It"s been a very long year. It's been in that year I have learned that there is more to me, and the world, than most see. I guess I better start from a year ago and fill you in.
About a year ago I took a walk to the park. I tend to go there on my days off. It helps release a lot of my frustrations and tension of the week. I lived about a mile from the park. That day it was hot, but not unbearable. I had my backpack full of snacks since I had planned on being there all day. I put my phone on vibrate so I had an excuse if work called.
The sun was beating down on my neck and making me hot. When I got to the edge of the park I rushed a bit to get under the shade of the trees. The road into the park was relatively unshaded, so I walked along the edge of the woods to stay cool. Being a Saturday, the road was a bit busy.
The walk in was uneventful. I felt the strain of one steep hill, then I was at the pavilion. I always stopped there to rest up and cool off. I sat down at one of the seven picnic tables that the pavilion covers. There are enough trees surrounding it to keep most of it shaded at all times.
There was a steady breeze blowing through the area to keep you cool even on the warmest of days. At the time I didn't even wonder why there was that steady breeze. I was like so many that just figured it had something to do with the placement of the pavilion.
I had watched many movies with magic and supernatural happenings, so I imagined what it would be like if I had some ability. Course now I wish I had kept my mind more on mundane things. Maybe I wouldn't now be in the situation I am now in. I don't know for sure, but it might have saved me some headaches.
The area was full of families having a picnic. Kids were screaming in excitement as well as frustration. An almost steady flow of murmuring filled the area. I did wonder why no one was using the pavilion, but figured they just preferred the open tables.
I think I missed the first few sounds due to all the others around me. I did see a strange shadow that seemed to weave through the tables. It looked like a very large wolf on the prowl hiding among the family groups.
After a few minutes of it weaving around I realized it was slowly heading in my direction. I should have ran then, but I was more intrigued then scared. It was about two picnic tables away from me when I noticed a scream come from the table it was at. At first I thought that one of the kids were playing, but then realized that there were no kids at that table. That is when I started to panic. That gave me the realization that the shadows were not a play of the light but something no one could see.
I was about to get up and run when a child ran right through me to the group I was looking at. That distracted me enough that I forgot to watch for anything else. I slapped my chest and legs to make sure I could still feel myself.
When I looked up the scene completely changed. A few trees had moved in position and there were no people. But I could see large wolves everywhere. Most were looking around and sniffing. It was the closest one that spotted me first. I saw it snarl then looked to bay at the moon, but a horrible scream came from it.
I have never screamed like I did at any other time in my life. I think back now and even I would have made fun of it. I sounded like one of those professional screamers they used for Halloween. Every wolf in the area looked at me. I hear a low growl echo all around me.
I froze in panic. Not one muscle would respond to my wish. The wolves just stood in what looked like a launch position, unmoving. I couldn't even open my mouth and make a sound.
"What now?" I hear a very low gruff voice at the edge of the thick woods.
"Sir we have an intruder." I hear the wolf in front of me say. I thought I was frozen before, but seeing a wolf talk made my body go completely rigid. I thought great I'm going to be eaten by talking wolves.
A wolf larger than the rest walked up next to the closest one to me. It's coat was pure white, not even dirt could be seen to taint its color. It's eyes were pitch black unlike the other wolves who had pupils.
The white wolf laughs. "I guess he could be considered an intruder. This isn't his world, although I'm betting it will be now."
"Sir?" the wolf next to him asks without taking its eyes off me.
The white wolf takes one step towards me, "Don't run human. I will not harm you. For one: humans taste awful, and for another we have sworn to never harm you."
My limbs still would not respond. I can't even move my mouth to speak. All I can do is stare. The white wolf walks toward me at a slow stroll. All I can think of is to run and none of my muscles realize that is what I should be doing.
The white wolf comes up to me and looks me over then sniffs around me. He then sniffs at my feet and my head. He stops in front of me and sits down facing me.
Without looking away from me the white wolf says, "Send for the wizard. There is something going on here that is not right. The rest of you stand guard around us. This human is in some stasis he cannot protect himself."
I see the other wolf that talked turn and bound off into the woods. The others surround the pavilion and turn facing out.
"My name is Ghost," the white wolf says, "I would ask yours but I doubt you can talk. It is not normal for you to be frozen like you are. My witch is not able to help you since she focuses more on healing. Our magic doesn't always go well when used on a human anyway.
