So that's how a broken heart felt. It hurt with every beat. Ferry was lying on his bed in his room with the sky instead of the ceiling and was thinking of Matilda. He tried to stop the tear that crept through his eyelashes but failed. And the tear fell as thin as a thread, making its way to his cheek, then to his neck, until it reached his heart. Ferry wiped it quickly, trying to control his breathing.

He got out of bed and looked into the night. But his thoughts turned to her again. She had asked him not to tell anyone about their kiss. He agreed. Then she asked him to forget what had happened between them. How could he do that when every star, every gust of wind, every heartbeat and every breath reminded him of her?

And all this meant one thing. Something he stubbornly tried to chase away, thinking it was just an illusion—Matilda was more than a friend. Otherwise, why did his heart raced every time he saw her? Why did he feel the need to kiss her every time they were alone? Ben was his friend too, but he had never felt the need to kiss him.

He walked from one side of the room to the other without finding his peace. He touched May's locket by mistake. He took it out slowly and carefully placed it in the chest under the bed where he kept all sorts of small things. Then he left the room.

He wandered the streets until the light of dawn awakened the sleepy town. He looked up and discovered the house in front of which he had reached without realizing it—widow Jones' house. It looked like a hunchbacked old woman in shabby clothes. Inside, there was no movement, but Ferry did not dare to go closer. The house looked dead.

Ferry returned to Lavender's house, changed, and left for school, picking an apple for the road. On the way, he met Ben. He seemed just as low as he was. His hair was ruffled and he looked like he hasn't shaved for days.

"What happened to you?" Ferry asked.

Ben sighed, "I went to Celia's last night. To give her the diary back and talk, you know ... And she — She doesn't want to see me again, Ferr," he said in a gloomy voice. "She says it's better that way ... That we complicate each other's lives too much ... I think I deserve it. After everything I told her ..."

"I'm sorry, Ben," Ferry said. I really think there are strong feelings between you. But you didn't mean when you told her those things, did you?"

"Of course not. I know she looks spoiled and shallow. But she's not like that ... I know her. And she knows me. It's just that her family would never agree with the two of us being together. That would mean hiding from them for the rest of our lives."

"Maybe it's not all lost," he tried to encourage him. "Maybe she'll think better ..."

"I don't know ..." Ben shook his head. "We had to bury the diary last night. It felt like burying my heart, Ferr ..." he said in a low voice.

Ferry patted his friend on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement, then continued on their way.

"What about Steph?"

"She didn't react very well," he said. "She made a scene in front of her parents. I had to tell them what she did. She's been punished for a whole month now. But in the end, she got what she wanted. She separated me and Celia. I don't understand--" he sighed.

"What?"

"What does love have to hurt?"

" Because otherwise, we can't tell it's love, I guess," said Ferry.

"Speaking of. Billy and Andrew aren't doing too well, either. I saw them arguing by the lake. Billy tried to persuade him to get him a doctor, but he was stubborn. Andrew looked even worse. He looks like a ghost. Like--"

"Like what?"

"Like he's dying, Ferry," Ben said.

"That's because he's a fairy," Ferry said, frowning. "That's why he doesn't want to be seen by a doctor. For the same reason I have to be careful not to get hurt. But why is he still here, if this world is killing him? He seemed to have given up what he was looking for."

"We both know why he's still here. Because of Billy. Even if that kills him."

Ferry gave it a thought. Andrew was a mystery, even now. But how would his story end?

"Looks like it's break up season," he told Ben. "And I thought May was my favorite month of the year."

Ben tried to smile, and they both entered the schoolyard. Celia and Billy passed them by and entered the school. Celia didn't even look at Ben. Ferry saw his friend's longing gaze, but this time he couldn't help him.

"Look! It's May," Ben said. The girl was sitting next to a peony bush. She had ripped one and put it in her hair. She was smiling at Ferry. "Aren't you going to say hello?" Ben asked.Ferry shook his head, "I think I'll stay away from the girls for a while. I want to focus on training and school. Girls have only been giving me headaches lately."

