Nan showed her which way so she could keep going. She said that there was someone waiting for her. Ashley didn’t know who that was, but Nan wasn’t worried, so she didn’t have to be either. Still, if she was feeling down or lonely, her daddy could talk to her now.

  Ashley, watch where you are stepping, the ground is loose here, her daddy told her.

  She didn’t really hear him, it was more like a voice in her head, not her ears. But it was still her daddy! She did as she was told, looking at the flaky plates of rock as she gingerly stepped over them. She hoped she would be able to see Nan again, but her daddy told her that she has to find Jo first.

  The path didn’t get any easier as she climbed and climbed, her daddy giving her help when she needed it kept her going strong. All the while her daddy kept making her go forward, even when she didn’t want to take another step. She was tired and hungry, but her daddy wouldn’t let her rest for even a single minute! She spent the entire time walking, bargaining with him but he wouldn’t budge.

  “Just five minutes!”

  No.

  “Three minutes!”

  Not happening.

  “One minute and five seconds!”

  No dice.

  “I don’t have dice,” Ashley pouted.

  ‘No dice’ means no, her daddy explained.

  “What do I do?” Ashley asked.

  She had just pushed through a bush and saw a big gap in the ground. The path kept going up but there was a chunk of it missing! Ashley sidled up to the edge and looked how far it went down. Instead of there being nothing but air, the ground sank and curved along the mountain side, going down.

  Maybe this is the best way to go, can you do it? Daddy asked her.

  “I think so,” Ashley mumbled.

  Don’t mumble, you know your mother and I don’t like that, he said sternly.

  “I know,” she said.

  Ashley turned around and tried to slide down but she lost her grip. She screamed as she tumbled down, turning over and over until she tumbled to a stop, small pebbles and twigs made scrapes all over her. She cried, her body hurt, her legs and arms hurt.

  You’re okay Ashley, try to stand up dear, her daddy’s voice came to her soft and worried.

  She didn’t want to make him sad, so she stood up and stopped crying, at least she tried to stop crying. She continued to sniff as her arms and legs were bleeding a little but at least it wasn’t that bad. She used to get this much at least when she went into the woods with Jo. She missed Jo, and she missed her mommy too.

  Come on Ashley, try to keep moving. I’m sure we’ll find them soon, her daddy told her. He didn’t seem so sure though.

  “Okay,” she said.

  She put a hand on the wall and started down the winding path. It was very even ground so it wasn’t hard for her. Before long she found that it opened up into a large and wide area. It was full of rich green grass, large yummy-looking fruit, and big tall trees. She walked into the large clearing, her eyes looking at everything they could.

  Ashley, focus now. Look for a way back up, her daddy said.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  But she was so hungry! Couldn’t it wait til after her tummy filled up? Ashley certainly thought so. Instead of doing what her daddy wanted her to do, she walked along a path until she came across a patch of strawberries. They were unlike any strawberries she ever saw. The strawberries were as large as her head and as wide, she plucked one and bit into it.

  It was delicious!

  Ashley! Don’t eat this fruit!

  But she ignored her daddy and took another bite. It was tart at first and then really sweet. She kept eating it until it was completely gone, her daddy yelling for her to stop with every bite she took. After she ate the strawberry she was nice and full, but suddenly something seemed really bad.

  To your right, the path goes back up, hurry!

  “But something is here,” she whispered.

  She took a step to the right when she heard something big step behind her. She turned around immediately and saw an enormous skunk standing there on its hind legs, its black eyes bore into her. For a moment it seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see it. It fell to all fours and stood stock still, its fur sticking up slightly.

  A skunk? Be careful if it stands on its front legs, okay? Her father said.

  Ashley was too scared to say anything or move. She stood there staring at the large animal, it was as tall as a house. With all her might she took another step toward the path. The skunk took a step toward her.

  “What are you?” it asked her.

  What? Skunks don’t talk! Her daddy said.

  “Skunks don’t talk!” Ashley repeated.

  “Skunk! SKUNK!? I am no lowly skunk!” It reared back onto its hind legs, standing up to its full glory.

  “Wh-what are you?” Ashley stuttered.

  “Does it matter what I am?” it asked her in a venomous and raspy voice.

  “You look like a skunk, but you are not a skunk,” Ashley said as she took another step along the path.

  “I am what I am, and I am most certainly not a skunk!” it growled.

  “I’m sorry,” Ashley mumbled.

  “Yes you are, now tell me, child, what are you?” it asked again.

  Tell him you are human.

  “I’m human,” she said.

  “No, you are not a human. I have met humans, I know a human’s scent, and their taste. You are certainly something else, tell me the truth!” the large skunk’s last words almost forced words out of Ashley, but she clamped her mouth shut.

  “You won’t talk? Tell me, are there more of you?” it asked her.

  Ashley shook her head.

  Ashley, when I say “go”, you run, okay?

  “Are you telling me the truth?” it asked her.

  “Yes,” Ashley said, to both the scary skunk and her daddy.

  “Where are you going then? I can’t imagine a little girl being by herself, no matter what you are,” it growled, taking a few more steps closer to Ashley.

  “I don’t know, Nan told me to keep going up. Someone is waiting,” Ashley said.

  I guess I should be grateful you can’t pronounce her full name. Honey, try not to talk about Nan okay? Remember how some things don’t need to be talked about?

  “Nan? What is a ‘Nan’? And you are going up are you?”

  “I don’t know what a ‘Nan’ is. Yes I’m going up,” Ashley said softly.

  “Oh, I don’t think you are.”

  Go!

  Ashley turned around and ran as fast as she could away, with a glance back she saw a storm of yellow spray hit where she was. She couldn’t breathe from the stink! She wished a breeze would come and take the smell away. Oddly, a breeze did come. It was weak and slightly ruffled the branches of the trees. But it did give her what she really needed, fresh air.

  “No! Stop! Come back here!” it screamed as it ran after her.

  She could hear the storm of its spray wreaking havoc on the fruit and the trees. Splashes of it hit against the stone path. She just kept running and running, goaded further by her daddy. Her tears flung from her eyes as she ran up the path. She didn’t scream, she was too scared to.

  “You won’t get away from me, girl! I will bite into your skin, and devour you!” the skunk screamed as it aimed another torrent of spray at her.

  Ashley dove behind a wall of rock and watched as the spray shot past her and fell down the side of the mountain. The breeze never let up. Always bringing her some fresh air as she stood against the wall, her chest heaving from heavy breaths. It hurt to breathe.

  I don’t think the skunk can come up here.

  “Why?”

  He shot that spray from the edge of the path, I think he can’t go on it. It’s alright now, honey. You did a really good job, her daddy said proudly.

  “I’m scared, daddy!” Ashley cried.

  I know baby, but it won’t be for much longer. We’ll find Joseph and Mommy and everything will be alright.

  “You promise?” she sniffed.

  I promise.