In a rather friendly tone, the statue introduced herself as Persephone the Guardian. Amy’s ant-sized brain was fried. A giant talking statue? Three suns? Where was she? She had thousands of questions.

Persephone disclosed that she was in fact the pesky squirrel that Amy had encountered in the woods. Go figure.

“Call me Phone for short.”

Amy was too dizzy and vexed. She just stuttered, “Nice to meet you.”

Amy blurted out, “Is this a dream?” Phone explained as if speaking to a toddler that Amy was in a different world, a different dimension. “You entered this magical world through the portal in the Redwood tree.” Persephone proudly inserted, “I was assigned to bring you to this world. I have to say I did a pretty good job, if I say so myself.” Amy muttered, “Somebody pinch me.” Phone, now in squirrel form, gladly did so and Amy let out a painful yelp.

“Excuse me please, but when will I wake up from this dream?” Amy queried politely. Phone replied “Wake up? Dream? What in the name of wonky willy wonders are you talking about?”

“I’m dreaming. And I asked you when I’ll wake up.” Amy repeated.

“No, you’re not dreaming.”

“Not what?”

“Not dreaming.”

“Oh never mind. I suppose people in other people’s dreams don’t really know that it’s a dream.”

“Why am I here?” Amy questioned. Phone explained, “You are the chosen one, destined to save the world. Okay, that sounded really cheesy. But it’s the truth Amy!”

Amy refuted, “All the cheddar. Wait a minute! Save the world?”

“Yes. Anywhooo… As I was saying you’re the chosen one destined to save our world from the evil one. You’ve been brought here to banish the super bad guy, technically speaking.”

“Say whaaa? Why me? I’m a total loser and everyone hates me.”

“Because, you are the girl from our legend, prophesied centuries ago, who is destined to save us. Your name is Amy, you’re in 7th grade, you live with annoying siblings, and you’re slightly… umm…” She paused in awkward silence.

Amy finished Phone’s sentence, “Fat. I’m fat.”

The statue-squirrel creature quickly changed topic, “Anywhoo, you’re also incredibly brave, kind, and everyone loves you — according to the legend.”

“Whoa whoa whoa! Slow down. That does not sound like me — at all! You totally made a mistake. I’m definitely not the girl from the legend.” Amy sighed deeply and confided, “Though I wish I was.”
Changing back into the statue form, Persephone asserted firmly, “Yes you are! The stars spoke to me.”

Amy decided to play along, “Sure stars just speak to people.”

Phone sighed out of irritation, “Let me show you something.” They walked over to a shining pool of water that appeared out of nowhere.