Fairy Dust Not Included
Ten.
Jack had never been to jail before. He never imagined he would ever have to wonder about jail life. For a second, he allowed his eyes to wander. A tiny grin grew on his lips at the sight of Carson. Two burly guards trapped Carson within their strong hold. Jack could admit he was pleased. He didn't like the rude fairy.
"We don't have time. Jerry is out there he –"
"Sloane, you are a princess," the king reminded. "You shouldn't frolic with such dangerous beings. Your future is too bright to wander like this."
Sloane narrowed her eyes at them. Jack analyzed her stance. Her shoulders were slouched and her lips were turned down. He wondered how often she fought with her parents. He could understand the struggle well. He may not be royalty, but the scene was familiar all the same. It was clear Sloane's parents had a hard time listening to her. Glamorous life or not, anyone could experience something like him, he guessed.
"Mother," she turned to the beautiful queen. "We are a gentle people who help. You have to convince father. We can't throw them in the dungeon. Jerry needs his friends."
Sloane walked to her mother's throne and slid her hand into the older woman's hand. For a few seconds they held hands, eyes set on each other. Jack wondered what conversation they could be having. All fairies could read minds, right? He shook the thought from his head.
"Don't bother with them, Sloane," Carson spat. "Gentle? I don't believe that. They banished fairies who are strange to the forest. Anything not like them is considered a threat. They are no better than the Imps that lie in the opposing kingdom."
"Now, you listen here, you nasty Imp," the king pointed. "You be glad my daughter cares for you. If not, I'd throw you in the darkest, dirtiest dungeon in the entire kingdom."
"Dear."
The king turned to the soft look on the Queen's face. Jack watched the silent exchange. The King waved the guards away. He let out a relieved sigh. Good, he didn't wish to sit in fairy jail. If Sloane was correct, then Jerry needed all their help. He rubbed his sore wrists and turned his attention to the King and Queen.
"Go on, Sloane," the Queen urged. "Tell us from the beginning."
Jack stepped forward. "If I may speak, I think you'll understand the story better if I tell it."
All eyes turned to him as he revealed the story of the fairy boy that wandered into their basement. He kept every single detail in. There was no reason to lie. They needed the clear picture. He wasn't afraid to show his obvious faults.
"I see," the Queen commented, reclining in her throne. "Well, human child, I can't say I'm pleased with what you are saying. If anything, I feel my suspicions about the human kind are very true."
Jack opened his mouth to correct her on the child comment, but he closed his mouth. The memory of his almost imprisonment was too fresh in his mind. Kim stepped forward, bowed deeply, and then straightened her posture.
"If I may, I know Jack is sorry," she answered. "Despite all you heard, he truly is a good guy. He just has been so stressed lately and wasn't prepared to face Jerry and his problem."
"Right," Milton added, next to her. "Jack is a best friend of mine. I can always count on him. I won't say he doesn't make mistakes but, please, forgive him."
"Kim, Milton," Jack cut in, touched by their words. "I should speak for myself, but thanks. Your majesty, I was wrong. All I thought about was how much I wanted to impress my parents, how I could never live up to their expectations. I wanted this year to be the best and Jerry disrupted that."
"I'm certain you know how fairies feel when they've been wronged, don't you human?" the King glared. "I'm certain your legends have taught you."
"I can't say I'm well taught," he laughed, nervousness in his voice.
The queen smiled. "Well, be grateful we aren't Imps. What you did – well, in their eyes it would be considered an outrageous insult. I can't say you or your friends would have survived. They don't like when they are treated unwell. Am I right Carson?"
Carson snapped his head toward the queen. "Of course, they are the same with each other. I've seen it firsthand."
Jack turned his attention to the fairy. He wondered what he meant. What had he witnessed? He returned his attention forward. It seemed the situation was less hostile. If he could just get them to help find Jerry, then everything would be just fine.
"Well, we must hurry then. Jerry doesn't have much time," the Queen remarked. "We'll have to recruit our best for this trip."
"What do you mean? Do you know where he is?" Kim asked, urgency in her voice.
Jack looked to Kim, a little shocked. Kim barely talked with Jerry yet she seemed just at concerned. A warmth spread though him. He guessed it was just one of the many things that amazed him about her.
"I don't want to alarm anyone," she stated. "But as fairies our powers and our wellbeing are tied to this world. Out there in the human world we are vulnerable."
"Not really," Jack stated, care freely. "When I punched Jerry that one time he didn't bruise or anything. I mean, like I said I was very sorry about that."