"I won't," Ben said. "Some girls deserve all the headaches."

*

The day barely passed. No matter how hard he tried to focus on his lessons, Ferry's thoughts always flew to that magical, unrepeatable, unforgettable night. Ferry even got some bad grades that day because of that.

After the classes were over, Ferry and Ben, now his suffering mate, headed home dragging their feet.

"Let's take a detour," Ferry said. "I still have some time until I go to work. And it's such a beautiful day."

Ben shrugged and followed him. He had nothing better to do, anyway. But he was surprised to see that Ferry carried on, passing the central square and heading to the outskirts of the town.

"Ferry, where are we going?"

He stopped in front of Lily Jones' house.

"Ferry, what are we doing here?" Ben asked, looking around.

"Don't you notice anything strange?" Ferry said.

Ben shrugged. "Everything about this house is strange. It's quiet," he said. What am I supposed to notice?"

"Exactly. Too quiet. On sunny days, Anne is always on the roof, as if she is feeding on sunlight. I haven't seen her in a while. What if something happened to her?"

Ben shook his head, "Ferr, don't start with this again. You said it yourself that Mrs. Jones is a fairy. She may be dangerous. Don't tell me you want to go into that house again."

"No. Not now, at least," he replied. "Tonight, when she'll be at the tavern."

Ben disagreed, "Ferry ... The last time you met Anne, she attacked you. The girl can be mad."

"I promised to come back, Ben," he said. And I always keep my promises. Even the ones I don't like. You don't have to come with me. I'll be fine."

Ben sighed. "Of course I'll come with you. Who knows what trouble you're getting into this time..."

*

Ben kept his word. After dark, they were at the playground near the central square. It was a warm, lime-flavored night. The town was empty as it always happened after dark. The wind walked on the deserted streets, making the chain of the swings at the playground creak like a creepy song. The lights of the streetlamps made the streets look bathed in a honey light. But the light melted with each step they took, swallowed by the growing darkness as they approached Lily Jones' house.

The boys stopped in front of the house and looked at it, shivering. The house was in complete darkness.

"Did you bring the flashlight?" Ferry asked.

Ben took it out of his pocket and handed it to him. "Are you sure she's not home?" he asked.

"I'm sure. I saw her at the tavern earlier."

"How are we going to get in?"

"I'll fly to the attic's window, get in, and open the door from inside for you."

It was all settled. Ferry looked at the house once more, then pushed open the rusty gate. He flew to the attic's window and pushed it. The window opened, and he entered. He turned on the flashlight and went down the stairs to the front door where Ben was waiting for him. Ben entered, always looking around.

"This house always gave me the creeps," he whispered.

Ferry motioned for him to follow. They went upstairs together. The floor squeaked under their feet.

"Anne," whispered Ferry. "Anne, where are you?"

He stopped in front of her room. The heavy closet with thick iron bars blocked their way.

"Anne," Ferry whispered again. No answer.

Ferry pointed the flashlight at the room. The spear of light crossed all the corners of the room and stopped on the creature crouched in the middle.

The boys looked at each other in horror.

"Come on, Ben, help me move this," Ferry said, pushing the closet away from the door. "It's iron, and it hurts my hands."

They both struggled until they managed to tomove it out of place and make a small breach through which they entered. Ferry put the light on the being in front of them. It was Anne. Her eyes were closed. Ben leaned over and touched her neck.

"She's alive," he said. "But she has a very weak pulse."

Ferry did not wait and picked her up in his arms.

"What are you doing?" Ben asked.

"I'm getting her out of here," Ferry said.

"You can't do that!" Ben whispered. "That's kidnapping, Ferry."

"If I leave her here, she'll die," Ferry said, and walked with her in his arms towards the door. But something was hanging from her wrists. A fine, shimmering thread. Ben followed the thread and found the other end of it in a wooden box. He tried to break it, but couldn't.

"In the kitchen downstairs," Ferry said and went out of the room, Ben lighting their way.In the kitchen, Ben searches all the drawers until he found a knife. He tried in vain to cut the thread.

