EMPTYLAND

ONE

The young boy lands on the Emperor’s garden. His landing creates a crater five miles in diameter, pressing the entire Emperor’s garden and half the royal forest deep underground. The lovely orange and yellow Nasturtiums Penelpoe enjoys spending lazy afternoons sitting by next to the pond and white gazebo, gone. Along with the pretty little Daisies, Johny Jump Ups and the warm scented lavender Alliums and white Buttonbushes where the Lady Bugs, Butterflies and Bees congregate in the hot summer afternoons. Penelope’s heart aches as she looks out the widow over the grounds mostly hidden by a dark cloud of dust.

Penelope is sent out to investigate what caused this thunderous sound, it shook the castle and all of the town. A frightful sound never heard before in Emptyland, every person shudders in fear and hides behind closed and locked doors, worrying for their personal safety. Windows are pulled closed to keep out the dust cloud and shades are drawn to keep out the sight of it. People in Emptyland have not been particularly kind or brave for a very long time.

As Penelope arrives at the edge of the crater, the faint outline of a child begins to appear way down at the bottom. The dust cloud is still hard to see through, she glimpses a light cutting between the dirt particles as they fall back to the earth, a brightness hard to describe and a color she has never seen before, shimmer out towards her. Slowly the shape of a boy becomes solid in Penelope’s vision.

The child sits still, wearing a light-blue jumper and tiny blue tennis shoes, a matching blue sailors cap crooked on his head. As Penelope creeps down the side of the gigantic dirt bowl an object in the boys hands catches her eye, he holds a bright circle of light, an orb of some sort. Penelope stands still and observes until she feels her bravery rise up and start her feet moving again towards the tiny boy.

When she reaches the bottom of the bowl, only a few feet from the boy she sees the bright orb is an egg, a golden one, and it is creating holographic images the boy seems to be communicating with.

Penelope bravely crosses the last few feet and sits gently at the boys side, tenderly wrapping her wing around him. “Your just a tiny thing,” she says softly. “Are you alright?” She peers down into the small boys face trying not to frighten him. Penelope feels her full size as she sits by the boy, she tried to squeeze everything in wanting to feel smaller, her size has always been an obstacle in making friends.

“I have arrived.?” The boy whispers, Penelope is unsure if it is a statement or a question, the boys face holds no clues.

Colorful pictures in the holograms attract Penelope’s attention, a different world appears within the spectral window. A beautiful golden praying mantis emits from the egg. “Hi, I am Jade,” she says. “We have arrived to assist in Emptyland’s transition. Tom has taken form to guide you, please do nothing to cause him harm, keep him safe.” With that the praying mantis and window disappear, the egg goes dark, now it looks like nothing more than a gold foil wrapped easter egg.

TWO

Penelope coaxes the small boy up onto her back, she makes sure he is secure, snuggled between her wings. She takes flight, rising out of the dirt bowl, she stays close to the ground, soaring delicately she takes her prize back to the castle. A giggle escapes the boys mouth as Penelope softly lands on the stairs in front of the stone castles large wooden doors.

Erasmus, the Emperor’s butler opens the door, “Penelope, what have you got there? Swiftly please the Emperor is anxious to hear what the racket was.” Erasmus holds out his arm to guide them both into the castle and down the long hall tiled completely in grass green.

After the hall of green they enter a large blue ballroom, designed and lit to feel as if you are swimming under water. Another giggle escapes the boy, Penelope turns her head and asks, “Having fun Tom?”

“Uh-hu”, is the boys response, his eyes wide trying to take in his surroundings, glowing fish of many colors and sizes float on the walls and ceiling. Everything appears to be in motion, a blue glow infuses the entire room creating the illusion of breathing under warm water.

Erasmus leads them to the sofa in the center of the room, “Please sit, the Emperor will join you quickly, he is very impatient for your news.”

