It was decidedly brighter when I woke up and looked out the attic's only window. I could see a very sad yard. The small vegetable and herb garden Grandma Carol took care of was barely hanging in.

There was a group of four trees grouped together. One of them, clearly the oldest, had a giant tree house on it. It was a direct shoot from the attic window. It could be interesting to have a walkway to connect the two. I looked closer at the trees and saw flowers in some. Flowers meant fruit trees, right?

From Wendy's memories, I knew that those were apple trees. Apples meant jam, pies, and applesauce. The ideas were endless, though. I drooled a little at the thought.

Unable to help myself, I headed to the trees. I passed Grandpa Evans on the way and, after checking in on him, exited the house through the mudroom. This was the only room I had yet to enter as myself. The washing machine was intact, but the dryer was faulty. The clothing line outside was what the Evans family used more frequently than the dryer.

I approached the garden feeling stronger after my nap but not looking forward to losing more energy. However, I needed to take stock of what we had and test out some of my planty powers.

I could see at a glance tomatoes, peas, strawberries, and a bunch of leaves and other plants I couldn't identify. I touched all of it and watched, fascinated by how the leaves reached for my hands and sucked the energy from my body. What did I tell Gus? Oh yeah, I would never go hungry if I was like the sun to plants. Well, here was proof of how my energy worked for them.

My knees shook as my eyes fought hard to stay open. I was burning through energy too fast. This new ability of mine was chaotic in nature. What little control I could weld was flimsy. Like the plants reaching for me, it was chomping at the reigns to break free, and just a step outside gave it the freedom to do so. It wasn't all bad in this situation. These plants were all that Grandma Carol had left behind, and I was going to need as much as I could salvage for the future. Whatever, I didn't have to trade or barter for the better. I sat on the ground and closed my eyes when it became too much. I needed to gather my own strength back and make sure I didn't pass out in a heap again. Breathing techniques I once dismissed grounded me as I tightened my hold on this primal energy and beat it into submission. This power couldn't control me. I would control it. I can give to plants, but I'm not willing to be sucked dry anytime I come outside.

I grabbed the water pail, once satisfied that my legs wouldn't give out. Energy and the sun were one thing, but we all needed water. Luckily, Wendy left it half full, and I eagerly fed them water next.

I couldn't hear the plants but felt something coming off them. Happiness? Were they happy? Some of the mottled leaves looked brighter and the fruits of their labor more tempting. Would it hurt the plants to eat them? I nibbled on my lips. Maybe it was a good thing I couldn't hear the plants talk.

I headed for the apple trees, unwilling to continue that line of inner monologue.

The scent of blossoms captivated me as I grew closer to them. I got up on the tips of my toes to inhale better. A branch lowered to meet me, and I giggled. "Hello, beautiful." Like all the plants I'd encountered, the apple tree was delighted to see me. The blossoms perked up, the sprouts grew and sprouted, and the leaves looked brighter. Like everything else, it was old and needed a tender touch. I gave what was left of me to the three trees and the plants that naturally attracted and grew around them.

Everything went dark.

I woke up a couple hours later. The trees shielded me from the burning sun, and something lovingly tickled my skin gently. I opened my eyes to see a branch from the tree I first sniffed and touched, greeting me again. "Thank you sweetlings." I giggled and sat up gingerly, moving and pushing all the growth aside. After ensuring I didn't harm anything, I returned to the house.

There was a basket in the green room, and I grabbed it and headed back to the garden. It was time for a late lunch, and all my hard work made me ravenous. If I was hungry, Grandpa Evans would be so, too.

I strode back to the garden and was shocked at how the plants offered me their tastiest berries and vegetables. Did the plants want to be eaten? It made sense if one looked at how seeds and produce spread. Or was this because it was me? Too hungry to dwell on yet another question, I grabbed what I could and headed back into the kitchen.

I wasted no time; I washed everything and sliced up the strawberries. "Sorry, Grandpa Evans. I was cleaning and lost track of time. I said while my hands moved quickly to get the platter going for him.

