Carl looked at Ronald quizzically. Neither could figure out what the problem was. They were both near Berthoud Pass, on the Winter Park side of the pass. The highway could be seen through the trees, though theirs was the only one that was parked at the turn as the highway turned back and forth over the pass. Before them was where they knew the gate was for a second time.
"What are you looking at me for?" Ronald asked. "You're the one who knows the most about this sort of thing."
"I may know more, but that doesn't mean I know everything. As far as I know, you might know something that I don't that might help."
Ronald shook his head. "Maybe so, but even you should know that I know next to nothing about these gates. I only know what you've shared about them, such as short of having a unicorn open them, we need a Heart of the Forest from a unicorn's forest. If there's something that we missed, then there's nothing that I'd be able to suggest that would be better than anything you'd suggest. If you have anything that you haven't shared about this, then I'd need to know what that is before I could offer any possible insight into it."
Carl sighed. "If there's nothing else that we can do, then all that's left is to head back and let Heathcliff know. He's probably not going to be happy, but there's nothing that either of us could have done to open the gate if we're missing something. He also knows this and probably will accept this failure." Carl looked towards the top of the pass. "He might even have an idea of what we might need."
"Sounds as good to me as staying here to figure it out," Ronald replied. "I just hope the other side of that gate is safe once it's open."
"According to the information Heathcliff has, it should be. It should open to a grassy plain, assuming nothing has been done to the area since it had been closed."
Ronald sighed. "We might as well head back." He paused as he looked at the Heart of the Forest in Carl's hands. "You know, the only reaction we've seen from that thing is when that girl entered the room."
"So? We already determined that she didn't have any magic."
"But what if there's something else that connects her to it? If there's something about her that we don't know about, or about the Heart of the Forest, she might really be what we need to open the gate," Ronald replied, his eyes locked on the white crystal.
"If that's true, we might need to find some way to get her to trust us enough to come here with us. I can't think of a way, but Heathcliff might. He might have something in mind that we haven't thought of," Carl said, putting the Heart of the Forest back in his backpack. "But in the meantime, we might as well head into Winter Park for something to eat. Heathcliff wouldn't know the difference if we stopped for a meal, and I'm sure he wouldn't care. This project has been in the works for a long time. Unless we can figure out what we're missing, the project will fail. If we need to get the girl to help us, we'll find a way, even if we have to do what Heathcliff has forbidden us to do. It will be worth it if we're able to get the gate open."
_
Charlie stared at where Ralph had been. Part of her still hadn't caught up to the fact that he wasn't there anymore. Whatever he had in mind to try to get into the forest seemed to have worked. Not that she had a clue as to what it was that he did to get into it. Petals, however, saw that Ralph had entered, and she was already walking to enter the forest. She walked up to where Ralph had disappeared, but was stopped at the entrance like they all had up to now.
–But Ralph was able to enter!– Petals exclaimed, her anxiety reaching a level close to panic.
"It's okay, Petals," Charlie said, trying to be reassuring to Petals, but unsure exactly what to say. "I'm sure when he comes back out he'll explain how he was able to enter and what we might need to do to enter ourselves."
–But what if it doesn't work for us?– Petals asked, not calming down.
"We'll find a way, I promise," Charlie tried to reason as Petals started to pace away from the entrance from her home and began moving a little more erratically. "I already promised that I would help and as you can see, I'm not in your forest either. Trust in us to get you back in your home and we'll make sure that you'll be safe in there when we do."
Petals was still in a near-panic state and Charlie wasn't sure that she'd be able to do anything to help if Petals did go in a full out panic. However, she did start to notice Petals' movements started to slow and her breathing also started to become more regular and deeper. Charlie couldn't help but let her breath out in a sigh. The relief she felt that Petals had calmed down almost made her just want to sit on the ground right where she was.
She was about to sit down when Ralph's head stuck out from where he'd disappeared. "I'm pretty sure I made it," Ralph called out.
"How'd you get in there?" Beth asked before anyone else could say anything.
"Well, Petals said that it was a forest that was kinda floating in the air, so I went with that," Ralph replied, which Charlie found annoying, since it didn't really explain anything.
"What's that got to do about the price of tea in China?" Wes asked, his expression showing Charlie that he was at least as annoyed as Charlie felt.
"Well, do any of you know the music group Tatu?"
