Mine Imagination: Flight of the Hummingbirds

  By: T. M. Ashley

  Flower 4: Ain’t No Way

  Gunther's belly took charge, guiding the children as they crossed the threshold of the door and hastily shut it behind them. Once through the door Gunther’s plush body seemed to wither and his color faded. He wheezed and said, “I be near death. Tell Cap’n Mine…” he started to cough, “I’m sorry. I’m too hungry, can’t go on.”

  “Weren’t you eating a pickle when we first saw you?” Trey asked as he looked around. They were in a dimly lit alleyway between two bustling urban streets. In front of them was a small building wedged between two high rises with a neon light over the door.

  “Nowhere pickles have no flavor or nutrition.,” Gunther rasped and groaned. “I’ve gotta eat or I’ll not make it much longer.”

  Trey looked up and down the alley and asked, “Which way do we go?”

  Molly tugged the boy’s sleeve and pointed at the neon sign.

  “Vicky V’s Saloon?” Trey asked, he scoffed as he looked at the rickety alleyway establishment. He shook his head, “It’s literally a hole in two walls.” He laughed at his own joke referencing the building being wedged between two. His laughter faded the moment he met Molly and Gunther’s unamused stares.

  “I don’t like you,” Gunther said bluntly.

  Trey chuckled nervously, “You won’t feel that way after you eat.” His expression shifted to one of concern and he stepped in font of Molly and Gunther when a man with a bulky robotic helmet approached them off the street. The man wore a trench coat and kept the collar popped as if he were trying to avoid being seen. He reached in his coat as he got close and Trey barked, “Back off creep!”

  The man nearly jumped out of his coat as he stepped away from Trey. He raised his leg and covered his head and asked, “What? What’d I do?” The man looked around and laughed nervously, “You scared me kid.” He looked behind him and dashed to the door of Vicky Vs and just walked in.

  Trey released a sigh of relief and laughed nervously, “Come on guys.” He held the door and let Molly and Gunther go in before him. Once inside Trey’s mouth dropped, the outside didn’t do the interior justice. Vicky V’s Saloon could have doubled as a museum with all the artifacts it housed in glass boxes from all over the universe along its walls. Trey’s eyes gleamed as they approached a podium with a beautiful Thropomor host.

  "Welcome to Vicky V’s," greeted the woman, her appearance featuring brown fur with white spots along her neck and deer-like ears. The beautiful doe thropomor blushed as she spoke.

  The door was snatched opened behind the children and two large men wearing matching uniforms pushed past them. “Where is he Tella?”

  She smiled pleasantly and said, “I have no idea what your talking about. Would you like a table for two?”

  The larger of the two men leaned down and glared at the woman, “We know he came in here Tella and if you don’t tell me where he is-”

  "What are you gonna do, baby?" echoed a resonant voice. Behind Tella, a towering woman approached the podium. She was an unusual sight, massive in both height and circumference, resembling a walking mountain. Despite her size, she exuded an air of confidence, sporting long blonde hair, blue eye shadow, pink lipstick, and the rosiest cheeks Trey had ever seen. Surprisingly, her pink uniform and dainty white shoes fit her perfectly. Molly's eyes sparkled with wonder as she gazed up at the large woman. Sensing the stares, the woman winked at them before redirecting her attention to the two men.

  "You boys know the rules of this here establishment. Need I enforce them?" She planted her hands on her hips, her eyes questioning them assertively.

  The smaller of the two men removed his hat revealing a shiny bald head and bowed, “I’m sorry Vicky, Paco has a hard time remembering stuff ya know?”

  “I ain’t stupid or nuffin,” Paco growled, “He walked in here and no one walks past Tella. That’s what you said Tony. See I remember stuff.” He chuckled stupidly and frowned when he noticed Vicky glaring at him.

  The large woman brushed her hands on her apron as she turned back from the door where she had thrown the two men into the alley and smiled at the children. “What brings you two cherubs to my establishment this evening?”

  Molly thrust Gunther out in front of them and Vicky’s eyes widened, “Poor thing, is he hungry?” All of their bellies rumbled when she asked and she shook her head and said, “Mmm Mmmm Mmmm, all these cherubs are hungry. Tella get them to a table and dish’em out some drinks. I’m gonna whip something up for them,” she left like a woman on a mission and could be heard in the kitchen, “Feed the hungry. That’s our motto.”

