“They met with the mayor?” Horst said in disbelief. “Impressive.” Opening up his computer. “Jaromir knew Ayihcah…” They probably knew each other first. “Fest, what are you eating over there?”

  “MMFF,” Fester had their face stuffed. “Nuffin.”

  “Nuffin?”

  Later that morning once in class Otie began searching his desk. “Hmm, that’s odd, where is my breakfast? Anyone know where my melon muffins went?” Silence.

  “…” Cherry looked over at the seemingly distressed Fester. Fester looked as though they had a large stone stuck in their colon. Horst began to think, watching both parties. Since they ate the melon-fins Fester has been acting weird… Now that I think about it, Ayihcah eats those every morning. Scratching, the clunking of rolling wheels down hallway tile. Busting open the door he flew in with dust kicked up by his skateboard. Dropping in was Eurig. His hair like golden silk separated in coils of shimmering light. Darn, should have brushed my hair…

  “Oti! Hiya, long time no see dudes! Mm, yup grumpy as ever I see. Didn’t know how cool it was to skate in the school, now that no one's around it's for sure a vibe. If it's always like this I may come around more often.” Behind Eurig was a dark figure, his stance showed unpleasantness.

  “Indeed, that would be lovely Chrysostom, it's just that summer vacation begins tomorrow. And please keep your tongue in your mouth,” Dr. Dushyanta said.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  In the same vein as Eurig’s return, Urjohar had vanished. Where did he go? Was he eating well? Was he warm?

  Two dancing unicorns were frolicking in Fester’s mind. A love struck maiden was he, disco pants wearing Otie struck a gorgeous pose. Fester turned into a polka dot wearing lizard. Wheee! Down the rainbow of heaven and earth, down the rainbow, down the rainbow. Where are we?

  A hound of black flame entered his mind. From the abyss she saw her aging hands, Fester began to rot. Armor claimed her figure. A toad for helm, gorilla arms for gauntlets, hippo hide for breast plate, and dragon scales for leggings and boots. Rot wisps bled out of crevices and joints. Flowers and grass browned, the ground became brittle, the clouds dissipated, the sky greened with darkening disease.

  Picking fresh fruit was impossible…

  “Horst help me, help me!”

  “You ate my melon! You can’t become queen in Melonland, you melon thief!” Otie said riding his pegasus over his melon planet. Through the stars and galaxies he spreads melons far and wide…

  “Fester! Fester… Officer?” Horst clamored. Fester had fallen.

  “You her friend?” The officer asked.

  “Ah, yes, he just had heatstroke. If we just move them into the shade…”

  “Aye, here…” The two picked Fester up and slowly brought them into the shade.

  “Thank you,” Horst bowed.

  “Your welcome, best watch your friend carefully now. She could’ve gotten real hurt there.”

  “Understood.” Once the officer took off Horst looked on at the delirious Fester. “How much longer…?”