CHAPTER EIGHT: IN THE FOREST

In the forest that lay between Thorn Valley and the human town, a tiny hooded figure limped across the bed of dried pine needles that lined the woodland floor. Evening was approaching, which meant that the predators of the night would soon become active, and the tiny creature was trying to find shelter before its life was endangered by the nocturnal hunters.

A tremendous whoosh sounded overhead and a shadowy giant set down in front of the hooded animal. Helpless, the small figure cowered down and covered its head with its forelegs.

The Great Owl, master of the forest, bent over to inspect its quarry, its huge eyes seeming to glow in the twilight. "Ah, there you are," the owl's voice boomed. "I've been looking all over for you."

The tiny creature looked up fearfully, then uncovered its head and straightened up again. "You! Go away and leave me alone!"

"I have a favor to ask of you," the Great Owl said.

"I've done enough favors for you. Let me be!" The hooded figure turned and started away. The owl closed his beak around the animal's cloak and dragged it back before him. The little creature was furious, and began beating the owl's foot with its walking stick. "No, no, no! Whatever it is you want, the answer its no! Now go away and stop bothering me!" Again the figure tried to limp away.

"Jenner!" The Great Owl's voice echoed through the darkening forest. The figure stopped and turned a bloodshot eye back to the giant bird. "We have an offer that you cannot refuse."

"I can and I do. And who is 'we?'"

"An interested party," the owl said. "Jenner, how would you like to have your old body back?"

"What did you say?"

"Accept our offer, and all of your wounds will be healed. You will be as you once were."

"Impossible!" Jenner roared. "Nobody can heal me."

"You would be able to do it yourself," the owl teased, "once you obtain the stone that Justin wears."

"The stone!" Jenner came back toward the Great Owl. "What exactly is your offer?"

"The maker of the stone must have it back. If you get it for us, you may use its powers to cure your deformities."

"I accept your proposal," Jenner laughed, "but you seem to forget something. Justin would never let me inside the colony. And even if he did, I couldn't get the stone from him."

"We will make it easier for you." A small green crystal appeared from thin air and fell at Jenner's feet. "You must get into the colony yourself," the owl continued. "Once there, this will make you appear to Justin as someone else. When you ask him for the stone, he will give it to you."

Jenner picked up the crystal. "And once I have the stone?"

"You may use it as you wish, but afterwards you must bring it right to us. Do not keep it, or we will come after it - and after you."

The Great Owl's meaning was clear. Jenner stashed the crystal within his robes. "I'll do as you say."

"If you know what is best for you, you will do exactly as I say. Do not double-cross us."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Jenner grinned, and hobbled off. The owl watched him go, then flew back to his nest.

At his home inside a giant hollow tree, the Great Owl was met by several gleaming red eyes. "I have done as you requested, Master," the owl said, "but I do not think he will keep his word."

"He will keep it." A thick voice that sounded like several voices at once filled the hollowed trunk. "He will keep it, or else."

(A/N: What's this? The stone can be used to heal? Did anyone mention this to Justin? Or Doctor Barnes? I'd think this would be something they'd really want to know.)