  Tella smiled at the children and Gunther and said, “Follow me please.” She turned away from the podium and led them through the establishment. It was definitely larger than it appeared on the outside. As they walked through the lower section Tella informed them that Vicky V’s is home to the cosmic culinary arts and most if not all of the most notable chefs in Tucy have worked under Vicky at some point in their career. She gestured toward a booth featuring all kinds of weapons and information about the Galva, however, Molly noticed a booth featuring Tucy’s Tales and dashed over to it. Tella smiled and gestured toward the table, “That works as well. What can I get you to drink?”

  “Wa-wat-water,” Gunther managed, “with lemon.”

  Molly pointed to another table where a small girl sipped a tall pink milkshake. Tella followed her finger and smiled, “A Frosckberry Malt from Cli, it’s a bit tart at the start but gets sweet quickly. How about you?” she turned her bright eyed gaze to Trey.

  He looked around nervously and sweat beaded on his brow, suddenly Molly tapped him and pointed at a table of teens all of them with varying colored fizzy drinks in front of them. Trey’s eyes widened, “My mom would kill me.”

  “I won’t tell if you don’t,” Tella said with a mischievous grin and a wink.

  Trey smiled and said, “Can I have a green one?”

  “A Slizzy Melon Friz from Ura, you two seem to like your muse planet bevvy’s,” She said, “I’m sure Vicky will have something for you in a few minutes so let me go put these drink orders in.”

  “Where are we?” Trey asked as he looked around of all the varying races of people that dined at the establishment. He noticed a man with a large brim hat looking at their table but turned away when he noticed Trey fixating on him.

  Molly shrugged and busied herself with reading the information on the shadow boxes nearest their tables which held a first edition copy of Tucy’s Tales Sacred Planets. Before she could get too intrigued by the other items around the booth Tella returned with their drinks. She gave each of them a straw and said, “Vicky will be over momentarily, she’s whipping up a few things for you. I think the three of you will really like what’s to come.”

  “Thank you,” Trey said as he plunked his straw in his glass and took a nervous sip. His eyes widened as the fizzy drink danced across his taste buds. He couldn’t help but laugh at the tickling sensation.

  Molly took a sip of her milkshake and her face puckered due to the sourness of the drink but soon relaxed into a satisfied grin as it became sweeter. Tella smiled and gave them both two thumbs up and they both nodded and returned the gesture. She took her leave as Gunther sat up on the table and took a sip of water. He started to cough but his color returned and he hugged the cold beverage.

  “Aye, that be refreshing.” he said, he looked around and his brow knitted together, “There ain’t no way in Flow. Are we at Vicky V’s?”

  Molly and Trey looked at one another and then to Gunther. Trey leaned down and asked, “You know this place?”

  “Vicky V’s Saloon? It’s the greatest spot in the universe to get a bite to eat. The cap’n’s gonna get a kick outta this fer sure.”

  “Why is that?” Trey asked as he looked around, “Where is he anyway? He’s not seriously going to fight Alpine Kane is he?”

  At the mention of the knight's name, several patrons glanced toward the table, and fortunately, Molly was mostly out of sight. Trey shifted away from the stares, feigning interest in the nearby shadow box. Just then, to his relief, the imposing figure of Vicky emerged from behind a swinging door, carrying a tower of three covered plates. As Vicky made her way over to the children, those who had been stealing glances at the table suddenly averted their eyes, seemingly disinterested.

  “Three specials for the three cherubs that arrived at my door all kinds of hungry,” Vicky said as she waved and the plates floated onto the table. She waved her hand again and all of them were uncovered revealing three shareable dishes. A large pasta dish with a fragrant purple sauce over it, a basket of colorful drumsticks with a black dipping sauce that gurgled in a bowl beside them, and a salad with large leafy greens with all kinds of berries and meats piled on top of it. “Blumato Ziti from Bapsiddi, we just got in the blumato’s so they’re super fresh. We tend to get a plethora of rainbow chickens from Cinzento, with a black barbecue tar jam inspired by Nguvu.” Vicky swooned over her delicacies and kissed her fingers. “However, my personal favorite of them all is the twisting cordelia salad from Raganr. Simply devine, go ahead just pinch the leaf.”

