“You should be grateful Katie didn’t let your slow ass fall,” Toby said.

“Toby!” Katie chided him. “You are in so much trouble for being here.”

“I’m your angel. I’m supposed to help you, but all I do is screw up,” Toby said in frustration. “I’m the worst angel in the history of the world.”

“You’re young. I’m sure your time will come,” Deidre said.

“Exactly. In the meantime, you’re grounded,” Katie said. “No marshmallows or video games or whatever it is kids like. Why are you wearing a pink coat?”

Toby rolled his eyes in response and crossed his arms. Katie shook her head. The angel was visibly upset and completely disheveled. She softened, sensing his distress.

“It’s ok, Toby. You’re doing better than I am,” she offered. “You always knew I was the worst mother in the world.”

“Yeah. But I’m the worst angel in the world.”

“Then we’re meant for each other,” she told him. “Now, let’s get the hell out of here.” She held out her hand. Toby smiled grudgingly and took it. Katie led them around the island, trying to find some part of the chasm that was narrow enough to jump or a log they could roll across the gaping ravine.

“Why don’t we just ask the trees?” Toby complained at last.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, ask the trees.” Toby sighed loudly and stepped away from her. “Tree! Lift us over the ravine!”

Katie stared at him, suspecting he’d lost his mind. To her surprise, a branch wrapped around her body. She yelped, shoving at it then went still as it plucked her from the ground and moved her across the ravine, dropping her off in the jungle again.

The tree deposited Deidre and Toby in a heap, and Toby sprung up, pleased with himself. Katie looked at the tree in uneasy mistrust. The trees of her world were alive, but this was something else.

“This way,” Toby said and started into the jungle.

“Determined little guy, isn’t he?” Deidre said, amused again. “He cares about you deeply if he came here by choice.”

“He’s bat-shit crazy, which is where I’ll be soon if we don’t find a way out of here,” Katie replied. “You ok?”




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