Dream Catcher

Chapter Four: Prince

“The head witch stared the girl down. Chills danced up her spine as she stared strait back, tryin’ her best to look everywhere ‘cept that lazy eye of hers. It was like the witch knew what was goin’ to happen before it happened. The witched smirked, lettin’ that dead eye graze against the girl as she took one staggering step forward. The whole earth seemed to tremble with that one enormous step, but the girl stood her ground, not once doubting that her prince would come for her. She held her head up high, waiting for that old hag to reach her. And, after a bit the old witch did reach her. Ghoulish hands tangled around the girl’s neck as she lifted her high above the ground and demanded the whereabouts of the prince.”

“What did she do?” Tracy shrieked.

“The only thing she could do. She lied.”

“Lying is bad!” Tracy lectured.

“Yes.” I laughed. “Lyin’ is a terrible thing, little one. And you should never ever do it. But this little girl wasn’t as smart as you. She honestly thought she could get away with tellin’ the witch that the prince had already left. The witch knew better. She knew that old prince River would never leave without his beloved sidekick.”

“That was you, wasn’t it sissy?”

“Oh, child! Sweet, beloved child, it wasn’t me. It was the girl. And girl was flattered that the witch would think so highly of her, and secretly hoped that River had somehow gotten away.” I paused to take a deep breath. Tracy curled deeper into my chest. “But hadn’t. He was planning. He was planning on escaping with the girl, just as the witch had thought and the girl had hoped against. And what was his plan? To show the witches he was better than them and escape right in front of their faces. In blink of an eye, there was a cloud of smoke so thick you couldn’t even see your hand in front of your face. The witch let out a cry of despair and dropped the girl letting her fall all the way to the ground. The girl scrambled to her feet, but not before something leeched onto her arm. She knew in an instant it was her prince. He yanked her forward and took off to the wall that held them inside the prison. Just as the smoke screen was starting to clear, the two made it over. There was nothing the witches could do but watch as they escaped.”

“Where did they go?” Tracy asked curiously. I stared at the wall thoughtfully, letting that small smile grow and grow across my face. I could feel Tracy’s eyes dance along my body, longing to know what I wasn’t telling her. After a beat I glanced back down and stroked her hair. She smiled.

“Remember that place I told you about the other night? Prince River’s favorite place in the world? That’s where they went for a little while. Unfortunately, they had to return. They always returned because that castle was their home. And like caged birds, that taste of freedom can only take you so far before you come flyin’ back.”

“Oh.” Something in her voice sounded disappointed. I shifted her out of my lap. She lazily sat up on her own. “Your stories always end that way sissy. Why can’t they run away together and live happily ever after?”

“Because, sweet girl, what would the fun in that be?” I asked extending my legs. They ached from having the heavy five year old lying on them for so long. I yawned and stretched. “Besides, it’s time for nap time. I’ll tell you more about Prince River later.”

“Promise?” She asked quickly. I nodded.

“Don’t I always?”

“Not always.” She grumbled. “Sometimes you forget to tell me stories, or sometimes Mommy tells me stories that aren’t as good.”

“Mommy is a lovely story teller.” I tried, even saying it out loud sounded like a lie. I crinkled my nose and pulled myself to my feet as Tracy hobbled across the playroom. I watched as she gathered as many toys as she could in her arms before she turned back to me. It was same routine every day. We’d wake up together, I’d make us breakfast as she watched some television, then I’d tell her a story, she’d collect her toys, and we’d march off to her bedroom for naptime without a hitch. Only this time was different. It was nearly past noon and I had the odd sensation that I was forgetting something, but I couldn’t remember what. Tracy’s face, on the otherhand, said it all. Her chubby little arms fell at her side scattering all the toys she once had on the ground. Horror struck her next. Her wide blue eyes grew large in shock as she completely froze over. Seeing her like that told me what had slipped my mind: Misty was still in the house.