  Molly did as Vicky instructed and the leaf curled around the toppings and turned into a neatly rolled taco. She bit into it immediately and her shoulders slumped and tears welled in her eyes. Seeing the girl's reaction Trey did the same and couldn’t help but express his delight and love for the flavors that invaded his mouth.

  Gunther narrowed his eyes and folded his arms and said, “I’m just gonna have one of these here chicken legs.” He plucked one from the bucket and dipped it in the sauce. The sauce came to life and swirled around the chicken leg like a candy cane. Gunther eyed it curiously before he took a bite. Vicky V watched him as the plush beaver chewed. Gunther’s ears drooped and he swooned and said, “Cap’n Mine was right this place is the greatest in all of Tucy.”

  Vicky’s expression suddenly shifted from one of delight to one of elation, “What did you just say?”

  Gunther’s mouth was full and he didn’t reply. Trey tried to respond but his mouth was also full and more food came out of his mouth than intelligible words. Molly was busy cramming her mouth with forkfulls of pasta. The woman was left with the words she thought she had heard. The children didn’t slow down and didn’t seem keen on talking anytime soon. Vicky summoned back to the kitchen, departed reluctantly but cast a glance back at the peculiar trio seated in the booth. Shaking her head in disbelief, she muttered, "Ain’t no way."

  ***

  Mine took a deep breath as he glared at the three remaining doors in the chamber of doors and his nostrils flared. He looked back at the other doors and all manner of damage was done to each of them. Some were burned by fire or electricity, others completely oblitered, another door was frozen solid, while water still spilled beneath it’s neighbors, something knocked relentlessly behind another, and a few doors were stained with blood of varying colors. Mine was wearing an all black suit with a crisp yellow shirt beneath that matched his yellow circle framed glasses. He closed his eyes and snatched open the middle door. When nothing immediately lunged out at him he sighed with relief and opened his eyes. He was even more curious when he was met with the cacophony of a city street. He poked his head through the doorway and noticed that it led to an alleyway. He looked up and saw the neon side, “Vicky V’s saloon.”

  He smiled broadly and shook his head, “Ain’t no way,” he said echoing Vicky and Gunther’s words. He stepped through the door and propped it open before he turned back to the establishment wedged between two buildings. He approached the door and a giant drigible flew overhead and he couldn’t help but notice the dark red smog layered sky overhead. He wondered where he was and instead of venturing into Vicky V’s he strode toward the street and took a look around. To his amazement but not his surprise a lot had changed in his absence. People walked around immersed in augmented reality produced by their watches or eye wear. The buildings seemed to pierce the sky and loomed over the streets like sparkling obelisks, and all manner of vehicles traveled the streets and the invisible highways above them. He was ready to turn back to Vicky V’s when he was slammed into by Paco and Tony. To their surprise Mine cleared his throat and said, “I believe an ‘excuse me’ is in order, dear.”

  Paco cursed at Mine, Tony chuckled stupidly, and the duo turned to walk away. Mine titled his head, “I see that manners and intelligence among brutes hasn’t changed. Very well.” Mine snapped his fingers and he appeared on a roof with Paco and Tony walking towards the edge. When they realized they weren’t on the street the two men crouched down as if to reassure their footing. Mine started to laugh and looked around, “I wonder how we all end up here together. I intended to beat you both senseless by having you walk past me again. However, it would seem the reason why we’re here hasn’t played out yet.” He sighed and said, “Oh well,” He snapped his fingers again and vanished. He reappeared in front of Vicky V’s again and entered without hesitation.

  He approached the podium where Tella stood ready to greet him. He smiled at her and said, “You are absolutely stunning, dear.”

  The doe thropomor’s smile faded and she narrowed her eyes, “Excuse me.”

  Mine’s eyebrow raised, “Forgive me, I meant no offense. When I said dear, I didn’t mean deer. I meant dear.” He realized he was talking in circles and took a deep breath. “Please accept my apology, I’ve been out of the loop for quite some time. I truly didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “Mhm,” Tella said as she plucked a menu from behind the booth. She pursued her lips and said, “Welcome to Vicky V’s. Would you like to sit at the bar?”

