I dropped out of a tree, landing on my hands and feet. I was looking for something, but I didn't know what it was. It was like I had forgotten to put something in my story.
Or someone…
I shook my head, pushing the thought out of my brain. It was impossible. I never forget to put a character in. Walking forward slowly, I noticed footprints in the spongy earth. Toe prints were visible, the person wasn't wearing any shoes for sure. And they were a little larger than mine, like a man's foot. I stepped forward tentatively. This was odd, and more than a little fishy. The thought rang through my head again:
You forgot someone…
"I did not."
Did so.
"Whatever."
I followed the prints with my upper body bowed towards the ground. They led straight, then turned right, then left around a bush, and right again. To the base of a massive tree I tracked them, until, upon looking up, I found what I didn't know I was seeking.
"Merry Brandybuck! I found you!"
The hobbit was perched on the fourth branch, his feet dangling several yards above my head.
"So you did." He spoke in a monotone. My brow wrinkled.
"Merry, what are you talking about? Come down, we should find a place to stay for the night." The sun was failing. I must have been out longer than I thought.
"You forgot me, Rachael."
"I forgot you? When did I do that?"
He looked at me grimly and folded his arms, wobbling some before steadying himself.
"In your story, chapter 32? I was at Dunharrow too, ya know."
"Holy cow! You were! Because you went with King Theoden to Minas Tirith!"
Merry nodded his head at me like I was a dope that couldn't understand the slightest thing. A silence enveloped us as I folded my arms, thinking about how I could have left him out.
"Did I seriously just not write you in?"
"Yes." Merry continued.
"Oh my gosh. I could kick myself. I'm so sorry." My head felt like a lead weight in my hands.
"Do you promise never to do it again?" Merry sounded hopeful.
"Yes!" I said happily, excited to hear emotion in his voice. "Yes, I promise to check for missing people before I finish each chapter."
"Good, now don't forget to put me back where I belong. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
"And Rachael?"
"Yeah Merry?"
"Could you help me down? This is really high off the ground."
Laughing joyfully, I jumped and grabbed the first branch, hiking myself up to rescue my little friend.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Never misplace your characters! They can be really hard to find! Harder than Merry the Hobbit!