I was too busy to engage in conversation. Finally, my shifts were over and I rubbed my back. I walked into the back, took off my waitress' apron, and signed myself out. Opening the back door, I bathed in the warm sun shining down and walked to my car. I hopped in and drove towards home. Once home with nothing better to do, I began to relay my time with Thomas. Nothing bad had happened but Thomas sure was odd! He acted as if he knew me! I mean, he even let me, a stranger, into his house when he was the only one there! Most people didn't do that... What if he does know me from something? Maybe he went to my highschool or college? I'll have to ask next time I see him.

I thought, not knowing that I'd be seeing him sooner than the next full moon.

CHAPTER 4
Urgent Meeting

<<<The Wizard<<<</font>

I woke up with a moan and tried to dream again, but it was too late. I was awake. I rolled over and saw on the clock by my bed that it was 4 in the morning. And yet, someone, at this early hour, was knocking frantically on my door. I rubbed my eyes, trying to focus them. I slid over to the edge of the bed and threw my legs over the side. I walked unsteadily to the door and looked out the window to see who on earth was trying to reach me at this horrible hour of the morning! It...was Thomas! I opened the door and he all but spilled into the house. "Uh Thomas? What are you doing here at 4 in the morning?" I asked him. He was bent over, trying to catch his breath. "Sorry if I woke you up-" he said panting but I cut him off. "Darn right you did wake me up..." I grumbled, still sore about it, "What is it?" I said, wanting to get to the heart of why he was here. Thomas was still trying to catch his breath. Whatever he'd been doing before he came here had really winded him. "The...the wizard from when...when you were younger. He's here. He's in town."

"He's WHAT?!" I exploded! How did Thomas know about him? Why was the wizard here? No matter know Thomas knew, this was perfect! I would find him and get my life back, parents included! I already began to walk into my room to change into something I could go outside in when Thomas grabbed my arm. "What are you doing?" he asked. "I'm going to go change into something more suitable for outdoors." I said, turning back to him and pulling my arm out of his grasp. He reached for me again but I was faster and I ran towards my room. He shot into the air and fluttered down the hall, blocking the way to my room. "Are you crazy?! You can't go out there with that maniac! He'll...he'll...I don't know but it won't be good!" he shouted in my face. "Move out of my way." I snarled in a way that was hardly human, "I need to see that wizard if I'm going to get my parents back." I was calm and deadly. If Thomas didn't move out of my way, it was going to get ugly. I didn't care if he was stronger. I would get past him. Period. My parents were worth some scrapes and bruises. "I can't let you go out there." Thomas said, also calm. We were both determined not to let the other suceed. I would win though. I had to. "You don't understand. He took my parents! I need to talk with him! It's the only way to get them back!" I was shouting but I didn't care. I tried to shove him out of the way, but he was firm, like a pole and he wouldn't budge. "You don't need them, Beth. Forget about them. They are part of the past. You can have new parents. Not those fakey ones." He said, looking at me. Suddenly, a WHACK was heard and there was silence. I had slapped him across the face. I was fuming! "HOW DARE YOU! They are my PARENTS! Get out of my house! NOW!!!" I screamed, clawing at him. he just sighed, not showing any signs of pain if I was hurting him. "You don't understand Bethany. I can't make you understand. Not yet. I will tell you during the next full moon. Please, don't go after the wizard. He is bad news." I slumped to the floor. "How? How can you say such things? I...I need my parents. I'm sick of being alone. You say I don't understand but you don't know me. I mean, we met a couple days ago and before that; nothing. I hardly know you." I moaned. It seemed I was doomed to be alone forever. I felt arms around me. "I'm sorry. I guess that was harsh of me." Thomas said and he released me and turned to face me, "But you're not alone. You're never alone. And I do know you. Alot more than you think. I can't talk about that right now." He said standing up. He looked towards the door. "Please don't-" But he was cut off by a gasp. The gasp came from me becasue something other than the door now took up the frame. Or should I say someone.
The wizard.
The wizard was standing there, listening to our whole conversation.