He mumbled something as he woke up to my voice. I handed him the platter of strawberries to munch as I put together the rest of lunch. I didn't have the patience to make something on the stove, so my hunger led me to heat up last night's leftovers in the microwave. I shelled peas and popped them into our bowls and the rest of the veggies from the garden into the fridge. Tonight, I could boil some eggs and toss them into a salad with spinach.

When I gave Grandpa Evans his bowl of leftovers, I noticed the strawberries were gone. I switched the plates for him and joined him in the TV room to eat. I tried to engage him to little avail with a conversation, but he merely mumbled responses. I made a face. Even if Grandpa Evans was a side character that allowed me the freedom to move without a proper guardian, I needed to figure out how to help him. Is he depressed, or was there something more at play concerning his mental health? How could I help him if I wanted to? Where would we get the money? I was still determining how the Evans family home could run without working adults.

I paused and tried to plan around this, but only so much of Wendy's knowledge could help me. I had the smarts and expertise from my world, but this was a different one with unique customs.

I could probably go into town tomorrow since I had most of the house sorted. I needed to be able to trade and find things that we needed. I did know that food was delivered by the neighboring farms. It was prepaid somehow. Although there was a lack of knowledge regarding the family's finances, there had to be something in the coffers.

I needed to move forward to fortify us for the rough times ahead.

After lunch, I cleaned up and headed back upstairs to open all the windows. I took out the cleaning supplies and went to town. Everything needed to be wiped down and aired out. It was so dusty that I coughed during the long, grueling process. I found out the color of the walls when I cleaned them. Who knew it was a soft pale green! Certainly, not Wendy or me. The paint wasn't as chipped as I feared, but I would need to fix it up eventually. I took stock of the condition of the wood floor on the landing and in the hallway. It looked good with all the boxes gone and the grim cleared up. You could tell that everything was made from quality wood as it stood the test of time.

The carpet in the bedrooms was another story. I would have to scrub them and air them out another day. There was no way I could manage anymore today. My tiny arms were screaming, and my knees were shaking.

Wendy's body was used to activity and all-day movement, but I pushed the limits today. Between feeding the trees and plants, checking out my unique ring, and cleaning, I was done. I passed one of the mirrors on my way to the couch and saw that my eyes were a blazing green. Idlily, I thought of how using my powers when I first arrived created that spark. It showed no signs of going away now. That meant I was truly satiated here. I dropped that thought as eagerly as I had several other errant worries throughout the day. I then dragged my arms as I slowly climbed onto the couch.

Grandpa Evans was watching a Kdrama this time. I greeted him before quickly dozing off. A scream jerked me awake, and I gave a gasp. I looked around the darkened room and saw that Grandpa Evans was looking at me.

This was the first time I'd gotten a chance to see his face. Mostly, he kept his head down or inside a cup or a bowl. His green eyes looked so much like mine, and I could see where I got the unusual color from. He had some discoloration from blindness, sadly, but it didn't take away from the unique coloring. He had a strong brow and high cheekbones that weren't tempered by age. The wrinkles around his eyes and mouth seemed to droop with sadness. He reminded me of the character Eeyore from one of Wendy's books. I sat up to give him a reassuring smile. Another scream jerked my attention back to the TV. Wait, was it a Korean slasher film masquerading as a Kdrama? I looked away from the bloody scene. I'd never gotten into watching TV, why would I when I had entire worlds at my fingertips with books. My stomach tightened uncomfortably. Reading violence and imagining it was different from seeing it on a screen. "I'll make dinner now, Grandpa Evans."

He opened his mouth but closed it quickly and looked away. My eyebrows drew down in concern. He really worried me. I could see about getting a doctor to look at him. What would happen, however, if he was deemed unfit to watch me? Where would the two of us go? What would become of the house?

I mulled over this as I chopped up spinach, lettuce, and tomatoes to make a salad. My cuts were uneven, but nothing practice wouldn't take care of. I attempted to start the fire on the stove and only needed five instead of eight tries. Any improvement was a good thing. I wanted to make grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. I've never made tomato soup from scratch, and I paused. Isn't tomato soup just tomatoes and seasoning?

