“Doctor, she seems convinced,” Libby stated as she stared through the viewing glass at the girl who had captured the entire interest of the local psychiatric community. Watching the silent girl was unnerving, for though the glass worked only one way, a person could feel the cool assessing gaze of the room’s sole occupant. Though, at the moment, Briana’s gaze was focused on the wall, which presented her back to anyone looking through the glass. Libby stifled a shudder before glancing at Doctor Jekhyde.

Doctor Jekhyde stroked his beard thoughtfully. The patient had been making some truly outlandish claims, but the earnestness followed by resignation and defiance was uncharacteristic of someone who was having an episode. The girl had been checked thoroughly and all tests had come back negative. She was in perfect health, which made her condition more bizarre.

“She may be convinced, intern, but I am not. I think that she is crying out for attention and has assumed this is the only way to get it. We will not be indulging her. When she insists on her story, kindly but firmly, tell her that such things are not possible.”

“Of course, Doctor.” Personally, Libby thought they were being too harsh with the girl, but she was only an intern, so she kept her thoughts to herself. She waited until Jekhyde had left before unlocking the door and walking inside.

Briana stopped staring at the wall and turned her attention to the door as it opened. She said nothing, knowing the silence would unnerve the very timid woman who had just entered.

Libby watched Briana and felt sorry for her. “Look, I’m not your enemy. I just want to know the truth.”

Briana regarded her for a long moment then snorted derisively. “No adult wants to know the truth. You just want me to say things that will make you feel better and not fear the unknown. I can’t help you.”

Libby frowned. “How do you know what I want? You accuse me of wanting to feel better, and maybe that’s true, but I’m not afraid. And just so you know, I believe your story is true. But it doesn’t matter what I say, I’m just an intern.”

Briana studied Libby’s face and apparently found what she was searching for. She sat back down. “It started two months ago…”

The forest, even on the most beautiful of days, evoked the disquieting sensation of evil. The property that ran alongside it had been without tenants for nearly five years. Stories were whispered about it and the tales had grown in strength. But none of that mattered to Briana. She was able to live her own life without meddling parents and stupid adults. Yet she wouldn’t admit that she was lonely and wished for friends. Having such emotions would make her a wimp and she was not that.

“I don’t think you’re wimpy.”

Briana whirled around and gazed about suspiciously. It was too early in the day for her to be dreaming. She went back to peeling her apple with her pocketknife.

“I said, I don’t think you’re wimpy. I think you’re very brave and can do great things.”

Briana slowly lowered her knife and stood up. She didn’t spot anyone immediately. “You know, as much as I like games, I’m not in the mood.”

“No games. But I do have a proposition for you.”

Briana began peeling her apple again. “Show yourself and then I’ll listen.”

There was silence then a loud rustling in the branches above. Briana glanced up and simply gawked as a beautiful parrot flew toward her. It landed on the rock she had just vacated.

“Why surprised? Did you think another two legger would be in here with you?” The parrot watched her intently.

“I don’t know what shocks me more. The fact that I’m not freaked out that a bird is talking, TALKING, to me or the fact that I’m awake and this is not a dream.”

The parrot chuckled and began cleaning first its red feathers, then yellow, and last blue. In between sections, he would only laugh, nothing else.

Briana marveled at the scene, but then she got angry. “Look, if you’re not going to say anything worthwhile, I’m outta here.”

“Young people, so impatient. Alright girl, here’s the deal. You want a friend, I need something found. You help me out and I’ll help you out.”

Briana considered the offer. “What do you need found?” She couldn’t imagine what in the world a parrot could possibly want.

“Oh, just a little thing, really. A necklace with a golden dragon charm on it. You find that and I will make sure you are never lonely again.”

It was those words that sold her at last. If she had just one person to talk to, life wouldn’t be so boring. She didn’t want someone from outside the forest. No, those people were shallow and stupid. She wanted someone who appreciated life as she understood it.

“Fine, you have a deal. Where is this dragon necklace?”

