I could spend hours sitting in a field; watching the
tall, emerald grass slowly sway back in forth in the wind; feeling a cool breeze
on my fur, and listening to the Beekadoodles sing their majestic songs. I walk
through the field to the same spot, I always go to. I've been there so many
times I could trot there with my eyes closed. The tall, grass tickles my stomach
as I walk. I reach the spot and let my hooves collapse from under me, and fall
backward. I lay down on back and stare up at the blue sky and lazy, puffy clouds.
A smile spreads as the cloud forms the shape of a Kau in the sky, it reminds
me of my grandmother.
I shift my body so I can see over the grass,
I look toward a grove of trees on the other side of the field. My grandparent's
cottage is hidden beyond the trees. My grandmother is the only person who can
understand how I like to spend hours just laying or sitting in a field. Everyone
else in my family thinks I am just lazy, that I am just trying to hide from
doing the chores around the farm. It's not that I mind chores, I just like the
field better. The jumbled and confused mind always seems to sort itself out,
when I enter the field. It makes me forget everything that went during that
day, it's just a place to escape. My family thinks it's a place to escape work,
but it's a place to escape everyone else. The constant teasing from the amusement
of coming from the family of family of shadowed Kaus, but I was born with fur
the color of sky. My grandmother once told me, my mother loved my blue fur.
She always wished she could be the color of the sky, instead of the color of
night. My grandmother told me my fur was a gift, but it's a curse. Not only
do I feel like an outsider in my home, I am constantly teased at school. There
are only twelve pets at our school and I am teased by ten of them.
"Pri!" a familiar voice calls my name, and I
press my body against the ground. It's my brother's voice that calls to me.
Jett is one of those pets that does tease me at school, I am never good enough
for him. I believe he always wanted a brother, it was quite a disappointment
when he got me. "Pri, I know you are out here!" I ignore the voice and concentrate
on the melodies of the Beekadoodles. "Pri!" I stare at the sky as my heart races,
I haven't heard my name called in several minutes. I slowly peek over the grass,
to see my brother trotting toward the orchard. I watch until he disappears and
I jump to my hooves and take off toward the woods. I can't risk my brother returning
with my father, I would be in so much trouble. My father believes that life
was made to work, and I think there must be more to life. I told him once that
and he wasn't pleased. I believe that if I do my morning chores, I should have
the rest of the day off. My father agrees, as long as I do something productive
with my time, sitting in a field isn't his idea of productive.
I enter the woods and walk to the familiar dirt
path away from my grandparent's house deep into the familiar woods. I've been
in the woods a million times, and I never get sick of it. I know I shouldn't
be wandering in the woods by myself; my father would be furious if he found
me in the woods by myself. He would be even angrier if he saw me sitting in
a field, I'll take my chances in the woods. The woods protect me when my field
cannot, but unlike my field where I can see anyone who approaches, I cannot
see who is around the next bend. The path begins to spilt into two, and I wonder
which one to take. The one that leads to the swimming hole or the creek. The
only pets who go to the creek are pfishers. Elderly pets spend hours in the
sun waiting to catch an aquatic petpet to sell at the General Store, the only
store for miles. The swimming hole is the popular place, where all my classmates
gather. I really don't mind the swimming hole, I like to go at dinner time.
Most of the pets who favor teasing me have left and it's just me floating in
the water. It's not even close to dinner, so I choose the path toward the creek.
As I walk down the path slowly, I hear voices
ahead. I shrug them off, thinking it's just of the elders of Farmington. I'll
yell a hello to them and scream a conversation, because if you're elderly and
live in Farmington; you're probably close to deaf. Another thing about living
in the small, town of Farmington is you know everyone.
"Stop!" a voice demands from behind me. I spin
around to see a familiar green Wocky, my eyes instantly narrows at the sight
of him. He is always sneaking up on me. "What are you doing out in the woods
by yourself, Princess?"
"The name is Pri!" I snap. I don't let anyone
call me by my real name and I defiantly won't let this vile Wocky use it. "What
are you doing here, Seth?" I ask, with a tone of disgust. I can't stand this
Wocky for a second, his family owns a Negg Farm. His family owns more land and
more money, than anyone else in Farmington. In addition, his father is mayor
and his great-great-great-great-great-really great grandfather founded Farmington.
The Neggals walk around Farmington as though they are royalty, even though they
are no better than anyone else. Seth was the worst of the whole family, he treated
everyone else around him like dirt; I was his favorite victim.
