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"Why," thought Alex, as he sat in the guard house at the South Gate, "Why can't I ever have any adventures?"
Alex was a guard for the South Gate of the Patton Army Base which was located near a small, unnoticeable town in northern Florida. He had gone into the Army right after high school and after training had been assigned to the guardhouse at the South Gate. At first he had liked the job because he had liked the idea of being partly in charge of who went in and out of the gate. And even though it wasn't the main gate he still got to see some interesting people and a new face every now and then. He had been working in this same position for two years though, and it was starting to get boring.
He was standing there, staring at the road beyond the gate, wishing for an adventure when he saw something moving down the road toward the gate. As it got closer he could barely make out the shape of a person. Whoever it was was barely standing and at one point the person tripped and fell, but picked himself up again. Alex thought it must be a drunk and went out into the warm night air to watch the person's progress.
When the person was about eight feet from the gate Alex called out," Halt. Who goes there?" The person looked up and he saw it was a girl. She took two more steps then fell to the ground.
Alex's partner, who had been napping, woke up and came out to see who he was talking to.
"Who're you talkin' to, Alex"
"Open the gate! Quick! There's a girl out there and I think she fainted," Alex almost yelled. He knew his partner, Ben would move fast when he heard that. And he was right. Ben ran back into the guardhouse and pushed the button that opened the gate. As soon as the opening was big enough Alex ran through and went over to the prone form.
"Lady. Are you OK?" he asked the still body as he bent over her. "Home," she asked in a whisper, not looking up.
"No," he answered softly as his partner came up to them.
"Lady? Lady?" He called, but she did not answer. He told his partner, "She's out cold. Go call an ambulance." He was just about to turn her over when he heard a car coming around the bend in the road. He stood up and moved in front of her as it came closer. The car stopped a few feet away and a man climbed out.
"Thank goodness. I've found her. I've been looking everywhere," said the stranger.
"Do you know this girl, sir," Alex asked him.
"Yes. she is my niece. She has mental problems so she runs away a lot." Alex listened to the man's explanation, but it didn't sound as if he was telling the whole truth. Oh well. He'd get the complete story later. His first priority at the moment was the girl.
Alex knelt next to the girl and said to the man, "Let's try to flip her over. Gently though, because there's a slight possibility something might be broken."
"OK," the man responded. He went and knelt opposite Alex and took something out of his pocket. He helped Alex gently turn her over and before Alex knew what he was doing the man had covered her face with a handkerchief.
"Why did you do that?" he almost yelled at the man.
"Her face has an... abnormality. I wanted to spare you," he explained.
"It will have to be taken off when the paramedics get here." "I understand that. They are probably more used to such things than you, though." At that moment the base's ambulance arrived.
Because the road was wider inside the gate they turned around and backed up through the gate to the girl. Two paramedics jumped out of the back bringing a gurney. Another one was already kneeling next to the girl, checking her pulse and feeling for broken bones.
"How long has she been unconscious?" the paramedic asked.
"About two minutes," Alex answered as she was lifted onto the gurney and put into the ambulance. Alex told Ben that he was going with her and asked Ben to move the man's car inside the gate and out of the way.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," Alex told him, "Do you think you can stay awake that long?"
"I'll stay awake. Go on. I'll see ya later," he answered. So Alex climbed into the ambulance and they drove away from the gate.
The base's infirmary was almost empty and they soon had the girl in a room, covered with a blanket, with the cloth still covering her face. The man, who had said he was her uncle, was told she was OK, was asked her name (it was Rosethorn), and was asked to follow one of the doctors into another room so that he could give the doctor more medical information about her. The man went and Alex watched as they took her blood pressure, took her pulse, and examined her feet, which were raw and bleeding from walking a very long distance barefoot. One of the nurses asked him why her face was covered.
"I don't know," he said because he had forgotten what the man had said. He went over to Rosethorn and lifted the hankie covering her face. Her face had no deformity or abnormality but was in fact almost perfect. It wasn't a too-good-to-be-true perfect; it was a delicate-yet-strong-and-beautiful perfect. She had a beauty rarely found these days yet it didn't shock you because you somehow knew this was how it was.
"What a lovely child," said the nurse. And she did, in fact, look almost like a child. She was about five foot, she had rose red hair that went almost her waist, deep red lips, skin the color of a pale pink rose, and the most amazing ears he had ever seen for they were pointed like an elf's. There's nothing normal about those ears, Alex thought, but they look real. And her face simply had a childlike quality.
As Alex watched most of the nurses except one go out he wondered who Rosethorn reminded him of. Then it came to him like a sudden inspiration. A fairy. She looked like a fairy. He remembered his mother reading him fairy stories when he was little and he had always liked to look at the pictures.
