Chapter 9

As the suns rose in the sky the next day Sarah had been hard at work most of the night scanning the two journals. She had noticed only a few indications of what could be going on with Sally and who she really was. “Is she our mother?” Sarah wondered out loud but only a whisper as to not wake Sam. He had been snoring away for hours and she had not slept a wink. She was beginning to feel the tiredness of the day but did not want to sleep much anymore. Finally she closed her eyes to see if she could get in an hour or so.

Sam woke her up a few hours later. Sarah looked at him sleepy like and tried to figure out how long she had slept? An hour? Two? “What time is it?” she mumbled half awake still. Sam looked at his watch then back at her. “I am guessing sometime around 8 am? The suns have been up for a few hours but you have not been. I figure you needed the extra sleep. I kept waking up all night to your flashlight in the tent so I let you sleep. Sir P. wont be here till we call him today. Did you find anything out you were looking for?” Sam looked concerned at his sister but waited for her reply.

“I found out a little bit. Dad indicated one time that he had ‘lost someone in the other planet.’ But he never said who. Grandpa did not have anything to say as it happened after he had stopped going. It seems he went right after they moved out here when he was in his early 20’s. Dad found it when he was a teen but I guess he kept going back there every time he could as an adult. I discovered his second notebook half of it takes place when he was married to mom and possibly around the time we were born he stopped. Maybe he was afraid for his safety. I did also notice that both Grandpa and Dad said this world is as addicting as any drug and it was hard for them both to stop. It is how they both end their diaries. Stating they wanted to stop for a while but could not stop going back and on their last day they both cried. Lovely huh? This is a great place though I do believe it is true about the addicting part. We are risking a whole lot being here for a week all alone…”Sarah was sitting up now rubbing her eyes from sleep. “I wonder if coffee is so great that grown ups talk about it? And I am wishing right now I had some.” She had laughing. Sam smiled right back at her.

“I guess what we need to do is to ask Grandpa. Only he could tell us. But if we do that we might have to mention this world. Maybe we should just ask about if the woman that raised us was our mom. That would be a good indication and we would not have to reveal we too found the secret door…” Sam was thinking out loud still when Sarah was finally dressed and the twins ate something before climbing the mountain.

“So I was thinking about what to do today. What do you want to do? Explore the forest? Ride a unicorn? Find some other creatures? I am excited no matter what but will leave it up to you!” Sam said with a smile and a wink. Sarah looked over the land as they neared their spot on the top slop. “I was thinking we could study that history book a bit later but for now we could go and explore something we have not before. Ask Sir P. to show us more of the land and then go from there. I packed a few of our sandwiches incase we got hungry.” Sarah added patting her backpack now on her side.

Sir P. arrived quick as a call and the twins got on. He looked at them both and smiled at them his horsy like grin. “Where to my little friends?” He began to climb while speaking waiting for their reply. “Well we were thinking of seeing more of the land. We stopped after the castle last time maybe we could explore a bit farther in another direction and then walk around a bit. Sound good?” Sir P shook his head it was a good plan and off they went.

The land below was still nothing that the kids had seen before. They were used to seeing buildings, houses and roads. Not full out forest after forest divided only by lakes and rivers. Every spot of land below looked so inviting and relaxing that the twins were tempted to just have Sir P drop them off so they could explore by foot the whole thing.

“Now below me you see the Forest of No Time. What that means is that if you are in that forest time stands still. It is a magical place to be. If you want to do something like read or write or something quiet you can go there to have all the time you need and come back and nothing will have changed but you. However there is a rule for “Forest of No Time” you need to not stay there for more than a full day or you could maybe be trapped for good. We have known a traveler or two to get trapped there and we could not find them they disappear. So do not spend too long in there if you are to go there but I do recommend you try it out it is so much fun. Most of our Secret Door visitors go there even just for a few minutes to watch time stand still…” Sir P. continued flight while Sam and Sarah looked shocked at each other. “We should do that!” Sarah whispered to Sam. He smiled in agreement shaking his head yes.

