The Tree That Opens
Thomas had been running all night. And all day. No rest. No answers.
Ahead of him, the wild man bearded, silent, led the way. Luke followed close behind.
Thomas, trailing last, finally snapped.
"Where are we going?" he shouted.
No response.
"Ay, bearded man! Where are we going?"
The man glanced back, amused. "You'll see when we get there."
Thomas groaned. "And where is there?"
Silence.
Luke jogged up beside him. "Don't worry, Thomas. Anywhere's better than with that monster."
Thomas nodded. You're right about that. But still…
"What if this is a trap?"
The bearded man stopped. Thomas and Luke froze.
"If I wanted to kill you," he said calmly, "I would've done it when you were on the ground unable to move. Don't you think I'd have taken advantage?"
Thomas was speechless. Shamed.
"Sorry," he muttered.
The man shrugged. "By the way we're here."
Thomas and Luke looked around. Just trees. Endless woods.
"We're still in the forest," Thomas said.
The bearded man approached a tree. Ordinary. Unremarkable.
He placed his hand on the bark.
The tree opened.
A door.
Thomas and Luke stared, stunned.
"Are you coming?" the man asked, half-smiling. "Or scared it's a setup?"
They exchanged a glance. Then followed.
Inside, a staircase spiraled downward into the abyss.
Luke hesitated.
Thomas, ever brave, said, "C'mon. We've come this far."
Luke nodded. Maybe it was Thomas's spirit. Maybe it was the air. But he felt safe.
They descended.
At the bottom, torches lined the walls, casting flickering shadows across the tunnel.
"Follow me," the bearded man said.
They did.
Then a sound. A flutter.
A massive raven swooped overhead, causing Luke to stumble and fall.
The bearded man chuckled. "Don't worry. It's just my messenger."
Thomas frowned. "Not funny. After everything we've been through, a warning would've helped."
The man nodded silently. "Let's keep moving."
"What does the raven say?" Thomas asked.
The bird landed on the man's arm.
And spoke.
"Caw caw! The demons are two miles north! Closing in on Paradise City! Caw caw!"
Thomas froze. "What? Why Paradise City? What are they planning?"
The raven tilted its head.
"Caw caw! You are a fool! Caw caw! And you smell funny!"
Thomas lunged. "Let me at him! I just want to talk!"
The raven flew behind the bearded man, who held Thomas back.
"Easy," he said. "The bird means no harm."
Thomas grumbled. "Easy for you to say…"
The bearded man turned to the raven. "Why are they approaching the city?"
The raven flapped its wings.
"Caw caw! They are gearing up for war! Caw caw!"
Thomas and Luke stared, stunned.
"War?" Thomas whispered.
The raven screamed.
"Caw caw! War! There will be war! Caw caw!"