  “Oooooooooooooohhhhhhh Baby! I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. Mine Heart, is that you sweetness?” Vicky sang when she spotted the flustered man.

  Mine’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped, “There’s no way,” he said in utter disbelief, “Victoria Vick? How? How are you still alive?”

  Vicky V ensnared Mine in a bone breaking embrace and spun him around and said, “That’s old news baby, why are you alive and where have you been?” She let him go and he snapped his fingers augmenting his outfit just a bit. He wore a white shirt instead of the yellow one and smiled up at the giant woman. “You still always dressed to kill.”

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  He did a spin and laughed as he struck a pose, “Cut that out. Now, that’s an old story I’m sure you’ve heard, dear,” Mine stated, “However, I need to know about you.”

  “Baby, I fed my After when he came for me,” She said, “I ain’t seen his behind since. I just keep on cooking and adding them years of experience. I’m sure they’ll have me cooking non-stop on the other side so I’m just trying to keep’em well enough fed so I don’t have to come back. Tucy is different these days, the universe is not what it used to be.”

  “I noticed,” Mine said as he recalled the people he saw in the streets engrossed in their technology. “By chance did my companions find their way here? A purplish-blue plush beaver and two…” he paused to find a nicer word to say and settled on, “beasts.”

  Vicky smiled and said, “No wonder I was drawn to those cherubs,” she said, swatting him playfully. “Your gonna get a kick out of-” She stopped speaking as Mine took in the shadow boxes on the wall.

  The nostalgia that surrounded him gave him a sense of true freedom and he was happy to be among an impossibly old friend. A tear came to his eye and he took a deep breath unwilling to shed it, “You’ve truly built something that’s going to last. How many students have you had, Vicky dear?”

  She laughed and waved him off, “Too many to even count at this point. Thanks to your funding the last time you were here I was able to travel all over the universe. Most of the things I have on display was collected by me.”

  “You said you wanted to build a menu based on Tucy,” Mine remembered fondly, “I’m glad to see you’ve made that a reality.”

  “Yeah, I'm missing a few planets though, with all the sanctions and restrictions put on travel to certain planets I’ve yet to acquire a few,” Vicky said, “I just haven’t had a chance to go exploring in some time.”

  “You can always come with me,” Mine said with a sly smile.

  “Mmmm mmmm, nope,” Vicky said shaking her head adamantly, “Never again will I travel with you Mr. Heart. Are you still on your way home?”

  Mine couldn’t help but laugh and said, “You went on one mission with me.”

  “That’s all I needed to know, I’d never do it again. Even after all these years have passed.”

  “You mean centuries dear,” Mine said and they both started to laugh. She led him to the booth where Trey, Molly and Gunther were already sitting. He placed his hand over his heart as he approached the booth dedicated to Tucy’s Tales. “You still have it?” Mine said gesturing toward the first edition book in the glass box.

  “Of course I do,” Vicky said as Mine embraced her. “I remember when you wrote it,”she whispered. Molly’s jaw dropped and she dropped her chicken leg onto her plate. The patrons didn't bother to look in Vicky’s direction or take in the person she spoke so casually with. “Can I whip you up something special?”

  “Don’t you always?” Mine asked her as he held both her hands and looked up at her.

  Vicky squealed, “Stop flirting with me, you're still that lost boy to me.”

  Mine smiled as Vicky pulled away and headed to the kitchen. He turned to Trey and the others and couldn’t help but smile. Gunther was so full he resembled a ball more than a plush beaver. Trey was near comatose with blumato sauce smeared on his face and Molly stared at him blankly with greasy fingers. Mine offered her a handkerchief and smiled, “I’m happy you guys found Vicky V’s. To think this place still exists is insane.”

  “Nuffin’s imposs…” Gunther burped loudly. Mine groaned and shook his head as his partner chuckled and finished, “In Tucy.”

  “I know,” Mine said as he sat beside Molly who made room for him. He grimaced at Trey and asked, “Is he gonna be okay?”

  Molly shrugged and Trey gave him a thumbs up, “I’m okay. Just…” he burped as well, “Excuse me. Really full and sleepy.”

  “Yeah, Vicky’s culinary arts are one of Tucy’s greatest wonders, dear.”

