When he was out of breath, Gimlet realized he was deeply lost. The trees overhead was as imposing as ever, blocking out the sky. He didn't know how much time had passed since he entered the forest. It felt like a day but surely, he was only gone for a couple of hours.


Despite losing the lantern back at the cottage, he still had his knife and his father's ax. He cut off a small branch from a nearby tree and picked two sharp rocks. With practiced ease, he knocked the stones together and soon made a torch.


With the fire illuminating his surroundings, he felt a bit safer. The next second he regretted his decision. An eerie creature stared back at him.


He took a step back. To describe what it looked like would be like describing a confusing mess of animal parts put together. It didn't blink its owl like eyes. It stretched its serpentine neck. Its mouth or rather mouths opened, revealing teeth, fangs and other forms of oral orifices. It made a noise Gimlet had never heard before.


Like lightening, the creature struck. A piercing pain shot through him and he cried out. He fell on the ground paralyzed. The creature stood over him, watching him with its multi faceted eyes. Dread pounded in Gimlet's heart. Was it going to eat him? Was he going to die this way?

But no, the creature grabbed his leg and dragged him along the ground. Where it was taking him, Gimlet didn't know. All he could feel was the impending doom and all he could see was the dark overcrowded treetops. He passed out shortly afterwards.


When he came awake, Gimlet found himself inside a wooden cage hanging several feet off the ground. He checked to see if he suffered any injuries. Most of his body were sore and bruised but no injuries. Miraculously, his knife was still sheathed around his waist, untouched. So was his father's ax. Relief swept through him like a tide.


Gimlet spotted a high window. He saw the bright moon illuminating the night sky, letting him know it was still night time. With the creature no where in sight, Gimlet unsheathed his knife and started to cut through the cage.


"Don't!"


A voice said.


"Who's there?"


"Don't do it." The voice repeated.


"Why not?" Gimlet asked.


"It likes to play games."


"How would you know that?"


Gimlet looked around and found another cage hanging a few feet above his. Inside was an older boy with flaxen hair and golden wheat colored skin....