"Just strolling in my woods."
"Your woods?"
"My family's woods to be correct and you're
trespassing." Seth leers and circles around me. "Did you know trespassing is
illegal?"
"I did know it, but..." Before I can finish
Seth swoops in to cut me off,
"There is a fine for trespassing. It's a hundred
Neopoints! Pay up you trespasser."
"I don't have a hundred Neopoints, besides I
wasn't..." He cuts me off again,
"You don't have a hundred Neopoints?" he laughs
hysterically. "I feel bad for you having no Neopoints and growing up on a pitiful
excuse of a farm." My cheeks flame red with anger.
"My family's farm is not pitiful. It's one of
the best apple farms in the entire world of Neopia," I state proudly, the statement
just made him laugh even more.
"Blue, you crack me up." I grind my teeth angrily,
I always hate it when pets call me Blue. I do have a name. "You should consider
becoming the Farmington Jester. My daddy and I might even pay to laugh, possibly
enough to save the pitiful piece of land you call a farm." I turn away and begin
to walk towards the creek. "Blue, you didn't pay your fine," he calls in a sing
song voice and I ignore him and keep on walking. He dives in front of me his
voice filled with rage, "I mean it Blue. Pay up!" I stop and watch as his paws
form into fists. "Don't make me hurt you." I push my hooves deep into the dirt;
I am ready to defend myself. Not only do I have quite a kick and my horns that
could slice through a pumpkin. I've been fighting with my older brother for
years, and this Wocky shouldn't be any problem.
"Don't mess with me, Seth," I warn, ready to
protect myself if he strikes.
"I ain't scared, Blue," Seth replies as he charges
forward ready to punch me. I shift my weight and close my eyes ready to receive
the blow, but it never happens. I open my eyes to see a yellow Gelert on the
ground, his paw on his left eye. He dove in and shielded me and took the hit
from Seth.
"Berrik!" I cry and rush to his side. "Are you
all right?" He nods as I turn to Seth. He stares there dumbfounded that he hit
the wrong pet. The shock turns to cockiness.
"Berrik, you stupid mongrel. You know better
than to get into a fight with me. My Pa' just might swoop down and buy poor,
old Mrs. Baker's land. Wouldn't that be awful? That'd mean you were really didn't
have a home," Seth taunts. "I forgot, you are already without a home."
"You dirty rich Tigermouse," Berrik yells and
jumps to his paws ready to strike. "I am going to make you pay for messing with
Pri and insulting me!" Berrik advances with clenched paws and I stop him.
"Don't. He's not worth it," I cry and he tries
to go around me, but I stop him. He stares into my pleading eyes, but my eyes
can do nothing rage has taken control of his body.
"Don't listen to Princess Blue," Seth tells
him. "I'll give you another, come on!" The rage disappears and Berrik lowers
his paws, he isn't going to fight. "Coward," Seth spits as he walks off toward
the creek. Berrik stands still breathing harder than I've ever seen.
"Are you okay?" I ask timidly.
"Fine," Berrik snaps instantly. "I'll walk you
home."
"You don't have to, I can take care of myself."
"Just like you did a few minutes ago?"
"You didn't give me a chance to defend myself.
I've been brawling with my brother since the day I entered this world, I can
handle myself in a fight."
"You know what? It doesn't matter. He's scum,
especially for going to hit a girl. I am poor orphan and I have better class
than him."
"You do," I agree. We begin the walk back to
my farm. I don't know how I'd survive without Berrik, he's one of my only friends
in Farmington. He gets teased a lot just like me, I guess the outsiders find
strength in numbers. Berrik is an orphan who was adopted by old Mrs. Baker.
Her husband passed away many years ago, and she never had any children of her
own. She wanted someone to take over the farm when she died, so she adopted
Berrik when he was a mere Gelert pup. Mrs. Baker can't take of the farm by herself
anymore so she needs Berrik to help her. "Thanks for back there, even though
I could have taken care of him."
Anytime, Pri," he replies with a huge smile,
but disappears quickly when he warns me. "You shouldn't be wandering in the
woods by yourself. There are far worse things than Seth in the woods."
"Those are just legends the elders make up to
keep the babies out of the woods."
"Maybe, maybe not."
"You believe in those stories of ghosts, thieves,
and other nonsense?"
"I've seen a lot before I came to Farmington.
You've never left this small protected town."
"I have too," I protested. "I've been to Green
Hills!"