I added water, tomatoes, and salt to the cast iron pot. After some time passed, I tasted it. It was good! A smile cracked my chapped lips, but I barely felt the pain. I set aside the soup to cool down and looked at the cast iron skillet.

With the same kind of experimentation as before, I started the process of grilled cheese sandwiches. I knew from Wendy's memories that grilled cheese was easy to make. I heated the cast iron skillet and pulled out the cheese and bread. After generously slathering butter on one side, I placed it down. It made a nice sizzle, and I smiled as I added cheese and another piece of buttered bread. I flipped until it was ooey gooey and made each of us two sandwiches. I was a growing girl, after all. I made sure that the first two sandwiches I made were Grandpa Evans. I wasn't sure how he'd react to the heat, and I cut them in half and put four half sandwiches on a plate. There was room for the salad, and I set it down carefully.

"Grandpa Evans, what dressing do you want for your salad?" I looked in the fridge and saw a ranch and a honey balsamic vinaigrette. I looked at him, but as per usual, he didn't respond. "Groan if you want ranch." He was silent, and after waiting for a beat, I said, "Groan, if you want honey balsamic vinaigrette." There was a noise, and I grinned and grabbed it. I covered his salad with it generously and placed the plate on a platter with a bowl of cooled soup. I added a cup of milk to it all and placed it down on his lap.

After seeing that he was tucking into his food, I added honey balsamic vinaigrette to the salad bowl. I made enough salad for the two of us. So, I tossed my uncut sandwiches into the serving bowl and poured myself a bowl of soup. I needed a platter to transfer it all and a cup of milk. I sat on the sofa closest to him, and we watched a cute romantic Kdrama together. I was still confused about the genre, but now it looked sweet.

I fell asleep at some point, and when I woke up, there was a blanket on me, and Grandpa Evans was sound asleep. I cleaned our dishes, cleaned the kitchen, and tucked my tired body into bed.

I woke up stiff and as grumpily as the last day. My brain didn't ache, but I knew that accessing any new abilities would have more backlash. I need caution and control to make every use count. Like any muscle, the day after was the worst on the body. My physical body felt sore and achy but was not drained. The sweet, sweet power of a youthful, normally active body likely kept me from being completely bedridden.

It wasn't adequate rest, however. My sleep provided no relief, and my dreams were haunted. I dreamt that my tiny body was cut up and bruised by a force I didn't see coming. This strange nightmare repeated itself in a loop, and I could only force it to go away by waking up. Even now, it lingered and slowed me down with its heavy weight.

I dressed in a long-sleeved sweater and thick jeans to protect my skin. It was hard to shake the nightmare images. I spent more time braiding my hair and dressing today as I dreaded the trip I needed to make.

I scrambled some eggs, toast, and a veggie stir fry for breakfast. After we ate, I explained to Grandpa Evans I would be going into town to get some books and other supplies. His head moved to look up, but he stopped short of meeting my eyes. My lips twisted in disappointment, but I told him I would leave him a sandwich in the fridge. I didn't plan on taking that long, but he could easily eat if I did. He grunted, and I was relieved with the small progress we seemed to be making. 'Wendy' didn't talk to him much, and I planned to change that. She was still mourning the loss of Grandma Carol, and with her passing, Grandpa Evans slipped further into himself. A lot of things needed to be changed, including our relationship.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

I filled up Wendy's wagon with the magazines I planned on trading. I should be able to rack in fifty cents to a dollar off them, and I have at least a hundred here. We needed a lot of supplies. I couldn't grow everything! Or I could use them to barter for knowledge. Some mothers and grandmas could teach me how to sew, cook, and crochet. I was a cute kid in need, and these magazines could help. With some broken cardboard, I slipped on a backpack and made it look as bulky as possible. I could use this later to 'pull out' things from my space and pass it off. Before I took off, I went upstairs. I slipped in some silverware and whatever I could barter into my space. I leaned against the wall to catch my breath and massage my temple at the pain from that small action. After I caught my breath, I set off to execute the plan. The plan was as follows:

