From Otherworld by Laura Knight ©2000
As soon as Auberon and I stepped through the gates of the park, he took off after something. All I saw was a big white blur, but I held onto the leash and followed. He finally stopped next to a large, lush green mound with an apple tree growing on top of it. He growled at something behind the tree but wouldn't climb the mound to get at it.
From behind the tree a beautiful white mare pranced towards me, silver bells tinkling in her mane. A thin, marble-skinned woman with long white hair, pale pink lips, and ice blue eyes followed the horse. She was wearing a sapphire silk robe and a thick silver necklace studded with rubies and sapphires. I had only seen such a vision in fantasy artwork. Of course I assumed it was someone in costume. Then I saw one pale, slender hand reach up and pluck an apple from the tree. I wondered if that was allowed. I thought there were rules against disturbing the plant life in the park. However, as she approached me, that query quickly left my head as I noticed white flowers springing up where the woman's feet had trod. And then she spoke in a low voice.
"Good greetings, sir. All Hallow's Eve is a wonderful time of year, isn't it? Would you like a treat?" she asked as she held out the apple to me. "These are the juiciest apples you could find anywhere," she said, as a thin smile slipped across her face.
Feeling a tinge of hunger, I accepted the apple and took a bite. I figured it wouldn't hurt to play along with a fellow lover of Halloween. Besides, she thought I was a boy. Wouldn't she feel silly when she discovered I was a girl? However, after a few bites, my body felt very heavy and I could no longer concentrate. It was as if I had taken some extra-strength cold medicine. A glowing bluish-white light suddenly appeared in the middle of the apple tree. It grew larger and larger until it was big enough for the woman to ride through on her horse. I had to be hallucinating. Maybe the apple was poisoned from whatever bug spray they used in the park. I pried my eyes away from the tree long enough to look towards the sky and see the sun slide behind the trees. I was going to be late for the party if I didn't leave right then. But it was no use; something was pulling me into the glowing portal. Even with Auberon yipping and tugging on my pant leg, I felt compelled to follow the mysterious woman.
As I walked through the portal, I had to shield my eyes from the unnatural illumination of the place I had just entered. Instead of feeling the warmth of a midday sun in early autumn, I felt a chill run over my body. I sensed this place was enclosed, rather like an enormous, brightly-lit dome. There was a slight breeze that brought along the scent of flowers and lush plant life, but I knew this was like no park I had ever seen. As I looked around I noticed that all the trees had blossoms on their branches. They seemed to be mostly cherry trees and dogwoods, but there were many I didn't recognize. In front of me, the park went on as far as I could see. There were small groupings of flowers scattered between the trees and I imagined that if viewed from a plane, these groupings would form some intricate design. To my left, at least three miles away, was a dark green mountain range. The land sloped down to my right, and about a mile away I could see a small clear blue river sliding through the spring grass. I heard at least five different species of birds singing and chirping all around me, as well as ethereal music that seemed to live in the breeze. I could also hear whispers and occasionally muted laughter, but I didn't see anyone except the woman in the sapphire robe who suddenly appeared beside me.
"You are in a place where any and all of your dreams can come true. All you have to do is think of who you want to see or what you want to do and it is done."
"So, if I wanted the cutest guy in town to appear here, he would?" I asked, and as soon as I had said the last word, Xander appeared in front of me looking slightly confused.
"Xander, hi. Welcome to my fantasy," I said.
"Uh, why would Peter Pan want me in his fantasy?" Xander asked as he took a step away from me.
I took off my hat and smiled at him, "I'm not Peter Pan, Xander, I'm Bren. Not that you would even know who Bren is, but you're here now, and I hope you don't hate me for bringing you here. All I wanted was for you to notice me," I said and gazed up into Xander's deep blue eyes. He just raised his eyebrows. I guess I would be puzzled, too. As I took Xander's reluctant hand in mine I heard the woman take a deep breath, like someone who had just realized she'd made a mistake. Then she left so quickly that I felt rather than saw her leave. I looked back at Xander and wondered if I wished for him to love me, would he? As soon as I thought it, Xander leaned into me.
"May I kiss you?" he asked, our faces only inches apart. I nodded, speechless. As our lips touched for the first time, I melted into this new reality.