Penelope nods, Erasmus retreats to retrieve the Emperor. Penelope lifts Tom onto the purple sofa, his legs not as long as the span of one cushion, the golden egg held firmly in his hands. He looks up at her as she positions her large rainbow colored frame next to him. He shows no fear in his eyes as if he finds it completely normal to be sitting next to a dragon. Penelope feels a softness in her heart as she sinks into the sofa, again Tom giggles. This must be incredibly exciting for him, she wonders happily at where he has come from.

The Emperor comes in through a door situated beneath what appears to be an underwater cave. Dressed in his finest clothes, beaded with hundreds of white shimmering pearls and wearing his best abalone crown, his image is a comfortable fit in this underwater world. Tom giggles, the Emperor asks.“What have you found dear Penelope, who is this tiny man by your side?”

“This is Tom.” Penelope replies, she waits while the Emperor takes his seat on a golden throne to the left of the purple sofa. Once he is seated she says, “I found Tom at the bottom of a very large crater, I’m sad to say his landing decimated your garden and at least half of your forest.”

“Oh no,” the Emperor gasps and covers his mouth with his hands, his eyes wide with surprise, waiting for what may come next, he sits silent.

Penelope continues. “His egg here projects holograms, a beautiful praying mantis named Jade appeared shortly after I found Tom, she said they came to assist us in our transition.”

“Our what?” exclaims the Emperor. “Are you having a go at me dear Penelope?”

“No Sir! I am being completely honest in reporting what I have discovered. Shall I go on?” Penelope adjusts herself nervously on the sofa. “Can I please request a glass of water and one for Tom as well? It is very dusty out there.”

“Certainly, Erasmus.” The Emperor motions to the corner where Erasmus is standing under a glowing jellyfish hovering above him on the wall.

Penelope clears her throat, “Sir, Jade said we must do nothing to cause harm to Tom, he is here to guide us, we must keep him safe.”

“Guide us?” The Emperor confused, motions for Erasmus, who has just returned with two crystal glassed of water, to deliver the water to Penelope and Tom.

Tom looks at the glass of water, a large smile on his face, he makes no motion to accept the glass, so Penelope takes both of them. She leans over and gently offers Tom a drink from the cool glass in her large hand. He sips at the liquid, dribbling down his chin and the front of his jumper, more giggles erupt out of him. Penelope puts Tom’s glass on the table in front of them and greedily guzzles her own, cool water refreshing her mind and helping her gather her thoughts together.

“Keep him safe?” The Emperor queries. “For how long, we have never had a child to care for, how do they suppose we will get on with that? We will need help.” The shock obviously beginning to set in on him, he visibly trembles.

“We can put a call out for Primrose and Paisley to join us if you like, they have more knowledge in these matters than we have.” Penelope tries to hide her own trembling, sitting her glass next to Tom’s.

“Yes please immediately.” The Emperor replies weakly. “What happens if we fail?” He almost whispers his question.

“I’m not sure.” Penelope answers. “I get the feeling it would not be good.”

“Well then, let’s do what we can to keep Tom safe, and find out what all this is about as soon as we can.” The Emperor stands to leave the underwater room. “Thank you Penelope and welcome Tom, please make yourself comfortable in our home.” He gestures Erasmus to attend to Tom and turns, shimmering his way back out through the cave in the wall.

Erasmus looks quizzically at Penelope and says. “Shall we adjourn to a room for Tom, can you stay with him till Primrose and Paisley arrive? I’m sure I have no idea what to do for him.” He looks embarrassed.

“Of course I will.” Penelope says feeling pride well up from somewhere inside her, heating a blush on her cheeks.

THREE

Erasmus takes them to the orchard room, with fruit trees painted on all the walls. Situated on the bed with a comforter covered in pictures of oranges Tom looks fragile. Penelope takes the bed with lemons on the comforter, there are two more beds in the room, one covered in green apples and the other covered in blueberries. She asks Erasmus if he could please find something for them to eat, this room is making her feel hungry.

