Folksburywoods Story Blog

Cuthbert Cumberbatch stood on Merlin’s Crossing, staring into the void that had been his life. “What if things had been different?” The man wondered.

Six years ago, Cuthbert was a successful businessman with a posh apartment and a girlfriend who loved him with all her heart.

Then, one weekend, he hiked in the forest near his home and became lost. For days, he struggled to get his barrings but to no avail.

Out of water and food, Cuthbert lay down to die. “Let death come and take me, ” he called to the trees.

Darkness enveloped the forest, leaving Cuthbert utterly alone. “I wish I could have another chance. Perhaps right some wrongs,” Cuthbert whispered hoarsely.

Moments later, hundreds of darting lights appeared before his eyes. “This must be the end—the angels come to take me over,” thought the man.

A light approached Cuthbert, and a voice called him. “Cuthbert Cumberbatch, you have asked for a second chance to right the wrongs of man.”

Cuthbert’s eyes widened, and he focused the little attention he had left on the voice.

“I, Queen Fortuna, shall grant you this wish if you swear to care for the lost ones who roam your world,” said the voice. A drop of dew touched his lips, which instantly caused him to recover.

“Lost ones, I don’t understand. How will I know who or what they are, let alone care for them,” asked the man.

“All will be revealed in time. Now sleep; you have much work ahead of you,” said the Queen.

The following morning, Cuthbert was shaken awake by a member of the rescue patrol. “Mister, are you okay?” the man asked.

“Huh, oh, yes, I’m fine. Thank you for finding me. I never thought I would get out of these woods,” said Cuthbert.

Everything returned to normal, and Cuthbert forgot about the incident in the forest until one day, while walking home, he came across a small creature who had been hurt on the road.

“Poor little thing, here let me take you to the shelter so they can care of you,” said the man.

“Hide me away, or the dark will take me. Remember your promise,” said the beastie. Cuthbert nearly dropped over in shock to hear the thing talk.

“So it wasn’t a dream after all. Okay, let’s get you safe,” said Cuthbert. He talked with the Yarik in his apartment, a fae who had become lost when a violent storm brought him into the city.

“You are bound to us now and must protect us. This was your arrangement with our Queen,” said the Yarik.

Cuthbert was told he would need to provide homes for all the lost ones in the city who were on their way to him. “How many are we talking about?” Cuthbert asked.

“Only twenty now, but there will be many more,” answered the Yarik.

Over the next few days, a menagerie of fantastical creatures appeared before the caretaker, each larger than the last. Cuthbert knew he needed to move when a large Morpheck came and took over his bathtub.

His girlfriend was no longer allowed to see him at his place, and suspecting he had another woman left him. Adding insult to injury, his bosses fired him due to the time away from work he took caring for the lost ones.

Cuthbert sold his penthouse and bought a small bungalow on the edge of town, where he transformed the backyard into a sanctuary for the lost ones.

The final insult came when he worked as a teller at a neighborhood savings and loan to help pay the bills. Memories of his past life, the fun and excitement, came to haunt him, draining his happiness.

Standing on Merlin’s Crossing, Cuthbert Cumberbatch wonders where he would be today if he hadn’t kept his promise.

After checking on each of the lost ones, Cuthbert crawls, exhausted, into bed and falls instantly asleep.

“Cuthbert Cumberbatch, you wish to see the what if. Look and see,” came the voice in his dream. Cuthbert was shown an unkept grave and headstone with his name on it. He traveled to the city where the bodies of the lost ones lay dead on the street or in laboratory cages.

“You have given life where it was not before; you have made a difference and will not be forgotten. I will give you the gift of forgetfulness to help you live a full and joyous life. Sleep well, Cuthbert, and forget your troubles,” said the voice.

The caretaker dressed in the morning and headed to work feeling refreshed and carefree.

“I hope the Morpheck likes the new pond I am building in the backyard so I can finally have my bathtub back,” said Cuthbert with a wry smile.

Cuthbert Cumberbatch was happy to be needed by the strange collection of creatures.

Yes, life was good.