Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity Beth Roose (good books for high schoolers TXT) 📖

opened her eyes and looked at her wing. She started to flap her wings and could extend it out to full span.  Then the light burst into all directions of the room. It looked like the light bending from a cut crystal.  Bitty reached Freda to hug her. She asks Princess Celia if she would be OK, or did she have to leave her, like Mommy did. Princess Celia looked down at Bitty and told her no. Freda had a broken wing and a strained neck. But she would be simply fine.  Frida spoke to Bitty and the Princess and told them what Travis did to her and how he went through Bev’s house. Then she told both the Princess and Bitty that she was an adoptive parent. One of the rabbit Coco’s babies survived. She explained that she took the baby as hers. Bev had gone to the store to pick up more formula. Then Travis arrived and went through Bev’s house. “He came to the attic and attacked me. If it had not been for Bev’s return, I would be dead, and he would have found little Hazel and killed her, too. He is evil! I wish Bev could see that.”

Princess Celia went downstairs to mix formula for Hazel. It took only a minute to mix and heat up the formula. She took it up to Freda. She was surprised Frida had Hazel cradled in her wings. She saw the Princess with the formula and lifted and supported Hazel in a more upright position. Easier for Hazel to take the formula. Bitty asks if she could feed Hazel. She promised to be gentle. The Princess smiled and handed her the formula. “Now, Bitty, just about half a dropper at a time, please.” Hazel ate like she could not get enough. Hazel ate for almost 20 minutes and drifted to sleep as Bitty was feeding her. Bitty told Freda she was a pretty bunny. She reached up and pet Freda’s bill. Freda thanked Bitty, then looked to Princess Celia, asking what the plan was. Celia told Freda that Travis was a shapeshifting alien after the gold on Bev’s farm.

Freda started to cry as she embraced Hazel and pulled her in closer. “We must tell Bev. She must not marry that guy. I fear for Bev. He might try to kill her.” Princess Celia agreed.  Then they heard a car coming down the driveway. “It is too late to leave. They will see us,” said Princess Celia. “They will see the burst of light I need to leave as Rider of The Light.  Bitty, we must stay very still and not talk. We do not want Travis to know we are up here with Freda. You sit in this dark corner behind the bookcase, so even if he comes up, he will not see you. You must do exactly what I have told you. No matter what happens you must stay in the corner and be quiet. Bitty, I will be in this other corner behind the sideboard. We both must stay put and not say anything.” They heard the kitchen door creek open and close. They could hear Travis talking to Bev. The talk started getting loud. Soon there was shouting. Princess Celia heard a loud thud.  She then heard Bev crying and the door slam shut. They saw Travis' car pull away. Princess Celia ran for the steps with Bitty right behind her. Freda yelled, “Let her know we are OK up here, but I am hungry. I could use a few fish.” Princess Celia turned, and there was a burst of light next to Freda. As the light faded Freda could see a bucket next to her filled to almost overflowing with sea bass. “Yummy,” said Freda as she picked up one of the sea bass and ate it. It only took her three minutes to eat 12 big sea bass. Freda snuggled down on her nest and fell fast asleep.

Princess Celia ran into the kitchen where Bev stood crying. She was surprised to see Celia and Bitty. Princess Celia ran to Bev and gave her a hug. Bitty grasped Bev and Princess Celia around the waist and held on tight. Princess Celia backed up as did Bitty. “Now, Bev, what happened?” She held up her hand and she saw the ring and wedding band. “What is this?” the Princess asked.

“Well, we were to go looking for a wedding dress, but instead, he took me to the courthouse, and we got married. While we were at the courthouse, I signed to add him to the deed. I really told him I was not comfortable doing it but he grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back. I thought it would break. We fought the whole way home. When we got home and came inside, something happened. He slammed me on the table. I told him to stop, but he kept on. Then he told me to be off the farm by morning because he was taking over. If I did not, he would start one-by-one burning each building. I don’t know what to do now. How could I have been so stupid?”

“Oh, I have so much to tell you, Bev. Sit down and I will make you some tea.” Bev sat down at the table. Bitty sat next to her on the floor with her hand on Bev’s leg. Princess Celia turned the teapot on after she filled it with water. The Princess brought over two cups to the table and two teabags. The teapot started to whistle. The Princess grabbed the pot and brought it to the table. She poured the hot water into the cups and over the tea bags. Then she sat down next to Bev. Bev thanked the Princess. She told her how awful her day was and how disappointed her Mom and Dad would be losing the farm to a crook.

The Princess reached out and put her hand on Bev’s arm. “It is so