"It's stronger than metal," he said.

"Then we'll take it with us," Ferry said. "Now, let's go," he said, heading for the door.But something made him stop. He could hear a growl behind them. It was Mrs. Jones' s black dog.

"Run!" he shouted at Ben. "Run like Steph is after you!"

Ben didn't wait to be told twice and dashed out the door. Ferry took flight with Anne in his arms. Carrying her in his arms did not make his flight harder—the girl was as light as a feather. From time to time, Ferry looked down to see if Ben was coping with Lily Jones' black dog. But Ben seemed faster than ever. Maybe the threat of Steph coming after him really worked. When they reached the town's outskirts, Ferry flew faster towards Lavender's cottage.

He slowly descended, with Anne nestled on his chest. The girl still had her eyes closed.

"Miss Lavender! Parsley!" cried Ferry. "I need help!"

Lavender, Rosemary, and Parsley came out of the cottage, alarmed by his cries. They were all speechless when they caught sight of him.

"Ferry, who is this girl?" Lavender wondered.

"It's Anne, Lily Jones' daughter. And she needs help."

Lavender came closer and examined the threads that still hung from her wrists. She covered her hand with her mouth.

"Good Heavens," she said. "It's fairy's wool. The poor child is completely drained of her strength," she said in a voice in which Ferry read her concern. "Rosemary, quickly! Prepare a warm bath and some dandelion tea with acacia honey. And take out your chest with potions and tinctures, we're going to need them. Ferry, take her inside."

Ferry came in and placed Anne on the couch by the fire. The girl laid pale, her eyes closed.

"Get out of here now," she told Ferry and Parsley. "We'll have some work to do."

Ferry and Parsley came out and stood in the garden in front of the house without saying a word. They heard footsteps behind and saw Ben approaching.

"That dog runs faster than a gazelle," he said, trying to catch his breath.

They all sat on the bench under the window, waiting. The minutes seemed like hours.

Finally, Lavender came out, wiping her hands of some odd, black paint. She could barely walk and her eyes were wide with astonishment.

Ferry walked slowly toward her, "What is it? She's still alive, isn't she?" he asked in an anguished voice.

"Yes, she's alive," Lavender said in a low voice. "I think you should go in. You should all come in," she added, going inside.

Ben and Parsley hurried inside, with Ferry following. His heart was pounding and his legs felt numb.

When he got inside, they were all gathered around the couch by the fire. The air smelled of spring flowers and sun. Ferry could barely walk. The others turned to the sides, making room for him to pass. Fery walked like in a dream to the creature with white skin, green eyes like a spring forest, and hair like fire. She smiled, stretching out her thin hands to him. Oona.

*

Ferry stepped closer and looked at her. He couldn't believe his eyes. She was waiting for him, her hands outstretched. He fell to his knees and hugged her, burying his face in her forest-scented hair. He felt her thin, cold arms around his neck.

"Oona ... Is that you? Is that really you?" he whispered. "I've missed you so much..."

But she pushed him lightly, pulling away from the embrace, "Why do you call me that?" she wondered, her big eyes studying him. "Who is Oona? My name is Anne."

Ferry looked into her deep green eyes. He didn't understand.

Lavender approached and wrapped her better in the blankets.

"Try to sleep, child," she told her softly. Then she looked at Ferry in a meaningful way. "Let's go outside," she said. "She needs to rest. Rosemary will stay with her."

Ferry took one more look at the red-haired fairy, then followed Lavender outside.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked. "Why doesn't she recognize me? Why doesn't she remember who she is?"

"First, you have to tell me everything you know about her and her mother," Lavender said.

"I don't know much. I know her so-called mother kept her locked up. I know Andrew visited Lily Jones, and that there was something between them. And I know they're fairies. Both of them. Now Oona, too."

"Ferry, are you sure about that?" Lavender asked, and Ferry saw the concern in her eyes. "If so, it means we have to be very careful. You especially."