"You know 'the wizard' has a name. I'm Simon." The wizard had been chuckling but now he walked towards me with his hand outstretched, as if to shake mine. Thomas put his hand out to stop him and growled. I slapped it away. "Stop it with the false happiness will you? It's giving me a headache!" I snapped at Simon, wanting some answers. "My, my haven't you grown up. And fiesty too! How cute!" Simon said, stroking my cheek. Thomas grabbed as his hand and looked like he wanted to bite it off. "Wonderful, now where are my parents?" I asked him as calmly as I could. "Oh them? Well, don't you like it? Being in charge of your life, I mean." Simon said cheerfully. It was making me sick. "No, I want them back. Now, what have you done with them?!" I began to scream at him. A cold wind shot through the open door, rustling the pictures on the wall and making my hair slap wildly at my face. Simon closed the door with Thomas following, probably ready to push him out of the house. Finally, Simon turned to me and answered, "If you must know, I sent them to the whole other side of the world. They have no memories of you and are living happy lives together with their son, Rob. You should be happy for them. he just turned 3!" He smiled but I felt sick. My guts were twisted in knots and I fell to the ground. How could he? They have no memory of me. That was too cruel. And what's worse, they had lives that didn't include me. They had truely forgotten about me! "How could you!" Thomas said, forming my thoughts into words for me because I was too stunned to speak. After all my searching, this is the answer I get. "Even if you found them, child, it would be of no use. They would think you were any other person walking down the road. And, believe me, you could not make them remember. For I burned their memories. They are forever gone." Simon said and he laughed evilly. I began to sob. So I was really alone. All my hopes of having my parents back were dashed in five minutes. I heard a smack and the door open and close. After a while, when my crying had reduced, I saw that Simon was gone and so was Thomas. I was alone. I would always be alone.

I went about my life and soon found that it was the night of the new moon. It was frosty outside so I made sure to dress warm, as it would be even colder up in the air. I didn't want to stay in all night though. I didn't mind the chill; it suited my mood. I had become somewhat reclusive, holing in and only coming out of the house when needed. For me, black WAS the new pink and it quickly became my favorite color. I was depressed and alone and I liked it. Being alone, that is. My solitude had become important to me; sacred almost. Tonight though, I decided to change things and brave the elements. I took to the air ten minutes later and thought back to the visit from the wizard, Simon. It was hopeless talking to him about my parents and I knew he was gone, but I still wanted to ditch these wings. I wanted to have friends, to be normal. If I was going to find out where he went, I would have to ask Thomas. He saw him last and he may know where Simon had run off to. I angled my wings against the wind that was shooting icy daggers at me, threatening to ruin my newly fixed wings. I morphed into a falcon and felt my clothes weigh me down. Using my claws, I managed to stuff them into the bag I had brought and carried the bag in my beak. It was so heavy, but I somehow got myself to the cabin in the woods. Thomas stood outback, as usual, and despite the freezing cold, he wore only a tee shirt and jeans. He didn't look as if he minded the cold, but the look on his face almost made me break down and cry. He was so downcast! His blue eye looked grey and his green one looked the color of cooked brocolli. I landed several feet away behind a tree and quickly went into defalt mode and changed back into my clothes. I stepped out from behind the tree and Thomas didn't even look up at me. It was as if I wasn't even there! "Thomas!" I yelled, "Are you ok?!" He looked up and blinked. He squinted into the darkness, but he was looked past my shoulder. I turned and saw nothing but swirling blackness. I walked up to him and touched his arm. He yelped and jumped into the air. That's when I noticed something. His back was bare. He had no wings.

CHAPTER 5
Change



"Who...who's there?!" Thomas yelled. "Um...it's me. Bethany, of course. I'm right in front of you!" I said, grabbing his arms and making his body face mine. "Can't you see me?" I asked. He turned pale. "Oh no..." He breathed, "Oh no. Oh no!" He started to shake. He then turned red as a tomato. "That wizard! I'll kill him!" Thomas started yelling. I was still very much confused. "What are you talking about? What's going on and where are your wings?" I asked. Thomas sighed and sat down. I gasped as a tear slid down his face. "Bethany," He said, his voice raspy, "He took my wings. He took my wings and he made you invisable. I cannot see you and I cannot chase after him because my wings are gone and I ran out of ointment. I can no longer stand to be near metal." I almost fell backwards! Me? Invisable? How did this happen? Why? Of course, I had stayed in my house so no one would know if I was invisable but every time I looked in a mirror, I saw myself! But why would the wizard take Thomas's wings? And why couldn't he be near metal? I had always thought he was like me; cursed by some wizard. I could touch metal though. Of course, he had his wings all the time under normal curcumstances, but different wizards cast different spells, right? "Thomas, why would he do this? And why can't you touch metal?" I whispered near his ear and I saw him shiver. "There is alot I haven't told you Bethany, and I needed to a while ago. You might want to sit down for this." He said but since he couldn't see me, he failed to notice that I was already sitting down. "Ok, tell me what's up." I said. He breathed in and out and then began to tell me something that would change life as I knew it. "Well, for starters, umm how do I put this? Bethany, you were kidnapped a long time ago and well..." "Well?" I urged him on. "We are engaged."