For the first time that day Penelope sits back with her thoughts, realizing she feels rather numb, her nose is tingly. She pinches herself to be sure she is not dreaming, she looks over at Tom, he appears real and small in need of tending, definitely not grown enough to take care of himself. Where could he possibly be leading them, where has Jade the golden mantis gone? So many questions plague her mind, she feels it best to proceed cautiously, one step at a time.

Thats it, she thinks, she rises from the bed and goes over to Tom. Sitting on the edge of his bed she gently knocks on the golden egg, hoping to draw Jade to appear again. Tom hugs the egg to his chest, gives Penelope a clear look of don’t touch, and grunts as he rolls on his side, protecting the egg from further touching.

Erasmus enters the room with a tray set for the gods, juices of many flavors, in multicolored crystal glasses, a plate of fruits cut into tiny pieces, quarter cut cucumber sandwiches, cookies, potato fries and carrot and celery sticks with multiple dipping sauces. He sits the tray on a table in the center of the room, a cherry decorated table cloth draped beneath it.

“Thank you Erasmus, this looks lovely!” Penelope gets up from the bed, the aroma of sweet fruits and vegetables making her tummy grumble. “Erasmus could you please put a call out for Primrose and Paisley to join us here at the Castle?”

“Immediately I will.” A sense of urgency in his step as he leaves the room bowing to their guest.

Tom sits up looking interested, the smell of fine foods triggering his hunger also. They sit at the table in white padded chairs, both eating until they have their fill. Penelope thinks Tom has an amazing appetite for such a small boy, she feels happy inside knowing he has been nourished well.

After their meal, she helps Tom to wash in soap and warm waters, dressing him in a soft night gown Erasmus found for him. The gown has little yellow ducks playing in ponds on it, this seems to amuse Tom, which warms Penelope’s heart. She is not finding it hard at all to want to protect her tiny charge. With Tom tucked in bed, hugging his golden egg, fast asleep after what Penelope would call a very exciting day, Penelope rests her head on the pillow of her bed, she falls asleep before she can count even one sheep.

The next morning she wakes to Primrose and Paisley sitting side by side on the green apple bed discussing the possibilities of where Tom has come from and why. “Good morning sleepyhead.” they say in unison when they see Penelope’s eyes open.

“Good morning, I’m so happy you are here.” Penelope yawns and groggily speaks, wiping her eyes free of sandman crusties.

“Quite the conundrum you have here.” The two white birds say in unison. The two ladies take up a large portion of the bed they are sitting on. They are giant white Eagles, summoned from the top of the mountains of mind where the giants fled when Emptyland became an unsafe place for them to remain.

Penelope sits up in her bed, surprised she slept so well, “Yes, very curious indeed,” she says. “We are to protect Tom, keep him safe, let no harm come to him, we sent for you hoping you will help.”

“We would be happy to help.” Broad smiles cross both their faces, “we love a good mystery. We saw the damage done to the garden and forest on our way in, an incredible entrance for such a tiny being.”

“Yes, with a thunderous sound too, the Emperor was shook, all across the land the people cried in fear. I was sent to investigate, I’m sorry I do not have more to share, just Tom here and what Jade said.”

“Jade?” Primrose questions.

“Yes, a golden praying mantis emitted out of the egg Tom holds and said they arrived to assist us in a transition, that Tom was here to guide us and we need to keep him safe.” Penelope feels the numb tingly feeling returning to her nose.

“OOOO a mystery for sure.” Paisley excitedly bounces upon the bed. “We have been waiting for such a thing, an arrival was prophesied many months ago up on the mountain of mind. All we could do was wait and hope, and now it seems the time has come.”

Primrose and Paisley bounce together holding each other in giddy joy. Tom yawns and opens his eyes, the golden egg held firm, his bright blue eyes shine with delight, seeing the giant white birds, he lets out a sleepy giggle as Erasmus enters the room.

