Emma and the minotaur

were saying “Emma! Emma! Emma!” in their tinny bird voices.

“Emma…” Mr Wilkins said and then a faraway look came over his features. He gazed into the forest as though searching for someone, but then he sighed and turned to the girl.

“Emma,” he began again. “You’re special. It may seem crazy that here I am marching my daughter into the forest toward a mythical creature but it’s because, though I’ve tried to protect you from this, to keep you from this world, it seems that it’s now too late. That there—” He pointed at the flute that Emma was holding. “I’m told that everyone knows about you now because word has spread since you heard the music of the tree. And there are those who would mean you harm.”

“I don’t understand, Dad.” “I know,” he said. “It’s all very complicated. Domino will explain it to you. The point I was getting to is that there are dark things in the night that are interested in you because you’re special.”

“Why am I special?”

“Again, it’s complicated, Emma, and I don’t think I can tell you right now. Domino will help.

But the reason I’m bringing you to him is because you are. He has been trying to convince me for a very long time of this and I’ve refused and refused but now I have no choice. But I’ve made him promise me that he will only teach you how to defend yourself and that’s it. I don’t want him getting any big ideas in your head or putting you into any danger.”

Ahead of them they saw the faun. He was leaning against a tree and he was playing the flute that he carried. Mr Wilkins stopped where they were and he waved to him. Domino took his flute from his lips and raised his arm in the air for a brief instant.

“Go ahead, Emma,” her father said. “He will not teach you unless you go alone.”

“Alone?” Emma said, and her voice quivered. “Dad, I’m scared.”

“I know.” He put a hand on her shoulder for a moment then leaned down and hugged her close. He kissed her forehead and then stood up and went back the way they had come.

Emma took nervous steps up to where the faun was standing. He watched her make her slow way to him.

When she arrived before him, he made a face that looked like an attempt at a smile but his strange features turned it into something frightening.

“I’m glad you came,” he said. “Do you know why you’re here?”

“Not really,” she said nervously. “I don’t understand any of it.”

Domino nodded.

“Emma,” he said. “We need you to save the world.”