"WHAT?!" I burst out! "Engaged? Are you crazy?! You never proposed! I don't even know you that well! And I have never been taken in my LIFE!" I screamed. "Keep your voice down! I don't want people to hear a voice but not see a body that the voice belongs to." Thomas hissed and I quieted down. "Now let me explain; you are faery, as am I. Your parent's are actually very powerful faery that own a vast kingdom. My parents are also royalty and when we were born, they planned to unite their kingdoms through marrige. When you turned three, on your birthday, someone entered your castle and took you away. They took you to the human world and locked the faery deep inside of you. You grew up with mortals until the wizard came. He works for the enemy.
"See, we found out much later that you are special. You have greater powers than even your father, the king. There is always a bad guy in every relm and Sir Drakkon has oppsed the relm of faery for many years. When he found out that you were taken to the human world, he sent his servant, Simon, to find you. He did, and though he could not fully unlock your Faery self, he managed to pull free a sliver. One that only comes out during the full moon." Thomas sat there, catching his breath and I sat next to him, shocked. My world as I knew it to be was crumbling around me. Somehow, I knew it was true but it still hurt. To think I had cried myself to sleep so many nights just to find out that the parents I loved weren't my real parents. Thomas had obviously caught his breath because he began to speak again and I barred myself for another shocker. "Your father and mine have been searching for you for ages! When I learned of our engagement, I was shocked. I wanted to meet the lady whom I was to marry and so when I came of age, I set out into the mortal relm and by sheer luck have I found you! I thought I could take you back but then the wizard took my wings and sealed me to this house and he has made you invisable! It seems as though we shall never be together sometimes!" He moaned and rested his head in his hands. "I have failed and I have no way to get back into Faery Relm! You see, none can enter without flying! Faeries have one weakness and that is to metal. I couldn't fly an airplane in and I can no longer drive. I'm stuck!"
As Thomas spoke, his voice seemed to get deeper and he began talking differently. His english seemed somehow...older. I looked over at the man whom I was oringionally supposed to marry. He was handsome, with his dirty blonde hair, but I really had only known him for a few months! I don't know how I knew to believe him but I knew somehow that all he was saying was true. I also knew that even though he hardly knew me, he loved me. I gasped at that thought! I didn't know where that had come from! Maybe it was his eyes. The one thing I knew to be true though was this: Everything Thomas had said was true and he was the one person I could trust.

"Beth? Are you still there?" Thomas asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between us. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forget you can't see me. I was just thinking." I said, and I stared out into the darkness. I was just beginning to snow and I shivered in the cold. Of course, no one would see me shiver so I guess I had to suck it up and endure the cold. "I'm sorry...I-I'm sorry." Thomas said and he began to cry. I couldn't speak. When I found my voice, I wrapped my arms around his shaking frame and whispered in his ear. "It's not your fault, Thomas. I don't blame you for any of this. It's still a bit of a shock for me but I am coping and I know what we need to do now." He stopped shaking and took a deep breath. When he was done he asked, "What comes next?" "We need to find Simon. I read that if a wizard casts a spell, only that wizard can undo the spell. That's why I have been searching for him for so long. I no longer need to go after him about my fake parents. They are better off where they are. But if you want your wings back and if I want to be seen again, we need to go to him." I put on my most determined face to try to cheer him up, but then remembered that it didn't matter. Thomas sat up straighter and rubbed his face. "Ugh! I'm sorry for breaking down there. It's taken so long to find you and as soon as I do, you get ripped away from me again. Your right, though. I think I know where Simon is, too. We had a bit of a...well, fight after we left your house. He took my wings and apparently your visibility and said he would wait for us in London." In my head, I was already taking a vacation from work and cancelling all other things I had planned for the month. "Alright then Thomas. London it is!" "But I'm still stuck to the house." Thomas said. "Ok, I have a plan, but it's going to hurt you." I replied. "What's that?" He asked. "We use metal to break your bond! We'll drive to the airport. That should free you! Then, we can get some more of your salve and you will be fine on the airplane." I almost shouted. "Actually, you can make the salve. All you would need is bark from pine trees mixed with a special ingrediant." Thomas said and he winked. I got up and walked over to the nearest pine tree. I stripped it of some of it's bark and walked back over to Thomas. "Next?"