"No, Jerry and all fairies alike get their strength from nature. We live best here. We are weak out there."
Sloane frowned. "I thought that as long as you returned home you are fine."
"Yes, but dear, has Jerry been back since?"
Sloane cover her mouth with her hand as tears welled in her eyes. Jack was alarmed by her distress. He looked from the King to the Queen but they seemed just as solemn. He glanced at Milton and Kim for answers but they seemed perplexed.
"What do you mean tied to this world?" Jack asked, but received no answer.
Jack's eyes swept the scenery. Confusion settled upon him like a thick fog. He noticed Carson's displeased look. The fairy boy turned toward him, determination in his eyes. Carson walked toward him, right hand lifted, palm out.
Sweat accumulated upon Jack's brow as an unbearable heat devoured his body. He tried to inhale, in a moment of panic, but was unable to catch his breathe. He couldn't breathe. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Why couldn't he breathe?
"Carson, enough!" the Queen hollered.
His vision blurred and a tiny gasp left his lips. Carson was no longer far away. Despite, the imperfect vision he could sense the fairy near.
"You filthy human," Carson growled, a few inches from Jack. "Our friend is going to die because you couldn't stand his pranks and joyful attitude."
"Die?" Milton asked. "What? He'll die?!"
"I've never read anything about that in the legends," Kim whispered.
"Carson," the Queen called out.
Jack let out another strangled gasp. The noise around him quieted. He seemed so far away from the conversation, but he knew everything was happening right in front of him.
"Well it was never a legend," Carson shouted. "Fairies are real. We are real. And if we are going to lose our friend…then I'll be happy to help you all lose yours."
"No!" Kim lunged.
Carson let out a shriek and fell to the ground.
"When the queen says enough, you listen!"
Jack took a large gulp of air. Relief washed over him as he realized he could breathe. His vision came back to him clear and crisp. He frowned at the sight of Carson before him. The fairy male rested upon the ground, unconscious. He glanced at the King who still had his left hand suspended in the air. He gulped. Fairy magic was both mesmerizing and dangerous.
"Father?" Sloan screamed and ran to her friend. "Carson?"
The Queen sighed. "He is find dear. And you, human, are you alright?"
Jack continued to take deep breaths.
"We don't have time anymore. Carson's stunt may have cost us a few precious minutes. We can't be sure what kind of trouble he could be in," she remarked. "Regardless, I know we will still be alright. I'll send one of the guards to gather our team. They should be outside shortly. Please hurry."
"I'm going," Sloane volunteered, hand on Carson's forehead.
"No," the king bellowed. "Let the royal guard deal with the problem. If you wish, Carson may accompany them but you will stay here. Your mother was right when she said she didn't know the trouble the boy was in. We need you here and safe, please."
Tears welled in her eyes. "He is my friend. You can't do this to me."
The queen left her throne and wrapped her arms around her daughter. She placed a feather light kiss to her hair. "He will be just fine. If I remember him, I know he always puts up a fight."
She nodded, eyes turned to the others. Jack bit his lip, upset with the trouble he caused. He looked to Sloane, eyes determined. "We will bring him home, I promise."
Once Carson awoke, they greeted the small group outside. It was time for them to look for their friend. Friend, Jack thought. He shook his head softly. He knew Jerry thought he was anything but friendly. He wouldn't blame him if he thought he was a monster. As they headed out, his heart clenched within his chest. He only hoped Jerry was okay.
Hello everyone! Here we are again with a new installment of Fairy Dust Not Included.
Special Thanks to Reviewers:
Maddyliza1234, thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked the chapter. I enjoy Carson's character. I liked him in the episode of Kickin' it even if he was the 'bad guy'. I feel like there was another story there. Who knows? Ask for Sloane, yes you are right. Although, I don't think I've read anything with Sloane in the story. I'm glad to know you enjoyed her appearance. Thanks for the support.
Camela1998, thanks for the review. I deserve all the support? Thank you so much! I'm glad you like Kim and Jack's interaction in the last chapter. I describe their interaction to the best of my ability. I liked writing it. Thanks for the support.
I know this was a short chapter, but I felt this was a good place to end. The next chapter will be a nice surprise, so stay tuned. The next Chapter is 10% (estimated) of the way done.
Thanks again for all the support everyone! Thanks to those who read, review, follow, and favorite. All the feedback is so amazing! Truly you all are an amazing bunch!
Until Next Chapter,
Bye