Jo M Thomas
1 supporter
Passage 17 - What Helps You, Helps Me

Passage 17 - What Helps You, Helps Me

May 16, 2022

I am Empanda, says this overgrown bundle of cuteness.

I want to run forwards and hug her, save her from herself or whatever cute misadventure she's about to bumble into. I want to run away as fast as I can.

And you are known to me, she says. Bully. Coward. Liar. Heartless. Cruel.

"That's a bit rich coming from a goddess who raised her children to chase strangers for kicks," I protest.

They are merely children being young and amusing themselves, she says dismissively. You are an adult and know better.

I open my mouth to argue.

You have no place here, human, go home, she says, baring the same sharp teeth her children did -- only bigger. Much bigger.

"I'm trying," I say. "But I can't. I'm stuck here in this dream and can't get out."

Dream? she asks.

There is a thunderous rumble of what sounds like laughter. The rumble is so strong, I can feel the floor shaking beneath me and my bones feel like they can't decide whether to break apart or melt. It's taking all I have to stand up or I'd be yelling at her to shut her furry face up and stop laughing. I don't know how you make a panda pay for laughing, but I'm going to find out. Eventually.

Then it all stops.

Stuck? she asks.

"Yes," I gasp, as my knees give out and I find myself kneeling on the floor. I try to get to my feet because she's bound to assume I'm kneeling to her and I really am not, but my feet refuse to get under me. "I just want to go home."

Well, wake up in my nice, soft, double bed in a nice, clean hotel room with a touch of a hangover and no memory of the dreams that got me between falling asleep and waking up.

The panda leans forward, looming over me. I really hope she doesn't do any clumsy tumbling right now. I don't want to be squashed by a super-sized teddy bear.

If I help you get home, she says in a whisper that makes my head ring, you will never be able to harm my children or anyone in this world again.

"Yes," I say, without being entirely sure what I'm agreeing with.

How may I help you? she asks.

She bares her teeth again but I think this time she's actually trying to smile.

"I need to find the wizard's wife," I say.

She stares at me and I find myself unable to look away from those black eyes in their red clown circles.

But you killed the Wizard's Wife, she says. Of course. The source of your own downfall, as ever.

The rumbling laughter that shakes the floor beneath me returns. I hadn't even managed to get to my feet again and this time I find myself catching myself with my hands. I bet she thinks I'm crawling on my hands an knees for her, the arrogant bitch.

That way, she says and points in a direction that looks no different from the way in front of me or the way behind. More rows of columns that disappear up into what can only be clouds.

Enjoy this post?

Buy Jo M Thomas a tea

More from Jo M Thomas