CHAPTER 6
The Journey


I was not human. I could feel it the moment that Thomas had said I was faery. It was as if some part of my body woke up suddenly and remembered something I didn't even know I had forgotten! I felt stronger and the outline of my form shimmered for a while. Thomas had looked up and laughed. I smiled, though he wouldn't see it. That made me sad but I knew that there were perks to being invisable. For one, I could stare at people like him without them knowing. I was still eager to find the wizard though. Now, I was going for my visability, not my wings. Even if Simon undid the spell he cast on me, my wings would never fully be gone. They were now a part of me that I had to accept. We were now in the cabin and I turned around from looking out the window to look at Thomas. His back was towards me and I cringed at the sight of it without wings. He was on his laptop, booking a flight for London. I would have to stow on which shouldn't be too hard considering I could not be seen. I figured I would stand in the back or hide in the bathroom or something. Thomas finished and started packing for the trip. "We fly tomorrow." He said, not looking away from his packing. "Excellent." I said, "The sooner the better. I was always shy but I don't like being completely invisable!" Thomas turned towards the sound of my voice. "Yes, and I don't like not being able to look at you." He said and I probably blushed. Good thing he couldn't see me...

The next morning, Thomas and I made our way to the airport. I drove his car and he sat next to me moaning. Sweat was dripping down his face but he was out of the house. We arrived and he slathered some ointment over his arms, legs and face. We made it to our plane. I surprisingly found an empty seat in the back and I hunkered down for the long flight across the Atlantic. I had to be quiet and I couldn't buckle so I hoped the pilot was good and that there would be no clouds or choppy winds. Thomas kept glancing back at me and I rolled my eyes. He really didn't need to check on me! No one could see me anyways!

After a long day of flying, we finally landed in London and I waited for the airplane to empty before I made my escape. I wouldn't want to bump into anyone! Thomas had gotten had long before me and I looked around for him once I was out. I felt someone grab my arm and I was lead through the airport! I couldn't see who it was that had grabbed me because he was wearing a hoodie and I could only the back of his head. My mysterious kidnapper led me to a small room that read, Staff Only!

He waved a card in front of a screen and the door opened with a click. I thrashed and twisted, wondering how this man could see me! He walked in, dragging me with him and I found we weren't alone. In the corner was Thomas! I jerked out of the man's grasp and ran over to him. He was unconcious. I turned to see who had caused us all this trouble and gasped to find that I was staring at Simon! He smiled at me coldly. "Took you both long enough to get here." He said. I scoffed. "What a wonderful way to say hello! Grabbing me and bashing poor Thomas on the head!" I retorted. "Sassy as always. How do you like being invisable? Isn't it nice?" Simon said, chuckling and looking straight at me. "At least you don't waste much time! For your information, I hate it and I want you to change me back and give Thomas back his wings!" I screamed in Simon's face. He all out laughed now. "Sorry honey. No can do! I love playing hide-n-go seek though! Catch me if you can! I'll be waiting for you at the Beach! It's here in London...I think!" He stuck out his tongue and in a puff of smoke, he was gone.

After slapping Thomas awake and half dragging him out of the storage room Simon had led us to, I told him all that had happened while he was "taking a nap". "So we have to find a beach, eh? That stupid wizard! He could've just made it simple by undoing his curses but no! He has to play his little games!" Thomas said, his voice rising as he spoke. I put my hand on his arm and though he tried not to jump, he did cringe at my invisable touch. "Calm down. Are there any beaches in or near London?" I asked. "Let me do some research. For now, let's find a hotel that will give two rooms to one guy." Thomas said, giggling softly.

