I’m one too
“Pem,” I say, “I wish we could talk about this.” I can’t stop thinking about the woman and who she might be.
“No!” Pem says. “I don’t want to!”
Pem races ahead, down the river’s edge.
“Pem!” I run after her, but she’s a cat, and I’m not, so she’s killing me. “Pem!” I shout again.
She keeps running, hopping over driftwood and tall patches of plants.
“William.”
I stop, look around. “Yeah?”
“Down here.”
I crouch down and see Rogger. Her face is dirty … well, dirtier, and she’s staring up at me through roots. The ground is cleared away in places, but the roots look strong.
“Rogger! I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I’m not okay, William. I’m hurt.”
“Oh no! I’m so sorry I dropped you …”
“Don’t worry about it. That’s not how I got hurt.”
I remember the Maiden In Black Mail.
“The Maiden? She found you?”
Panic seizes Rogger’s eyes. “What? She’s here?”
“She was, yes. I think she may have been the one who caused the earthquake.”
“No,” Rogger says. “Not her. But she’s not here now?”
I look around, just to be sure.
“Nope.”
“Okay. Good. That’s good … listen.”
I am listening, but I nod to show it better.
“You’ve got to get me out of here, William. Fast.”
I look over my shoulder, down the river where Pem’s headed.
“Okay, yes, but I’ve got a situation with Pem right now.”
“What’s happening with Pem?”
“She’s mad at me because I want to talk about my past.”
“Oh. Well smooth that over with her and then get me out of here. They’ll be coming back soon.”
“They?”
“The Dodgers.”
“Who are the Dodgers?”
“Nasty things. And they like to eat dwarfs. So please, William, hurry.”
I’m a little scared. And indecisive. I look down river, then to Rogger.
“Well maybe I should get you out of here now, and we’ll go get Pem together.”
“Yes, okay,” Rogger says. “Just hurry.”
I start pulling at the roots. Some smaller ones are coming out easy, but some are quite thick and gnarly.
“I’m not making a lot of headway here, Rogger.”
“Hurry, William! I think they’re coming back!”
I don’t see or hear anything, but I work faster.
“How did you get stuck in here, Rogger?”
“I, uh … ‘m not sure. I hit my head. Woke up here.”
“In the river?”
“Yes. In the river.”
Makes sense. I keep pulling at the roots.
“Good,” Rogger says. “That’s good. You’re getting through now. Almost there …”
“William!” It’s Pem.
“Hey, Pem! I’ve got Rogger here! Come help!”
“What?” Pem says.
“I said I’ve found Rogger! She’s here! Come help!”
“Run, William!” Pem shouts.
Then Rogger grabs my hand and opens a mouth filled with razorblade teeth.
I scream.
