The Riddle of Amaryllion: Part 2. The First Clue

By Amanda Pizzolatto (Rated PG)

Find more of the story here.

As Kathleen promised, she joined Matthew for the mayor’s dinner party, the two arriving at Amarillion, the mayoral home, at four o’clock sharp. Kathleen, though, had another reason for going – she needed permission from the mayor to take pictures of several spots in town, Amarillion included. Sure, Calla Springs was pretty open to just about anyone coming in and taking pictures, but even Calla Springs had its secrets, and Kathleen had a gut feeling that she was about to find out about one.

As they pulled into the driveway of the Amarillion, Kathleen couldn’t help but gasp with awe at the magnificence of the building. It was a two-level mansion made of a white and yellow marbleized stone, surrounded by cashew trees, daffodils, daisies, and lilies. It was quite the sight indeed and was a perfect addition to an already beautiful city. The two were greeted at the door by a butler and were shown into the living room where the family sat. Matthew introduced Kathleen to the Dohertys – the mayor, his wife, and their two children, Elliot and Violet. Elliot was about Kathleen’s age and was finishing up his Master’s in History, while Violet was still in high school but was aiming to become a doctor. The group chatted for a while before going to sit down for dinner, and the mayor gave Kathleen the permission she was seeking for the pictures.

“So, you’re a photographer, huh?” asked Mrs. Doherty as they began their dinner.

“Yes ma’am, I am,” replied Kathleen.

“Are there any particular kinds of pictures you like to take, or any places that just stick out to you?”

“Oh, I like taking pictures of places and scenery. There’s just so much beauty that can be found, and they have the good sense to stay still.” Her audience chuckled. “As for any places, in particular, that stick out to me, well, Calla Springs is just one of them, it’s so simple yet elegant here, and I like that.”

“That’s good to hear. Any other places?”

“Well, I guess my hometown of Crystal Woods in Asphodel will always have a special place in my heart. That could also be part of the reason why I like Calla Springs so much – it’s almost like the spring version of Crystal Woods.”

“Quite right, we’ve heard that comparison quite a bit, and it makes sense too, we’re quite fond of and rather good friends with the people of Crystal Woods. So yes, that makes perfectly good sense,” commented Mr. Doherty.

“Is Crystal Woods really so similar to Calla Springs?” asked Violet.

Kathleen nodded as she chewed and swallowed. “Oh quite, I’ve never seen two towns so alike, and everyone is so kind and caring, it’s hard not to feel at home here.”

“Unless your brother has a giant, invisible rabbit ransacking the town’s vegetables,” grumbled Violet.

“Violet!” hissed Mrs. Doherty.

“Oh don’t worry about it, I already told her,” blurted Matthew. Mr. and Mrs. Doherty glanced at Matthew in shock.

“Y-you already told her?” gulped Mr. Doherty as he glanced worriedly at Kathleen.

“Oh, don’t worry, a giant rabbit won’t scare me off. If you don’t mind my asking, though, how did he come to be here, living with you?”

Mr. Doherty sighed as he glanced first at his wife, then at his son, “That question is best put to Elliot.” Everyone glanced at the eldest Doherty. He fidgeted under their curious gazes.

“Well, go on Elliot, you can at least tell her that much, can’t you?” asked his father.

“There’s no need to give her the answers to the three questions,” stated his mother.

Elliot let out a breath before speaking, “You’re right, I can do that at least. Well, my story begins one night before Christmas break while I was out with some friends from college. We had gone to the bar to get a few drinks. I only had water – can’t stand beer, it gives me a stomach ache. Anyway, because of that, I was designated the driver. I had no problem with that. I wanted to make sure my friends got home safe and sound, though I still wonder why in the world getting sick from drinking so much alcohol is fun. As such, I knew I was in my right mind when I passed this giant rabbit standing at the corner of our dormitory. Since my friends were drunk, I knew they wouldn’t have noticed it and hurried them off to their beds. I wanted to investigate without any of them breathing and slurring down my neck. Well, I got my friends to their beds and rushed back outside to see the giant rabbit. He wasn’t there. Later, he told me that he had gone to bed, he had been really tired. Anyway, I head to bed, wondering if I had been seeing things, even though I hadn’t been drunk.

“But I did see him again, the very next night in fact, as I was preparing to leave the campus. He was standing in the exact same place that I had seen him in the night before, and when he saw that he had my attention, he waved me over. We introduced ourselves and began to chat. I asked him why he was there, and he replied that he was hoping that someone could give him a place to stay and whoever did so would be assured of happiness. But, since only a few people could see him, his chances of getting a place were slim, since of all the people at college he knew could see him, I was the only one to actually notice him. Well, I figured that since I lived at Amaryllion, there would be enough room for him and offered to let him stay with us. I have never seen someone so relieved and ecstatic. And since no one could see him, he hopped into the cab with me and traveled with me home.” Here Elliot paused and let out a sigh. “Boy, little did I know how much trouble that would cause me. I mean, things were just fine for the first year, but then, he began to wreak havoc.

“It was little things at first, personal items disappearing and reappearing in odd places, extra food was taken, messes were made when you turned your back after just cleaning something, things like that. It stayed in Amaryllion for the most part, and everyone became used to it, but then he moved on to the whole of Calla Springs, and what chaos that ensued. I asked him to stop, and he told me the only way he would stop is if a girl could answer three questions about him, namely the color of his fur, how big he is, and what his name is.”

“Wait, what?” blurted Kathleen.

Elliot shrugged, “Those were his terms.”

“OK, I can understand the color of his fur and how tall he is, but his name? How would anyone know that?”

Elliot smiled. “He has his name on a collar around his neck.”

“Oh,” said Kathleen.

“Well, since you’re here, want to give it a try?”

“Um, I guess,” shrugged Kathleen.

“Alright, excuse us mother, father, I’ll take Kathleen to the rabbit.”

“Of course, son,” his father smiled at him. Elliot and Kathleen got up from the table and walked out to the backyard. Elliot paused at the vegetable garden.

“Alright, he’s here, can you see him?” Kathleen glanced around, turning around slowly so as not to miss anything.

“Is he? I don’t see him,” she stated after making a circle.

“Hmm . . . alright, well . . . whoa!” Elliot yelped as Kathleen let out a little shriek, something big passed by them, nearly knocking them over.

Kathleen’s mouth dropped open, “I-I think I saw him!”

“Really? What color was his fur?” asked Elliot with a hint of hope.

“Why, he’s, he’s purple!”

By Amanda Pizzolatto

Edited SL, MMD