At first I thought another bubble had risen up to carry me to the surface for one final, taunting breath before plunging me back under the muck. But I didn’t go back under. I rose up and up and up. I stared wide eyed at Jez and Cappy, who were also rising out of the marsh. In seconds, we were floating over the surface and onto solid ground. “We’re alive!” Jez said, throwing her soggy arms around me. I smiled with relief. “Hey, what were you saying before?” I asked. “Uh …,” Jez said, quickly pulling away and pointing. I looked up to find the three glowing ladies smiling at us. Better yet, the sprite chief was bowing to us. He had taken off his crown and held it to his chest like a hat. Then he said something in gibberish, which the glowing white rose lady translated. “Tibix apologizes for waylaying you and your friends,” she said. Her voice sounded like three-part harmony. At first, I thought the other ladies were speaking too, but their mouths didn’t move. “Uh, thanks.
