Free Finding Monsters by Liss Thomas Page B

wards.”
    Charlie couldn’t help smiling as his f a ther voiced the same concerns he had.
    “So? Either way she decides, may we join?” Cha r lie asked.
    “We’d have to work around some issues, but the answer to your question is yes.”
    Charlie blew out an audible sigh of r e lief.
    “Housing is the main concern; we’ll have to find a suitable space for you within the compound then add a few special amenities. A place you can both be human when you’re toget h er. Your mother and I will find a place before Missy leaves on this quest. You might want to ask the girl tonight if she will have you though.”
    Charlie couldn’t contain himself; he hooted loudly, e m bracing his father. “Thank you, father. I need to arrange a sp e cial di n ner,” he said mostly to himself now. “I need a ring or something. I need clothes!” Charlie sank onto his bed, ove r whelmed by the challenge ahead of him.
    “You need your mother. I’ll send her in to help you. F e males love this sort of thing.”
     
    The day had been long and exhausting. Missy dragged herself to her quarters and closed the door behind her. Elyen waited inside, already running a bath for the girl.
    “You did well today, my child. This bath will help take away the aches and pains.”
    “And the smell,” Missy added. Elyen smiled, her doe face bright. Missy undressed then slipped into the water. Elyen dropped in perfumes and minerals that bubbled in the water. “Soak for an hour dear one, I will attend to your clothing. Di n ner will be wai t ing for you when you’re done.”
    “Thank you, Elyen,” Missy said. She closed her eyes and slid deeper into the water. Her muscles lo o sened as the minerals worked their magic. After an hour, Missy felt like herself again. Reluctantly, she left the soothing waters behind and went in search of di n ner attire. Elyen was back with Sophie laying out a cream dress made of linen. The thin straps worked a crisscross design around the bodice and down the back.
    “What’s with the flirty little dress, girls?” Missy wanted to know.
    “You’ll see,” they replied in unison. Knowing that was all she would get from them, Missy obediently dressed in the short little number. She pulled her hair up in an elegant pony tail while the two women picked out a light wrap for the outfit. Thirty minutes later, they stepped from the room. Missy caught her breath as she stared in awe at Charlie arranged in semi-formal attire. His hair looked silky about his face and he wore a tunic and leggings of elegant blacks and grays. He flourished a regal bow then took Missy’s hand, leading her away from his mother and the Doe.
    After walking in silence down several hallways, Missy had to ask. “Ok, so what’s the occasion and where are we going, Charlie?”
    “The occasion is a private dinner for two and we are g o ing to the courtyard. I don’t think you’ve been there before. It is a most wonderful place,” Charlie told her.
    “I don’t think I’m dressed for dinner outside,” she said.
    “Trust me, you’re perfect.”
    He guided her down several stone hallways, far past the cooking fires. Co m menting on sections of the dwelling where interesting stories could be told, he continued the tour for a l most an hour. As they turned the corner an arched doorway lay before them looking out onto a green me a dow with plush grass, manicured flower gardens, paths, and a large lake creating the perfect scene.
    “It’s beautiful,” Missy whispered as she took in the view.
    Charlie led her through the opening and onto the path. Missy instinctively pulled her wrap close about her to ward off the chill of the air only to find the air warm and spring like. She looked up and noticed birds coming two and fro from the meadow. No ceiling, yet warm air blew here, not unlike the fri g id temperatures elsewhere.
    “How is this possible?” she asked, then gasped as Charlie’s bull like features melted away to reveal the human boy she r e