I had to walk miles today and pull a wagon. All the sneakiness was to ensure I was consistent in case I passed someone who saw me on the road. I could switch from using the space during the tricker paths like the forest to relying on my actual body. Once I entered the Unruly Forest, I planned on slipping the wagon into my space. I could roughly finagle the damn thing through the forest. There were a lot of half paths and smooth areas. It would be too rocky and test my physical strength unnecessarily, however.

Speaking of space, I checked the sauce caption in my spacial space. The age and the expected lifespan hadn't shifted. Nice. So, time will stop either to a certain extent or forever until it's taken out of space. I pursed my lips in speculative thought that was cut short due to the growing migraine from touching my space yet again. There were several lines of thought I would have to figure out, though, about the stability of this space. Would the lifespan speed up once it was out? Or start to age usually. The latter made more sense or else for convenience, but all magic had a cost. I had years to experiment with this line of thought.

I walked out to the garden, and an unknown emotion bubbled in my chest. My previous hard work the day before had paid off, and the plants looked brighter and happier. I squatted down, laughter escaping from my lips as the plants reached for me. "It's okay because we're alone, but you shouldn't do this around any company." I scolded them lightly. Leaves drooped in response, and my lips pursed in thought.

Like before, berries were offered, and I grabbed all the bright, tasty-looking ones. I would carry them in my basket.

Finally, it's time to put this show on the road. I thought with glee as I headed towards the Unruly Forest.

Once I entered the Unruly Forest, I slipped the wagon and backpack into my space. Sharp pain accompanied this, and I hiccuped at the more prolonged smack of discomfort. Again, I waited until I gathered myself, but it took a bit longer than before.

When I was done, I walked, holding on to my basket alone. I chewed and nibbled on the darker purple unknown berries and the blueberries, leaving the juicy strawberries for last. Surprisingly, they didn't taste as good today.

What caused the dip in quality? I grabbed everything I could see yesterday, then used my powers to give them the juice to create more. Was it because I rushed the plant's natural growth system? I know that plants need nutrients just like us. I had hoped to bypass that when I sped up the growing process. Without proper plant nutrition, it wouldn't be quite right. This train of thinking made me groan, "It's always something." I muttered to a nearby tree. It shook slightly sympathetically in response.

I carelessly spat out seeds as I walked until I exited the forest. I still had half a basket of strawberries by this time. Which meant snackage for later.

I gulped at the green field that graced my sight. This was where I first came into this world. Memories and emotions from that day made me stumble. I wiggled my lips uncomfortably and trudged forward.

I could see the path I took into the forest that first day. The grass that sprang to life at my touch created a bright green tall walkway to the entrance, practically paving the way. I smiled a little before patting the grass. "I wish you wouldn't stand out like that." Anyone who came across it would find it strange. Although remote, some people went to the Unruly Forest. Mostly when supplies were dropped off. No one wouldn't see that as very strange in such a short amount of time.

I staggered as my thoughts were cut off by a strange energy that started to fill me. To my amusement, the grass I had fed shrunk to an average uniform size and color. My mouth fell open, and I blinked as the energy expended some days ago provided for me today. The drained ball of power within me grew stronger and invigorated my spirits. Huh. The shortened grass tickled my legs, and I patted it. "Good job," I said as a laugh trickled out of me.

This new power had so much potential. I could do a lot if I could store energy in plants for later use. I smiled and headed towards the road. I only had a couple of miles to walk. I looked around to ensure there weren't any cars before pulling out the wagon and backpack. I put the basket of strawberries in the wagon, put the knapsack on my back, and energetically took off. With the flush of energy, there wasn't any backlash.

