Chapter 4 -- The Healer

"Not at all," Silky relaxed her grip on her sword at the sight of the healer. "I had just walked up the path to see you, Betty."

"For help or healing?"

"Help. There is a mysterious creature around that none of my books give reference to. I was hoping for some insight."

"Very likely I can help with that. I'm always full of insight."

She laughed as she lead Silky inside. "What manner of creature are you looking for?"

"You know what, I'm not sure I could explain it well."

"What size is it?"

"Human-sized."

"What is its shape?"

Silky thought about this a moment before answering, "A rodent."

"Mouse or rat?"

"Mouse."

"Any other distinguishing features?"

"The skin and scales of a dragon."

Betty raised an eyebrow, "And the reason you couldn't just say mouse-shaped dragon was . . . ?"

"Then I wouldn't have gotten to play this wonderful game of twenty questions." Silky smiled as Betty laughed. "Any chance you could help?"

"Well," she began and walked over to her shelves. "I can tell you there is no creature in existence matching that description but it could be if it were created."

"You lost me."

"Long ago my family ran experiments for the king. Top secret stuff." She pulled a stack of old journals from the shelf that looked to be falling apart. "From what I've read in these, they were looking for a way to make the soldiers stronger."

"What does that have to do with this?"

"A lot of the experiments were done on mice and they were trying to put other animals with them. In one of these, I believe, is a diagram for a creature like the one you describ-" Betty stared at the open journal in disbelief.

"What's wrong?"

"It's gone."

"What's gone?"

Betty looked up at Silky, "The page, it's been torn out."

Hours later they had searched the whole house and found no trace of the missing page. Silky left Betty's house with the promise to return and help search the old journals.

The plan was to rest the night and return in the morning to look them over with fresh eyes. Silky wanted to talk to Chris before he went on duty. It was pure luck she happened to come by his house as he was heading out.

"A moment Chris," she called to him as he was closing his door.

"A moment is all I got so make it quick," he called back to her gruffly.

"The creature we spoke of earlier might be the result of a government experiment. Be careful on watch tonight, no telling what special strengths or powers it might have."

Chris raised his eyebrow, "Sure it can't just be a new species? My experience is that when people blame the government it isn't really them."

Silky shook her head, "This is serious Chris. Betty's family ran the experiments and it looked to be some scary stuff."

Chris laughed, "I'm just kidding. I'll be looking out for it. If I do see it I will try to get a closer look."

"Just be careful."

"I will try but I make no promises."

Silky saluted him, "That is all I ask. Have a good night."

"You as well. I will report anything I find in the morning," he turned to leave.

Silky waved and bounded home to sleep the night.

< Chapter 3 Chapter 5 >

Notes:

1. Noah did not ask how to spell cauliflower, and since we've never heard of "koliflour sprites" it seemed best to leave it the way he typed it. In his final reading, he corrected the spelling but the editor has chosen to leave the original.