Two hours later, I was in my own suite. I hopped into the shower, trying to wash away the jet lag I was feeling. The weather was dreary outside, but Thomas told me it was that was most of the time. London wasn't known for it's sunshine... I dried off after my shower and wrapped my hair up in a towel. I began to pat it dry. I didn't need to fiddle with my hair because no one would see it but I still felt the need to make sure it looked good. I could still see myself in the mirror and when I was done, I nodded at my reflection and walked out into Thomas's suite. He was lying on a huge king-size, four poster bed filled with plush pillows. It was all a very rich rose-colored red with gold stitching. I don't know how he paid for all this but I sure wasn't complaining! Thomas had a laptop in hand and was browsing the Net for beaches in the area. "London doesn't seem to have any beaches." Thomas said, hearing the door open. Of course it didn't! It wasn't by any water. But then what could the wizard have meant? "Here, let me see." I said, snatching the laptop out of his hand. Beaches...beaches...

Like Thomas had said, there were no beaches. What if the wizard hadn't meant a REAL beach though? What if, he was talking about... "Thomas, I think I know where Simon is!" I exclaimed. "Where?" He asked, peering over at the floating laptop that actually sat on my lap. "What if he wasn't talking about an actual beach! What if he meant this place!" I said, near shouting and I pointed to the screen. Then I remembered how he couldn't see me so I said, "Look at this website!" Thomas took the "floating" laptop and stared at the screen. "Hey, you may be right!" He said. The screen showed colorful pictures of 'Palm Beach Casino' filled with smartly dressed men with margaritas and women in slinky, gittery dresses playing poker. "I think we should check it out. We may need to register or call ahead or something so you should call this number." I said and I clicked on Contact Information. Sure enough, there was an address and phone number. "Bingo." I muttered under my breath. Thomas dialed the number. After a few minutes he hung up and told me the news. "They are going to be packed tonight but they said they would write my name down for tomorrow. You can sneak in." "Well, that gives us plenty of time to buy you a new tux!" I exclaimed and Thomas moaned. I laughed and walked out of his suite and into my own. It was spaceous and had a lovely veiw of the Thames river. There was a window seat so I went to it and peered out. It was raining, but I always found the rain to be peaceful so I fell asleep watching the rain trail paths downt he window pane and dreamed about the job ahead...

CHAPTER 7
Palm Beach Casino


New tuxido in hand, Thomas walked into his bathroom while I changed into a cute little black dress that I found on sale. I knew I didn't need to dress up since I WAS sneaking in but I wanted to all the same. When, I was done, I examined myself in a full length mirror. I heard a small gasp behind me. I spun around to face Thomas. He was more handsome than ever in his new tux with his hair tousled and his eyes sparkling. "Wow," He breathed, "You look amazing." "How can you see me?" I asked. "In the mirror. I can see your reflection." He said, not taking his eyes off of the mirror behind me. "Well, you don't look so bad yourself." I said. Major understatement! I wasn't about to tell him that though! I mean, for crying out loud I was practically being forced to marry him! Your never supposed to like who you marry in arranged situations! "Let's go or your going to be late." I said. Thomas slowely turned and walked out to the car and me following closely behind.

We arrived seven minutes later and Thomas walked up to a big, buff guy with a clipboard. "Stevenson." He said simply and the well-muscled guy let him in with me sneaking behind him. We entered a room playing jazz music. There was a blonde haired lady at a desk, ready to lead us to our table. The room was filled with fish tanks and snazzy couples. The lighting was dim and candles lit the tables. "Hi, welcome to Palm Beach Casino! Table for one? Are you with a party?" The blonde lady asked. "Actually, I'm looking for a man named Simon. Black-blue hair. About this tall." Thomas said, signalling with his hands how tall Simon was. "Um, I'm sorry but I don't know who your talking about." The lady said and I was close to letting out a moan. He wasn't here. "Well, could you get me a table for two anyways in case he comes later?" Thomas asked the lady. "Sure! Right this way please." the lady replied and led Thomas and I to a table near the back. Perfect. Thomas sat down and when no one was looking, I slid back the other seat and sat down. People were laughing and drinking all around us while others played poker and set their bids, their voices slurred with alchohol. Women all around me had their arms draped around their man and were holding skinny drinks between their fingers, whispering in their man's ear as to how much they should bet. I looked over at Thomas, who was facing the other way. Probably inspecting the room as well. A balding man in a suit came up to us and held out a platter to Thomas with nothing on it but a phone. "The line is for you, Mister." He said, and he held out the phone. I passed Thomas a curious glance which, of course, he couldn't see. he took the phone and held it to his ear. As the call progressed, he visibly paled. When it was over, he handed the phone to the man and thanked him. The man bustled away with the platter and I asked Thomas what was wrong. "It was Simon. He said, 'Great! You made it! I'm glad you figured it out! Now find the biggest mall in Paris and look for the food court. Sit at the table in the very middle. See you there...I think!' and then, he hung up."