"Get on with it already," Beth said, crossing her arms in front of her chest, her tone telling Ralph clearly that she wasn't going to let him drag this on as long as he'd like.
"Fine already," Ralph said, acting like he was being interrogated about something he'd done wrong. "Well, the song that Tatu sang called 'Clowns' has the part about floating forests."
Everyone waited for Ralph to elaborate, but after a moment it became clear that he was done talking. "Seriously Ralph?" Beth asked. "You're not going to elaborate?"
"You wanted me to get on with it, so I figured you'd want the abridged version," Ralph replied, his tone telling Charlie that he was avoiding explaining in full because he was annoyed with Beth, at least. Possibly all of them.
"I had to tell you that because you'd go on and on with your explanation and Petals is…" Beth started.
"We can talk about that later, okay?" Charlie interrupted, uneasy about the expression on Ralph's face the more Beth talked. "Why don't you explain what we need to know so all of us can go into the forest?"
Everyone turned to Charlie and she felt her face begin to burn with the attention, but she held herself firm, determined to not let this go.
After a minute Ralph sighed. "Fine, but I don't think I'll be able to explain in a way that everyone will be able to understand enough to enter themselves. It's almost like a curtain was placed over Petals' forest and that's what's keeping us out."
"What are you suggesting?" Tim asked.
"I think if I go into the forest, then pull each of you through, that should get us all in. In regards to Petals, I think that if I remain in contact with her, she should be able to enter too," Ralph replied, looking away from everyone, which made Charlie wonder just how sure he was that this idea would work.
"Why not take Petals into the forest first," Amelia suggested. "I think of all of us, she should get the first chance to go with Ralph."
Charlie had no objection and listening to everyone else made it clear all of them were fine with the idea. Petals seemed pleased with the idea as well. Ralph didn't seem to care who was first, he just merely entered the forest up to his shoulder. Then, his hand on Petals' neck, he entered with Petals entering as well, not encountering the difficulty she had earlier. They disappeared again as if stepping behind a curtain that hid them from sight.
Moments after they had entered, Ralph poked his head out of the forest and took Amelia's hand next, as she was the closest to him, and started to pull her through. Tim was next, followed by Wes. Hannah was eager to go next and Charlie had been willing to let Beth go ahead of her, but Beth pushed Charlie by her shoulders so she'd be next.
As she stepped through the 'curtain,' Charlie felt a familiar sensation as if she stepped through a waterfall, but without getting wet. However, there was a difference from when she felt that way before, but couldn't tell what that was. She didn't pay it much mind, as her mind was more occupied with the scenery before her. Not only were there trees growing haphazardly everywhere, but flowers, ferns, and shrubs sprouted almost everywhere on the ground that the trees didn't cover. However, what caught her breath the most was crystals that seemed to just grow out of the ground of various shapes and sizes. They were several different colors, a few had multiple colors as well. Most of the colors were green, yellow, and blue, but there were a few red, along with one that seemed to shimmer with an inner rainbow. Many of them were so high that they were like pillars helping hold up the canopy of the leaves and branches of the trees. There was a mist that kept Charlie from seeing too far into the forest, but what she did see just flat out took her breath away. It was almost like paradise to her.
The part that kept it from being a paradise to her was the scar that began a few feet into the forest that must have been caused by the intruder that had chased Petals out. It was like a flame had scorched flowers and ferns out of the way, blasted trees and crystals to pieces, just leaving a burned scar that made it easy to notice that someone who had no respect for the awe-inspiring atmosphere the forest otherwise provided. Charlie felt a deep anger begin to grow within her at what had been done to the beautiful view before her. However, as quickly as the anger came, it disappeared like it was lost in the mist that blanketed the forest, almost like the mist pulled the anger into it and dissipated it.
Charlie could feel the mist as she just stood there. She didn't think it could be called a fog, but it did prevent her seeing anything very far in the distance. She estimated that the distance that was visible was about the length of a football field, from field goal post to field goal post. It didn't feel like it was meant to conceal, but rather merely a part of the forest, and possibly a way to keep the entire forest watered.
"This is your home?" Amelia asked Petals, as Charlie felt Beth enter the forest behind her.
–Yes, I made it all, except for what was hurt when the intruder came here.– Petals replied. Charlie was about to relay what Petals said, but suddenly realized everyone could hear Petals directly as she noted the expressions on everyone's, but Ralph's, face.
