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An Unusual Host

Lance soon began showing signs of life when he twitched his eyes as the sun shined on his face. He first had a quick pain in his head when he opened his eyes. The sun blinded his view. He then realized he was lying down. He stood up from where he was laying until he was sitting upright. The surface he sat on was a soft bed. He looked at the room around him. It had a wooden floor and wooden walls. The window carried the sunlight into the room and outside the window seemed like an endless forest. Lance started to panic and quickly got up from the bed. He looked closely out the window but saw no change in the endless forest. He stepped back and looked at what he was wearing. It was his same button down shirt and slacks. His shoes and coat were in the corner of the room.

"Where am I?" Lance said to himself.

Then he remembered. It was faint, but he remembered his trip, his drive, his car, and then his accident. Lance then gasped and said.

"The folder."

He frantically looked around, but he eventually found the folder on a nightstand next to the bed. Now Lance felt a little bit more relaxed. Then, a sweet smell entered the room. Lance thought of the possible causes.

"Fire? Stove? Food?" He thought.

But then, another thought shocked him: he was not alone. The thought of someone cooking started to make Lance hungry. Soon his curiosity got the best of him and he decided to venture out. He slowly walked out of the room and was now in a hallway. He let the soothing smell lead him through the hallway. As he walked on, he came across the strangest things on the wall. They seemed like sculptures and were made from twigs and leaves sewed on together. The shapes of these items were very unique. One looked almost like an elephant, one was a bear, and another looked like a human. At first, lance saw these sculptures as unusual, but soon began to admire them. He then left the sculptures and continued down the hallway. His steps on the wooden floors were a bit loud and clunky. Sneaking around wasn't an option. He soon came out of the hallway and entered the large space of the kitchen. He immediately was intrigued at the nature made decorations, but then became startled as he saw her. Lance quickly ran back to the hallway and attempted to hide. Then he heard a feminine giggle and a voice say.

"Well good morning to you too, good sir."

Lance recognized the voice. It was the voice of the creature who saved him.

"Oh, come on out sir. I don't bite." Continued the voice.

Her voice was very cheery and inviting. Lance was still scared, but he didn't feel threatened. He slowly peeked out from the hallway. He finally saw her. Her wings folded behind her, her feathers bright blue, and her beak looking almost like a smile. Lance walked out from the hallway in awe. A being like this is never seen in the city. Lance just stood there, staring at her and thinking of crazy ideas.

_"Who is she? What is she? How did she become like this? Will she eat me? Where's my car?" _

Lance continued to stand there. Wren became puzzled.

"Are you okay?" She said.

The words rang around Lance's and head brang back memories of the past night. Lance finally calmed himself and said.

"I'm...okay."

"Good." Said Wren. Her wings slightly fluttering as she smiled. She then went back to a boiling pot on the side of the kitchen. She picked up a spoon and began stirring in counter-clockwise motions.

"So, can I know your name?" She said.

"Lance." He answered.

"Hmmm, Lance. Sounds...heroic. Like the name of a knight."

Lance then gave a little smile.

"What's your name?" He asked.

Wren turned around, gave a playful bow and said.

"Why, I am Wren the blue bird." Then she turned back to the pot.

"Bird?" Said Lance sounding a bit confused. "But...you have legs...and arms."

"Well, you have legs and arms." Said Wren.

"Well yes, but...it's different."

"Different how?"

"Well, birds are usually...smaller and...have no arms."

Wren turned around again and said.

"Well sir Lance, I think you'll find out soon that I'm not your average bird."

Lance fell silent. He thought about that inside is mind for a while, trying to find its true meaning, but his thoughts were interrupted by his true job. Lance looked back in the hallway and then looked back at Wren.

"Uh...would you excuse me for a moment?" He said.

"You are excused, but don't be too long." Wren said.

Lance hurried back to his room and searched for his phone in his bag. Once he found it, he quickly turned it on and tried to get a good connection. He walked awkwardly around the room, almost bumping into the bed and nightstand, looking for a signal. Then he stood on top of the bed and lifted the phone high. He finally got a signal. Lance quickly dialed the number to his boss, Mr. Baxter. The phone rang and rang, but he didn't pick up. Lance decided to leave a message and explain what happened. He said:

"Mr. Baxter, please pick up the phone. I really need your help. I've been kidnapped or something by this...strange creature. I'm in the middle of the forest and I don't know where I am. I don't know what this thing wants, but I don't know if I can make it out of here. I'm trapped. Please help."

Lance hung up the phone and made sure that Wren didn't hear him. Once he saw that he wasn't noticed, he slowly walked back out to the room Wren was in. He was shocked to find her sitting in the kitchen table and eating some berries. She soon noticed Lance and smiled at him.

"Hello again." She said.

Lance shyly waved to her.

"Would you like to join me?" She continued.

Lance immediately thought to say no, but he was a bit hungry and didn't believe that he would find food anywhere in the forest.

"Um...sure." He said.

He walked over to the table and sat down. He paused for a while; just staring at the bowl of multi-colored berries, almost still dazed about the circumstances he was in.

"Well go on." Wren insisted. "Try one."

Lance was almost startled by her voice. He reached out his hand and carefully picked up a berry. He ate it and his face lit up in excitement.

