Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts. Of flowers and herbs and swords and happy places; not the cobwebs in my hair, the hundreds of creepy crawly eyes, or the bones scattered in this place like a tomb.

Our little guide bobs happily a couple feet in front of us.

Oh, wonderful. Of course, this little thing the size of my hand is just chipper as I dodge the multitude of spiders and creepy crawlers. Think happy thoughts, I think with a hint of derision at myself and the girly goose-bumps crawling up my arms. I have battled over-sized men, ran from Eldertrees, and half-way raised a Timber Wolf. Creepy crawlers should not terrify me. I am beyond that.

I screech as something tickles my arm. I slowly turn to see huge dancing amber-brown eyes on an enormous nose with huge tickling hairs and immense teeth. Ran snorts in ill kept humor. I pat her nose.

“You little mischief maker.” I can’t help the smile, shaking my head in exasperation.

At least she’s able to put the creepy face behind us. I hope I’m able to do the same. That thing will visit my nightmares. I shiver for the umpteenth time this night. I've met with some pretty unpleasant situations, but this one tops everything on the creep-O-meter scale.

I study the surrounding stones in interest; mostly to keep my mind off my spiderophobia. Those things are ugly and hairy. And those eyes. Ew.

The passageway slowly widens to about one horse length wide and the same tall. The top is round like an arch. It's strangely straight, and seems to continue for a while, at least as far as I can see. Torches are hung every few horse lengths, but none are lit. Instead, the stone seems to be infused with a natural, warm glow. This easily lights our way along with the little guide.

I place my hand on the wall and feel a thrum, like that of a cat purring. Stifling a yelp, I quickly pull my hand back.

I pointedly ignore the tickling on my arm. It happens again and I growl. “Ran, it was funny the first time, but…” I trail off as Ran’s head pokes above my right shoulder.

I slowly look down at my left arm. And there stands a millipede. A ginormous millipede. With millions of legs. Hairy brown body. On my forearm. As… BIG AS MY HAND.

“WHY MEEE?” I howl as I race down the passageway.

The little brown booger grabs on as if this is all a fun ride for the hairy thing. I swear, the multitude of beady black eyes glare at me, wishing for my slow death. My arm flicks in and out, trying to shake the thing off. It just holds on tighter, pincers on those individual legs tightening on my skin.

“HELP!” The little orb does spins two circles as I sprint by, then wavers uncertainly, as if dizzy.

“Sorry!” I yelp back at it, almost tripping over a bone.

I stumble against a wall, panting.

I look down and see the creepy critter is gone. Huh. Must’ve finally shucked it off. Then the hairs on the back of my neck prickle and stand straight up. A little tickling sensation begins at the base of my neck, then slowly crawls to the base of my scalp. Chills run up and down my arms.

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I freeze. “Ran?” I ask hopefully. She puffs a humored breath from behind me. I slowly crane my head to look into little beady black eyes just rounding my neck and now pausing on my right shoulder. My nightmares have come true.

“I am going to die,” I whisper, my heart pounding deep in my chest.

The little glowing orb comes to my rescue, tackling the millipede. It lands with a splat on the wall, falling with freaky little body spinning and lands on its back. It wiggles back upright then sprints away, the undulating way it runs making my skin crawl. Those things can move, just so you know. I shiver. I have now discovered millipedophobia is much worse than spiderophoia. Spiders are such cute, cuddly wittle creatures.

“My hero!” I cry to the little orb. I grab it and hug it to my chest. It's kinda warm and squishy, like my favorite doll as a kid.

I swear it turns a light shade of pink before extracting itself from my hug. It bobs and turns away, pointedly ignoring us. I think I embarrassed it. That’s cute.

I round on Ran. “And just what did you do, little missy? Huh? No help for your master?” She yawns in my face and I cough. “I’m slipping peppermint weed in your meat next time. That breath is awful.”

The little light bobs in my face. It seems to have gotten over its blush. I also believe it's telling me to move.

“Alright, lead the way, Mr. Hero.” It quickly turns away, but not before a flash of pink brightens the light.

Ran snickers in a chuff of sound.

At last, the light leads us to a dead end. The same red and white swirls are here, seemingly at random. This time, there is a Jack Rabbit head. The orb pulls the right antler, and once again the colors part down the middle, revealing a hidden door.

I peek out and see we’re at the back alley near the barracks, opposite of where we normally enter the library.

“Thank you, Mr. Orb. Has this been here the whole time? Could we use this again next time?” I refrain from adding if we come again.

The orb bobs as if saying yes. “You," I croak out, my voice choking off in shock. I try again. "You understand me. Like, completely understand me. You’re sentient, not just a ball of light.” The orb bobs again. “I’ve got a few questions. One flash for yes, two for no. Does that make sense?”

The orb flashes once. My jaw drops. I wasn’t actually expecting that to work. The orb flashes a light purple.

I recover. “Ok, can you communicate in ways besides colors and flashes?”

One flash.

“How can I figure that out? Ugh, you can’t answer that. Next question. Did the mages of old make you?”

A pause, then two flashes.

“Are you like, a ghost?” I ask, hesitant to know the answer.

Two flashes and a full blast of green, then a change to a weird mixture of gold and pink. Whew. Good.

“Are you an... animal?”

Two quick flashes and a shade of light, indignant red. Huh.

“Do you know who that man was? Do you know what his master is?”

Yes, and yes.

“Are they foreign? Are they evil?”

Yes, and yes. Nice.

“Did you not get us out at first so that I could hear the conversation?”

Yes. An inkling of respect and annoyance for this little conniver penetrates my heart.

“Do you want me to help the Prince?” I can’t help the slight exasperation in my tone. He bobs a bunch, turns purple, and flashes once. A very enthusiastic yes, then.

“... no.” I respond, emphatically.

The orb turns a deep blue. Then comes over and bobs in my face. Somehow, I just know he’s pouting. Yes. It’s a he. Not sure how I know. Maybe the blushing earlier gave me an inkling.

“Don’t give me that. I’m barely able to protect my family and this part of the city. My hands are full. Besides, the prince has an entire regiment under his name. He’ll be fine.”

But I can’t fully convince myself. If that evil being was what I suspect, then a regiment might not be enough to keep anyone safe.

I shake my head emphatically to dispel the thought. “No, he’ll be just fine.”

The little blue orb hangs suspended in the air for a moment before slowly turning back to the secret entrance. “Little guy, I’m sorry. It’s just, I can’t. Not right now. Thank you for all your help, and for being my hero.” I try to draw his happy self back out, but my efforts fall flat as he bobs once in acceptance, then enters the tunnel.

I sigh. “Can I come back via this secret passage?” The blue flashes once, then the passage shuts as silently as it opened and I’m left feeling guilty over something that isn’t even my problem.