After we questioned Amaryllis again about where she had been and received the same answer as before, my doubts about whether or not she told the truth subsided, but were still there. How could I not worry about her? She refused to talk about it, and when she did, it was little, with little to almost no detail. In addition to, she also stuttered as she spoke. Amaryllis had always been the smartest of our friend group. The most fluent reader, then quickest to solve a mathematical problem. She spoke eloquently; why would she stumble with her words? She's lying!

After mulling over about this, Helian attempted to pull my arm out of its socket, again. Owww! She needs to stop doing that. "Helian! That hurts!" Helian turned pale. Oopsie.

"Did I really hurt you? Oh, no! How bad is it? I'm so sorry!" Oh goodness. What Helian cared most-second only to family-was the well being of her friends. It's like having your overprotective mother around right after you broke your leg. I'm looking at you, Mom. "Honey, be careful!" "I don't think you should be doing this!" "Stop! This isn't safe!"

"Helian," I started. "Calm down. Yes, it hurts, but not a lot. I'll be fine." I reassured her. I'm not some sort of weakling.

"Are you sure?" she asked worriedly.

"Yes." I answered simply. I said I was fine!

"Are you completely sure?" she persisted.

"Yes. And I'm sure I'm completely sure." Better say it before she asks.

"Alright. I believe you." she finally said, a little bit of concernment still in her eyes. You don't. Anyone should be able to see that.

I arched an eyebrow.

"Okay, okay! I believe you. I one hundred percent believe you."

"Hmm." I said, as I playfully stroked my chin, in mock thought. "I-"

"We're here." Amaryllis interrupted. "And I would like to get on with the flower picking."

"You don't need to pick flowers." Lark said to her. "You can have Cedar give you some." Amaryllis blushed. Cedar was the satyr that had started courting her a few weeks ago.

"Well...I...But..." Amaryllis protested. We all laughed.

"It's not every day you get to see Amaryllis blushing, much less speechless." Lark remarked. Amaryllis blushed some more.

"Good one, Lark!" Paeonia giggled, clearly amused. "Now," she began in an artificial tone of seriousness. "Onto the important stuff." She then directed several questions to Amaryllis: "Do you think you and Cedar will stay together? What if you guys get married? Ooh! Can I be the wedding planner? And the Maid of Honor? What color should the wedding be?" Amaryllis groaned. I feel you. As much as I hated to admit it, Paeonia had always been a bit of a gossip. Blabbering about the latest news, who got married to who, who was wearing what, etc. She is a good friend, but she sometimes needed to keep her mouth shut. Tell her a secret, and five minutes later, the whole world knows.

"Whaaaaat?" Paeonia answered to Amaryllis' groan. Lady, it's pretty obvious.

"It's just, well..." Amaryllis trailed off, struggling to find words that would not hurt Paeonia's feelings. Because a lot of things do.

"What Amaryllis means, Paeonia, is that some mortals, gods, or nymphs might not like your gossiping." I filled in for her. And it's annoying.

"Oh. What? Who doesn't like gossiping?" she asked in surprise. Seriously? Are you that daft? I gestured toward Amaryllis. ME TOO!! "Oh." she realized. "I'm sorry, Amaryllis." she apologized sweetly.

"It's alright, Paeonia." Amaryllis replied.

"Is it flower picking time yet?" Lark cut in, rather bored.

"Yes, yes." I answered. We each took a basket from Helian, who was holding them. Mine was fairly simple; it was made of reeds, with to handles that twisted in and out of each other. The was a light plum colored stripe pattern on the side.

We began filling the baskets with all sorts of flowers; Irises (named after the lovely rainbow goddess), buttercups, chrysanthemums, carnations, and so much more. I spotted a trail of narcissi. These were my favorite flower. Mesmerized, I followed the trail to a hilltop. I was amazed at what I saw! A whole field of narcissi! But in the middle, there was the most beautiful narcissus I had ever seen. The outer petals were pure white; the inside ones bright orange. It was huge, and at least 18 inches wide. I was enchanted by it and walked closer, and closer to pick it until I was only two feet away. Then all of a sudden, the earth split open! Too shocked to be able to move, I witnessed a man come out of the opening in a chariot led by two black horses. I was terrified as he grabbed me, put me in the chariot, and started going back down. I came to my senses and screamed. But only just after the opening had closed above my head.

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