The PriZin of Zin Read Free Page B

honey, but we won’t touch anything. There’s a path that goes right through the middle. We should be okay if we stay on it.”
    “Where does the path lead?” Hunter asked, still leaning forward.
    “Looks like a giant tree right in the middle. I’m not really sure, Hunter. It looks a little odd.”
    “Odd, how?”
    “Can’t really tell. Everybody stay close to me.”
     

     
    “That’s not a tree,” Ian said.
    “It’s got branches like a tree.” Hunter reached out to touch the bark, but Ian batted his hand away.
    “Careful, man. I don’t want to lose my best friend.”
    “You’re not going to lose me. I just want to know what it is.”
    “What kind of tree has a mirror in the middle of the trunk?” Aeryn was mesmerized.
    “It didn’t grow like that. Someone, or something, created that.” Morgan stared at his reflection. “Something intelligent, and very, very creative.”
    “Do not leave the path,” a velvety smooth voice cautioned.
    “Ok, Dad.” The three kids all looked at Morgan.
    “What?” Morgan turned around.
    “We heard you,” Hunter answered.
    “I didn’t say anything,” Morgan whispered, turning back to the tree.
    Aeryn squeezed in front of her father and looked into the mirror. The sky twinkled and the mirror lit up, reflecting her beautiful, smiling face.
    “Do you trust me?” It was the same calm, soothing voice as before.
    “I don’t know who you are,” she answered.
    “That is very true. I am here to help you, if you choose it. What do you need?”
    “I’m hungry. Can I please have some food?”
    The tree shook, flapping its branches almost like a bird. When it settled, the limbs were laden with food. Not just fruit, but food from home: granola bars, candy, apple pie, roast chicken platters.  There were bottled drinks of every size and flavor, and a water spout flowing at the other end. A rainbow of fruits and nuts covered every vacant spot in the tree. In the middle was a giant prime rib roast with all the fixings.
    Aeryn’s eyes lit up. “How can I get it if I can’t leave the path?” The tree bowed low, and the branches came within her reach. She and the boys all helped themselves. When she uttered her ‘thank you’ the tree returned to its original height, shuddered, and the food disappeared. “You have done well, young Aeryn.”
    The tree turned on its roots and looked at Hunter. “Do you believe in yourself?”
    Hunter froze, unable to answer. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Palms sweaty and fingers shaking, he nodded unsteadily.
    “You don’t have to go through life alone. There are others out there who can assist you, if you will only let them. The choice is yours. Have faith in what you cannot see.”
    Hunter nodded again, seeing a tear at the corner of his eye forming in his mirrored reflection.
    “What about me?” Ian jumped in, shoving Hunter to the side. “My turn now.”
    “Ah yes, young man. Are you having fun?”
    Ian nodded. “What’s next?”
    “That depends on you.” Ian’s reflection in the mirror wavered and two paths appeared. “Two roads will show you two different possibilities. Learn to control what flares up inside, and the right path will make itself known.
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Ian’s face flushed and his fists balled.
    The tree spun back around and faced Morgan again.
    “I can’t believe this,” he whispered.
    “Open your mind, and your heart to see all that life is truly about, Master Morgan.”
    “How do you know my name - our names?”
    “Look into your soul, Morgan. What do you see?”
    In front of him, on the glass embedded in the impossible tree, Morgan saw scenes from his life flash by.  School as a child, playing, homework, graduating, college, getting married, holding his children. One memory flashed by, replaced by another, strung together with him as the center.
    “What do you see?”
    “Just me,” Morgan answered. “My life.”
    “And so you shall remain.