This story was inspired by Kyle and Emma's interaction in the seventeenth chapter of S. D. Smith's book The Green Ember, pages 139-140. I had always wondered who Kyle was going to thrown down the well and why. So, I present to you my explanation-in story form-called Down the Well.
Blake was gonna get it good this time. The nerve! Thinking he could make me work by waking me up early by dumping a bucket of water on my head!
Kyle fumed to himself as he strode down the hall toward the Savory Den. What would be a fitting punishment? The golden buck had spent most of his day planning and thinking, but could not come up with a good enough punishment.
Blake was one of those whom Kyle called "nerds"—spending their day in the storyguild. A handsome, dark brown buck with an easy smile and ready laugh, Kyle had—at times—thought Blake was a little too serious.
"It's because you spend so much time around those dusty old books." He had told Blake one day.
"I like being around the books," Blake had replied. "There is so much information in them…and all of it so fascinating."
"I think you should get out before your head explodes." Kyle said.
Now, as several of Kyle's followers joined him in the hall, he asked them what they should do to Blake. It was Finn who came up with the best suggestion.
"We could throw him down the well."
Yes, Kyle thought, that's exactly what we'll do.
As he entered the Savory Den the golden buck decided it would be a good idea to grab some food before they got down to business.
"Hey Gort!" Kyle called to the stout chef. "You want to hear something?"
"Depends on what that 'something' is." The chef replied.
While Kyle told his joke he tossed Finn several pieces of food. Then his eyes caught sight of a doe sitting in the corner with Emma, Wilfred, and two other bucks. One of the two bucks was the same color as himself.
It's like looking in a mirror. Kyle thought. Well, a younger mirror.
He casually walked over to their table, seeing that Wilfred and Lord Rake were occupied in conversation. Turning to his cronies—but mostly addressing Finn—he said, "I'll catch up with you at the well, gents."
They left and he heard Emma asking if he was going to poison the well for the sake of attention.
"Great to see you too, Emma," Kyle snarked. "Not poisoning the well, no. Just going to throw somebody down it." Of course, he thought, you never really believe me, so I can say that and not worry. But I wish you had that one time—
He cut himself off and asked to be introduced to Emma's new friends. After a few minutes of talking, he left the Den. It was time for Blake to pay his due.
OOOO
Blake looked up at the moon as he made his way to his quarters. Crossing the velvet black sky, it seemed just like a mother hen watching over her chicks–the stars–scattered around her.
Outside on the hidden plateau, the cold wind whistled through the tree branches and Heyward's well-tended shrubs. Near the shrubs was an old well.
Passing by the shrubs Blake suddenly stopped. Had he heard a slight rustling coming from within the plants?
Before he could even react, five black shapes darted out and surrounded him. They grabbed his arms and began dragging him toward the well.
Blake struggled against their grip to no avail. "What kind of a joke is this?" He demanded.
"Just a little payback," replied a very familiar voice. "Don't worry, you'll be found before the sun comes up."
"Kyle?" Blake asked, disbelieving and confused. "Why this? Why me? What pranks are you up to this time?"
"So many questions." Kyle said. "I'm afraid I don't have time to answer them all."
Blake noticed with horror that they had reached the well. One of the bucks pulled off the cover, while the other three held the still-struggling Blake. The brown buck dug his heels into the ground as they began to pull him closer. It was no use; they bodily picked him up and threw him in.
Blake hit the water with a loud splash! that echoed in the narrow, stone-lined space. The walls were steep and impossible to climb, but fortunately there was a wooden buck for Blake to climb onto. He did so and shouted back up the well.
"This isn't funny Kyle! You're going to regret this one day…all of it!"
He received no answer, only the sound of footsteps walking away as Kyle and his followers left him.
It was going to be a long night.