Read Online Believe by Allyson Giles - Free Book Online Page A

poisoned!” his tiny voice shrieked as he ran through the forest. Ostephen opened his eyes to see what all the racket was as Sidney skidded to a halt in front of him. “She…sh…sh…poi….She was….”
    â€œSpit it out,” Ostephen said. Sometimes he got annoyed with the squirrels; they were very anxious and scattered.
    â€œDeliah! She got…Dark One…poison!”
    Ostephen flew up immediately and followed Sidney, flying as fast as his little wings would allow. He arrived at the base of the pear tree and saw Deliah’s lifeless body.
    â€œHelp!” he shouted. “Help!”
    He buzzed from one direction to the other, frantically searching for someone or something. Just then, he saw a group of gnomes making their way over the hill on their way back from the pond and recognized his friend Herbie.
    â€œHelp! Herbie! The Dark Ones! They poisoned her!” he shrieked.
    The gnomes heard his cry and trudged faster toward him. The gnomes lifted Deliah up above their heads.
    â€œIf there’s any hope for her at all, it’s in the crystal cave. Hurry!” They trekked quickly to the west for about a quarter of a mile. Their short arms were getting tired, but they were hard workers and never once complained. The crystal cave had been around for centuries; it was the home of many miraculous healings.
    â€œHurry!” Ostephen shouted worriedly. “She hasn’t got much time!”
    The gnomes finally approached the healing cave and rushed Deliah in. Hands held high above little gnome heads, they continue to carry her in as though they were a well–formed assembly line.
    The cave looked like the aurora borealis, and the colors kept changing: red to orange to yellow to green to blue to purple and back to red. Merely being inside the crystal cave caused Ostephen’s fears to subside slightly. The cave’s healing powers were written about centuries ago; it was legendary. It just had to help her. Slowly fluttering along, his eyes blinking with trepidation, Ostephen knew all would be well. They’d come this far. He felt certain that the universe would not disappoint them.
    A rich green hue took over the cave, and the gnomes stopped and gently placed her on the crystal ground. The green lights encircled her entire body, swirling in all directions until her body lifted from the floor, and the green light entered her mouth, her eyes, and her ears. Her body was wrapped in a cocoon of emerald green crystal. Herbie, the head gnome, let a tiny squeal of awe slip from his lips. Ostephen sat on Herbie’s shoulder, his little blue hand held to his heart in hope.
    Suddenly, Deliah disappeared as a thick mist of green clouded everything and everyone. The mist began to fade, and the gnomes shuffled forward anxious for some sign of life. The mist continued to settle, but there was no sign of Deliah. Ostephen’s hand fell to his lap, and Herbie patted it lovingly with compassion. The cave had returned to its normal kaleidoscope of colors. The gnomes looked from one to another with saddened faces, not sure what to say or do.
    Herbie finally said, “I’m sorry, Ostephen.”
    â€œOstephen!” they heard Deliah’s voice shout enthusiastically. They looked toward the opposite end of the cave. Beyond a blinding white light, they made out a tiny figure running toward them.
    â€œDeliah!” they shouted in disbelief. “It worked! It truly worked!”
    Herbie and Ostephen ran to embrace Deliah, and they bombarded her with questions.
    â€œAre you okay? What happened? How do you feel?”
    â€œI’ve never felt better!” Deliah exclaimed. “I saw thisglorious green light, and then a beautiful fairy with curly blonde hair, draped in an exquisite gown of green velvet healed me. Her name was Elvina, and she said I was to come back and go to the hills of Nuverny, and she gave me this.” Deliah reached in her dress pocket