He took one last look before heading out of the room and down the hall. Before he left the infirmary he left a message with one of the nurses to call him when Rosethorn woke up. As he walked down the road that led back to the gate he thought about what had just happened and he was glad it had happened on a warm summer night. Summer was his favorite season. This was definitely the best time to have an adventure. Of course, he mostly considered himself an adult, but he was sure adults could have adventures to.
It took only five minutes to get back to the guardhouse and Ben was still awake so he told Alex it was his turn to watch and Alex could take a nap if he wanted. Alex told Ben thanks and would he please wake him if the infirmary called. Ben said he would and Alex went to sleep in one of the chairs that was in the small building.
Two hours later Ben woke him and told him that the infirmary had called and said that Rosethorn was awake.
"Is that really her name," Ben asked him.
"Yeah, and it describes her perfectly," he said as he got ready to leave. "I'll tell you all about it when I get back."
"OK. Just don't be gone too long," Ben told him as Alex went out
the door. As Alex stepped inside the building he wondered why he was so anxious to see her. He went to her room and knocked on the door. One of the nurses, who had been there before, opened the door and recognizing Alex, let him in.
"I know you have to ask her some questions, but don't keep her up too long," the nurse told him as he entered, "she needs much more rest." She looked over at the girl then left the room.
Alex went and sat in a chair next to the bed.
"Hello," he said. "Do you remember me from last night?" The time was one o'clock. "Yes. Hello." Her voice was like music.
"I need to ask you some questions. Do you remember what happened last night?"
"Yes."
"OK. First, is your name really Rosethorn?" She nodded and he went on. "Where are you from?"
"Flora Valley."
"Where is that exactly?"
"In the middle of eastern New York."
"Did you know that a man came after you fainted and claimed to be your uncle?"
"I was visited by him before you came. He is not my uncle." Alex was a bit surprised, but then that was probably why she was running away from him.
"Can you tell me who he is?"
"Didn't he tell you his name," she asked and Alex shook hi head. "His name is Donald Tanner and he helps circuses hire new acts and side shows. He just happened to see my special talent and he said if I didn't work for him he would tell everyone. I went along with them for a while so they wouldn't get suspicious. Then, while we were in
Tallahassee, I saw my chance and I ran away."
Alex was silent as he wrote the information on his pad . He had to phrase his next questions carefully so that he didn't upset her. Even thought he suspected that she didn't upset easily.
"I was visiting my aunt at the time. I would say it was more like blackmail because I went along with him. I didn't want him to tell anyone what I could do especially since I was far from my home."
"Can you tell me what it is that you didn't want him telling people about?" When she heard that question Alex saw a look of worry cross her face. She thought for a moment.
"Will you promise not to tell anyone?"
"I have to report everything to my superior," he answered with regret.
"Well, will you promise to not let anyone hurt me?" She had such a vulnerable look on her face that he had to say yes. Somehow she almost reminded him of his little sister.
"I'll do my best to see that you are treated well," he told her.
"Thank you," she said as she lay her head back on the pillow. "If you do your best I don't have to worry." She closed her eyes and seemed to sleep.
"Rosethorn," Alex gently called her name.
"Mmm?"
"What can you do?"
"I can fly." Alex could not believe his ears. He gazed at the sleeping girl and wondered if he had imagined those whispered three words, or maybe he was dreaming. No, he thought, I'm not dreaming. He touched her hand Her skin felt like rose petals) and called her name, but he knew she was asleep now. He stood up and walked to the door, but before he could open it the nurse came in. He looked at the girl, told the nurse to let no one disturb her, and
left the building.
When he got back to his post he told Ben everything that had happened except Rosethorn's secret. Unfortunately he let slip the fact that she had a secret.
"C'mon. Why can't you tell me," Ben almost whined.
"I promised to tell as little people as possible and I know you can't always keep a secret. This is a very... delicate secret," Alex answered.
"I guess I'll have to resign myself to it." He paused for a moment, "So, are you going to see her again?"
"Yeah. I have to finish the report. She fell asleep about halfway through, but she needed the rest so I left. I'll go check on her when it's my turn to rest so you can relax now." Ben was soon snoring and as I listened to him sleep I was glad I had him for a friend, even if he was annoying.
Twenty minutes later Captain Short, who was returning to the base, drove up to the gate. Fortunately Ben woke up just in time and Alex was outside, ready and waiting.
"Evening, Lieutenant York. Did anything exciting happen while I was gone," the captain asked.
"Yes Captain. An injured civilian came here a couple of hours ago followed by a man who claimed to be her uncle," Alex answered. "The girl is in the infirmary right now and the man was questioned then put in a room until you could return."
"Very good, Lieutenant. Was the girl questioned?"
"Not thoroughly. She fell asleep before I could finish. You should have seen her feet in the beginning, sir. They were covered in blood. She said she walked all the way from Tallahassee."
"Do you know why she came here?" "I think she was just running away from the man who was
following her."