FOUR

“Good Morning Tom, Penelope, Primrose, Paisley.” He tips his head to them as he sets down a tray of hot scones, warm herbal teas, fruits and more wonderful juices. “You must all be feeling hungry, I hope this will help.” He also has Tom’s jumper folded over his arm, freshly laundered, he places it on the foot of the bed Tom is in.

“Thank you Erasmus, perfect timing.” Penelope says as she rises out of her bed and assists Tom to the table.

They all sit together and enjoy a wonderful breakfast. Paisley and Primrose update Penelope on the happenings with the giants since she has last seen them, seems like it has been ages ago. They left swiftly when Emptyland took its turn for the worst, the people becoming angry and intolerant of anything not like themselves. Violence erupted and crime spread everywhere. The Emperor retreated to his castle with Erasmus and Penelope as his only friends. The people of the town blamed the Emperor for their suffering, they would receive none of his help or guidance and heard nothing he had to say. The giants have always held an oath to be part of no harm, so they fled unsure how to bring calm to such an angry crowd and worried about the force being used to cause suffering.

Just then the egg begins to emit the odd light Penelope had seen shimmering towards her in the crater. Flickering images flutter out into the room before them. Tom sits the egg on the table as it begins to vibrate. Surrounded by tea cups, fruit and warm scones Jade appears on the table looking more lovely than Penelope remembered.

“Hello again,” Jade speaks, her velvety voice causing a comfort to descend into the room and surround them, a smile spreads across all their faces. “I see we have more new friends Tom.”

Tom giggles and looks towards Primrose and Paisley.

“Emtyland is in danger,” Jade starts right in. “The time has come for responsibilities, Emtyland will either face its own destruction, or will rise to this magical occasion and create a new experiential world to live in.” She is met by silence and stunned faces.

She continues, “Tom has arrived to guide you, on a mission to gather information. We need to know how many in Emptyland are willing to save their existence and that of their neighbor, change their ways and behave better.”

“How, what, who?” Penelope, Primrose and Paisley stutter.

“We require you journey into the town and bring back knowledge of willing citizens, ones who are willing to lead the new venture, to save lives and create a sustainable living dimension.” Jade flashes in and out of view as if she has dipped underwater for a moment. “I will return in one weeks time to collect the data.” On the last word she disappears and the egg goes back to its foil easter egg look. Tom reaches for it and hugs it back to his chest protectively, scone and crushed fruit stuck at the corners of his mouth. Penelope takes a napkin and gently wipes his face, she is enjoying the feeling of caring for him, keeping him safe.

“Well it appears we have a quest in our mist.” Primrose quietly states as if not wanting to disturb the air in which the holograms have just been.

“The mystery increases.” Paisley tries to lighten the mood that has taken over the room. “What shall we do first?”

“I feel uncertain, a little afraid” Penelope adds. “We stopped going into Emptyland shortly after you went away, it can be dangerous, difficult to protect Tom, should we leave him here with Erasmus to be safe?”

“Jade said he was here to guide us,” Primrose says. “I think he must join us, seems to be part of the plan.”

“We should pack the van, plan our get away if it all goes bad.” Penelope stands and assists Tom from the table, she helps him wash up and dress for their adventure. Tom tucks the golden egg in his bed on his pillow, sending the message he wishes to leave it in the castle.

FIVE

When they inform the Emperor of their plan he shudders in fear, he has suffered deeply in trying to bring peace to the land. He choses to remain with Erasmus at the castle, he feels they can be more useful this way if something should happen and the group find they need rescuing.

After packing all they can think of that may be needed, the four climb into the van, Paisley driving, Primrose shotgun while Penelope and Tom sit side by side in the back seat. Like a bolt of lightening a tingle of fear, mixed with excitement runs through the passengers of the van, every eye is wide open. As they near the town a sour smell of stale garbage drifts into the van.

“OOO yucky, roll up all the windows.” Paisley cringes.

