Chapter 1

The sun was rising in the horizon and the village of Rood Bridge Park began to burst with life. People of many cultures came together with dancing, music and food to celebrate the one hundred years of peace in Rood Bridge. Queen Imani stood proudly standing in the balcony of her large house and held a flower in her hand. As it blossomed, fire flies flew into the air and with pride she exclaimed: "Long live Peace!"

Everyone rejoiced and cheered. Even ten year old Emmet, who was flying his bird shaped kite in the air with joy. After that, everyone began to dance and sing the anthem of Rood Bridge.

"Boy, when I left you, you were young

I was gone, but not my love

You were clearly meant for more

Than a life lost in the war

I want you to be happy

Free to run and dizzy on caffeine

Funny friends that made you laugh

Or maybe your just a little bit dappy

Fly

Feel your mother at your side, don't you know you got my eyes

I'll make you fly

You'll be happy all the time

I know you could make it right"

(Youth, Glass Animals)

For as long as he could remember, Emmet had always heard the same song sung over and over, and even his late father used to hum that song before Emmet would sleep. His father would tell him that his mother was one of the people who wrote the words to the song with the royal family.

Emmet decided to put his kite on the ground, and he walked towards the plaza of the village. He looked at the families that were there celebrating. Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sister, they were all here. And Emmet felt an emptiness inside. His father was no longer with him for he was asleep in death along with his mother, who passed away two years before his father. Emmet felt terrible afterwards.

"I'm being selfish. I shouldn't think like that." Said Emmet. He felt it was selfish to think a lot for himself and shook his head.

"No! Today is the celebration! I need to enjoy this day, and help people." Said Emmet. He went straight back home and opened shop. Emmet's family were pharmacists and also his father was a doctor.

Rood Bridge Park had many doctors, but Emmet's father was regarded as the best of the best. He won many awards, and was seen as a super star in the medical field of the jungle. Villages from far and wide regarded the man as a true hero, while Emmet was seen as a prodigy.

But Emmet didn't think of himself like his father. He was simply a ten year old who just loved helping people. Also, despite his age, he was a herbalist and could batch up medicine for others. His father and mother taught him many things in order for him to be prepared.

And he was. He stood in the counter of the shop mixing two fruits and plants with special seeds. As he was humming a tune, a family went in. The last thing Emmet needed to see. A complete nuclear family to fill poor Emmet with misery inside. He missed his parents a lot, but he knew that this was his job.

"Welcome to the Tree of Hope. How can I help you today?" asked Emmet.

"Hi, we need something! Is there an adult we can talk to?" asked the father.

"I'm the only one here, but I can still help." Said Emmet.

"What?! You?! But you're a kid! Anyway, perhaps you can help." He said as he saw Emmet's work on the counter.

"Listen, my son here is sick. He was fine a couple hours ago in the celebration, but he's fallen ill." Said the man.

Emmet saw the little boy, roughly two years younger than he was, and indeed he looked ill.

"We need his temperature." Said Emmet.

"No need. Just feel his forehead." Said the mother.

Emmet placed his hand on the kids' head and he was burning up.

"This is a fever! And boy is it strong. I have a couple remedies for the flu." Said Emmet as he placed three bottles of different medicine.

"I'm hoping it's just the flu, but this medicine here does the trick. Make him drink one teaspoon of it when you get home, wait for five hours, then have him take another teaspoon. It will have him sleeping all day, but he will be fine if he does this in three days." Said Emmet.

"Oh thank you! Thank you!" cried the parents as they paid for their medicine and left.

Emmet laid back, knowing he did a good job. His father would have been proud. That is until another customer came in.

Another parent with a sick kid. Emmet stood up and noticed the little girl was sick, similarly like the boy.

"Help! She's sick!" cried the parent. As before, Emmet offered the same medicine and gave the same directions. As he was doing so, another parent came in with their sick child. And then another. And then another complete family.

In about thirty minutes, Emmet's little shop was full of customers, all saying the same thing. Their child was sick. Emmet sold all his medicines that day, and he had to batch as much as he could.

All day long, Emmet began to work. However, as the day was coming to a close, Emmet ran out of his medicine. And only a few families remain.

"I'm sorry families. All the medicine is out. I can batch some more, but it will take a few hours." Said Emmet.

"Oh no. What now?" said one parent. Just then, a large sound was heard, coming from the castle.

"It's the Queen! She's having an emergency meeting at her estate!" cried Emmet.

Everyone in the shop then left and Emmet quickly followed behind. The horn that was blown in Rood Bridge was never blown in many years. This was the first time Emmet actually heard it in all his life.

Emmet quickly closed up shop and headed towards the city. Then an announcement was made.

"All doctors and pharmacists must come to see the Queen immediately. This is a state of emergency!" ordered one of the guards.