I hummed violent songs dedicated to my brother as I walked toward Green's Mountain. My body was ready for a nap when I finally reached the town sign. I saw some cars and trucks go by, so it wasn't worthless to bear the wagon's weight. Was I overthinking things? It didn't hurt to be too careful in a small town.

I gazed at the big, beautiful sign of the town but felt no relief. Green fields and farm animals lay before me as far as I could see. What I couldn't see were houses. I had a few in mind that I needed to visit first. Grandma Carol's friends would be my first in. I could learn a lot and sell her old mags to them.

I sat down on a patch of nice grass by the side of the road. My tiny body was ready to eat some strawberries and drink some water. The only problem was I just remembered that I needed to grab water. How could I be so dumb?! I cried and sucked on the juicy strawberries desperately. I was so thirsty. I sweated for the past hour and some change. After I spent some time recovering, I set off again. Living without being able to rip whatever I wanted into reality was brutal. Here I am scrambling to live and still falling short.

After much more walking, note to self: you need a watch. I made it to my first destination. Grandma Carol's best friend lived at the Simons' farm. The Simons' farm was the oldest, most established farm in Green's Mountain. They were directly descended from the man who founded the town, Rupert Green.

Thanks to a long family history, the Simons and Evans families helped each other. It was this generosity that had food delivered to Grandpa Evans and me.

The Simons farm had it all. Cows, goats, sheep, crops, festival-typed pumpkin patches, and a corn maze. If the town had a reigning family, it was them. They hosted all the best gatherings and took charge of most town events.

I needed to have Mary Simons, the current matriarch of the family, take me under her wing. With her, I would become connected with every respected figure in town. She could also teach me all the skills Grandma Carol failed to teach the other Wendy.

I eyed the strong fences and open gate. A pack of farm dogs ran forth to greet me. They were friendly, but I was still concerned about their big teeth. "Get back here, you little shits!" A woman's voice stopped them in their tracks, and they ditched their approach of me to run towards it.

A tall blonde woman stood, her hands on her hips. She was lecturing them, but I ignored her words to better understand her. Thanks to Wendy's memories, I knew she was Alyssa Simons, Mary Simons's granddaughter. Yet again, Wendy's memories failed to do justice.

Alyssa Simons was a tall, beautiful amazon woman. Her height was at least 5'11, and her long dark blue jeans showed where most of that height came from. She wore a flannel that looked warmer than my best coat, even with the dog drool. Her strawberry blonde hair was cropped short, and the locks shook as she scolded and laughed at the dogs. Her heart-shaped face suited her short hair, as did her break from the family farm. From Wendy's memories, I knew she was working on creating her own dog breeding and training company.

She looked happier here than in Wendy's memories. Alyssa spotted me and cocked her head. The dogs turned to look at me and did the same. The one closest to her barked as if to say, 'I tried to tell you!' She patted his head absently, and I waved.

"You're the Evans girl, right?" Wendy was a recluse and hardly ventured past the Unruly Forest. After Grandma Carol's death, she stopped almost entirely. I nodded.

"Is Aunty Mary in?" I suddenly realized that this exhausting plan could fall to pieces like uncooked cookie dough if she wasn't.

"Yes." Alyssa gestured to me to follow her. I thought bitterly that the rocky gravel driveway was more challenging to navigate with the wagon. The smooth pavement from the road was better. But I also had to contend with eager dogs who wanted to sniff and play. After a few words from Alyssa, they stopped.

Luckily, I was able to leave my wagon on the front steps. Before we could enter the house, the door opened. "I heard the dogs and gravel who..." Mary Simons stopped talking when she saw me. She was the beauty queen of her generation, and it was easy to see where Alyssa got her tall, stunning looks from. Her blonde hair had turned silver and was pinned into an elegant bun. Her cheekbones were still strong and elevated her face into a fine, aged beauty. Her sharp blue eyes went from alert to warm upon the sight of me. I didn't have time to admire her outfit as she rushed towards me.

"Wendy Evans!" Her clear blue eyes watered as she pulled me into a hug. It had been about a year since she saw Wendy.