I groaned. London was starting to grow on me and now we had to leave again! "I can't pay for another plane ticket." I whispered. "Don't worry. I've got you covered. One of the nice things about being a prince is that their dad's are pretty loaded." Thomas whispered back and grinned. I looked at him. "Thomas, there's still so much about your world...our world that I don't understand. Who were you living with when I first saw you?" I whispered in his ear. He answered, "As soon as we get back to the hotel I'll tell you about Faery Relm and the people I was living with were my earth family. Kind of like a cover up. See, faerie are immortal, but when they travel to the mortal relms, they can start life over as a human. When I turned 20 in Faery, I came to earth and was born in this body. You are not in your true form either." I tried to wrap my mind around that. Thomas left some money on the table and left and I walked behind him, silent as a ghost. My mind was reeling. So my parents really were my parents but in the human relm. They really did have me in this body. That made everything more complicated. Once in the car, I asked, "So my mortal parents really did conceive me, but in this body?" "That's right." Thomas answered. "And you were re-born too, because you came to find me?" I asked. He replied, "Yes, that's right." "So then in Faery, if I went back, how old would I be?" I wondered. "Time goes on in your Faery body, even though you are not in it right now. We were born at the same time and so we would both be 23. You see, time goes by quicker here than in Faery and so although I was 20 when I left, I have been mortal for 19 years." Thomas said. I think my brian stopped working because instead of being shocked, all I could think of to say was, "Ha! I'm mortally older than you!" Thomas laughed and said, "When in Faery, technically, I was born a minute and twenty-two seconds before you so that makes me older there!" I flipped my silver hair and scoffed. Then we both burst out laughing.

We arrived at the hotel and Thomas, suddenly somber, said, "Beth, I'm sorry. About the arranged marrige, that is. I hope you'll learn to love me some day but if you don't, I'll understand." I sighed, "Why do I have to marry you, Thomas? My parents made that agreement with yours years ago." He answered, "We have to, if we are to unite both kingdoms." He got out of the car and we both walked up the steps to our hotel suites. "Tell me about Faery Relm. What do you look like there?" I asked. "Well, the reason why I have such unique colored eyes is because my actual eye color doesn't exist here. Same goes for your hair. When we were born, our DNA couldn't create the same color, so they did the closest thing. A.K.A. we may look unique here but it's nothing like out real selves! If you want to see what I look like, I guess you'll just HAVE to come to Faery." Thomas teased as he slid a card by the lock on our doors and they opened. I stuck out my tongue at him and walked into my suite. I opened the door that led into his and said in a british accent, "Well, you book yourself a ticket to Paris while I use the water closet!" Thomas laughed. (A water closet = bathroom in England) "Roger that mate! I'm on it!!" He said and I walked back into my suite to use the restroom.

CHAPTER 8
Une nuit à Paris...


I looked out the window of the plane and gasped, then covered my mouth to try and hide it. Directly below us was the Eiffel Tower and because it was 9 at night, the tower was lit up and it glowed like a little star that had fallen from the sky. During our descent, I got a better look and the Eiffel Tower took shape from the little blob I had seen way up high. "Nous avons maintenant atteint notre destination. Merci pour voler avec nous et ont une merveilleuse nuit! We have now reached our destination. Thank you for flying with us and have a wonderful night!" Said a lady over the intercom in french and english. People speaking both english and french began to chatter, excited to be off the plane after the long flight. We landed and I spotted Thomas near the front. I walked off the plane and carefully looked around, making sure that I wasn't about to be abducted by Simon again. I spotted Thomas and walked over to him. I reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze to let him know I was next to him. I lfelt his pulse quicken and he looked in the direction that I was standing. "You know any french?" I asked him. "Oui!" He said, scanning the airport for the nearest exit. "Good because I can't read a single thing in this room!" I exclaimed and he laughed softly. I followed him as he squished his way through the crowds. Once we were outside he flagged down a taxi. "I've already booked a hotel for us." Thomas whispered in I guess what he thought was my ear but turned out to be my nose. The taxi pulled up to us. Thomas began giving the man in the front seat directions to the hotel while I looked around. It was stunning in Paris! Everywhere was lit up softly and women walked down the street in heels and skirts next to many designer shops that I couldn't read. They sported all the latest styles in their windows and I couldn't help but wish we had time for a little shopping. "Ici, nous sommes Monsieur." The driver said as he turned into a lavish hotel.

