Psssssst Wizard! Psssst Wizard…over here! Hey Wizard!
It had been several hours since the Haunted Forest started its torrent of torments against the Wizard. First, he had seen a specter of his deceased father. As he made his way along the dark and dimly illuminated path, with the only light being the full moon high in the sky, he would hear voices. These child-like sounds would whisper in light-hearted tones. At times, he would even hear giggling. As he walked even deeper into the forest, the trees continued to be bereft of leaves.
The Wizard was exhausted. While he yearned for sleep, his chest ached from the intense terror and stress of being stuck in the middle of a horrifying and supernatural magical forest. Despite his forced alertness, he still managed to yawn as he stopped and looked around.
There was now a fork in the road. He didn't know which way to go. He placed his finger on his lips and his other hand on his hip. The left trail continued to go straight as the other trail inclined sharply to the right. Both paths had direction posts.
Left—Danger!
Right—Even More Danger!
The Wizard shook his head as he quietly growled. Screw this forest, he thought to himself. I can't wait until I am out of here…
Suddenly, he heard the distant sounds of marching and melodic chanting. He remembered that rhythmic tune from when he went to Gayalette's cabin with Mitchell. "Oh-Ee-Yah! Ee-Oh-Ah!"
The Winkie Guards, the Wizard thought. They've caught up to me!
Things became worse when he heard loud flapping and chirping sounds in the sky. He looked up and saw at least a dozen Winged Monkeys high above the forest as their silhouettes reflected across the pale moon. They then began to make a rapid descent.
Thinking quickly on his feet, the Wizard started down the right path as he made footprints. Then, when the Winkie Guards were almost within eyesight and the Winged Monkeys had reached the tree line, he carefully tip toed on the forest floor and dove behind a random tree. Because he was wearing all black and the forest was dark, he went unnoticed. He then sat, held his breath, and waited.
"He must be close", one of the guards exclaimed as they continued to scour the forest. The Wizard quickly peeked behind the thick trunk of the tree. His heart was racing, and his chest was heavy. He closed his eyes from exhaustion but opened them just as his head was about to slump.
While he would often struggle with fatigue, the Wizard attributed this to age. This sense of tiredness began in earnest once he had established himself at the Emerald City. It then continued intermittently and unabated. He did not remember the last time he was up all night and while sleep beckoned him, he did his best to not succumb to its temptation.
The Wizard knew he would be found if he did not act. He desperately grabbed the soft dirt with both of his hands and began to apply it to his exposed skin, including his face.
As the Winged Monkeys joined the Winkie Guards on the forest floor in their search, a piercing cackle was heard in the sky. This screeching laughter only grew louder as the witch, flying on her broomstick and leaving behind thick black smoke, approached the forest landing. Her two feet touched the ground as she stood from her broom and gazed around with her jaw locked.
"Where is he", she grumbled as a frown enveloped her green face.
"We've been searching the entire forest looking for him", one of her guards said. It appears he was here and his footprints went down the right trail…"
"Well, then keep looking! We are going to scour this entire forest until he's found!" The green skinned witch then pointed and directed her guards to pursue the Wizard down the right path. "You men go this way!" As the guards started to march down the trail that pitched right, she smirked. "We are going to find him, even if we have to look all night!" The Winged Monkeys and the captain remained behind with the witch.
I don't sleep much. Witches don't sleep much.
We are going to find him, even if we have to look all night.
These words said by Theodora were stuck in the Wizard's mind. As a young witch, she had the advantage of energy and exuberance. From his perspective, the Wizard felt like an old man, even though he wasn't one. And since she had previously told him that witches did not need much sleep, he knew he was at a distinct disadvantage. The only way he could escape was to make his way out of the forest and cross into the Gillikin Country.
"Mistress, there's no one here", the captain acknowledged. But as the Wizard slowly moved one of his legs to slowly stand, his shoe snapped a twig. This cracking sound was ever so slight but the witch, with her unparalleled hearing, picked up on it and sharply turned her head towards the thick oak tree.
This sound made her immediately raise her finger to her mouth. "Shhhhhh", she whispered. Broom in hand and the black hat on her head, she then slowly and quietly approached the tree. But when she quickly turned her head around the thick bark of the tree, there was no one there. She eyed the area for a few moments, but then turned her head back to the captain. "Everyone move out", she ordered. She gazed at the area around the tree bark one last time before she joined the group.
"Will you be coming with us", the captain said as he yawned.
"No", she barked. "I am going to search for the Wizard on my own…"
As the witch broke away from the group and they began to separate, the Wizard began to slowly stand. Before the witch could poke her head around the bark of the large tree, he camouflaged himself on the forest floor.