"Aunty Mary!" I hugged her tightly, my face happily resting on her bosom. She was warm and smelled like sugar cookies. Tears of relief leaked out of my eyes, much to my embarrassment. Without her, there was no way I was going to be able to survive.

Mary gasped and hugged me tighter. Wendy was a quiet girl; even though she'd been told to call Mary Aunty, she never called her. I knew this would win points for me right away. I needed all the family I could get. I was pulled into the home and seated right away. A tray of cookies, milk, and fruit was set before me, and with no preamble, I started chugging milk. Mary watched me with a content smile, and Alyssa disappeared with the dogs.

"How are you?" Mary's soft question drew my attention, and I made a pitiful face. After Grandma Carol died, Mary offered to move Wendy into her home to look after her. It was impossible to move Grandpa Evans, and Wendy didn't want to leave him or the house, even though she neglected both. It was best to be in the home you knew. For all her outdoor activities, Wendy was not a people person. So, instead, Mary did all that she could and settled in, making sure the two of us were at least fed. She was good people.

I adopted a pitiful expression, "I miss Grandma Carol." I said into my cup, trying to properly mask my face into pain.

Mary's expression grew sorrowful, "I miss her too, sweet pea. Are you eating enough? You're all bones. That's it; you're staying for lunch."

I shook my head. I still needed to go to the mart and see what I could buy or trade. "I want to go further into town to the trading market."

"That market is every Thursday, and it's only Sunday."

Shitballs. Well, I could come back later. "I brought Grandma Carol's old magazine and recent ones she bought. I was hoping to sell or trade them for ten cents each." I deliberately lowered the price, and Mary's eyebrows rose.

"I'll go take a look. Maybe I could buy them." Her gentle, lifesaving voice said to me.

I smiled hopefully as she went outside to look at the wagon.

While she did that, I gulped down everything on the platters. Warm chocolate chip cookies, mango, cantaloupe, and apples. This platter was a gift from a goddess. Who knows when I will be able to enjoy any of this again! When she came back, I was polishing off the cantaloupe. Mary brought her wallet and handed me a one hundred dollar bill. She said, "I'll buy them all from you."

I almost dropped the fruit out of my mouth. She laughed at my genuine expression of shock.

She sat down next to me and smiled kindly into my eyes. "Wendy looking at those magazines brings me great joy and memories. Quite a few of them could sell for higher with the right buyer. This is the least I could do to help you. Your grandma would want me to do this."

Tears of gratitude slipped down my cheeks, and I cursed this sensitive body as I hugged Mary tightly. I felt shame and guilt for using memories and knowledge to get this far. She was an honest and kind woman. "Thank you," I said out loud while I apologized in my heart of hearts.

"I'll have my son Bill put them away, and you can just sit here and enjoy your food. Is there anything else I can do to help you?" She pulled away to wipe my face and stroke my head.

I nibbled on my lip as I fought the desire to ask for more. The practical side won, and finally, I asked, "Can you teach me how to sew, crochet, and cook?" These were skills I needed badly.

"Of course. You can come every day if you need to learn. You're so young and doing so much on your own already." She said as she stroked the top of my head.

I was embraced tightly before being allowed to finish off the milk. Mary spent the next hour teaching me some basic stitches. I was able to put together a pink handkerchief. I was proud of the light blue edge stitching. Still, I was disappointed at how my attempt to embroider my initials looked wrong. I didn't plan on staying for lunch, but I told Mary that I could since I had already prepared a sandwich for Grandpa Evans. She finally did ask me about him, and I said he was eating but not talking or doing much.

Mary took me into the kitchen and showed me how to make pie crust and bread dough. I memorized every detail and movement with an intense gaze. Mary looked at me, charmed by my dedication, and we spent three hours in the kitchen making apple pie, sourdough bread bowls, a beef stew, and even lemonade. I practically drooled through the process and memorized every step as I worked with her.