I've never heard of a human freezing like you have after coming to our world. I think you might be a very interesting case. But listen to me rattle on when you are probably completely confused.
The world you come from is but a blink away from this one. It is unknown as to why our how worlds are so closely linked. Sometimes humans can see the link spots between our world and are transported over to our world. There are also some wizards or witches that transport over to your world. A long time ago they used to go over a lot, but there was word that humans were killing anyone that they thought were witches so the migration stopped.
My kin have accepted the responsibility of guarding the portals that are known. This one caught our attention when magic began to ripple about once a week. A tree spirit got really upset when its tree vanished. We said we would station more scouts to find what is going on.
I'm taking a wild guess here, but I think we found what was causing the disturbance." Behind Ghost a blue mist about four feet high forms. The mist becomes opaque then clears to reveal what looks like a female child painted in blue. Her hair is like a blue mist that never quite forms. Her frame reminds me of a twig. She looks human but with a touch of tree mixed in.
She walks up next to Ghost who turns to look at her, "Oaky what brings you out?" he asks.
The voice that comes out of Oaky sounds like the sounds of the woods timed just right to create a voice. "You think he took my tree?" She asks.
"Of course not Oaky. Humans have no need for your tree, but his presence may have caused it to warp to the other world," Ghost says.
"So he took my tree, it's the humans fault," Oaky says.
"That’s not fair, Oaky he can't defend himself. He is in stasis which indicates he does not use magic."
"But..." Oaky starts.
"Oaky enough, if you cannot give this human the benefit of a doubt till he is able to talk, I will have to ask you to leave," Ghost returns with a hint of a growl.
Oaky curtsies, "Excuse me Ghost, I just miss my tree. I feel it but can't see it or touch it."
"I know young Oaky, you have a lot to learn. You chose a tree close to a portal. Even if this human was not here there was still the chance it would transport to the other world.
Oaky looks at Ghost confused, "Really?"
"Yes, didn't your mentor tell you this?"
"She just said be careful of the portals, strange things happen. But she also said the rewards were great if I was patient."
Ghost makes a sound between a growl and a laugh "Was your mentor Miss Willow"?
"Yes why?" Oaky asks suspiciously.
"That is the way Miss Willow is. She loves playing games with her underlings. I wonder what else she told you?”
“But everyone says she is the best. That is why I asked for her.” Oaky says nervously.
“Oh she is the best. She always has a list of students waiting to be taught by her. I wonder how long you had to wait.”
“I didn't, she took me right away.” Oaky says.
“Hmm I guess then human you have a companion now.” Ghost says and looks at me.
I try to give a look of confusion but luckily Oaky asks, “What do you mean?”
Ghost does the sound halfway between a growl and a laugh but with a bit more laugh. He looks back at Oaky, “Sweet little Oaky. You are a free spirit now. You are not restricted on location like so many. Since your tree is in the other world you are free to roam while still connected to your tree.”
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“Really? I thought that was a myth.” She responds surprised.
“Oh no it is not a myth, it is a legend. There have only been three known roamers not, counting you. They have gone on to great adventures and made legends of the tree spirits. One even did it in reverse and became a legend in the other world.”
“She is a legend in our world not in the other, Ghost.” Comes a voice from behind me.
“Of course Moon. I keep forgetting to point that out. Been a while hasn't it Moon?”
My eyes became blurred like I was looking through smoke. Then my vision clears and I see a smoky figure walking toward Ghost away from me. It steps to the other side of Ghost and stops. I would say it turned around, but it was more like it just instantly was facing me. I can see a definitely human form despite the smoke trying to fuzz the outline. There were no eyes, nostrils, or mouth but you can see where they should be.
“Jode, I see you are here sooner than I expected.” the shadow says. If I could show it I would show shock. How could this thing know my name?
“Who?” Oaky asks.
“How do you get his name Moon? That, I thought was rare.” Ghost says.
“Actually unheard of Ghost,” Moon says, “but this one told me his name in my night wanderings. He called me to him to help me prepare for him. I thought it was a wild night wandering, but I see it was true.”
“I think if you can it would be polite to release him. I'm sure he is a bit confused and would like to talk.” Ghost says.
Moon laughs and his whole form fades into smoke till he stops, “Oops How rude of me.” He waves his hand and a wave of smoke floats to me and I am released.
