Chapter 12

          I quickly clung to Gwendolyn’s arm for dear life before looking out from behind the safety of our bush. 

“Wh-what is that?” I exclaimed, springing to my feet.

“That’s The Keeper,” Gwen replied, cautiously standing up and placing a completely still hand upon my shoulder.  I didn’t add onto Gwen’s reply, instead I stared long and hard at the moving trees while waiting for something to appear. 

“Where is it?” I asked, cowering back slightly.

“I don’t know, He never shows up unless it’s serious,” Gwen answered sternly, hazel eyes keen.  I wanted so badly to know what it was, but at the same time was kind of intimidated by this unknown keeper, or so Gwen calls it.

            We waited for a second more,

“Is it goi-,” before I could finish, I was cut off by a roar like the agonizing cry of the sky.  The wind picked up faster and stronger until Gwen and I had to cling onto a rock to prevent being blown away.  As we hung on for dear life that’s when the crystal trees began to rattle and clash together like rivaling tribes at war.  The trees parted by a powerful stomp slamming into the face of the earth, making the dirt arise.  I looked out of the bush once again but this time my mouth dropped.

“Umm, Gwen? Is that The Keeper?” I asked, eyes wide.  She nodded, grabbing my hand in hers and looking me in the eye.

“G-Gwen?” I whispered softly, knowing this was serious.

“Annabelle, meet The Keeper,” Gwen replied, placing her hand on my face and turning my head to the sky.  That was the moment my whole world had changed-for good.