Chapter Eight - Following in Her Path

"Lily died at sea... Heartbroken, he locked the gates of the manor and completely retreated from the world..."

"The Dolittles and their 'Eden Tree.' Isn't it bad enough that your wife died for such a silly cause?" Müdfly had said.

Yes, it was bad enough. John didn't need to be reminded of it.

It had been three years - three long, painful years since Lily's awful, sudden death. And now here they were, on the very journey where she had met her end: the journey to Eden Tree Island.

I never should have let you go.

"Irony is when you find a woman and she makes your life more wonderful and beautiful than it had any right to be, and then she's gone and it's all your fault," he had told Stubbins, the hard, painful truth. People said time was a great healer, but not for a broken, shattered heart.

This journey was his chance to finish what she had started, follow in her footsteps. He would make her proud. He would not fail her again. He would not.

The group followed Müdfly's crew from afar, following them deep into the island where mountains and caves lay.

And, unbeknownst to them, following them from a distance was a lone cloaked figure. They, this mysterious figure, had watched the approaching ships arrive and anchor at the shore, and watched as the passengers disembarked and strode further inland. They were clearly on a mission.

As they entered the caves, something caught John's eye - a dim green glow in their path. "Foxfire fungus."

"Look Doc!" cried Dab-Dab. "It's lighting a path right towards - the man who wants us dead..."

"Stay right there!" The soldiers immediately held them at gunpoint. They were surrounded by Müdfly and crew, cornered with no escape.

"Go ahead then, spoil yourself soldier-boy," sneered John, earning a kick in the back of the leg. He was dragged over to Müdfly himself. "Oh, hello Blair. Looking for a tree, is it? Trees don't often grow in caves - didn't you pay attention in botany class?"

"No, but pay attention to this, Dolittle: I beat you. You filthy animal hoarder! So, where is it?"

John just couldn't resist. "Where's what?"

Müdfly gritted his teeth. "The Eden Tree!" His shout echoed off the walls of the cave and further down the dark tunnel.

"Well, neither of us have come across it yet, so I'm assuming we have to continue down this cave a little further - the foxfire fungus means it's close."

"Very well, lead the way then."

John did so, albeit at gunpoint, scanning the path for any further sign of the tree. But they were out of luck, for no such sign existed as far as he could see.

"Where is it?" Müdfly demanded again when John stopped walking.

"Where's what?" John joked. Again, he couldn't help himself.

"The bloody tree! Where is it then?"

"Truth is, I haven't got a clue."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous. You're John Dolittle, you always get everything you want."

"Oh, not everything, and not always."

"You really don't have any idea do you?" Müdfly realized out loud. A nasty, sneering grin split across his face. "Aha! And how does ignorance feel for once?"

"Oh-" John shrugged. "-Quite freeing, actually. One must hug uncertainty, don't you think? That's how Lily lived her life: embrace the unknown, and the answers will be revealed."

"Oh pathetic! You disgust me."

"Drop it!"

A new voice echoed through the cave from behind them - they were being followed as well.

Everyone had been so focused on going forward in search of the tree that they had paid no attention to what was behind them, meaning the mysterious cloaked figure could follow them quite easily without fear of being noticed.

They all turned to see a figure in a dark cloak, a wide hood down over their face, hiding it from view. The mysterious new figure held a sword in their hand. "I said, drop it!" The voice was a woman's, low and raspy. "Drop your weapons, all of you! And put your hands up!"

Everyone just stood staring at her, unsure of what to do. As far as they had been concerned, the island had not been inhabited by anyone.

"Who the hell are you?" demanded Müdfly.

The figure took a step forward, sword still at the ready in one hand, and yanked off their hood with the other hand. Their long, tangled mess of dark hair falling away from their face to reveal-

Sorry, but I just couldn't resist having a cliffhanger! ;) Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)