  Gunther rolled over to Mine and said, “You always talked about this place. When you told us where to go in the chamber of doors it was the first place I thought of.” He covered his mouth again as a long belch escaped. After the prolonged sound Mine’s face was one of pure disgust and Gunther was back to his normal size. He dabbed his mouth, took off his hat and bowed, “Pologies Cap’n.”

  “I’ll have to think about accepting that one, Gunther dear,” Mine said, waving his hand in front of his face. Molly giggled silently and the old man looked down at her curiously, “Molly dear, can you speak?”

  The small voskia girl looked up at Mine with genuine wonder and appreciation. She shook her head in response looking away from him. He nodded his head thoughtfully and placed his hand on her head, “No worries, dear.”

  Trey sat up suddenly and groggily asked, “You can’t talk?”

  Molly palmed her face, she leaned back in her seat with her arms crossed over her chest. She pouted at Trey and Mine chuckled and assured him, “You talk enough for the both of you.”

  Trey harrumphed and asked, “How’d you get away from Al-” he glanced around the room and whispered, “Alpine Kane?”

  “He ran away, I think I pushed him over his limit or nearly there,” Mine said offhandedly. He smiled when Tella placed a cup of tea in front of him with a candy cane. He looked up at her with a wide smile and said, “Tell Vicky I’m flattered she still remembers.”

  Tella didn’t look at Mine sand simply muttered something under her breath as she walked away.

  “What’s that?” Trey leaned on the table to peer into Mine’s cup.

  He pulled the cup away and looked at the boy, “Mint tea, why are you so…”

  “Plucky,” Gunther offered.

  “No that’s not it dear.”

  “Intrusive?” Trey asked.

  Mine clapped his hands, “That’s it. Good word kid.”

  Trey chuckled nervously and said, “That’s what my siblings tend to say,” he folded his arms and shrugged, “Mother said I’m just curious.”

  “I think your siblings are right and your mother’s being nice, dear,” Mine said as he took a sip of his tea and sighed with relief. “That’s delicious.”

  Vicky appeared again with half a dozen trays of food floating around her. She directed them all and they stacked up in front of Mine. “I couldn’t think of what to make you so I made a little of everything. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No worries, I know I’m going to enjoy every aspect of your culinary arts.” Mine’s eyes turned to stars at the sight of the feast before him. He placed a bib around his neck and armed himself with a fork and knife. He bowed to Vicky ad graciously thanked her for the meal. Before he started to eat he looked at Trey and said, “Now tell me how you ended up in El Dorado.”

  The entire establishment went silent and all eyes were on Trey’s table again and it’s occupants. The small boy’s response was so genuine that everyone shook their heads and turned away dismissing the conversation. He leapt out of his seat and shouted, “We were in El Dorado?”

  Not missing the silence that prevailed a moment ago, Mine started to laugh and said, “Just tell me everything that led up to our meeting.” The old man cut into his steak and moaned as he bit into the juicy piece of meat. He rolled his wrist beckoning Trey to speak. He offered Molly more food and she graciously started to eat with him.

  ***

  A few hours weeks before Bazpo Gonnerheim found Mine Heart in the nexus of El Dorado, Trey Storm was assigned a mission to deliver a package to one of his mother’s associates on Leivviel. Trey arrived like most people via portal at the Grand Leivviel Portal Station, when he arrived he was shocked with all the different types of people that moved about the platforms. However, before Trey could get caught up in the characters that surrounded him his watch chimed reminding him of his mission. The small boy wore a red military jacket with a black shirt beneath it, a pair of baggy camouflage cargo pants, and black military boots. Everyone who saw the boy, knew instantly that he was a Storm Child and avoided him, not wanting to garner his mother’s attention.

  “Can I have one of those please?” Trey pointed at a fizzy drink being sold by a vendor outside of the station.

  The man looked Trey up and down and said, “Your mother would kill ya. Go on now. Get before ya mission is delayed.”

  Trey frowned at the man, “You know my Mother?”

  “Who don’t?” The old man crooned and started to cackle. He placed his fingers in his mouth and unleashed an echoing whistle. “Just get ta where ya goin. No body is gonna sell ya nuthin on dis ‘ere street.”