“Our land is only divided but the simple natural things. Forest can go on and on or stop suddenly. They are divided by lakes and rivers and streams. There are only humans in the village and although they hunt and sometimes do leave that area we advice they only stay there. Great sickness has taken them by surprise those who venture out of the village area. If you were to come live here, and we welcome any of our visitors to do so for good, we advice you too go there. It is rare for visitors to stay for good. I have to mention this too for you to know for real. If you were to chose to stay here you would only have one month to decide. Once a month has passed in our world you will forget everything from the past you will think you have always been here and your life on your planet earth will be over. Do you understand? It is part of our charm to lure you in and part of our greatest charm to keep you here. We have only had a few people stay that long and they now live in our village and they are happy. For they think they have always been and that is how it is to be.” Sir P dipped down to the lake below them.

“Now down here is the magical fish area. Although we have magic fish throughout the land much like our other creature friends they are welcome anywhere. But they seem to mostly live in this lake. So we have named it “Magic Lake”. They are magic because they can do anything they want to and they do a lot. Some grant a wish, some talk to you, some give you life that never ends a sort of fountain of youth thing, they can send you places, they are so special that we are never allowed to hunt or eat the magical fish. If you do so you are put in jail for a long time punishment could be your whole life. So do not hunt the magical fish in the “Fish Lake” alright?” Sir P smiled grim at them and waited for them to respond.

“Can we dip down there then? And then the Forest of No Time too?” Sam asked looking around him realizing they had nearly left the area they had been flying over. Sir P nodded it would be okay and dipped down to the ground allowing Sam and Sarah to get off.

“Okay kids be careful. I will be flying around I need to get some actual food and come back. So I will see you in a few hours and if you need me just call.” Sir P took off again. Sam and Sarah were left alone.

“Sally could be one of us. She could be our mom. Do you think Sir P would know? We could ask him. Or maybe stick to Grandpa first Sir P might not know at all. What if she was here by accident? This could change everything. But she would never come back with us she loves it here she does not know she is ours…”Sarah looked sadly down at the ground. “We will ask Grandpa soon as we get back. But for now want to see the fish?” Sam was walking towards the huge lake that seemed to border with several of the forest near by.

The fish in Magic Lake were so colorful. Sam and Sarah counted one for every color of the rainbow and more so. There were red ones, orange ones, yellow ones, green ones, light green ones, dark blue ones, light blue ones, purple ones, pink ones, brown ones, black ones, white ones and gray ones. “I wonder if each color represents something…” Sam pondered while Sarah noticed the sign. “Hey Sam check this out!” And she began to read the sign to him.

“Here are the colors of the fish for Lake Fish. Each represent a different magical ability. If you want to speak to a fish and they all hear as well as any good eared creature just call out a color and they will come whoever is near by. The Lake Fish has at least ten of each colored fish if not so at this last counting done a decade ago…

1. Red Fish—the color of anger this fish will punish your enemy for what they have done. It will not kill them but punish them in any way but killing long as it seems fair for the fish to judge and the fish will know if you are lying or not.
2. Orange Fish—The fish of fire. This fish will produce fire for you but only to light a fire in the forest for warmth and cooking. It will not catch a fire to the forest and it will not burn any person or animal or creature.
3. Yellow Fish—The happy fish. This fish will make you happy when you are sad. If you are feeling sad or depressed or having a bad day come find the Happy Fish and it will make you feel so much better.
4. Dark Green Fish—The growing fish. This fish will help you grow things of nature plants and trees and things when you are having other problems. It will help you grow them till your crop or whatever you grow is producing its own seeds therefore showing it has finished. Rule for this fish is: once a year only use and do not try to use it more than that.
5. Light Green Fish—this is the lucky fish. You will find a lot of luck once you ask this fish for help he will help you find your day is the best day of your life.
6. Dark Blue Fish—the color of the night sky this is the fish for good dreams. All your dreams will be good and some of your dreams could come true.
7. Light Blue Fish—the color of water this is the fish to call if you need water for something or even for it to rain only call this one if you need water of some sort.
8. Purple Fish—the pretty purple fish will help you if you are having issues having children. It is good to use for all creatures humans and others who want to but can not reproduce.
9. Pink Fish—the love fish. Call to this fish and like cupid you will find love with whomever you ask this fish to give you and this will be a love that will never end and will go on for all your lives.
10. Black Fish—the darkest of our fish is evil. Only those who wish true harm will call this fish for it can kill. Those who use this fish and are caught are punished. There are only one or two of this fish left for they have hunted it to the end of its lives but it does reproduce from time to time so beware.
11. Brown Fish—will send you back in time or forward but only for a short period of time. You will only have a week and will be brought back here.
12. White Fish—Pure fish will grant a wish. Limit is one wish per season. So that is four wishes per year. And no wishing for more wishes!
13. Gray Fish—fountain of youth fish. You can live forever if you come to this fish once every ten years to be renewed.