"If your partner can manage by himself for a little while suggest you come with me," the captain told him. Alex told Ben he was going with Capt. Short and he would be back in a little while.
As the two men walked into the building they were greeted with something near pandemonium. Alex recognized the nurse from Rosethorn's room and stopped to ask her what was happening.
"The girl you were talking to before, she's almost stopped breathing," the nurse replied.
"You mean Rosethorn," Alex asked just to make sure.
"That's her," the nurse answered before hurrying away.
"The girl's name is Roserthorn," the captain asked.
"Yes. She couldn't be called anything else."
"Come on. Let's go see what's happening." Alex took him through the hall, turned a corner, and entered the door to the right. Two doctors and four nurses were in the room. One of the doctors and a nurse were examining Rosethorn and the others were talking in hushed tones in the corner. The second doctor noticed Capt. Short and came over to talk to him.
"Hello Capt. Short. How may I help you?"
"Is this the civilian that was brought in here before?"
"Yes. We got a cal from the guard post a few hours ago and the ambulance brought her here," the doctor answered.
"Was she badly injured?"
"Her feet were raw and bloodied from so much walking, she has a gash on her arm from a branch, and a bump on her head from when she fainted."
"Is that all?" "It was enough. Oh, she chipped an ankle bone too and she could have easily gotten an infection. She walked 2 miles with the
chipped bone and 5 miles with the bloodied feet. She punctured an artery, but it wasn't too bad. Still... she won't be walking for a couple of weeks. Then just a minute or two before her nurse came running out saying she had stopped breathing," Before they could ask any questions he held up a hand and continued. "She's still breathing, she's just doing it very, very slowly and quietly. Her heartbeat slowed, of course. It looks as if she's just sleeping deeply except that nothing we do wakes her. It's like a coma. Only the automatics part of her brain is still working. Everything else is shut down."
"Nothing wakes her?" Alex asked.
"Nothing. We tried shouting , shaking her, and even giving her stimulants. Nothing will wake her until she is ready to wake. All we can do is wait. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another patient to see." As the doctor left the room Alex noticed that the other doctor and three of the nurses had left while they were talking. The nurse sitting next to Rosethorn was the one he had talked to earlier.
He turned to Capt. Short and said, "Do you want to talk to Mr. Tanner?"
"Where is he?"
"In the interrogation room. If you don't mind, sir, I'd like to stay here."
"Even after what the doctor said?"
"Yes. She kind of reminds me of my sister. I guess I feel a little bit responsible for her. Especially after what she told me. My notes will explain," he said, giving the notepad to the Captain.
"All right, York, but don't stay her any longer than an hour. You wouldn't want Northton falling asleep at his post."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Alex saluted him before he went out the door. Alex moved a chair close to the bed and sat next to the nurse.
"How come you're sitting here," he asked her.
"I guess I've become attached to her. She almost looks like my niece, and when her breathing slowed I was more upset than I thought I would be."
"Yeah. For a minute there I was scared too." Nurse and guard sat there in silence, each one thinking their own thoughts, but both thinking only of Rosethorn. Forty minute later Alex saw her stir.
"She's moving," he told the nurse, who got up and moved to the bedside.
"Rosethorn?" When the nurse saw her eyes open she went on. "How are you feeling dear?"
"Like my self again," she said with her musical voice.
"That's good," said Alex, smiling a little. "I only told the Captain about your secret like I said I would."
"Thank you," she said... then she smiled. "You both look like you left a great worry behind. What was it?"
"It was you," said Alex. "When I got here almost an hour ago they said you had gone into a deep sleep. It was so deep that they couldn't wake you."
"That was normal. I was healing. Look at my feet. They are healed. And my cuts and scrapes. Look for yourself." The nurse pulled back the sheet and took the bandages off her feet. Both people looked at her feet in awe. They were completely healed. Not even a scar. The ankle that had been swollen was normal and the back of her head where the bump had been was normal as well.
"It's a miracle," said the nurse with awe.
"Yes. It usually is," Rosethorn said solemnly.
"You knew this would happen," Alex asked.
" When I was little I loved to dance on the hills near my home. One day I did not pay attention to where I was going and danced
onto some loose gravel. I slipped, fell, and broke my leg. My house was only a hundred yards away so I called and my mother came and carried me home. She put me in bed and told me to go to sleep. When I woke up my leg was completely healed. To answer your question, no. I did not know that this would happen, but I had a feeling it would."
"Amazing," said Alex thoughtfully. "Where did you say you were from?"
"Flora Valley." She paused. "Did you have more questions for me?"
"Yes, I do. Do you feel able to answer them now?"
"Yes, and will you answer mine?"
"If I can."
"Thank you. And thank you both for watching over me."