  Trey walked away from the man and grumbled and noticed that as he walked by the other vendors they all smiled and shook their heads before he could even ask for anything they had to offer. When he arrived at the tailor shop he was saddened to see it locked up. He pressed the bell near the door but received no response. It suddenly started to rain and the boy ducked for cover under the tailors awning.

  “Sorry kid, your a few hours too late,” a woman said with big curly red hair that covered her face. She lifted an intricate pipe to her lips and took a long pull, “He went to the Ura annual ball. He won’t be back for another few days.”

  “Seriously?” Trey asked, “But my mother said, I had to come and deliver this package.” The small boy pulled a small box from his pocket and showed the woman who leaned against her storefront.

  The rain seemed to avoid her as she walked over to him. She wore a black leather smock and big black gloves that made her hands look impossibly too big for her body. She offered her hand to the boy and he placed the box in her giant gloved hand. “I can get this to Keeps when he gets back.”

  The boy beamed, “Really? That would be a big help.”

  “Sure thing little man,” The woman said, “Have you ever heard of Harlow’s Helpers?”

  “Of course I have,” Trey said excitedly, “They’re one of the only factions in Tucy not bound by the intergalactic powers that be.”

  The woman rocked her head side to side as she exhaled a cloud of smoke and said, “Yeah, we can travel to any planet we want be it Muse, Universal Tribunal Union affiliated, or otherwise. I’m Harlow by the way.” She offered her hand to the boy and flashed a beautiful smile.

  Trey swooned a bit at the woman’s smile and couldn’t put words together. Harlow chuckled and walked away from Trey, “Be good kid and tell your mother I said hello.”

  “Will do!” Trey shouted, his voice cracked but the woman was already gone. The rain stopped a few minutes later but left a thick layer of fog surrounding the city. Trey sighed heavily and made his way back to Grand Leivviel Portal Station. He didn’t want to get caught in the rain and made his way towards the station. On his way he noticed a lot of Orbit Police officers patrolling the station. He wasn’t sure why, but he knew his mother always advised him to avoid them. He made the mental note and decided to walk around to the brighter side of the station where more people tended to be. As he made his way through a small market place he could hear someone shouting behind him. When he turned to see the commotion a small girl slammed into him and they both hit the ground. The small voskia girl was beautiful, as most voskia tended to be, her raspberry hair and eyes matched perfectly. She wore a black dress, stockings, and boots which were a stark contrast to her golden skin and brightly colored features. Her big eyes were bright but a deep sadness could be seen lurking just below the surface. Before Trey could ask her if she was okay, she was on her feet and started to run agin. He watched her just as Alpine Kane, one of the most well known Knights of the Orbit Police pushed past him. A small girighet man walked behind him and he heard them.

  “Where’d she go Soriel?”

  “I can’t locate, Little Miss Molly sir, it’s like she managed to get her tag off somehow.”

  Alpine grunted, “This is a waste of my time.”

  Trey followed the two men and also looked for the girl as they did. The orange skinned man, Soriel cheered and yelled, “I’ve got her sir!” He started to race down an alleyway that forced Alpine to fold his wings behind him.

  Trey noticed the small voskia girl hiding behind a tall box and watching Soriel and Alpine pursue her false trail. She quietly pushed from behind the box and started to make her way back to the street when she locked eyes with Trey again. The girl rushed over to him offered him her hand as she continued to run in the opposite direction of her pursuers.

  “Are you Molly?” Trey asked as he raced beside the girl. She simply nodded and lifted his watch. “It’s not a portal watch, I can’t just call for a portal.” The girl didn’t slow down as she operated his watch in a way he had never seen it used before. He was awed by her skill and couldn’t believe his eyes when a hologram navigating system appeared over the watch.

  “Where are we going?” Trey asked her as they started to turn corner after corner getting further away from the portal station. The girl pinched the hologram and pointed at a glowing red dot. “What is that?” Trey asked.

  A shadow momentarily passed over them and Trey’s eyes widened when he saw Alpine Kane soaring over head. He smirked and performed a nose dive. The red blinking light grew closer on the hologram and before Trey could ask where they were going a white door appeared in front of them hovering in the air completely out of place. Trey slowed down, but Molly, undeterred, reached for the knob and pushed through the door, dragging the boy along.