“Walk deeper into the forest. When the trees start to wither and the grass is brown and dying, you will find a hidden cave in a glen. As long as you answer truthfully, you will not be harmed.”

“Whoa, wait a minute! Harmed?” Briana glared at the parrot. “You said nothing about danger!”

“You didn’t ask. I need to hear you say the words.”

Briana liked this deal even less than before, but one thing was true, her curiosity was alive and screaming. And she always indulged her curiosity. She really wanted to know what was in that cave with the necklace. That didn’t mean she couldn’t give the parrot a hard time. She paused long enough to make the parrot rustle its wings in irritation.

“Fine, I agree to go find your dragon necklace and after I find it, you will make sure I’m not lonely anymore.”

“Agreed!” For a moment the parrot’s eyes glittered coldly; then, with a raucous call it took to the sky and flew back the way it had came.

Briana sat and pondered her new situation. She had misgivings, but a promise was a promise. And she kept her promises. It was the one thing her parents had instilled in her and she wouldn’t sully the memory of them by becoming an oath breaker. She finished the apple and tossed it into the bushes. She stood and calmly stretched, walked a few feet, and rummaged around in a thorny bush. The cuts caused by the thorns didn’t seem to bother her as she retrieved a well-worn and slightly fraying backpack. She shouldered it and started on her journey.

It took five hours to reach the destination, and Briana was ready to scream. It had been boring, like every other day of her life. She drank from her water bottle and stared at the cave entrance. Sighing, she capped the bottle, dropped it in her bag, and walked inside.

The cave was warm, and that surprised her, for it was already the start of fall. She wasn’t complaining, however, because she always seemed to be freezing and a little heat was welcome. She continued walking until she came to an intersection. On the wall was painted

Truth, Justice, Honor, Courage

Of These Four Which Are Thee?

Briana started to laugh. What was this, some kind of joke? She’d had enough. Forget getting this necklace. She’d rather be lonely than be made fun of.

“Stupid parrot,” she mumbled and started to turn away when the ground began violently shaking, and she was knocked backward on to the ground.

“Who dares to enter?” The voice was male, deep, and loud.

Briana scrambled to her feet. “I am Briana, and I’ve come for the dragon necklace.” She figured she might as well tell what she was there for and be done with it.

There was a pause, and then the voice spoke. “I will let you have it if you answer the question on this wall.”

Briana looked at the question. “None of those. I act like I have courage but I have none. I’ve not been truthful about many things in my life. I’m biased and favor those who can help me when I need it and I have no honor for I would sell another’s soul just to achieve my desires.”

“Briana, the Lonely, you may enter and take the necklace for you have done what many have failed to do.”

“And that is?” she demanded.

“Confront the person you really are inside.” The ground rumbled again, and the wall split in two to reveal a shelf with a gold pillow and a golden diamond filled dragon necklace on it.

Briana carefully picked it up, and on a whim, bowed to the wall. “Thank you.” She received no answer, but that didn’t bother her as she raced from the cave and headed back to the spot where she had met the parrot.

The parrot was sitting on the rock when she arrived. It hopped about impatiently. “Well?”

Briana held it up. “Here.”

“Yes! Put it around my neck!” The parrot ordered.

Briana shrugged and did as he asked. She stepped back. “Now, give me my reward.”

“Yes, of course.” Suddenly the parrot launched itself into the air and flew straight at her face!

Briana yelped and threw up her arm protectively, but it wasn’t enough to stop the parrot’s claws from grazing her. She felt pain and then a burning fire racing through her veins. The world started to go black, and the last thing she heard was the parrot’s evil laughter.

Libby’s mouth was hanging open. “Then what happened?”

“I woke up here with Doctor Jekhyde looking down at me.” Briana shrugged. “Look, I have to get out of here. I need to know what happened.”

Libby chewed on her lower lip and then said, “All right, follow me.” She opened the door, checked to make sure no one was watching, and together the two fled from the building. Both wanted answers and both were determined to find them at all costs.