"Green Hills is an even more smaller town than
this one," Berrik informs me. "You should really go to the Neopian Central one
of these days.
"I would but my father won't let him. He probably
let my brother go though, if he wanted to, but Jett would rather stay in Farmington
for the rest of his life," I tell him as we walk out of the woods. I don't notice
but my brother and father are standing in the middle of my field. I don't notice
them till I hear my brother's familiar and serious voice.
"Pri, where have you been?" Jett asks.
"No where," I reply.
"See Father, she is just wasting her time. She
could be doing something valuable besides wandering in woods that shouldn't
be wandered in."
"Pri, what have you been doing?" my father asks,
his cold, navy eyes stare at me. I do not answer, I cannot tell my father the
truth. If he hears the truth, he'll be really angry. His eyes fall on to Berrik
at my side. "Berrik, what happened to your eye?" I look the eye that Seth punched
is now purple and swollen.
"I was in a bit of a fray, sir." Berrik admits.
Upon hearing this a rare thing happens, a crooked grin spreads across my father's
normally stern, emotionless face.
"I had a bit of those when I was younger," my
father tells him. "Boys will just be boys."
"Yes, sir."
"Did you win?"
"No, sir."
"Don't worry you will get him next time."
"Yes, sir."
"Berrik, thank you for escorting my daughter
home. She knows better than to wander in the woods by herself, I'm glad that
you found her before anything happened to her."
"Your welcome, sir."
"Pri, don't you have something to say to Berrik?"
"I already thanked him, Father," I answer.
"Pri!" My father's voice hisses.
I sigh, "Thank you for walking me home, Berrik."
"Anytime, Pri."
"We'll see bright in early tomorrow, right?"
Jett asks.
"I'll be here to help," Berrik says.
"Help with what?" I question.
"Planting, we are going to plant a whole new
section. This field is worthless, might as well use it." My jaw drops in shock,
how could they do this? Take away my haven? My one place to escape? I cannot
not protest, I know my father's word is final. There is nothing I can do.
"Say goodbye to your precious field," Jett sneers.
"Pri, you are not allowed to leave the house
for the next week, not even to visit your grandparents or go to school. Since
you like to sit around so much, this punishment should be a vacation for you.
Now, go!" my father tells me.
I whisper a goodbye to Berrik as I rush off toward
the house, hidden behind the orchard, trying not to cry. The one place I need,
the one place where I am normal is gone. The woods aren't the haven; with Seth
and my other classmates around every corner to start trouble. I don't know what
to do anymore. My mind is jumbled with emotions and ideas; I would normally
go to my field to sort it out and see the clear picture but my field will be
gone soon. I am not allowed to even go to say goodbye. It must seem odd to want
to say goodbye to a piece of land, but it has given me so much without even
knowing it I have to do something to repay the field. I wish I could be able
to lay down, feel the cool breeze and watch the grass sway. I want to hear the
songs of Beekadoodles and to have a clear mind for a last time before it's taken
away.
I enter our big, white farmhouse. I race up
the stairs, disappear into my room, and fling myself on my bed. I don't want
to see anyone right now. My grandmother can understand everything about me,
but right now I just don't think she'd understand anything.
Hours and hours have passed. The sky is dark
now, stars glittering overhead and a full moon looks down on Farmington. I listen
carefully, making sure no is awake. I've been in my room for hours, and I am
going to leave. I slide out of bed carefully and creep down the stairs. I walk
to the kitchen and grab my coat off the hook. I slide on the worn, black coat
and slip out the door into the night. I trot through the farm carefully and
swiftly. I use the moonlight as a candle. My senses alert and searching for
any signs of danger or getting caught. I walk through the lines of the shadowy
apple trees and to my field. It's normally empty, but someone stands there tonight.
It's a dark Kau wearing a shawl of gold, it's my grandmother. I go to her and
whisper,
"Grandmother, I..." She looks at me, I can't
finish my sentence. I can't explain why I came to the field tonight.
"I won't tell your father you were here, Pri.
You don't need to explain anything to me," my grandmother replies. "I understand.
You aren't the only one who wants to say goodbye." I nod and we stand in the
field mentally saying our goodbyes. We feel the grass tickle our stomachs one
last time. It seems such a waste to destroy such a valuable treasure, to put
up apple trees for profit. There is nothing we can do but just say our goodbyes
and remember every last detail about the field because it will be gone tomorrow.
The End
To everyone who has a field of their own.
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