I take a deep breath and blink my eyes rapidly for a second, then focus back on the three. “I have never seen you before, Moon is it?” I ask.
“You have, but don't remember,” Moon says, “You were in what you humans call a dream. And yes most call me Moon. My full name is Shadow of the Moon, but that is only for formal occasions. Most like Moon because it is simple.”
“How come I can understand you all?” I ask.
Ghost and Oaky look at me confused, but Moon laughs and when he reforms he says. “Because we speak English the same as you. Our worlds are connected in a lot of ways including language. If you head south to the lower part of the continent you will hear Spanish. One of the differences is the landscape. We do not create cities like humans.
There are a lot more different species in this world than in yours. So each species creates a different looking city. But I think I should say town more than city. We live more with nature so we do not change the landscape as much as humans. I would like to see things you humans have created though. The internet would be so useful in this world.”
I pull out my phone and see it still has full bars, “How can my phone work if I am not on earth?”
“You are on earth,” Moon Answers, “Just in a different plane of existence. Haven't you heard of those ghost calls where no one is on the other side?”
“You mean wrong numbers?” I ask, confused.
“Oh yeah most are thought of as wrong numbers, but most are people on this side trying to call. It seems that calls made to phones from this side connect, but those on this side cannot be heard. If you are on this side you can hear those on the other side clearly. I don't know how text messages work though. I don't know any that have tried.”
“So I am not the first to come here?” I ask, feeling strange that I am not more freaked out. I figure now that I might have had most of my freakout happening while I was in stasis.
“Oh, no and you won't be the last. But you are the first in this area. Most come through what you call triangles. Bermuda is but one that is famous.”
“You mean all those people come here?” I ask.
“Most yes, but not all. There are many different places. This one just seems to be the closest to where you come from.”
“Too bad I can't get back, I could be famous.” I say imagining me being adored by many for my find.
Moon Laughs, “Do you not think that others have not tried. Your scientist will not believe you. Some have tried but were laughed at, and some even scorned. There is no way to prove it because most that make it over are never able to return. There is also the problem that when it happens, can never be predicted.
“Oh,” I say deflated, “Now what happens to me?” I ask with trepidation.
“That is entirely up to you. Some have come here and become legends and others just make a new life for themselves.”
“So I am stuck here, an ordinary person, in an extraordinary world?” I ask, disappointed.
“That I do not know. Most humans do stay ordinary, as you put it, but some learn abilities they didn't have before. Since you got a reaction when you got here, I will have to say you are not ordinary even in our world.
You contacted me while still in the other world, which is rare on the best of days. You have to find that all out on your own. Magic and talents work differently in each race. I cannot teach you my magic because it is nothing like what humans use. Just like Ghosts cannot teach me her skills, because hers are used differently than mine.”
“Is there a wizard or witch from my world over here that can teach me?” I ask hoping.
“No, the last one was here a long time ago. I think he was known as Merlin in your world. He was the only one recorded that could move between worlds when he chose, and he never taught the ability to anyone.
It was said he tried once with a La Fay or someone, but it went horribly wrong. Drove her insane, if I remember right.”
“No, you can't be talking of the legend of Merlin and Morgan Lefay?” I ask in disbelief.
“Yeah that's the name.” Moon shakes his head. “But I never understood why he sent that great knight over here after his death.”
“You mean King Arthur?” I ask in shock.
“Yes Arthur Pendragon I believe is what is on his tomb. One of the Water Ladies took him to a remote island and blessed it with a protection spell. You can get to the island, but cannot touch anything on it. Each new water lady blesses the island as a right of passage. That island will never be able to be touched, not even by my people or the light people.”
“The light people” I ask. The idea of a shadow person talking of a light person sounds like an odd thing.
“Yeah they glow like the sun. They live mainly at the polls though. They say they like it there better, but I think it is more because their brightness causes a lot of headaches.”
“That makes more sense,” Ghost says, “They are such nice folks like you are Moon, but so many get ill around them.”
“That's the radiation they give off.” Moon says, “It takes them many years to keep that under control. It doesn't affect me, but most it does. One of my best friends was a light person. She had to go home though. Her father was fading and she had to take over the family business. I talk with her once in a while but we are not as close as we used to be.”
“Light and dark friends, that seems a strange concept.” I say while in my own thoughts.
“Why, do you think Moon has to be evil?” Oaky asks.