The smell invades the groups senses as the rubbish of the buildings comes into view. An old rickety fence in need of paint and repair lines the bumpy dirt road as they enter the town. A sign reading Em ty and, is discarded and broken on the ground. A young boy in the grip of what appears to be his father is being dragged away from the sign, his father raps him multiple times with a bat he holds firmly.

Tom whimpers and closes his eyes, Penelope tries to shield him, distracting him with a magnificent tree on the other side of the road, an angel oak she believes. Garbage and debris are blowing in the breeze making them all hold their noses.

“Where shall we go to deliver the message Jade has given us?” Primrose says, looking out the window feeling disgusted.

“The town square may be the place to go, there used to be a food market there every day at this time, that way we can reach many of the people who live here.” Penelope tries to sound upbeat as if she is expecting this to be fun.

They enter the main road to the town square, children are throwing rocks through the windows, all dirty and wearing rags, they turn and pummel the van with rocks breaking the back window. Penelope wraps her wings around Tom, the gasp he lets out sends a sharp pinch through her heart.

In the fountain at the center of the town square lay a stone mermaid knocked off her pedestal and badly broken, garbage fills the center where the water should be, large black birds forage and fight on top of it. At the bottom of the stairs to the old theater a few scattered stands are displayed where they see sad looking animals trapped in cages stacked on top of each other, surrounded by food stuff looking mostly un-edible and people screaming and fighting with each other everywhere they look. Tom peeks from under Penelope’s wings and begins to cry.

“There there Tom, it’s going to be okay.” Penelope comforts him and wipes his tears. “Have we made a mistake coming here?” She asks her friends.

“We must do as Jade instructed, we must try.” Paisley says weakly, the excitement of their adventure fading.

Primrose rolls down her widow and attracts the attention of the people closest to her. “Excuse me, we have a message for the people of Emptyland. May we have your attention please?”

An angry looking man with blood red eyes asks, “What have you got to say?” He drops the woman’s arm he is holding and she falls to the ground, bleeding from her mouth.

“We have received a message that a transition is coming, we all have a choice to change for the better or meet our destruction.” Primrose is struggling to get the words out as the rough looking crowd begins to surround the van.

“You gonna cause this destruction?” the man asks as he picks up a stick and bangs on the van. Others clamoring around do the same, the sound in the van is disheartening, becomes frightening. Penelope keeps Tom wrapped in her wings, she can feel him trembling.

The crowd outside begins shouting, it’s hard to understand the words they use, it all blends into a cacophony of hate and threats of violence.

“We need to get out of here.” Primrose shouts over the deafening sound in all their ears.

Paisley tries to drive forward, the crowd interferes, so she tries to reverse but they are surrounded by the hordes of disheveled faces all shouting and pounding on the van. “I’m frightened.” She says as a tear leaves her eye, Primrose reaches over to try and comfort her.

An explosion is heard behind the theatre, a large plum of smoke rises into the air, the crowd begins to disperse most of them going to see what has happened, giving the group a chance to get out of there. Primrose drives as fast as she dares, around the fountain and back towards the castle. A few angry townspeople follow loosing ground as the van picks up speed and bounces along on the bumpy dirt road.

None of brave group in the van feels safe until they see the castle before them, the crater to the side and the welcoming doorway. Penelope releases her hold on Tom and checks to see how he is doing, tears still fall from his eyes, his face is flushed and she feels worried.

“We must get Tom inside and comfort him.” She feels winded and out of breath, that was far worse than she expected.

Erasmus greets them at the door and ushers them into safety, they all take in a deep breath and look at each other sideways, fear still splashed across their faces, relief trickles in slowly.

SIX

Erasmus gets them settled in the orchard room with a tray of delightful looking quarter cut sandwiches and warm soup he has just made of fresh vegetables with a wonderfully smelling broth that fills the room in a protective warmness. They all sigh as they realize how much worse things could have gone.

“The Emperor wishes you to take comfort and relax, enjoy the lunch I have prepared, then he requests you all join him in the ocean room to discuss what must be done next.” Erasmus looks lovingly at each member of the brave group and then excuses himself with a bow.

