7 Pixies and Goblins

After her back and behind has taken its toll from reading hours long, she shouted her goodbye to Mrs. Carter as she always do. She used to wait for the old lady to acknowledge it but after a few visits she realized the other doesn't response to goodbyes at all. She drove her car at the town center and headed for the shop where she gets her art supplies from. Reading that novel had inspired her to paint, a white house maybe? About an hour after her hand carries fresh paints and canvasses, two packs of instant coffee, a selection of bread and pastries and was ready to go home when a dress shop caught her eye. She crossed the road and entered the pink shop.

Rick look at the dress longingly. Its upper a corset type in dark gray with swarovski details delicately embroidered in the lace. The skirt in full bloom with layers of gray from light to dark. Sigh. Ofcourse her eyes are the same color, and she's sure it would set right on her pinkish fair skin. Her mind suddenly filled with balls and a dream guy asking for a dance. But ofcouse this dress would be in flames and she'd be broken. This dress deserves a rightful owner like Amelia or Carrie she thought. Another sigh. If it had been her birthday. Why does it have to be here today? Well, why does Karl have to be bully anyway? Oh, why do you have to be on display where everybody can see it and grab it right away?

"Would you like to try it on?" the sales lady asked her. The other girl has chinky eyes and a slim profile yet a tall one. Hmmmn, perfect model posture she thought. But why is she working on a shop in a small town like this when she could have been on the pages of the magazine. Its the first time she'd seen her.

"I haven't seen you before?" she frowned.

"You don't just come here at all, Miss. I've been here for more than a year. I know you though."

"You do?" her brows met

"Mr. Karl's younger sibling, correct? I don't think I should be selling you a dress but I also do think it will look fabulous on you." she paused, when Rick didn't answer she introduced herself. "I'm Kristine"

"Nice to meet you Kristine. You are right. I shouldn't be here" she turned to leave. She gave the dress a last glance.

"I'll wrap it up then."

"What?!" Rick eyed the girl. "I'm not buying it"

"You won't. But it will be yours. Im keeping it until then"

Speechless she just stared at Kristine. Thinking if the later is crazy or something. Why would this girl do this when clearly she heard the rumors of her life. Is she being kind? Why? She knows everyone thinks she's that nerd sister of that freak but handsome brother of hers. She knows the pity looks they gave her having no parents, only Karl who's trying his best to raise her a boy. Kristine still wrapping the dress, she made her way out the shop to her car.

She didn't see the unfurling of the girls wings on her back and the sad stares that followed her.

*****

This day is strange she thought. First, those glittering flying things at the book cafe. With her strange sight on Mrs. Carter later on. Then she met a new girl who would wrap a dress she wouldn't buy. She shook her head and start the car. She mentally checked the things she shopped in town. None missed. She headed home.

Driving slowly she looked around the town that little has changed since she'd been born. The old houses and shops, the pebbled sidewalks, the park with rich bermuda grasses and a huge fountain at the center. She never played at the park. For when she was young it was always full of kids with their moms watching over. She set her jaw hard. How awful could she be that they didn't want to see her.

Suddenly a boy crossed the road and she hit her break hard. Shocked and scared she stared at the figure in front of her. Its not a boy. Short though he is, he looks old. Very old. With a sharply pointed nose and ears. His skin is grayish and he wears a suit. His head large and he stares at her. Now she is scared. The thing looks angry.

"You better wake up mistress or we will be doomed here" his voice harsh. She went out of the car and looked down on the creature before her. Is he a goblin?

"What are you?" she whispers. Rude. Apologize first! Her mind screamed at her.

"Did you asked the same question to the one who gave you the sight?" he mocked her.

"Sight?"

"Why you forget them already?"

"I don't understand." But he turned his back on her. She quickly followed. "Wait!"

There is no time to waste Miss. You must wake up. Or evil will rise in the world. You must regain yourself. You must wake up.

She heard a voice in her head says. "Are you talking to me in my head?" she blurted out.

I can't talk to you in a way others would hear. The ones who gave you the sight, they are pixies. The girl at the shop is one too. You see me because they have woken up your sight. I am a goblin.

The creature stopped before the fountain and faced her. We will help you find yourself Miss. So that our fate may change. The pixies, the goblins, all that is unknown to you now, have been long slaves of your kind. It is a risk that we seek your light. But you are our only hope. For you are the source. We may have been gambling on a shallow prophecy but we might as well try. For they have put you to eternal sleep they must have a reason.

She though of the words of the boy she dream about. Her mind is that of a puzzle with pieces missing. And a lot of it. Pixies? Where they the flying things this morning? The strange girl? The goblin? What are they talking about?

The goblin gestured for her to come. With her thoughts floating above her head, she walked towards the fountain.

Here, let me show you something. And he pushed her hard that she went straight to the water. Her scream didn't even escaped her lips. But she didn't hit the fountain's floor.