"You have such a beautiful voice," Hannah cooed. "Like a soft, comforting melody."
"Really?" Wes asked. "It sounds to me like a gentle voice.
Charlie never really thought about how Petals' voice sounded to her. It was always like everyone else's.
"Maybe it sounds different to each of us," Amelia suggested.
"Maybe," Ralph said. "But why don't we go further in, just to see if the Heart of the Forest is here."
–Good idea.– Petals said, as she started walking along where the scar led, Ralph immediately following behind.
"I'm guessing the fact that we're heading the same direction as the scar isn't a good sign," Beth commented, as she brought up the rear of the group.
"I wish I could live here," Charlie breathed, only realizing as she spoke that she was saying what she was thinking.
Beth chuckled. "This would be a fantastic place to live. Though, I'm not sure about the moisture. Might take some getting used to, but I don't think I see a place I'd be able to build a house in. I would need that. Electricity too." Beth seemed to be adding items to the list as she spoke, Charlie finding herself interested in what Beth was talking about, when Charlie could do without all of what Beth was saying she'd need. Which made her wonder why she was interested in what Beth was saying to begin with. When did she start caring about what Beth said?
Her thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind as Ralph started up a game of catch, using broken crystals to throw, urging everyone to join. Tim, Wes, and Amelia joined in almost immediately. Hannah wasn't even offered a chance to join, given how everyone knew her decision in regards to keeping her hands safe and her piano teacher from getting upset about it. Beth declined for herself and Charlie.
"I didn't think you'd be interested in joining," Beth said, as she walked next to Charlie.
"Thanks," Charlie whispered, not sure she could trust her voice any higher than that. For some reason she felt rather vulnerable and wasn't sure why. Which gave her another item to think about later. Not only did her emotional maelstrom go away when she encountered Beth at the end of school, but now she was feeling vulnerable around her. She couldn't understand what it was about Beth that made her comfortable, she knew she wasn't romantically interested in her, but that was the only thing that she could be certain about. It made her wonder if she really was going crazy. It especially confused her with how uncomfortable she was around Beth less than a week ago. What happened that changed that? Another item Charlie couldn't be sure about.
"What do you think we'll find?" Beth asked as she picked up a piece of broken green crystal, examining it while they walked.
"I'm not sure," Charlie admitted. "I doubt the Heart of the Forest is here, but I don't think that's all that was here. I get the feeling like this forest is alive itself. It just feels like there's something else here. Not sure what it is, though."
Charlie kept looking around as well as keeping sure she didn't wander away from everyone. One of the things she noticed as they had moved along was that the scar wasn't in a straight line, like Charlie initially thought at first glance. It enveloped areas like a bubble from the scar that otherwise did follow along a line.
"You're saying the forest is alive?" Beth asked, her tone telling Charlie how amused she was at the idea.
"That's kinda what it feels like," Charlie replied, unsure how else to explain it.
"Don't say that to Ralph, okay?" Beth told Charlie.
Charlie smiled. "Of course not, even if he says it first I'm sure he'd either poke fun at it or ignore anything I say about it anyway."
"Good girl," Beth replied, pulling Charlie into a side-hug.
Charlie didn't resist the physical contact this time. Part of her suddenly remembered what Allison asked her earlier that day, about if she was friends with Beth or not. Could that be what her emotional maelstrom was about? Was she friends with Beth? And more importantly, how could she tell? She never had a friend to begin with, so she wasn't sure how to say if she had one now.
However her confusion, Charlie didn't see the harm in returning the side-hug slightly, but she quickly dropped it when she heard Beth laugh.
"What's funny?" Charlie asked.
"It's nothing, just something that came to mind," Beth replied. Charlie didn't think Beth was being fully forthcoming, but couldn't be sure. It felt like there was something, but Charlie respected secrets others kept to themselves. After all, she had plenty that she didn't want to share with anyone and she'd fight to not share them if anyone, even Beth or Cherie, tried to pry into them.
After a minute, Beth released Charlie from the hug and they walked in companionable silence for a while. At least until Charlie saw another burn scar in the forest, one that went away from the one they'd been following. This was even different from the other bubbles that appeared periodically, it was more like an explosion had occurred there. With craters in the ground as well as the otherwise scorched flora.