  ***

  "And then we ran up the first stairs we saw, and I started calling out for help," Trey recounted, exhaling as if he'd just relayed the entire story in a single breath.

  Mine dabbed the corners of his mouth as he pushed away the final dish. Nothing was left behind between him and Molly, they ate every morsel that Vicky served. The old man rubbed his belly and said, “That was amazing.” He slammed his fork on the table and shouted, “Kudos to the chef!” He took another satisfied breath and snapped his fingers. Mine remained where he seated but was returned to his normal physique wearing a plum colored suit with a light blue shirt. He graciously accepted another cup of tea as the table was cleared. He stirred his tea and said, “I still don’t understand how you got to El Dorado. Bazpo said he had been searching for it for centuries. Then you barge into the chamber of doors as if invited a few minutes after I’m freed.”

  “Flow,” Gunther said simply.

  “Forever moving forward, when and where you're supposed to be,” Mine finished. He looked down at Molly, who was fast asleep tucked beneath his arm. He asked Trey, “What did she do to your watch?”

  “I’m not sure,” Trey said, “It’s completely fine now.” He raised the watch to show Mine but the man was perplexed by the device regardless.

  “Hmph,” Mine sighed contemplatively, “It would seem there’s more to our Little Miss Molly than we initially thought.”

  “I am so happy to see you all so content,” Vicky said as she approached with a big smile spread across her face. “It is always a pleasure feeding you.”

  “Oh no, dear,” Mine said, “The pleasure is always Mine.” He snapped his fingers thrice and three heavy chests crashed down around their table. Gold, coins, and all kinds of jewelry spilled from each of the chests. All of the patrons eyes grew wide with the sudden appearance of so much treasure. “I hope this will cover our bill and any other expenses.”

  Vicky was adjusting a crown on her head and said, “This is more than enough. You’re always so generous.”

  “What do I need with treasures, dear? I’m going home,” Mine said before he guffawed and kicked one of the treasure chests. A single coin rolled away from the treasure and Mine placed Molly gently on the seat. He made sure that she wouldn’t be disturbed and immediately gave chase. Despite his best efforts to recapture the fleeing coin it evaded him. He leisurely bounced down the stairs and landed with its head up. Mine shook his head as she twirled his cane and walked down the stairs. Suddenly, a man with a bulky helmet and a trench coat picked up the coin and slipped it in his pocket. Mine couldn’t believe the blatant disregard the man had for Vicky’s treasure and gave chase. However, before he could he bumped into Tella as she carried a tray of drinks. He snapped his fingers and caught Tella as well as every drink that was on the tray without spilling a drop.

  “I truly am sorry that we keep having these uncomfortable moments,” Mine said to her as he stood her upright handing her the tray. “I’ll be back momentarily.”

  Tella shook her head and gave the man’s back the middle finger as he pushed open the door and left the saloon. In the alleyway again Mine looked up and down for the bulky helmet. It wasn’t until something fell on his head that he looked up to see the man climbing the fire escape in an attempt to scurry away. The man with the helmet froze in place completely unaware of Mine glaring at him.

  “Oh, you want me to chase dear? There’s no height I can’t reach, or ocean too far, I can be anywhere, everywhere, and nowhere at all.” His snap reverberated through the alley, accompanied by his echoing laughter.

  Thank you for journeying through Flower 4: Ain’t No Way! This chapter holds a special place in the narrative, blending humor, suspense, and rich world-building to deepen our connection to the story and its characters.

  The introduction of Vicky V’s Saloon is a highlight—it’s a vibrant, quirky haven where the impossible becomes the norm. The contrast between its unimpressive exterior and its vast, artifact-filled interior underscores the theme of hidden wonders within the mundane. Vicky herself is an unforgettable character, a force of nature who exudes warmth, authority, and culinary genius. Her dynamic with Mine, both playful and nostalgic, hints at a long, storied history between them.

  This chapter also showcases Molly’s resourcefulness and Trey’s courage as they navigate unexpected dangers. Gunther’s comedic hunger-driven commentary provides levity, making their interactions feel grounded and relatable amidst the fantastical setting.

  What stood out to you in this chapter? Share your thoughts—I’d love to hear them!

  Warmly,

  T. M. Ashley