The Witch and the Pixies and Gary

“It’s a pixie you’ll need. To keep Gary alive. Only a poison-sucking pixie can remove the poison. They are the most radiant, with voluminous colour,” the witch said.

“Where can we find one, witch?” Jill said.

"I told you before that I am not your pixie." Pepper smiled.

"Pixie, I don’t know if you know what will happen if we fail to capture one of you in time," Dutch said.

Pepper stated, "No one claimed I was your pixie simply because I could expel the poison."

Dutch gasped as he watched her fly off into the woods. 

She flew to where she thought Daisy and Rose might be and found her two best friends in the thick of a raspberry bush.

“What should I do? They'll be back.” She said. "I'll have to do it because it's what we're required to do; sucking out poisons is our lot in life. I’ll need both of your help afterwards. I don’t look forward to sucking out that poison,” she gulped.

“Pepper, desperation brought them here,” Daisy said. “Time—human time—is drawing to an end for Gary, and they are scared for his life.” 

“That’s simple enough to fix," Rose said. “Just go with them.”

"What other job would we do if we didn’t suck poison from other beings?" Daisy said.

"Do your part," both pixies said.  

“We’ll see you when everything's over," Rose said, smiling at Pepper.

"Fine," Pepper waved and flew to where the humans were. 

Pepper heard leaves rustling. She focused on the leaves and brush. There, she saw Jill and Dutch searching for her.

“She must be here, Dutch. She couldn't have gone that far since we left."

"You might be surprised at how fast those suckers can travel," Dutch said.

"Okay, let's split up," Jill said.

"Good idea."

Oh good, they saw me. Pepper grins. She flew lower, never leaving their sight.

“I got her! She’s in the jar," Dutch exclaimed.

"Quick. Put the lid on it!” Jill yelled.

"Done," Dutch smiled.

"She's bright red with a black shadow," Jill said. “Dutch, she knows we expect her to work; that's why." 

“If we hurry, we’ll save Gary," Dutch said.

“Let’s go..”

Pepper thought. Imagine losing my freedom for such a job as this. Uneasiness took over her tiny body.

The Dutch started the car.

"She's got to survive. Poison pixie suckers can become terrified and turn colourless, rendering them useless," Jill said. “Nerves sometimes take over. They discombobulate till everything goes wrong inside."

"I never knew that,” Dutch said.

"We hiked to the pixie's known hangout and took her. That could be another reason,” Jill said. “You know, for the red colour thing.”

"I'll say. I hope we can make her feel comfortable there," Dutch said.

"I'll try," Jill said.

“Dear Pixie, you are such a welcome friend right now. It’s my Gary. A dangerous local snake bit him, and despite my tourniquet and sucking out the poison, I took him to a city hospital.

According to the team there, Gary is doomed unless we get a multicoloured pixie like you to draw out the deeper poison.” 

“The task is reasonable and should be something I can do easily, human,” Pepper replied. 

“Oh, thank you. I cannot imagine life without him. My brother and I came to find you or someone like you for this reason. We know how you feel about time; we need you to trust us that our time is necessary and act accordingly. Can you do that, Pixie? Please tell me that you've felt the same for another Pixie,” Jill said.

“Yes, I have. Your need to save Gary is human. Pixies know that neither running nor magic can stop death. We make the best of what we have. Instead of chasing me, spend more time with Gary."

“We humans seek joy and hope. It supports us in a dark world. Your ability makes me think Gary will live longer."

"I wonder if you know what happens when we suck the poison."

"No, I don't."

“We became quite ill. Our system can't remove some poisons. Other pixies must sometimes drain each other's poison to fix things."

“I'm sorry, Pixie. I would never have admitted seeing you in the woods if I’d known then what I know now."

“It's not too late. Let me out. Please."

Jill studied the jarred pixie. After getting out of the car, she rushed to the hospital doors. The jar flew from her hands when Jill tripped before the doors. She mumbled, "Freedom. Go!"

Pepper nodded to Jill and flew away.

The pixie, breaking free, flew high up and away. 

Dutch lifted Jill from the pavement and helped her to Gary's room. A window was open, and Jill was shocked to learn Gary's poison was gone from his system and he would recover.

Walking to the window, she saw movement on the sill. The pixie was resting there, and two other pixies were around her. Jill shut her eyes and prayed the pixies would all recover.

She watched as the pixies flew away, and as she shut the window, she said, "I guess the old witch was right about the pixies after all."