“I’m so sorry!” I said, holding Timmy’s hand as the magical ambulance rushed us to the magical hospital. “I had no idea that unicorn would kick you in the face for suggesting we sell its land! I didn’t realise its family considered it a sacred glade which they’d owned for generations! You see, conveyancing in this area is dangerous.”

“It’s okay,” Timmy croaked, barely able to breathe. “Did I at least get the job?”

I squeezed his hand tight. “If you’re not too scared about working in Magical Gardens, then yes, you can be my assistant. Now don’t worry, this town has the best healing around. You’ll be quickly healed through this magical version of hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Melbourne doesn’t have anything on the health system here.”

The paramedics, a centaur and a goblin, rolled Timmy out of the ambulance wagon on a stretcher, taking him into the hospital. I followed him slowly, overwhelmed with guilt. I thought talking to the unicorn would be a good test for him, but I’d almost gotten poor Timmy killed. And he was still willing to stay and be my assistant! 

If we were in the non-magical world, that unicorn would be going to prison for assault, but in Magical Gardens pretty much anything goes. There are no rules here. If Timmy is going to stay, I’d best teach him how to defend himself.

I decided that I couldn’t bear to watch them lift him into the hyperbaric chamber, so I went to the hospital’s cafeteria for the time being. I ordered some chips and magical gravy and waited a couple of hours, dreading the moment I’d have to visit Timmy. How badly bruised would he be?

But when I got into his room, he seemed perfectly fine. It seemed an hour or two in the magical healing chamber did wonders. 

“How are you feeling?” I asked. “Sorry about all that.”

Timmy shook his head and smiled, sitting up on his bed. “I feel fine. When can we get out of here and start conveyancing? I’m excited.”

Well, it seemed I’d found an enthusiastic assistant, at least.

– Abby Fantasy