"What's that?" Charlie asked, pointing to her right. "Did the intruder have any reason to go that direction?"
Everyone stopped and looked at where Charlie was pointing. A general hush fell around them, as they moved closer to examine it. All except Petals.
–That's where I was attacked.– Petals told all of them. While she didn't join them in examining the area, she did stop and let them look. –I came to see what was happening. I didn't expect to be hurt like that, but when I was, I knew that I had to get help. I didn't know where else to go, except where the intruder came from. I couldn't be sure that everyone would be like the intruder, but there weren't any other options I knew I had.–
Charlie walked back over to Petals and gave her a hug, or as best as she could. "I can't say if you made the right call or not, but regardless, we'll see this through with you."
"No matter the outcome," Ralph added. "I wasn't there, so I have no evidence for this, but I know the intruder attacked you without cause. I don't know why the intruder attacked you, but from knowing and talking with you, I know for a fact that you wouldn't have attacked anyone without cause." Ralph paused a moment before giving a short laugh. "Heck, you might not even attack anyone with cause."
"Let's keep going," Wes said. "Who knows how long this will take."
As Wes said that, Charlie realized she wasn't sure how long they'd been there to begin with. When they did get back, how late would it be? And how much trouble with her parents might she be in if it was really late? Which brought another thought to mind.
"Has anyone else noticed how much light there is here? The forest canopy completely blocks any view of a sky and the mist keeps us from seeing very far in the distance, but there's always enough light that we can see each other as well as our surroundings," she asked, not sure what else to do.
"That's a good point," Hannah replied. "I didn't think of it myself, but yeah, there's no clear source of any light for us to see with, but we can."
"Maybe it's magic?" Tim asked. "I mean, how we got here could be something like that."
"You mean like a magician?" Amelia asked.
"No, I mean like the fantasy genre kind of magic. It would also explain how Petals could talk with Charlie and Ralph when we first met her and how we can hear her now." Charlie had to admit, Tim's reasoning was quite plausible. She couldn't deny that there was a bit of logic in the assessment.
"Maybe, but first let's continue on to the end of this scar," Beth said. "We can talk all we want about it, but unless any of you know for sure where this light is coming from, we won't gain anything by discussing it now. If we get to the end of the scar, then we might be able to figure out what the intruder was after here if it wasn't the Heart of the Forest."
No one had any argument about that, so they all started walking again, the game of catch having died with the discovery of the location where Petals had been attacked. Conversation also seemed to be muted and as Charlie walked next to Beth again, it didn't feel as comfortable as it had earlier. Charlie could only chock that up to the same reason the game of catch had ended. There was a somber sense over the group that this wasn't just like a regular day after school anymore. Real consequences would occur from what happened here. It also might not turn out pleasant. Charlie partly wished that she wasn't aware of that fact, it made her a little uneasy when she felt like something bad could happen, and this whole situation was like a powder keg on top of a keg of TNT that could blow at the drop of a hair. She almost wished someone would say something to try and break the tension she could feel, but didn't want to be the one who broke it. While it felt oppressive, she couldn't help but feel that she should let it be.
So lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize everyone had stopped walking until she almost walked into Amelia. Blinking, she looked around, Petals was looking at the base of a sequoia tree, whose bark at it base had formed what looked like to Charlie was a small cradle, that clearly was to hold something. Something that was notably missing.
"Is that where the Heart of the Forest was?" Charlie asked.
–Yes, that's where it had been. When you told me you saw a Heart of the Forest when you did, I worried that it was taken.–
"Why would they take it?" Hannah asked, the look on Beth's face saying she was about to say the same thing.
–I don't know.– Petals replied. –I feel like I should, but it's just a blank.–
For the first time since Charlie entered the forest, she really took a look around. What she saw surprised her. Not only was there various coniferous trees, but she also saw various pines. Then in the distance, almost hidden by mists and bushes was what looked like a tropical tree that Charlie had only otherwise seen in books. It was almost like everything here was randomly placed. She also wasn't sure how this place functioned. Maybe the foliage she saw here was where the plants in her world came from. She started to wander off from the group, letting them discuss what they were on their own. She didn't feel interested in what they were talking about anyway. Part of her felt like she should, but it was almost like she was trying to think through a fog, not just walking through one.