May Flowers

Continuing my series, what’s in store for Kate and Matt this month? Find out!

A soft breeze ruffled Kate’s hair as they walked along. Stormy was once again asleep in her basket but this time, Matt carried it. The cat had taken to the man and it did ease her burden.

Kate closed her eyes, enjoying the next breeze that blew by. “It’s so beautiful out.”

“I know. Though it didn’t feel cold yesterday.”

She shook her head. “This place is weird.”

“Truer words have never been spoken.” Matt sighed. “I feel like we’re in Wonderland.”

Kate laughed. “It’s an apt comparison. Though if I remember correctly, Wonderland had occupants. We’ve seen nobody.”

“That is true as well. Unless you count that monster from last night.”

“I’d rather not think about it.” She shuddered.

“Good plan.” He shifted Stormy’s basket in his arms as the cat swatted at something in her sleep. The two laughed at her antics before falling silent again.

The dirt road forked and the two stopped. Matt placed the basket down to scratch his chin. “Right? Left? Which way do we go?”

Kate shrugged. “I don’t. The one less travelled?”

“Very funny.” He stared down each road. “Both look pretty well travelled anyway.”

She sighed. “Good point. Maybe the mysterious voice will give us a hint.”

They stood in silence, straining to hear something. Anything.

Nothing.

“Well, it was worth a shot,” she muttered.

Matt plopped down on the ground. “We can’t split up. And I don’t know which way is the way we’re supposed to go.”

“Maybe there is no wrong answer.”

He looked up at her. “What do you mean?”

“No matter which way we chose, something will happen. So, we have to choose.”

Standing, he nodded. “Okay, Wise One. Which way then?”

Kate stood at the fork, looking down both paths. Both looked identical. Dirt paths worn by traffic which stretched to the horizon. No signs.

Left. Right. Left. Right. She glanced from each path, whipping her head back and forth. Left. Right. Left. Right. Nothing. Left. Right.

A blur of pink caught her eye. It was down the right fork, somewhere near the horizon. She pointed at it. “What’s that?”

Matt stood, following her finger to the splash of color. He shrugged. “I don’t know. Why don’t we go look?”

She smiled. “That’s a great idea.” Kate picked up Stormy’s basket as they resumed their trek.

A bounce returned to Kate’s step and she found herself smiling. Things were looking better.

The smudge of pink grew into a blob. Yellow dots started to appear amongst the pink. Blue joined the colors as did purple. “Flowers!” she exclaimed.

“I see. Nothing useful.” Matt sighed.

“They may not be useful but they are beautiful. And that counts for something, right?” Kate crouched down to look at the blooms closer. The flowers resembled roses about to bloom. A soft scent wafted up and she took a deep breath. She couldn’t describe the scents if asked: It was sweet but there was something else there.

Matt pulled her up. “Careful. They could be dangerous.”

“Flowers?”

“Haven’t you seen The Wizard of Oz?”

Kate rolled her eyes. “I doubt this is like the field of poisonous poppies.”

She stepped off the road and walked a few feet into the field. She turned around and held out her arms. “See?”

Matt shook his head and motioned for her to come out. “You proved your point.”

Triumphant, she took a step forward but the ground started to shake under her foot. She tried to steady herself but it did nothing. Falling backwards, she reached out for Matthew. Their fingers brushed but he was unable to grab her.

“KATE!”

She hit the ground but didn’t stop. The shaking continued and she rolled away, screaming as the ground dropped out from under her.

Air whizzed past her, screaming. Or maybe that was coming from her. Her limbs flopped about, trying to find something to slow her descent. Nothing.

It felt like she landed on a pillow. Kate stared up at the sky over ahead as it grew pink. Where was Matt? Did he have Stormy? Would she find them?

Pushing herself into a sitting position, Kate surveyed her surroundings. She was in a hole, surrounded by dirt on either side. But there was a tunnel connected to where she was and, without any other choice, she began to walk it.

I hope this leads me back to Matt and Stormy. I don’t want to be alone for long.