They all enjoy the spectacular lunch, the soup fills up the spaces inside them with the warm sense of a hug. Tom falls asleep in his chair, leaned over resting his head on Penelope’s arm. She gently delivers him to his bed and tucks him in with his egg. The three tired friends rest as well, each sprawl out on a bed, in the comfort of the Emperor’s indoor orchard.

When they wake from their rest, Erasmus leads them to the Ocean room where the Emperor is already waiting. All situated on the purple couch next to the Emperor on his throne, Penelope dares to say. “Sir, I’m afraid we have failed, our destruction must be imminent, we found no one willing to change.”

“While you were gone we had a bit of excitement here. Your friend Jade created an alarming sound, brought both Erasmus and I running into the Orchard room. She is a lovely being, we had such a nice time with her. The egg projected pictures of you in the town square and what went on there. When it became fearful to watch we deployed a missile behind the theatre, hoping to drag the attention of the townspeople away from you. We felt thrilled when it worked.” The Emperor had to stop to take in a quick breath. “Jade was awfully concerned and shocked at what you had to witness. She said after your return to the castle she would come again, when our fate has been decided. Then she was gone as if she had never been. I believe it is important for us to stay strong.” The Emperor continued. “I have plotted a piece of land on the south of the castle where we can begin our new garden, while we wait for Jade’s return. We can not let the will from the townsfolk become our downfall, we can set to work first thing in the morning, idle hands and all that they say, we will not let fear control our days.”

They all sheepishly agree and begin to gather the tools necessary to build the new garden, the work creates a happy hopeful vibe. They enjoy a fine dinner of roasted potatoes corn on the cob and steamed carrots, followed by a delicate banana pudding. They melt into their beds and all experience the sleep of babies until dawn.

SEVEN

In the morning after they fill themselves with toast, fruit and warm herbal tea they set out and begin to plough the earth and prepare it for seeds. Penelope lets Tom ride on her back, safely between her wings, he is much too small for all this hard work. The return of his giggle warms Penelope’s heart. They work all day and long into the night, delighted in small bursts of play, friends joyfully teasing each other in great jest, such a wonderful time they create, working together towards the same goal.

Back in the castle fed, bathed and dressed in warm jammies they ruminate on their brave adventure and what they see as a possible future.

“I think the fact we tried must count for something.” Primrose offers.

“Yes we are very brave.” Paisley adds, cuddling herself in a warm fuzzy blanket.

Tom sleepily giggles and hugs his golden egg to his heart, Penelope tucks him in a bit tighter. Just as Penelope gets back to her bed, her heart feeling lighter than ever, the egg starts vibrating wildly sending out an unavoidable sound, they all sit up in a startle as Erasmus and the Emperor run into the room.

Jade appears in a whirlpool of light, with flower petals of many colors falling around her. “Greetings my friends,” she starts. “How are you all tonight?” She asks, her golden aura sparkles in the darkness of the night.

“We are fearful we have failed.” Primrose expresses.

“Yes we found very little sign of possible change in Emptyland, we are so sorry.” Paisley humbly adds.

Jade beams as she explains. “No worries you have not failed, you preformed perfectly. You protected Tom, you kept him safe, we find a young life to care for is a good test of inner worth. You held hope in your hearts even when faced with the worst. You looked after each other, found the joy you can share and caused no harm, even when threatened you remained calm. You have prevailed and the transition has been approved. You will be saved, continue with your good work, be kind, be brave, work together and enjoy your days. When you hear the clarion call a crack will be formed and we will return with a chariot to take you where you belong. Until then know we are proud of you for doing so well, we feel great excitement for what is to come.” Before anyone can respond Jade is again gone.

“Oh my goodness.” The Emperor lets out, his face feeling flushed, his energies drained. “This is excellent news, let’s all rest tonight and in the morning we can continue, we have much work to do.”

NOT THE END