Sky of Vines.

“Sky of Vines.”

I rubbed the sharp-edged leaf between my porcelain fingers. I looked up, watching other leaves fall until they landed gently by my toes. I gazed at the countless vines intertwined with each other across what we, the fairies knew as the sky. There were no clouds, there was no rain – just the long draping green that grew above, to the side and even the ground. I sat in the front yard, holding my knees close to the chest, my eyes fixed to the canopy above. I searched for movement, a noise, anything at all that would hint me from above. But the vines hung like sloths, dead and unmoving.

“Well, what was I expecting?”

Hmm, all my life, I had questioned what could be above those vines and again all my life that was the exact subject every single fairy in Avalar chose to avoid.

“Fairies just don’t question these things, Tammy!”

Mr. Sam, my English professor tiredly reiterated when I had confronted him for the hundredth time. But, why?  I’m just looking for answers.

“There must be one fairy, at least one who has flown up to discover.”

Mr. Sam noticed my response cracking in desperation.

He slowly removed his silvery-framed spectacles that were slipping and retaliated, “Well even if there were, none of them came back. I’m warning you Tammy, don’t go up there.”

I took a long hard look at him. Does he think whatever he had told me is going to frighten me? Of course, not.

“I’m warning you again Tammy, don’t go up there.”

Sigh.

My parents would constantly tell me that they wish I was like the other fairies. But no. I’m different apparently. I often pester them, day and night with questions about ‘the world above’. Well, initially they were amused with my curiosity but after a while they stopped responding, simply sighing or rolling their eyes whenever I asked them.

Suddenly, I felt a rustle from the trees nearby to where I was sitting.

It was Maya, my best friend.

“Frightened, Tammy?” Maya smirked.

“Not now Maya, not in my best mood for your tricks.”

“Alright, alright! I’m sorry. So, that’s it then. You’ve decided?”

“Um, yes. I’ve made my decision.

“Are you sure?” she began.

“No one in Avalar is going to help me, so I’m going to find out for myself.”

“I just hope you’re sure about this! You know anything could happen to you.” Maya said hesitantly.

I paused for a few moments. Recollected my thoughts about this decision. I realized I might not make it home unharmed. I realized I might not make it back at all. I quickly pushed my thoughts to the back of my mind.

“I’m going to do this. I’ve wondered for too long. I have to know,” I said.

Later that day, I left my parents a note saying that they potentially might not ever see me again. I reassured myself for the last time that leaving a note was the right thing to do. I sat on the floor in my room crumpling hundreds of papers into small balls, unsure of how to put my feelings into words. Peculiarly, my chest seemed to feel lighter once I slid the note under my pillow. They would find it eventually.

“At least I won’t be leaving them hanging.”

I looked out my dirt-speckled window, and I knew it was time to leave Avalar. I slung my backpack over one shoulder and left my room silently. To be honest, I didn’t have to worry much about making noise. My parents are used to my disappearances when I sneak out often after dinner. I enjoy gazing at the sky of vines above me. Nowhere far actually, just a few miles from home, especially near the hilltops. During the lonely but peaceful nights, I read about the mythical creatures, what Mr. Sam often refers to as human beings, evil and destructive in nature. I picture them ugly, filthy and large like ogre or cunning with long tail like mermaid. I’m just always searching for answers.

Without saying goodbye or looking back, I quickly walked out the door. I walked with my head down; I let my hair fall over my face hoping that nobody would recognise me. I had actually planned my journey for weeks. I know exactly where to go. I just needed to walk towards the Violet Hill and fly up to the vines from there. I finally relaxed when I saw there were no fairies to be seen. Everyone had gone home, hopefully. I was glad to get away from the utter boring lives the other fairies led; never curious, never questioning. I just couldn’t stand the dreariness of Avalar. I was just waiting to escape reality.

I walked non-stop till the foot of Violet Hill and turned around. My house was now far behind, all that I could see was the long sandy path that led to where I was at. It was so quiet, so…lonely. With one last look, leaving everything I had known behind, I ran.

I ran to the top of the hill and looked down over Avalar, the endless-glowing light shined over the hilltops was mind-blowing. From where I was, I could see millions of flowers, white, pink, yellow and red that perfectly grew around the land.

I thought to myself, “The fairies of Avalar might be boring but Avalar surely isn’t.”

“I might not ever set foot on Avalar again,” I pondered.

I might never be able to smell mother’s scented roses in the garden, or hear the sound of father’s axe chop wood at the yard or even listen to Mr. Sam vent about his tiring life. I tried to erase all thoughts of my family. I knew I couldn’t turn back now.

I tightened the straps on my backpack then stretched out my wings, preparing to fly up. I rose into the air, beginning my uncertain journey towards the vines. I began to form drops of sweat as I fluttered higher and higher. I had no idea why it was getting so warm and sticky.

Panting, I gulped in as many breaths of air as I could and beat my wings harder to get to the top. I looked above. I could finally see all the vines before my eyes. With full of wonder, I searched for an opening to squeeze through. A blinding light shined in my eyes as if I was staring straight into the sun. I knew it was it. Nervousness kicked in. Shutting my eyes tight, I flew through, my heart racing with anticipation and excitement.

At first, all I saw was light – incredibly bright. I took a moment to regain my sight. When my vision cleared, I saw a huge lamp floating directly above me.

“How is the lamp just hanging in the air?” I wondered, feeling confused.

 I squinted to look ahead. There I saw a metal table and on it, was a glass box.

Not just a glass box, but wait.

“Is there something moving in the box?”

My eyes widened. Fairies?! There they were. Fairies exactly like the ones in Avalar. I was now confused more than ever. I flew closer to the box to get a better look. I cautiously began to inch closer to the other glass box.

Suddenly, I had a smack. My whole body crashed against something hard and cool.

“Oh, that hurt!”

 I reached out feeling for what was blocking my way. My hands landed on glass.

“What?!” I screamed my head now throbbing in pain.

I flew to the left, I flew to the right, I flew all the way up feeling for open space to fly through. Sadly, there was none.

I repeatedly pounded on the glass till my palms turned red. I was trapped. My heart sank when I realized I was in a box. Avalar was merely a box.

“I…I don’t understand,” I cried, trying to wrap my head around my shocking discovery.

Just then, I heard scraping metal sound. Looking outside the box, I saw a giant figure, bigger than any fairy, draped in a long white coat. Through the dim light outside, I see plastic goggles worn around its head covering the eyes. A million things ran through my mind as I contemplated what it might be. I watched the being, its’ strange long arms hovering around some tools.

Right then I noticed a sign on the wall above the being. In striking colour lights, it read, DO NOT LET FAIRIES OUT.

My eyes flew back to what the being was cutting. I saw wings and a pale face, lying still. In my horror, I couldn’t even manage to let out a scream. I felt helpless when I realized why none of the fairies came back. They had been tortured and violated, these…monsters experimenting on them. And then it hit me.

I had read about them before. They were supposed to be mythical beings, greedy and self-righteous, exploiting everything and everyone around them. Mr. Sam had also once taught me that they were full of hate, killing each other for power. I read that they had wiped out their own species, but clearly, the books and the fairies were severely mistaken.