Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity by Beth Roose (smart ebook reader TXT) 📗

Bev arrived at her place of employment, Lahoski Lumber, a small lumber yard in the middle of town. As she walked through the large glass door, it seemed especially heavy this morning. She mumbled under her breath, “Gosh, I need more coffee.” As she made her way to her desk, she silently peered over into the cubicle next to her. There she was, Marsha, Bev's very good friend. Marsha’s office chair swiveled around so fast, that Bev could not prepare herself for the bear hug that was launched onto her. After bidding each other good morning and quickly catching up over piping hot cups of coffee, Bev finally decided to face the issue. “Marsha,” Bev said, trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible, “I would love to chat with you at break or lunch. Do you think you will have time today?”

Marsha beamed at Bev. “Of course! I always have time for you, Bev. How does lunch sound? Want to go to the local place around the bend? I heard they have great peanut butter and honey sandwiches.”

As much as Bev wanted to, she needed to talk to Marsha in private. “How about we grab something from the lunchroom and we have lunch outside and in private, with no extra ears?” Marsha gave Bev an odd look at what seemed like an odd request. “Oh, okay, maybe we can try the place around the bend another time...meet you around lunch time.” Bev, relieved that Marsha accepted her response so gracefully, gleefully added, “You got it! Back to the phones. I feel so lucky today.” Both ladies giggled as they went to their seats. The hours passed with the shuffling of files, dialing phone keys, and small talk with customers, and then finally, it was lunch.

“Whatcha getting for lunch, Marsha?” asked Bev as they stood at the food counter, red lunch trays in hand.

“Well, this reminds me of my grade school lunchroom. I sure hope the food is better here,” Marsha said.

Looking up at the small lunch lady behind the counter in a hairnet, Bev said, “This is a to-go order. I will have the chicken salad, please, with a side of pita and some sweet potato chips.” She needed a drink. Bev was notorious for forgetting her beverages. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “And a sweet tea, as well.”

Marsha chimed in “Oh, please make those two to-go. Same thing.” The cafeteria woman nodded, confirming that she received both girls’ orders. The old woman with the hairnet packed up their lunch orders and handed it to both of them in a white doggy bag. Marsha paid for both of their lunches, as it was her turn to treat. Bev and Marsha always took turns. After all, that is what friends do. They headed out the large glass doors of the company building and strolled over an outdoor lunch table, noticeably distant to the other tables nearby.

“So, Bev, what’s new?”

Bev answered, “Oh, nothing much, same old stuff just a different day!” Both women laughed and they dove head first into their salads.

“Awe, come on,” Marsha said, taking a bite out of her side of warm pita, “I can clearly see you are troubled about something.” Marsha was not wrong. Bev was worried about something. In fact, Bev was more than worried, she was downright frightened.

“I believe we may be worried about the same thing, Marsha.” Bev gazed deep into Marsha’s eyes, wondering if she should tell her what she knew. Could she trust Marsha? Could Bev really trust her? Bev began. “This is so hard, so difficult, Marsha.” Tears began to well into Bev’s eyes, the intensity of the situation growing stronger by the second. She took a sip of her sweet tea as Marsha watched intently, concerned for her friend, but also curious as to what set her pal into such a frenzy. Bev looked up at Marsha and “Morgan did this. He was the one who created this Hornet Queen and her minion drones.”

Marsha’s jaw dropped, revealing the mouth full of pita she just gnawed at. Snapping back to reality, Marsha closed her jaw manually with her hand.

“Morgan and Dad have a plan to fix this.” Bev looked horrified. “OMG!” Bev exclaimed. “I don’t know what to say about this. This is just beyond unbelievable. What is going to happen to Morgan?”

Marsha shook her head and hung it low. “I am not sure, Bev, not sure at all. However, I know they have a solid plan.”

Bev, exasperated at her friend’s calm reaction to the situation at hand, was almost at a loss for words. Finally, she regained some thought process, enough to speak her mind to her friend. “Well, Marsha, the Pukwudgie and Hairy Tribe know the Queen and four drones are alive. Freda and Bitty saw them yesterday. The tribes and Princess Celia all met in the treeline to formulate a plan.” Marsha gazed at her friend with interest. “I met with Princess Celia last night and this morning. She says she has a plan. She knows there is a rare gem from a meteorite that can help reverse the splicing and protect. She informed me that it was owned by a man named Bat Masterson of the Wild West. He was a lawman with Wyatt Earp.” Marsha nodded, taking in all of the information she could get. Bev continued. “According to the Princess, his great great grandson lives in Montana and has Bat’s cane with the gem under the gold tip. Your Dad needs to try to go get it. I have the address. I know this is a lot of information, but it needs to be done.” Bev slid a soft, white piece of paper into Marsha’s hand. “Here ya go. This is the address that could save all of humanity.”

Marsha gazed down at the white piece of paper with blue cursive writing. She was in awe. She knew her Dad needed this information and they needed this gemstone quite desperately. Marsha took a deep inhale and