"It's true," Ben said, stepping closer. "I've been to that house. Apart from the cage in which Oona was kept, there is no iron in the house. And there's her name. Aneight. It always seemed strange to me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But if I come to think of it, it made sense—it's ANN and an overturned eight," he said, taking his notebook and pen out of his pocket and writing it down. "If you write the eight on the horizontal, it becomes two zeros. And if you read it backward, you get her name. OONA."

Ferry's jaw dropped. "She's been under our noses all along," he whispered. 

"That's because they dyed her hair black and covered her face with makeup."

"But what happened to her? She doesn't look like Oona I knew."

"She was taken to the Valley of Oblivion," Lavender said. "That's why she doesn't remember you or who she was before she came here. All her memories were wiped out forever."

"Are you saying she doesn't know what happened in Tenalach? She doesn't remember me as a child?"

Lavender shook her head no.

"But there must be something to be done to fix that. A charm, something to make her remember," Ferry insisted.

"I'm afraid not. You see, if you get to the Valley of Oblivion and you have nothing to remind you of a person or a place, your memories are lost forever. Only if..."

"Only if?" Ferry asked, feeling his heart racing.

"If the being who crossed the Valley of Oblivion is dying. Only then, on the verge of death, does she remember everything."

Ferry sighed, "That means she won't remember me..."

"And there's something else. The fairy's wool. She had it tied to her wrists. Someone is trying to stay hidden or pretend to be someone else."

"Lily Jones and Andrew," Ferry said. "I know Andrew doesn't do that anymore, he gave up hiding."

"Yes, but who are they?" Lavender asked thoughtfully. "And what do they want? What will Lily Jones do when she finds out Oona is missing? And most of all, what do they want from you, Ferry?"

"I don't know ..." he said softly. Then he turned to Ben. He always trusted Ben's judgment. "What do you think, Ben?"

Ben frowned, "I think you replaced your girls-related headaches with a whole set of new ones."

*

Ferry spent the whole Saturday with Oona. The fairy had moments when she would wake up, ate some soup, or sipped some tea, then fell back into a deep sleep that lasted for hours. Ferry stood at her bedside and told her all they've been through in Tenalach. He told her about Poppy and Hoity; about Saraid and her secret palace; about the Fountain of Truth and about the Moon's Tear; about her game of hide-and-seek, and about the honey from the Hornless Unicorn, the sweetest in Tenalach. But she still couldn't remember.

In the evening, Parsley lit a fire in the garden and they all gathered around it. Rosemary wrapped Oona in one of Lavender's colored blankets and brought her to the fire. She seemed to be feeling better, but her eyes were still empty. She smiled at Ferry from across the fire, but Ferry knew she didn't remember him.

Rosemary began to sing an old song she had learned from an old fairy in Akna. Everyone listened in silence. Even the wind stopped. Only the flames accompanied her, dancing in sparkling waves.

https://youtu.be/Jwr3hgaJ30Q

And as her song rose to the sky, Ferry had a strange feeling, as if something dreadful was about to happen. The flames suddenly went out and the air around turned still. The trees stopped whispering; the crickets stopped chirping; the owls ended their hoot.

But Ferry wasn't the only one who felt the stillness of everything around him.

Ben felt it, too, lying on his bed at home as he thought of Celia. Celia felt it under the weeping willow, near the place where she had buried the traces of her secret love. Billy felt it on the terrace where he had given his heart forever. Andrew felt it as he gathered the few things he had and left the lake house, leaving only a few lines behind for his one true love. May felt it as she waited on her small balcony full of flowers. Even Sage felt it, lying on the grass and searching for the hand of the girl for whom his heart beat faster.

And Matilda felt it, too, watching the starry sky that reminded her of the endless kisses of a fairy-boy, as she pulled her hand away from Sage's touch.

Lavender felt it more than anyone, listening to the silence with her eyes closed. When she opened them, her words scattered in the night, and the wind began to whisper again.

"It has begun..."

 Oona is back, everyone! How do you feel about that? Can't wait for your crazy, beautiful, smart, funny, sassy comments :)