Please note that all fish do talk so you can talk to any of these fish they are wise and they live forever so do not worry if you want to just talk call any fish and they will help you out.”

Sam and Sarah debated if they should use one of the fish and which one. “We really do not need to use any fish today but they are so cool. Maybe we could ask them a question instead! What should I ask him?” Sarah was starring into the water with Sam. He pointed finally to the first fish they saw “how about the pink one? You like pink anyways!” Sam smiled happily.

Sarah stood over the water and called out “Pink fish may I speak to you!” and waited. The fish took about a minute to respond and finally one came out to the water poking its head out of it to speak to her.

“Yes my little lady. How are you? What is your magical wish today?” And the fish waited. Sarah wanted to laugh at the fact she was talking to a fish that was talking back but simply she decided to ask it a question instead.

“So Mr. Fish I do not have a wish of magic but I do have a question. Do you know if the lady in the town by the name of Sally came from our world and if so do you know when she came here? We think she could be related to us…” Sarah paused waiting.

The fish looked at her for a second thinking before replying back. “First of all may I call you Sarah? I know both your names we all do. But it is nice to talk to someone give advice most people just want wishes blah blah blah. So here we go. I recall this lady Sally she works in the shop in the village at that everything store that sells everything. Nice lady very friendly and kind. I believe she may have come from your world around seven years ago. She did not mean to stay here but after a month per the rule she lost her memory. So I believe yes she came here a long time ago. Is there anything else Sarah that you need to ask me?” The fish paused looking at her almost smiling. Fish can not smile Sarah thought back.

“No fish that is all. Thank you so much you have been of great help!” Sarah smiled and both Sam and her waved good bye to the fish. The fish flipped its side flip thing back at them and disappeared under water.

“Sam this means something I know it does. We really do need to talk to grandpa I wish we could now but I know it will still be now when we get back so we will wait. I can not believe we might have a mother alive here all this time. She must have come here right after we were born and got stuck here!” Sarah was excited while Sam smiled at her. “Yes sis but what can this mean? We can not just take her back with us she does not know us. Should we even explain it. Sadly we may have to mention to grandpa that we found her and the door. He knows about it after all so it probably wont be a big shock…” Sam said while sitting down on the ground.

Sarah sat down too pulling out their sandwiches for the day and handing them to Sam and herself. They began to eat while staring at the beautiful day. “I think we should try the forest out after lunch. Might be fun for a few minutes see time stand still.” Sam was thinking while talking to Sarah same time. He pulled out his chips and was munching on them while Sarah finished her sandwich. 

After lunch Sarah and Sam went for a walk in the forest. It was the strangest thing to watch time free. They decided to test it for themselves. First Sam stood outside the forest and Sarah in it. “Okay Sarah let me know what you see and I will do the same. Sam began to do funny things running around everywhere jumping, playing, acting goofy. After five minutes he came back into the forest and Sarah looked at him funny.

“You did what? In five minutes? Wow it really does work. I saw you standing there and heard you yell but only till you was in the forest once outside I heard nothing you did. I saw you just standing there and the watch stopped working you gave me. See? It is stopped right there nothing is moving at all! Amazing.” Sarah ran outside and did the same thing for Sam.

Sam stood watching her stand there and do nothing. But Sarah really jumped in the water and got all wet for a second came back out and laid on the grass. Then she began to dance around trying to dry off. Sam did not notice a thing. Once he was out he showed her the still frozen watch she showed her his other one. Time had passed for it 15 minutes total between the two of them but no time had passed at all in the forest. “That is too awesome! I love it! I can not wait to tell Sir P what we discovered.”

The rest of the afternoon before Sir P. came back the twins spent it trying to talk to the different fish. Even debating using the fish for something but deciding against it they just had fun talking to them about different things filling them out. Then they both went swimming again with the fishes enjoying the suns and laying out to dry off.

When Sir P. finally came back the twins had fallen asleep in the suns. He smiled before waking them up. “Hey Sam and Sarah time to get going. I wanted to show you something else before you go to bed tonight. Do you want to see where the fairies live? And the pixies? It is in the winged forest on the other side of the castle and village. Get on and we can go meet them!” Sarah and Sam were awake rubbing sleep out of their eyes and stretching. Then getting out Sir P. they took off.

