Here We Go Again

Mae-Lynn and Luka huddled in closer to me for safety and I cradled my arms around them.

"Don't you worry, kids! It's all going to be just fine!" I had to raise my voice for it to be audible over the whirlwind spiralling round us.

Within the icy madness our clothes were magically altered to suit the colder climate. Once the blizzard had calmed, the scenery around us brought a flurry of memories rushing back to me.

My recollection of the small oak cottage - its roof coated in a pure white sheet of untouched snow - and that Siberian Husky, which was almost the same size as the house it lay beside.

"Just like I remember…" Instinctively, I was drawn towards the building and my feet began to take the steps for themselves.

However, I was stopped in my tracks by a tugging at my fuzzy coat.

"Mum, where are we?" Luka asked.

"Well… how do I explain this? We're-"

"Why are you calling my mummy yours!? Who are you!?" Mae-Lynn tugged at my arm and hooked onto me as if I were her property.

"Uhm, the real question is: who are YOU? And I'm calling her that because she's MY mum!"

At first I was confused as to why they were acting so odd. Are they pranking me? Were they not just arguing before this? What's gotten into them all of a sudden? This wasn't anything like their usual tricks…

"We're in a bit of a pickle here." Ray sighed. "You two have essentially wishes your memories of each other away through your irrational wording!"

Ah, right! They did wish that they don't want to be siblings anymore…

"Siblings?" They queried in unison.

My eyesight darted straight towards my mother and I frowned at her in frustration.

"I told you this was a horrible idea! Look they had the thing for a second and look what it's done to my poor babies!"

"Oh, stop it, Alana. You're fussing over a small issue." She waved her hand, dismissively in response. "This is a thing that's easily fixed. My world has little to no faults in it, I'll have you know!"

"Yes, Lana, let's just stay calm." Ray patted my back, comfortingly.

I knew that I was over exaggerating the situation a little. Furthermore, I knew that it could be fixed - as my mother wouldn't have let them tamper with the globe in the first place if it was really and truly dangerous - but I still wanted them out of this deceptive place.

I was hoping that my mother would feel a little bit guilty after this slip up and would give up on the whole plan entirely; however, I could sense that she had no intentions of turning back.

I let out a hopeless sigh and I could see the cloud of my breath in the winter air.

"It's a bit chilly… how about we make our way to Gingerbread-Dale?"

"Good idea, Elaine, Mayor Baerd will surely be able to help us out."

"Dad, whose Mayor Baerd?"

"That's not your dad! That's my daddy!" Mae-Lynn butted in again.

Whilst the children bickered again and Raymond tried his best to explain to them the situation and that they are indeed siblings once more, I took this as my chance to prepare our transportation.

Personally, this was one of my favourite things about here. My one permanent creation: Sylvia.

I wished for a humongous, fluffy husky that I could cuddle when I was sad or play with when I got bored the very first time I was here with Ray.

She was probably more than ten times larger than me in size. Her white and grey stricken fur shimmer silver when the light hit it, which blended in so nicely with the sparkling of the crisp white snow.

Her sapphire blue eyes were sharp and sophisticated and it perfectly resembled her strong personality.

You most definitely didn't want to get on her bad side! She was known for her short temper and her mammoth tail alone would knock anyone out in one foul swoop - not to mention those deadly claws hidden within soft paws.

It's been so long since I've been here… will she recognise me? I hope she's been okay here! Has she been waiting here all this time?

So many thoughts whizzed through my mind. To be completely honest, with the hustle and bustle of my daily life I forgot all about her. I felt so awful after seeing her and all the memories were bombarding me quicker and quicker.

I made my way over to her, trudging through the deep snow in my thick winter boots. My heart sank from the sadness of the idea of her being alone for so very long and tears began to blur my eyesight a little.

I began to pick up the pace but the snow was swallowing my shoes, leaving me to stumble a bit. Yet I still pressed on. Once I got to a closer proximity to Sylvia, I threw my arms around her.

I buried my face into her fur, which was speckled with ice that made my face slightly wet, but none of that mattered. I was reunited with my beloved pet.

"Why do you shed such sorrowful tears, young one?" I could feel her heavy head press onto my back and her breath was warm (but it felt like the force of a hairdryer on full blast!). It was nice to feel the toasty comfort of her presence again.

I couldn't find the words to answer her back. I was too happy and astounded to see her. Despite this, she already knew what I was thinking.

"I've been waiting for you here through many blustery days. The house is just as you left it. I've made sure that a few residents from Elvendom attend to and maintain the lovely state it was in. I'm so pleased to see that the kids are finally here! You should invite them inside. I can't imagine how cold it must be for you furless creatures!"

Her mentioning the kids brought me back to reality. I loosened my grip on Sylvia's furry coat and glanced over at the others to find that they were getting restless. Being teleported to a new world definitely isn't your average situation! Ray was having some trouble keeping the kids in line as they were up to their usual antics.

It appeared as if they had gotten into another argument involving snowballs being thrown at each other. Of course my mother just stood from a distance, watching the chaos unravel before her. I could see her mouth moving, most likely saying something along the lines of:

"Oh, Ray, dear, just let them hash it out! It's all part of learning!" And whatnot.

Poor kids! They're probably so confused right now!

"Actually, Sylvia… the house will have to wait. Could I ask you a favour?"

"I am at your service." Sylvia sat up, proudly awaiting my order.

"Me and my family need a quick ride to Gingerbread-Dale. It's an emergency!"

"I can get you there faster than you can say Christmas crackers!" Laying down on her front and her back hunched up, she readied herself for the journey ahead of us.

"I knew I could count on you!" I smiled at her and stroked her, sweetly.

"Anytime." She said as I climbed onto her back.

It was pretty high! Even while she's crouching I was a good distance from the ground!

"Guys! Over here!" I called, but my voice was taken by the freezing cold and relentless wind. "Guys!" I repeated, yelling even louder. No response.

All of a sudden Sylvia barked so loud that it echoed and I don't think I'd be lying if I said that I felt the earth beneath us shake a bit. I felt a slight ringing in my ears after that; however, she managed to easily grab everyone's attention.

"Get on." She demanded. All she got in reply were a bunch of dumbfounded looks. "Move it or loose it people, we don't have all day!"