Chapter 11: The Last Harvest

Fall was quickly coming to an end. I struggled with harvesting the last crops from my enormous fields, but the sprites were helping me a lot these day. I had found around fifty of them by now, I realized. Can't wait for winter,I thought. Less work for me, meaning more time to figure out how to catch Skye.

I think I'm becoming slightly obsessed with Skye. But not in an "in-love" way! Of course not! In a completely… normal obsessive way. Dang it, Jill, there is no such thing as a normal obsession…I sighed.

Why was I so obsessed with catching him anyways? I suddenly remembered what Skye had told me that night at the bar.

'"But if I simply tell you, it'll take the mystique out of our relationship… I know!" Skye leaned in closer. "If you can catch me," Skye whispered in my ear, his cheek just barely touching mine, "I'll tell you… anything… you… want… …Jill."'

I blushed at the memory. I'm not trying to catch him so I can find out more about him… am I? No! Of course not! I'm trying to catch him because he is stealing from my friends. And I want to stop him. And find out more about him… NO!

My mental debate would have only gotten worse had Marlin not shown up suddenly. "Jill!" he said, face flushed from running here.

"Marlin? What is it? Why were you running?" I asked.

Marlin reached out and caught my hands in his. I gasped slightly, surprised at how strong his grip was around my fingers. Hours of farm work does that, I suppose. "Jill, Vesta sent me to ask you for help. Will you come with me?"

His face was a mixture of anger, determination, and a little concern. I nodded, wondering what could be going on that they would need my help with so desperately. My mind immediately jumped to Skye, but I pushed him out quickly. Stop obsessing, Jill! They probably just need help with their last big harvest of the season. Yeah, that's logical.

When Marlin and I got to the farm, Vesta and Celia were standing outside the storeroom talking in rapid, hushed voices. They turned to us when they saw us coming over the bridge.

"Oh, Jill, it's just awful!" Celia exclaimed, her face displaying a look of complete distress.

I looked at her with confusion. "What's the problem?"

"A note from Phantom Skye just arrived last night," Celia said sadly, holding up the note. My stomach wrenched painfully when I heard her say 'Phantom Skye.' So my suspicions had been correct after all. Well, there goes logic.I frowned, wishing I had been wrong.

Marlin took the note from Celia's extended hand. "'At 12 midnight, I shall help myself to your crops. Yours Truly, Phantom Skye.' And that's all it says," he read angrily, crumpling the paper in his hand. The corner of his mouth twitched in irritation.

"He wants to ravage our crops!" Vesta shouted, "This is unbelievable! Give me a break! We need this harvest! It is our last one before the winter season! If he steals them, we might not be able to get by!" She took the crumpled note from Marlin and ripped it to pieces in her rage.

Celia was the only one who was not enraged. Rather, she seemed intimidated and saddened by the threat from Skye. "We can't do much with just the three of us. Would you help us nab that crook, Jill?" she asked, her big brown eyes begging me to say yes.

"Yes I will!" I nod. All three lost their anger and distress, and smiles quickly replaced their grimaces.

Celia smiled, "Thanks, Jill."

"Yeah, we really appreciate it. I know you've got the ranch and all, so I'm much obliged," Marlin continued.

"We're gonna need you here sometime between 10 and 12 tonight. Oh, and we'll be waitin' in the house. Got that, Jill?" Vesta asks.

I nod. "Don't worry, you can count on me!" The group positively beamed at my resolve to stop Skye.

I waved, promising to return later in the day. I still had some things to do on my farm, so I had to leave them. Once I was over the bridge, I heard Marlin call my name. Turning around, I saw him jogging up to me.

"H-hey, Jill. I just wanted to say thanks again for helping out," Marlin said quickly.

I smiled, "It's no problem, really! I'm glad to help out."

Marlin nodded at me. "Still, thanks. Uh, so how are you? Have you been able to handle the work on your ranch? You're taking care of yourself right?"

I smiled at his concern for me. It was really sweet. "I am, Marlin. I promise."

"Because I really wouldn't mind helping you out if you need me. I mean, your ranch is just so big and there must be so much work to do if you're by yourself. I see you working hard all the time and I just think that you should have someone there helping you… taking care of you," Marlin continued.

I felt myself blushing. What Marlin said reminded me of what Skye had said that night at the pond. 'A girl as beautiful as you should have a man taking care of her,' his voiced echoed in my head. Had he meant that he wanted to take care of me? Could that have been what he was trying to tell me…?But I was too busy chanting my stupid mantra to realize it.

"Jill?" Marlin's voice brought me back to reality.

"Hm? Oh! No, I'm fine, really! But thanks for the offer, Marlin! Besides, Vesta would probably kill me if I took away her best worker."

Marlin smiled at my compliment. "That fact aside, just give me the word and I'll be here for you. I can handle Vesta's rage. I had to, growing up with her as a big sister. Okay?"

I nodded. Marlin opened his mouth slightly, and his hand reached slightly towards me. But then he seemed to change his mind before he said whatever he had been planning to. He laughed to himself and muttered a quick goodbye before retreating back to Vesta's farm. I wondered what he would have said.

Shrugging, I returned to my farm. I had to finish my work before Skye came to Vesta's farm. My focus and determination kept me going through the tough day. Every time I got tired, I just thought to myself: You're going to catch him tonight. Him. The Phantom Thief. Skye. Running my fingers through my hair, I groaned internally. I really was obsessed with him. I was just afraid of becoming obsessed with him… in another way.

AN: Hey guys, it's the author, Isabela! I know I said that I wouldn't do too many of these, but this is only the second author's note in eleven chapters, so it's not that bad! Anyways, I'd really like it if you readers would tell me what you think of my fanfiction (REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW)! And if you really like it (or me, that's cool, too) follow or favorite my fanfiction (or me, I wouldn't mind)! Seriously, I want feedback! Tell me what you like, or what I could fix, or whatever! I'm lonely... But seriously, give me an incentive to write more! Alright, I'm done begging for now. Bye chicas!