"Whoa." He said. "This...this is good. Really good. I've never tasted a berry like this before."

Wren giggled, finding Lance's reaction very humorous.

"I'm glad you like them." She said. "I hand picked them myself."

Lance continued eating the delicious berries, one by one.

"Well, don't we seem more relaxed." Wren said as she picked another berry.

It was confusing to him, but Lance now felt comfortable. He didn't know if it was the scrumptious berries or his lovely hostess. Still, Lance's curiosity was bothering him. He thought that this was the right time to question her. He cleared his throat a little and started.

"Um...Wren, where are we exactly?" He asked.

"My little home in the forest." Wren simply answered.

"Where in the forest?"

Wren thought for a moment and said.

"Hmmm, I think pretty deep inside the forest. I try to stay away from the city. No offense to you Mr. Lance."

"Oh, none taken." Said Lance mannerly. "Wait, how did you..."

"How did I know you were from the city?" Wren interrupted. "I can tell from the way you dress. Not too many people dress the way you do in Cherrywood."

At first Lance was interested in what she knew about Cherrywood, but instead he said.

"Dress the way I do? How do I dress?"

"Well, I can definitely say you dress for success." Said Wren. "You look very glossy and clean with your tie on straight and barely a wrinkle on your clothing."

The statement flattered Lance.

"But you only dress to impress." Wren continued. "You over gloss your hair, over iron your clothes, and over shine your shoes. You dress how the people want you to dress and, therefore, you have lost yourself."

The statement stunned lance. His eyes widened and he was speechless.

"A little harsh don't you think?" Said Lance.

Wren ate another berry and said.

"Did you enjoy dressing yourself this way Lance?"

Lance thought for a moment. The answer was an obvious no and, somehow, Wren knew that. He then ignored his thoughts and asked.

"So, you know people from Cherrywood?"

"Oh very much so." Said Wren. "It's the one town that I love to go to. It's been that way for years."

"Years huh?" Said Lance hatching an idea. "Excuse me for a moment."

Lance got up from the table and quickly ran back to the bedroom. He grabbed his bag and his folder and ran back to the kitchen. He clumsily put his stuff on the table and started taking out papers.

"Oh my." Wren said surprised. "What is all this?"

"These." Lance said. "are some brochures and some moving papers. You see, I was sent here to tell the people of Cherrywood to move to a better and more productive place. Our fair city."

Wren lost her smile when she heard Lance. There was a short silence between them as Lance brought out more papers. Lance continued.

"Now, the thing is, I don't know anything about Cherrywood. The whole place draws a blank in my mind. So that's where I need your help."

Wren started to smirk as if she had an idea.

"You need my help?" She said.

Lance nodded his head yes and said. "Oh absolutely."

Lance started handing paper after paper to Wren. He gave her the brochures, the moving papers, and so much more. Then he said.

"Alright then. Lets work on your delivery." Lance stared at a paper and continued. "Now then, if I am a customer, how would you get my attention?"

Wren giggled a little bit and said.

"I would give you this."

She then placed a paper hat on top of his head. Lance froze for a moment. Then said.

"What the...where did you get this?"

"I made it." Wren said in an innocent way.

"Made it out of what?" Lance said.

He then heard the folding of paper in front of him. Lance quickly looked and was shocked to see that his work papers were now paper designs.

"What are you doing!?" Lance screamed.

"Shhh." Said Wren. "I'm almost done."

"But...I..." Lance could barley make out any words.

He then stopped talking to look at the other designs. Wren made a horse, an elephant, and even a dog. All made out of folded paper. Lance's anger quickly changed to amazement. Then Wren's voice caught Lance's attention.

"Aaaaaaand done." She said.

Lance looked up and saw the masterpiece in Wren's hand. It was a bird. It's wings spread out and graceful, as if it could take flight right there in her hands. Lance was in awe.

"Well," Said Wren. "Do you like it?

Lance finally got out some words.

"How...did you...?" He said.

"I taught myself." Wren said. "I just imagine what I want to make and just create it."

Wren placed the bird in Lance's hands. He was happy to hold it and look at the uniqueness of it.

"Well?" Asked Wren.

"What?" Said Lance.

"You still haven't told me what you think."

"Oh it's...it's beautiful, amazing. I've never seen anything like it."

"Why thank sir Lance. Tis an honor."

Wren laughed a little, and, for a brief moment, Lance laughed too. Wren then stood up and walked to a window. She stared out of it for a while and said.

"So Lance. You've never been to Cherrywood?"

"Umm...no. No I haven't"

Wren then turned around and walked to Lance.

"Then you must go there at once." She said.

Wren grabbed Lance's arm and pulled him up.

"But wait." Said Lance. "I don't know anyone there."

"Well, when we go there, then you'll know me."

"But...won't I seem out of place?"

"Oh please you'll fit right in." Said Wren with a little laughter. "I'm sure of it."

Wren continued to pull Lance to the front door. Lance resisted once more and said.

"I don't know. It doesn't seem right."

"Come on." Said Wren. She then looked at Lance closely and said. "Do you not trust me?"

Lance was silent for while, confused about what to say. In the end, Lance didn't say anything. He just allowed Wren to guide him to the front door. Wren smiled and felt excited. She slowly opened the door and they both walked out.