Creepy Hollow Fae: Phouka

Year of study: fourth
Assignment type: paired (without mentor)





“Can’t I just have one?” asks Aria. “No one will notice.”

“No! I’m pretty sure at least one of those children will notice a cupcake vanishing off their table.” I let out a frustrated sigh. I wish I was doing this assignment with Honey; at least I’m sort of friends with her.

Aria puts on her sulky face. “They look really yummy.”

“You just want to eat it because it’s pink,” I mutter.

“Pink is awesome,” says Aria with authority, as though she has the final word on colors. She pokes me with her offensively pink stylus. “You should try it sometime.”

“How about we protect this party of children from a stampede of phoukas, and if the children are all still alive at the end you can pinch a cupcake?”

“Fine.” Aria crosses her arms. “But I don’t see how we’re supposed to stop a stampede of giant magical horses.”

Yeah, I’m still working on that problem myself. I twist a strand of hair around my finger and look over at the low table. Eight children are seated around it on small chairs, helping themselves to items of brightly colored food. Several parents are chatting under a nearby tree.

I feel a vibration beneath my feet. Peering through the park trees, I see them: shaggy manes, wild eyes, black from head to hoof—and galloping pretty darn fast. There’s no way we can stop them. They’re almost upon us. Just a few more seconds...

I spread my fingers toward the table and children. “You feeling strong, Aria?”

“What?”

“When I say ‘go’ we’re gonna lift the entire party up.”

“What? I can’t—”

“Yes, you can.”

“Violet, I can’t—”

“Go!”

~  ~  ~

Like this flash fiction? Find out more about the Creepy Hollow series.
If you'd like to know more about my A to Z flash fiction pieces, read my A to Z Challenge Theme for 2012 post.