I gasped and the driver looked back. I quickly put my hand over my mouth to silence anything else that would happen to pop out. The hotel in London was lovely but this was extravagant! A golden founten spewed crystal clear water into a large basin at the front. When you entered, a chandelier would be the first thing you saw. It was huge! Everything was creme colored and inlayed with gold. Plush chairs sat around a gorgeous fireplace and men in tailored suits served drinks to the smartly dress women and men in business suits. I couldn't even imagine how much this cost! I looked over at Thomas who was smiling in approval. "How much?" I whispered. He turned to the sound of my voice and said, " Non madame! C'est un secret!" All I could make out was secret so I was pretty sure he wasn't going to tell me anything. Thomas checked in and walked to our suites. Only this time, it wasn't two suites. I nervously looked around for the other door I was sure Thomas would open but he only opened one and walked in. "Uh Thomas...Shouldn't there be two? I'm sorry but I'm thinking this may be too intamate-" I started, but was cut off. "Just get in here!" Thomas shouted from inside and i hesitently walked in. I knew Thomas pretty well by now but still, we were supposed to be married and he might use that as an excuse... I gasped!

I wasn't a suite but a house! It was huge! One side held a bedroom and bathroom and the other wall held the same thing. A fireplace sat on the farthest wall and cushy chairs were placeed around it. Our room had it's own slightly smaller chandelier and it glittered in the darkness. I flipped a switch and it burst to life. There was a large kitchen and dining room. It was all very fancy and I was afraid to touch any of it. Thomas bowed and said, "Ma dame, comment vous l'aimez?" "Excuse me?" I replied. "I said, my lady, how do you like it?" Thomas said, translating and looking at me, or at least the direction of my voice. He had the goofiest grin on his face that I couldn't help laughing. "Wayyyyy over the top but it is all...how do you say beautiful in french?" I teased. "Belle." He said, looking back at a mirror behind me. I turned and I knew he could see me. Sadly, I blushed like a maniac and I knew he'd see that, too! Thankfully, he turned and walked over to a laptop on a desk in his room.

I walked into my room and saw I had one too! My room was huge and I'm pretty sure the bed took up a forth of it! I grabbed the laptop and leaped onto the bed. Turning it on, I waited for the laptop to load and then got on the Internet. Everything was in french so I had to change the settings. I thought about how Thomas wouldn't need to change the language settings and I blushed. I then smacked myself in the head for melting over some french! I mean, it was the language of love and all but that was no excuse at all! I got on Google and looked up large malls in Paris. Many results came up but one stood out from allt he others. It seemed pretty big, too. It was called, Carrousel du Louvre and it was located next to the Louvre Pyramid. (The world famous art museum!) What caught my eye the most was their food court. There were about 14 different food stalls from around the world. They had mexican, japanese, chinese, moroccan, etc. I was sure that was where we were supposed to go. I walked into Thomas's room with the laptop. "Hey, I think I found it!" I said and I handed him the laptop. Thomas looked at the name and nodded. "Yes, that is a big one indeed!" He exclaimed. "It's going to be hard finding him in there. C'est l'assistant darn ..." "I don't know if I want to know what you just said. Anyways, let's go check it out tomorrow." I said and I walked back over to my room. I walked into the bathroom that was the size of my old bedroom back home! I decided to soak in the tub and so I took a nice, long, relaxing bath and said Nuit Nuit to Thomas and went to bed.

The next day, we drove to the Carrousel du Louvre and as I walked in I would've sworn I was in a museum if I didn't know better! This was by far the oddest muse-I mean mall I'd ever been to! Thomas weaved through the crowds with me like a ghost behind him. He read the french signs till he came upon some restuarants. "What now?" I whispered in his ear. "I don't know. He didn't give me any other instructions." Thomas replied softly. And so we waited...
And waited...
AND WAITED!
Until I was ready to go home! "Ugh! This is obviously not the right place." I said, "Let's go-" "Wait!" Thomas cut me off and wormed through the crowd. I had no choice but to follow him. He stopped at a wall with nothing on it but a piece of paper with our names on it. It read:
Great job finden this! Time, ein Flugzeug nach Berlin, Deutschland zu nehmen! Sie wissen, ist Hitler mein Idol! Warum versuchst du nicht an einen Ort, wo WWII erwähnt zu finden?

