Gathering Fear-Part 2

Faries have invaded our world. Did I get you hooked last week? Did you guess what story I wanted to expand on? Are you ready for the rest of this story? I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I loved writing it.

Maribelle had been shocked when she learned the human boy was not at his dwelling anymore. She consulted Edgar and knew they could survive just fine without him, but the reunion could be delayed by years. Together they decided that Edgar would oversee the tribe for a short time and Maribelle would go out scouting for a location and another source of exorbitant fear. As soon as Maribelle left, she decided she would start at the human’s boy dwelling anyway. Maybe she would be able to find a new source of fear or a location to live nearby. When she got to the dwelling, she found it empty just as her gathering fairies had said. She closed her eyes and let her instincts take over. She starts heading towards the pull she feels. It’s a strong source of fear, as strong as the boy’s had been when she first found him. She flew for hours until she came to a body of water. She could see a piece of land not too far out. So, she kept going to investigate.

Upon reaching the land out on the water, Maribelle felt the number of creatures that inhabited this small space. Then she realized why she was drawn here. The same force that pulled her to the human dwelling had also pulled her here. She needed to find the source. She set out, going further into the trees. She kept following that pull knowing it would be the thing that answered all her questions. In no time at all she came upon a clearing with another large human dwelling in it. That is where she was being led to. Upon reaching the dwelling she found the humans, the boy and the older woman and her excitement rose. Rather than gather right now she decided to sit and watch. She did just that for weeks.

Michael couldn’t believe how much better he was feeling. Edith had started to prepare for their return home the next day. Michael decided to go on one last hike to the center of the island. There is a large willow tree that he and his cousin used to make a fort under. Michael didn’t know he was being followed.

Maribelle had been following him around every day when he ventured out. There was so much room on this island that all her people can live here comfortably. They would be close to the mainland so that venturing to gather fear sources would be easy journeys. And now this tree the human boy led her to would provide adequate cover from the elements this world produces. She would need to call her fairies to her but after so long of watching humans she needs a boost of fear energy. She would wait for tonight and gather from this human again.

Michael woke with a start. This isn’t real. This can’t happen again. Where is that whispering coming from. He knows he hears it, but he hasn’t heard it since arriving at the island. He just tried to keep himself calm, he didn’t want to worry his mother again. If he lost it one more time she might be forced to send him away. He didn’t know where that was, but he didn’t want to find out either.

Edith heard the scream and knew that no matter what she did he would never be able to escape the terrors that plagued him. She would talk to Michael in the morning. Maybe leaving him here is the best for him. She went to his room and realized Michael was trying not to alert her. He could live on his own, but he wouldn’t be able to function the way society would need him to.

Maribelle finished gathering what she needed from the human boy and returned to the willow tree. She settled into the center of the tree and calmed her mind enough to reach out to Edgar. This form of communication she had been trying to master came easily now. She would be able to call all her council members in no time.

Edgar heard the call from Maribelle and couldn’t be prouder. She really was ready to take charge. The call was telling him where to find her. She had found a safe and secure location for the rest of the tribes. He sent back that he received the message, and they would be there in a couple days’ time.

At breakfast the next morning Michael and Edith had a long heart-to-hearted talk. There was no good solution. If Michael stayed on the island Edith would come visit as much as she could and bring Michael everything he would need. If Michael chooses the try to return to society, he could be committed to a hospital against Edith’s wishes. Then Edith wouldn’t be allowed to visit at all. If Michael chooses to voluntarily be committed, Edith could visit but Michael would never be allowed to be released. In the end they decided that Michael would move onto the island permanently, so at least on his good days he had freedom to do as he wished. They went home so that they could pack up Michaels positions and enough supplies for a month. Edith was sure she would be there way more often than that, but it was better to be safe for Michael’s sake.

Edgar had moved the tribe to the island with no problems arising. They were the closest ones so the easiest travel route. The whole tribe loved the willow tree and without instructions started to prepare it for the arrival of the other tribes. Maribelle pulled Edgar aside and told him about what the humans had decided. Together they were excited to know the fairies would have plenty of fear essence for years to come.

As Michael was settling into the house for a life of solitude, the faires all started to converge on the same island. Unfortunately for Michael this would mean that night after night for the rest of his life he would be tortured by whispers, he couldn’t understand. The more faires that moved in and were created the denser the fog became that Michael couldn’t explain. Edith couldn’t explain why, but each time she visited she only stayed for the day. Never spent the night even if she had planned too.

Michale became a prisoner to demons in his mind that he couldn’t explain. And it was years before he was taken away from the island.