She was wide awake and untied. She was standing between two trees and looking terrified. No ogres were anywhere near her... they were all clustered around me! Why didn't she run?

The ogre called NisSH stepped forward.

"I'm the bossss here, and I'll tell you 'at we'll be takin' em home for a good meal."

The ogres started yelling in protest.

"Hussssh now! I'm the bosss 'round here an' I sssay my wife'll be awful hungry too now."

"Fine. I get an arm though. My favorite part," said another ogre.

"Are you ssure? Maybe we could keep them asss petss." One littler ogre said. After being offered a neck though, he abandoned that idea. I was shaking really bad.

The ogre's voice suddenly changed. From harsh and hissy it became smooth and oily.

"Come now. No one will hurt you. We only tied you so you wouldn't run while we sleeping. You see, if you get away from us, great harm will befall you. We are the only way you can be safe."

I believed them. Suddenly, I was sure that these ugly beings were not so ugly... in fact they were my protectors. Without them I would instantly crumble. They untied me and I walked alongside them.

We traveled on all day. I was vaguely aware that Ella was to my right the whole time and looking around worriedly. I wasn't worried. What was there to worry about anyway? These ogres were are friends.

Everything seemed kind of hazy. As if my memory had suddenly been filled with fog. I sort of remembered that day in the market with that ogre. I sort of remembered the fear I'd felt. As if anyone was in any real danger anyway! I could be really thick sometimes, and I knew it. These ogres were great. But then, why was I so scared that day? I couldn't quite remember. I was scared of nothing that's why! I was stupid and childish! But wait, there was something. Some reason I came to fear ogres. And that day in the wagon... Olive had screamed... but why? What had there been to be afraid of? Nothing! That's what! It was Olive for goodness's sake! But wait, Ella was scared too. So was I. Why??? What had Hattie screamed again anyway? Eat me last! but why? The ogres would never hurt a fly. They were kind and gentle and wonderful and caring. They had even told me so. Eat me last! Why did I feel almost a shudder when I heard that?

I stopped in my tracks.

Ogres!

They'd eat us!

My mind cleared... it was as if the fog had evaporated.

Ogres were persuasive! That's it! They'd used their persuasive skills on me and that's why I was walking among them.

A big hairy hand grabbed me and pushed me forward.

I continued to walk.

What a mess I'd gotten myself into!

If I bolted, Ella would still be there! Not to mention the fact that the ogres could easily catch me... whether under their spell again or by foot... there had to be something we could do!

No doubt the ogres had figured out about Ella's Obedience. They had told her to stay put and she had to obey!

I looked up. The sun was almost gone! How long had I been under the ogre's spell? I had to prevent myself from falling under their spell again. But what?

"There now," said a smooth and silky voice. Hmmm... it sounded so pretty.

No! I wouldn't let myself fall under their spell again! I couldn't! Our life depended on it!

"Come, lie down. You look tired. Ohhhh you are tired. You are utterly exhasted. Until we wake you up you'll have to fall asleep now. Mmmm, you're so tired."

Against my will I stopped.

No! I took another step.

"You're so tired."

I was awfully tired. But no! I'd die if I fell asleep as surely as I'd never see my home again!

"Hmmm. Sleep. So inviting."

Yes. Sleep. Hmmmm. I sat down on the ground and my eyelids started to droop.

No! I wouldn't! I couldn't!

Tears trekked my face.

My eyelids bolted wide again.

"No. No. No." I muttered.

"Can't."

The fog was returning.

"Husssh now. Nonsense. Sleep well now. Escape to the world of dreams."

I lied down on the ground.

"No. Can't." But I could no longer remember why I couldn't. I was too overwhelmingly exhausted.

What was a little sleep anyway? A little couldn't hurt.

My eyelids closed.

"No! Don't!"

It was Ella.

I was awake again. The fog was clearing.

"Don't make another noise!" The ogre said angrily to Ella. She fell silent.

"Now sleep my pretty. Sleep."

The fog descended again; this time faster.

"Sleep. Sweet dreams. Go home in your dreams."

Home! Oh how I wanted to see home again.

"Visit Rupert and your home."

Rupert! Sorry Rupert! I hadn't meant to leave you like that!

My eyes closed again.

The last thing I heard before falling into a Rupert-and-home-filled dream was the word Sleep.

Author's Note: Please review! Also, I'm sorry I took so long to update!