The sky had filled with clouds before they even took off but they were not rain clouds they were just cloud. “I thought he never rained here but every month like once?” Sam asked Sir P. Sir P. looked at the cloud then back at Sam. “Those are just clouds. We do get clouds sometimes it is rain that we do not get as often. Do not worry it will not rain while you are here. Unless you wished for rain with one of the fish!” he said with a wink.

Flying over the castle and little village everyone looked so tiny and small. The people below waved at Sir P as they always did hoping he would stop and play with them but he did not he just smiled and rode on flying higher in the sky.

It was when he had reached the clouds did the twins notice the little forest scattered in the sky. On its own looking cloud but not a cloud was a forest. There was little things flying all over and it looked so happy and magical the twins smiled at each other. Sir P landed on the cloud and waited for the twins to get off.

At first they looked worried they would fall through. “It is safe right? We wont go right thru it will we?” Sarah asked concerned. Sir P shook his head no. “It is safe as they come this is not a REAL cloud. It is a fake cloud made to look real so the pixies and fairies in their Winged Forest can just be safe from everyone else. They do come down to our land a lot all the time but this is where they live and have families and stuff. I thought you would enjoy seeing them.”

Sam and Sarah walked carefully still over to the area that looked like a mini forest and did not know what to do next. Suddenly little creatures flew all around them hundreds with wings and pointed ears. There were girls, and boys, grown ups and kids. All kinds just flying around them and sitting down on the ground. Several landed on each of Sam and Sarah so they finally sat down by them to see what would happen.

Finally one fairy a male came over to them and sat down too. He began to talk but his voice was hard to hear at first because they were not used to hearing his voice. So they had to listen carefully Sam and Sarah did to hear what he said in almost a whisper to human ears.

“Welcome Sam and Sarah to Winged Forest. I am the mayor and chief of our little area here in the sky. My name is Grass Green. We house here somewhere around two hundred fairies and pixies. Hidden by everyone except those that can fly like the Pegasus such as Sir P we live in harmony with our friends on Planet Blue. We do visit the land daily and have heard much about your trip here. We do not meet everyone from The Secret Doors so it is an honor to meet you two people. Are you kids or adults? So hard to tell from down here…” Grass paused to wait for a reply. Sam and Sarah looked at other and then finally replied.

“We are humans and we are kids actually. Only just 8 years old twins which means we came out around the same time and spent time in the womb together. But we are a boy and girl so we do not like as much alike but share many of the same features and things.” Sam finished speaking turning to Sarah. She smiled at them. “I am so happy to meet you. I am a big fan. I can not believe you actually exist for real I always thought none of this exists…” She smiled big waving her hands towards Planet Blue too.

Grass Green smiled up at them as did all the fairies and pixies who had come out to see them. They were all sitting down now. “Well please do come tour our area a bit and we can see about getting you something to remember us by…” Grass Green led the way.

The kids spent the next few hours finding out all they could about their new friends. At the end of the day Grass Green gave them a set of wings to use. “Now you have to know this kids before you go and try to fly here. They do not work for long heights such as coming to see us. They are more for fun. However that mountain you use for Sir P you could get up there same spot and jump and mostly sore with them for a good ten minutes. If you flap them they will help you fly. But not more than an hour total can you be in the air flapping and flying around. Be careful, have fun and do come back to see us again. Or we will find you and visit you again. I am sure we all have learned a lot about you guys. And those stories. That Tinkerbell she sure sounds real haha.” Grass Green smiled laughing at the times they had today.

Sir P. took the kids back to the mountain. Before he did he got his brushing and apple. And finally left for the day.

Over the next few days the twins explored the land up and down trying to find out all they could. Sir P told them he had shown them most of the land leaving a small amount plus the dark area that none should go to. Just before they were about to go home something happened.

The King and Queen requested their presence immediately so Sir P. flew them there to the castle. They had moment left before they had to get back home but just enough to talk for a minute.

“Sam and Sarah. We called you hear with a very big warning. It seems that The Evil Wizard is going to try to kidnap you guys if you do not leave now. I advise you to take sometime off from visiting us at least a week and let him cool off. Or you may come here next time and not go back. Please come back in another week take time off from our world. We will miss you.” And the King let them go.

Sam and Sarah looked at each other as they were about to climb through the door. “A week not here? Oh Sam this is horrible it really is…”Sarah began to cry and Sam patted her shoulder as they went home again.