CHAPTER 9
Off to Germany!



Thomas had grabbed the sheet of paper and we fled the mall. Once in the car, I began examining the paper. "I cannot read this thing." I moaned. When we arrived at the hotel, Thomas took it from me and looked at it. "It's German," He said, "It says, Great job finding this! Time to take a plane to Berlin, Germany! You know, Hitler is my idol! Why don't you try to find a WWII site?" I looked at him incredulously. "So you know french AND german?!" I near shouted. He smiled at me sheepishly. "Actually I know about twenty different languages." I stared at him, openmouthed. Of course, he couldn't see that... "Wow." Was all I could say. We walked into the hotel and I sighed, "I'm going to miss Paris." He replied, "Ma chérie, Paris détient la clé de votre c½ur!" "Repeat that?" I asked. "It means, My darling, Paris holds the key to your heart." Thomas said poetically. I felt my cheeks turn hot. I really needed to get out of this romancing city... "You, Thomas, are officially my living Google Translator!" I said laughing nervously. I was not

going to fall for the guy I was being forced to marry! "Well, I guess we should pack up," Thomas said, "Off to Germany!"

As I got off the plane in Germany, I thought of my house in Vermont. I thought of my sad life before I started world hopping. I was getting used to the constant travel and new sites. It actually was pretty exciting! Minus the fact that no one could see me, I was pretty much getting a free tour of the world with Thomas. I wanted to get rid of these curses but I liked the view along the way. Thomas rented a car and we drove out to a cottage at the edge of Berlin, Germany. I walked in and found it was a sight different from our fancy hotel/house in Paris. It was homeier and I liked it just as much as our other sleeping destinations. I found an old computer sitting on a worn desk in the corner of my room so I booted it up and began to search for WWII sites. There were many WWII sites in Berlin and I really didn't know which one to choose. I had been gone from my home in Vermont for a week and a half now and I hadn't checked my email once so I decided to go ahead and check it out since I had nothing better to do. I was stumped... I opened my account and found an email from an unknown address. I clicked on it and it read:
Oops! Ich wollte nicht angeben, welche Platz in Berlin! Vielleicht wird dies Ihnen helfen! Meine Lieblings-Konzentrationslager = Raben + brook. Hoffe, das hilft!

Ta ta for now!
Simon

I recognized the name Simon and quickly called Thomas. "What does it say?" I asked him when he finally found an "empty" chair and knew it was me. He read the email and began writing it's translation down on paper. He wrote:
Oops! I did not specify what place in Berlin! Maybe this will help you! My Favorite concentration camp = raven + brook. Hope this helps!

Ta ta for now!
Simon

I stared at the paper and something from 7th grade history came to mind. I quickly typed in 'concentration camps in Berlin' on Google and found that there was a memorial museum for a concentration camp named Ravensbrück! It all fit! "That's where we need to go!" I pointed to the screen, then rolled my eyes and said, "Look at the screen!" Thomas peered down at it and smiled. "Yup, that fits the "riddle". Good job Beth! Your finding every place we need to go to!" He said. I gushed, "Oh, it wasn't hard. You would've gotten it too!" "Well, I just hope this is our last stop in this little game the wizard is playing or else Ich werde Squash seinen Kopf wie eine Tomate!" Thomas said, finishing in German and pumping his fist. Whatever he had said, it probably wasn't nice... "It's been fun, but your right. I'd like to be seen. Well, it's too late to go now but in the morning, we shall make our last crazy stop around the world! Danke for paying for all this." I said using the only German I knew. (Danke means thanks) "Ihr herzlich willkommen! That means 'Your welcome!' It's been fun." Thomas said and he extended his hand for me to shake but it was a little too far to the left. I saw him gasp silently as part of his hand disapeared when I grabbed it. I laughed! "Goodnight! We are almost back to normal. Now get out of my room so can go to bed!" I yelled and pushed him out. I stuck out my tongue and slammed shut the door. I smiled to myself. I was always a very depressed girl but when I was with Thomas gallavanting across the world, I found myself happier than I'd ever been before...

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Texte: This book cannot be copied without author's consent
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 09.06.2011

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This book is for all those who really wish they could fly...