"It was nothing, dear," said the nurse with a smile. "I think we've both grown rather attached to you, despite our common sense saying we shouldn't. Besides, maybe we'll meet again someday. I heard you live in New York. I grew up there and I'm going back when I'm done here. Right now I'd better go tell the doctor that you're well."
She got up and turned toward the door, but Rosethorn stretched out her hand and said, "Wait." so she turned back.
"Please. I would like to answer Alex's questions in peace. When the doctors hear what you say they will be like scientists with a new discovery. Please wait a little."
"Well, I can see what you mean. OK. I'll come back in a half an hour." And the nurse left.
"Do you want to finish questioning me before I ask my questions?" Rosethorn asked.
"I think that would be better. First, where exactly is Flora
Valley?"
"It is somewhere near the middle of New York."
"OK. Does your ability to fly run in your family? Can your parents fly?"
"First, let me say that I don't fly how you think I fly. I dance. I jump and twirl and leap and it looks like I don't touch the ground. Actually, it feels like I don't touch the ground, but if this is true then I'm never very far from it. To answer your question, no. My parents can not dance as I do. There are only three other girls in the whole valley who dance like me."
"Interesting. How come you let Mr. Tanner kidnap you?"
"I didn't want him to tell everyone I could fly. He said he would call the news people and you know how they love to exploit people who are hiding something. If they found out where I live my home would never be the same again."
"I know what you mean. We had an incident with the media a couple of years ago and things just haven't been the same since. OK, next question. How old are you?"
"I will turn 18 on Midsummer's Eve."
"I hate to say this, but when is that?"
"July first."
"Oh. OK. One last question. Did Mr. Tanner or any of the people that you worked for abuse you in any way?"
No. They were afraid to touch me after they saw this." She pulled up her shirt half way and on her stomach there was a mark shaped like a cross. "It's my birthmark. Does it seem strange to you? Are you afraid of it?"
"Not really. I have a birthmark on my back shaped like a bird with something in its mouth." "May I see it?" He showed it to her. "You were right. The thing in its mouth looks like a rose. Now it's my turn to ask questions. How old are you? Where do you live? And do you like working here?"
"I'm 21. I live in New York. And I think my work is OK, but it's a little boring."
"We will meet again someday, Alex York. I feel certain of this, but for now I will ask you one last question. I have no right to ask you because you hardly know me, but I need your help. Will you help me get out of here and safely home?"
Alex thought for a moment then said, "I'll help you. I won't guarantee that my help will be of any use to you, but I will help you."
"Thank you," she replied. Just then the nurse walked in.
"A doctor came to the desk asking if the girl was awake yet. Shall I tell him yes?"
"Tell him yes I am awake and would like to speak with him immediately," Rosethorn told her. So the nurse went out and came back with the doctor. He looked very surprised to see her sitting up and looking normal, but before he could speak Rosethorn said. "Don't be surprised to find me this way. I was only sleeping."
"But I have never seen anyone who slept so deeply except in a coma," he replied.
"There is a first for everything. Now that I am healed may I go home?"
"Your feet can't be healed already," the doctor said with a confused expression. "It will take weeks for something like that to heal."
"Look at my feet. Examine me. You will find me completely healthy."
"OK. Lieutenant, will you leave the room for a moment while we examine her?"
"Sure. I'll go tell the Captain that she's awake." Alex left the room and the doctor examined her and found her completely healthy. After telling the Capt. that Rosethorn was awake they went back to her room. Just as they walked in they heard her ask,
"Are you satisfied with how it healed?"
"Yes. It healed perfectly. It was just so fast, I would have liked to see it happening."
"Rosethorn, this is Capt. Thorton. Capt. Thorton, Rosethorn. He can help you get home, Rosethorn."
"Oh, good. I would like to send my parents a letter also, so that they won't worry."
"Can't you just give them a call," the Capt. asked.
"No. We have no technology or machinery in the valley. It would disturb the nature that we live in harmony with. We don't even cut down trees to build our houses. Sit and I will tell you how we live." And that is how a doctor, a nurse, an army captain, an army lieutenant, and I came to hear about Flora Valley. Actually, Alex told me when he came home from the army. He was never in the army again, but he told me he enjoyed his time there. Rosethorn was given a ride and an escort home after explaining that she would feel much safer with lots of people around to protect her. The base commander agreed on the condition that she dance for them to prove that her special talent was real. She agreed and the next day she danced at the edge of the air strip where the grass met the trees. She said she was more comfortable dancing outside where she could feel the wind and the ground and the sky. She lay in the grass all morning, staring up at the sky. Then after lunch everyone gathered around to watch. And she danced! Everyone who watched that day, who didn't know who she was, swore that they saw an angel dance, no, fly! Rosethorn gave those people something special, it was joy. Every person in that crowd had a smile on their face and later on, when she went home, Rosethorn gave that same gift of joy to another crowd of people. But that, as they say, is another story.
THE END