Page 21 of Toto’s Tormented Trio

“Toto!” I grab her, yanking her against me as the tree begins to topple toward us. But it doesn’t fall. It bows. Slowly, impossibly, the massive trunk stretches across the chasm until its upper branches settle against the opposite bank.

Granger’s mouth drops open.

Leo stares at the tree.

I stare at Toto.

“Still think my imaginary friend is imaginary?” she asks, looking unbearably smug.

I decide not to answer that.

Toto slips out of my arms and walks over to the tree. She places a hand against its trunk. “Thank you, kind sir.”

One of the branches rustles.

Toto nods solemnly, as though the fucking tree just answered her. Grabbing a branch, she hauls herself onto the broad trunk and turns back to us. “Come on. He doesn’t have all day.”

Granger grins and climbs up behind her. Leo follows.

I take one last look at the empty space where Anaviere is apparently hovering. “Thanks,” I mutter.

Toto laughs.

We cross the chasm quickly and jump down onto solid ground on the other side. Once we’re all safely across, the tree slowly straightens, lifting its branches away from the opposite bank before settling back into place.

Toto waves at the empty air. “Thank you, friend. Give the kids kisses from me.”

Then she turns and heads down the path as though none of that was remotely unusual.

The three of us follow. Apparently, invisible fairies and gentlemanly trees are the least of our problems today.

None of us says anything as we travel deeper into the forest.

Something feels familiar about this path. I sell to clients in Fable Forest and occasionally to clients in Screaming Woods, but they always come to me. I’ve never been here before, not that I remember. And yet every bend in the path feels familiar.

"We're close," Toto says, her arm brushing mine as we navigate the rough path. She glances around. "I thought more people would use this route."

"There are multiple entrances into Fable Forest." I shrug. "Or maybe the people of Screaming Woods know something about this path we don’t."

Toto shivers, looking around like she senses something dark nearby, and I fight the urge to pull her into my arms.

We round a sharp turn in the trail and emerge at the edge of a sunlit clearing. Beyond it, a neat path winds toward what looks like a village in the distance.

Toto’s face lights up. "Screaming Woods." She quickens her pace. "Anaviere and I used to sit over there and watch people having picnics."

She points toward the clearing as we approach the border. The air shimmers faintly where Fable Forest ends and Screaming Woods begins.

Toto steps through first.

For half a second, I hold my breath.

Nothing happens.

She drops her pack, lifts her face toward the sky, and spins in a slow circle with her arms stretched wide.

It is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.

I grin, moving to join her.