I was lucky I was able to keep my own mental capacity in this body. Memorizing things with minimum effort was the one skill, other than my magic, I had going for me. How else could I roll around playing when I should be studying? Of course, that bit me in the butt this time. I was used to putting things off at the last minute and finishing quickly. My asshole brother tossed out the usual script and took a pop quiz to a new level.

I didn't have to help set the table since I helped make lunch. When I sat down, I was greeted by Bill, Mary's son, and her daughter, Lily. Lily was Alyssa's mother. Billy had a son who didn't join us, but that was because I knew he was in charge of the sheep. There should be others, but for the most part, everyone was busy, and lunches were packed. Farms only left a little time for idle play. Mary was the only one with free time because she ensured everyone ran their job right and fed the masses.

I greeted everyone and was asked again how I was doing. I gave a chipper reply because today had been outstanding. No one asked how Grandpa Evans was, and I felt terrible for him. I was worried about whether he had eaten, but he wasn't a fool, no matter what anyone said. He was just a sad, lonely man.

We dug into the food, and I closed my eyes content. This was amazing. I praised Mary, and she chuckled and praised me for being a quick learner. I inhaled my food, dipping the tangy bread into the rich, thick broth. I could not wait to learn more from Mary. I had Grandma Carol's book buy-on-hand experience can't be undervalued.

The table was cleared and reset with tea, coffee, cream sugar, and apple pie. I ignored the coffee and opted only for the pie. I was going to be a cute and innocent Wendy, after all. I could not be coffee-drinking swearbug Gwendolyn.

Regrettably, I saw it was late afternoon when I looked at the big grandfather clock. I really needed to get back home. Most of the table talk was above my head. I focused only on the food. I heard about the farm, other farms, and some drama with the high school's spring formal. No one asked for my opinion and seemed content to help me fill my belly.

After we finished eating and I said I had to go, Mary disappeared and returned with a lunch pail. It was full of leftovers. There were two little sourdough bread bowls and a container of soup. Two giant pieces of apple pie were separated into one. It was perfect for Grandpa Evans and me to eat tomorrow or tonight. I thanked her with a hug.

"Bill will drop you off at the forest entrance..."

I shook my head. I wanted to accept the ride with every part of my being. I knew, however, that one thing I needed that I could only get by physical exertion was strength. I needed to be stronger. I had to be ready to overhaul the house, create a garden, and more. I needed to keep growing. "I need the walking Aunt Mary." Her stern gaze softened, but her firm lips were pressed. She wasn't going to listen. "To keep caring for the house and Grandpa Evans, I need to be stronger." Her eyebrows creased with concern, so I kept laying it thick until she caved.

"I'll come back Tuesday if that's alright. I'll get stronger and will learn." I parted with her and waved as I walked my wagon back to the road. Mary waved back at me, and I could see she was still uncomfortable with me walking around. I wore her down this time, luckily.

My trip was more manageable with the empty wagon. I could feel my stomach digest food as I walked, and I burped pleasantly, surprised by the flavors that emerged from my mouth. "I. Hate. My. Brother." I sang and burped on the way, hoping he was reading this.

I was about halfway to the Unruly Forest when I spotted an earthworm, and a flash of inspiration struck me. I needed to learn more about the space my ring granted because information was limited. For obvious reasons, I couldn't just throw a person in, even if they lived in a book. It felt wrong to do it to an animal, but what if I tested it on a bug? That seemed cruel, too, but if I could find the answer, I could put goats or chickens in alive. Maybe use it to save a life.

I ran into the road after the worm, grateful it was empty. Green's Mountain was so remote that most people forgot about it, and only locals and supply trucks would come by this road. It was easy to catch the worm, and I sighed. "Poor worm. You look like you're drying up."

I knelt down, and with a single thought, the earthworm was in my space.

Name: Lumbricina, aka Earthworm

Age: Four years

Life Expectancy: Nine years

Huh. So, the lifespan was shortened when it entered. What happens if I take it out? I took out the worm and watched it wiggle in my palm. Sweet. I was still grinning as I stood. My stupid butt stumbled from the force of gravity right into a car I didn't see coming.