I blink and look at her confused. “No it's just that shadows usually vanish with a lot of light around.” I say and see Oaky flinch.
Moon laughs, “So true Jade. It was very hard to see me when we were together. I would tease her that I could never overshadow her. She would get so mad at me when I would say that.”
I can't help but laugh, “That is good, I like that.” We all laugh except Oaky who looks like she is in trouble.
I stop and look at her, “What's wrong Oaky don't you think it is funny, or did we insult you?” I ask concerned.
“I am not insulted,” Oaky responds timidly, “But I insulted you.”
I look at her confused, “Um maybe, I don't know your ways but I don't recall being insulted. I thought we were talking about Moon.” I look at Moon, “I don't mean to be rude, but I keep trying to picture you with a moon over your head, or your head as a moon.
Moon chuckles which only puts him out of form slightly. “Actually I was born on a full moon. That is how I got my name.”
“Oh that makes sense. I didn't think of that. Sometimes I'm a little slow.” I look back at Oaky, “Sorry I get sidetracked easily.”
Oaky tilts her head in confusion, “I don't understand. You insult yourself and go on like it is nothing.”
“Insult?” I ask, confused then it dawns on me. “ You mean calling myself slow? It is not an insult when it is true.”
“You're slow?” Oaky asks
“Yes, sometimes I am. It takes me some time to catch on to things. Like you saying you insulted me. I don't recall that.”
She turns shy when she says, “ I said you called Moon evil.” By the end she sounds like she is almost in tears.
I glance at Moon, “Well he could be for all I know, but that is neither here nor there. Thinking one thing and being another is completely different. You do not know me any better than I know you. We all have to make some assumptions whether we like it or not. You just happen to make a wrong one and now you know different. You can only insult me if you make an assumption and don't change it even after it is proven wrong.” I say then add, “Damn I am long winded” today.”
Ghost chuckles, “You definitely are unique Jode. Most humans I hear of that come over here are either rude or insanely confused. You seem calm and are taking it all rather well.”
“Well I'm told I am already insane, and what good will flipping out do? It's not like getting frantic would help. Hell I would dislocate my arm if I tried to punch Moon, or get very dizzy,” I say.
We all laugh except Oaky who just gives a strained smile. I look at her, “Is there still something bothering you?” I ask.
“No not really. I just don't understand why you make a joke of someone insulting you.”
“Because it doesn't do any good getting upset over it. If I got upset every time someone insulted me or yelled at me, I would be angry and upset most of my life. Where I come from most people would prefer to insult you then talk to you. They figure if they insult first then they have an excuse to keep you at bay, that way they can't get hurt.”
“That sounds sad,” Oaky responds.
“Yes it is,” I respond. “And that is why most humans are miserable. Pathetic if you think about it. They do things to keep everyone away from them to keep from being hurt. But in the process of it all they hurt themselves more.”
“Then why do they do it?” Oaky asks.
“Because they don't realize it. You can't stop what you don't realize is happening. They just put it off that it is the others fault for being rude. It's a vicious circle they are oblivious to.”
“It isn't just in your world Jode,” Moon says,”It happens here too.”
“Damn I was hoping it was just a human trait.”
“Nope,” is all Moon says.
“Oh well C'est La Vie. So what happens now? Do I become a sideshow attraction?” I ask.
“A what?” Ghost asks.
“A sideshow attraction. In my world there are strange looking people that would stand in a circus and get paid for others to look and gawk at.”
“That’s horrible.” Oaky says.
“Yep but some of those people were richer then I could ever imagine being. You don't see it as much anymore because most realize it is wrong, but the idea will not leave our collective consciousness for some time. I believe some are jealous of those that can get paid just for sitting or standing all day, and do nothing. To tell the truth it doesn't sound like an awful life to me. Sit and play a game all day while people gawk sounds pretty easy to me.”
Moon laughs, “No such luck here Jode. Although to most you just being human is strange, but they will not give you anything just for looking at you.”
“Damn worth a thought.” I say and snap my finger.
“Come with me Jode, there is a town close by that takes freeloaders for a short time. Just be careful getting up. The stasis may have side effects.” Moon says then I see his back.
I slowly get up and realize my legs feel like rubber. I get off the bench with a few almost face plants, and grab my backpack.. I stretch my back and put the pack on. When my legs stabilize I follow Moon as he walks off.