Wicked: The Witch's Daughter #51

Instructions

Glinda's POV: I stood in the palace garden, looking out over the flowers and hedges as I thought about Kendra. Months had passed since she had disappeared into the Western Forest, and I still hadn't heard anything from her. Every day, I wondered whether she was safe, whether she had enough food, whether she was warm at night, and whether she had found somewhere to hide. I knew Kendra was resourceful, but she was still sixteen, and she had been on her own for months. I couldn't stop worrying about her. I had tried everything I could think of to learn where she might be, but every search had failed. Then I remembered her animal friends. Kendra had always been especially close to the animals in the palace gardens. Pip, her little brown rabbit, was often nearby whenever Kendra spent time outside. Nutmeg the squirrel seemed to follow her everywhere, and even the fox that sometimes visited the gardens had become familiar with her. If anyone might know where Kendra had gone, perhaps they could help me. I walked toward the garden and found Pip resting beneath a bush. “Pip,” I said gently. His ears immediately perked up. “Glinda?” he asked. “Yes.” I knelt down beside him. “I need your help.” He tilted his head. “With Kendra?” I nodded. “I want to find her. I don't want to bring guards, and I don't want anyone to frighten her. I just want to talk to her and make sure she's safe.” Pip looked thoughtful. “Kendra wouldn't want anyone to worry.” “I know,” I said softly. “That's why I need to know where she is.” A rustling came from the branches above us, and Nutmeg climbed down the tree and landed nearby. “Did someone say Kendra?” she asked. I smiled. “Yes. I was just asking Pip if either of you knows where she might be.” Nutmeg's tail twitched as she thought. “She talked about the forest sometimes.” “The Western Forest?” I asked. “Sometimes,” Nutmeg said. “She liked hearing stories about it.” Pip nodded. “And she always liked the trees.” I looked toward the distant edge of the garden. “Do you think she might have gone there?” “Maybe,” Pip said. “But the forest is very big.” “I know.” I sighed. “That's why I'm asking all of you.” I called softly toward the garden, and after a few moments, the fox appeared from between the hedges. He approached cautiously before sitting a short distance away. “You're looking for Kendra,” he said. It wasn't a question. “Yes,” I replied. “Do you know where she is?” The fox shook his head. “Not exactly. But she loved finding quiet places. Places where nobody bothered her.” I nodded. That sounded exactly like Kendra. She had always preferred books, animals, gardens, and quiet corners to crowded places. “Could you all help me look?” I asked. “You know the forest better than most people do. You might notice something a guard wouldn't.” Pip stood up. “We'll look.” Nutmeg nodded. “We'll ask the other animals, too.” The fox flicked his tail. “If she's in the forest, we'll find some sign of her.” I smiled, feeling a small spark of hope. “Thank you.” I reached down and gently touched Pip's head. “But please remember something important. If you find her, don't frighten her. Don't bring anyone with you. I only want to speak with her.” “We understand,” Pip said. I stood and looked toward the Western Forest in the distance. “Tell her I miss her,” I whispered. “And tell her I want her to come home when she's ready.” The three animals began making their way through the garden, preparing to spread the word among the other animals before beginning their search. I watched them disappear among the flowers and trees. For the first time in months, I felt like I was doing something that might actually reach Kendra. I didn't know where she was, and I didn't know whether she would trust me when she saw me again. But I knew one thing. I wasn't going to stop looking for her. Not until I knew my little girl was safe.