I woke.

I remember nothing.

Nothing was real to me.

All I was aware of was that I was in a field of blue grasses and there was pain in my neck.

Blue? Even when I can't remember my name, I know that grass isn't supposed to be blue.

I looked more carefully. There were mountains in the distance all around me. There seems to be a variety of grasses and bushes even if all of them were blue. There are insects and small black slugs in the grass. The sky was an orange color that was strange to me. Broken glass and other parts were beside me. If I belonged in this place, everything would be more familiar.

I noticed something in the sky. Three creatures were coming towards me. I was terrified of them. Not just because they were unfamiliar, they triggered some inner fear from my past.

If I had any.

I knew I had courage because only my heart was beating fast. I was not shaking or crying. I was definitely a brave sprite.

But I know when to run. I was weaponless and outnumbered. But there was no where to hide. I tried anyways. I crouched down and tried to cover myself with grasses.

The creatures circled once and landed near where I was hiding. They were inspecting the broken glass. Each of those creatures were three times larger than me and they each had a huge mouth filled with teeth.One of them sniffed the air. They're going to find me by smell!

I wasn't going to be hunted down like a rabbit. I reached for a piece of broken glass and jumped out of my hiding place. I aimed the glass at one of the creatures and threw it. The creature caught it in its mouth easily and crunched it. I ran. The three creatures took to the air and quickly caught up to me.

They surrounded me. I focused on one of the creatures and rolled my hands into fists. Before I can do any damage, one of them behind me seized me between its jaws. Its teeth pinned my arms against my body. My legs were hanging out one side of its mouth and my head sticking out the other.

NOW, I was begining to sweat and shake. I expected the creature to chew or swallow me any time now. But neither happened. It took to the air with its two companions and headed for where the mountains were the lowest.

I wonder where it was taking me and why it won't eat me. I'm sure it can. It flew so high up that I became unconsious. I came to when the three creatures were over the low mountains and we were surrounded by mountains. There was a village there. All the houses are made out of blue grass and so is just about everything else. There are heards of creatures like the one that is carrying me. I was almost relieved to see sprites walking around. But their bodies were scaled like the creatures and most were wearing masks.

The three creatures landed and were greeted by a crowd of scaled sprites. One of them came foreward and took off its mask. I can see that he was a normal, male sprite.

"Welcome. If understand, nod head," he said. I nodded my head. This guy seemed to be having a hard time saying the words.

He smiled. "We Web Riders. I name-...----... That mean Tidbit. You?

"I... don't... know my name."

Tidbit looked concerneed."Us all made of sprites lost here. Here is us home in Web." I shuddered. The word "Web" sounded evil.

Tidbit nodded at my reaction."You come from Net. Net dwellers feel Web evil. Us come from Net feel same. Us born here feel different. Do not try to return. Some try. They deleted."

Tidbit handed me his mask. "Put on."

He helped me put on the mask and said"-----......--.....--"

I understood prefectly with the mask on. He said, "Now take the mask off."

He took his mask from me and said,"--.....---....-.-....---"

I can still understand.

He said, "Now try to speak in our language. You will need to practice but it is simple once you put the mask on once."

I said some gibberish words that made no sense at all but at least they were words.

(from now on, all speech is in modem language) All the other sprites were laughing and giggling. Tidbit just smiled."It seems all who first learn this language speak like that." Suddenly, all the voices became hushed as the crowd of sprites parted to make way for someone. A large sprite, taller than everyone else, came through the crowd.

"I am Casio, the leader here," he said."As in tradition, a newcomer must compete against the present leader. If you lose, it doesn't matter. If you win, you will become the new leader. We always try to get the best sprite to lead us in this harsh world. You cannot withdraw. Come with me."

I went with him to a large field where the grass has been removed. I gasped at what I saw.

TO BE CONTINUED...