Planets: Chapter Six: Unknown Knowledge (Part Two)

Here you go, Kat?e! I know you've been looking forward to the rest of Chapter Six. I only hope it lives up to your very high expectations. I'm having a harder time with this story now and I'm afraid it's showing. A lot has to happen and I'm not quite so sure how to do it. In any case, like always, comments, questions, and especially suggestions are always appriciated! Enjoy!

Kelsi looked away. “Okay.”
“Thank you,” Caleb walked away as Kelsi closed the door.
Little does he know that I’ve already done just that, Kelsi thought sullenly. Why does he care if I’m angry or not? She shook her head as if she could shake the suspicious thoughts out. What’s wrong with me? One minute I’m yelling at the top of my lungs, the next I’m on the verge of tears. And if that’s not enough, I’m suspecting everyone like I’m some sort of paranoid freak. She crumpled onto the floor, tears streaming down her face. It’s this place. There’s something about it that I can’t quite put my finger on. I feel out of sorts because I feel like I’m being watched and . . . because I have no idea what’s going to happen. I should leave, She thought frantically, before I go crazy here.
“Stop your unsightly, sniveling behavior, Kelsi,” Mistress materialized in the middle of the room, “and save your breath. You aren’t going to leave, I won’t allow it. You can’t run away from your problems your whole life, as if they are the orphanage you stole away from two days ago. Is that really how you want to live your life, running away from everything like a scared rabbit? You have so much potential; you can’t throw your life away, especially since . . .” she trailed off, her eyes gleaming. The gleam was quickly extinguished and replaced with her usual cold look. “Besides, how will you save your dear friend or see your long-lost parents? The only way is if you stay here, with me.”
Kelsi trembled, somehow this didn’t seem like it would end well but what could she do?
“Alright,” she stood up, her legs wobbly. “What do you want me to do?”
Mistress’s eyes glittered as she grabbed a hold of Kelsi’s hand. Suddenly, Kelsi’s bedroom wasn’t there any more and she was back in the room she had been dismissed from earlier today.
“Sit down. We have much to cover before . . . sit down!”
Kelsi quickly sat down and got out a quill. It seemed like a good idea to take notes.
“Listen carefully; I don’t want to repeat myself.
“Long ago there were three planets; sister planets. These three planets were inhabited by mintis, magical beings who could build bridges across space. These bridges connected the three sister planets together. Only mintis with royal blood could cross and build these bridges, although they could take anyone or anything with them. For the most part throughout history, the mintis that could go across the bridge were full blood royals, sometimes a mintis with a little bit of common blood but no more than ten percent, could make it across. Never has anyone made it across with more common blood than that except for you.”
“If the tree planets are magic why isn’t there any magic on Nesserum?” Kelsi quietly asked.
“There was a time when the planets were offered an opportunity to exchange the planets magic for technology. This opportunity was seriously considered and the rulers of the three planets consulted with their subjects on what should be done. The majority of the subjects on Nesserum decided that technology was more important than “old fashioned” magic. All the magical creatures and mintis who wanted to keep their magical abilities fled to the other two planes as the mintis who wanted technology headed to Nesserum. This exchange was not made without a price; all records of magic were wiped from Nesserum, including the minds of the former mintis.”
“What about that book I found? And what about me?”
“You’re not patient,” Mistress sighed angrily.
“I’m sorry, it’s just for so long-” Kelsi began to apologize.
Mistress interrupted. “Be quiet and I will tell you.
“The troubles between the sister planets were not over. In fact, they had only begun. Queen Seirerny found the change of planets unsettling and decided to seek the future of the planet she ruled over, Iulete. She sought a prophetess that was reliable and had advised her in the past. The prophetess gazed into a basin of water and gasped at what she saw. The sight was tremendous; she had seen the end of Iulete and it was in the not so distant future. Even though she tried to break the news gently, the queen, having a weak heart, fainted.
“It was decided immediately to take action. Messengers were sent out across the land to inform the people of the calamity. Checkpoints were set up where royal mintis would take the common people,” Mistress’s nose wrinkled with disgust, “to safety.
“Your mother and father were peasants as I have said before. In fact, they were farmers on Iulete, plowing their fields when they heard the horrible news. In their rush to a checkpoint they must have accidentally forgotten you, their new baby, their only child.”
Kelsi’s eyes widened as she was overcome with grief. Her parents had forgotten her? She struggled to control her emotions, trying to keep the tears that threatened to stream down her face from doing exactly that.
“And me?” Her voice shook dangerously. “Why did I end up on Nesserum?”
“You crossed the bridge. Asleep you dreamt of a golden bridge and decided to cross it. How you made it across safely is beyond me. The bridge from Iulete to Nesserum is very broken down; no one’s cared to repair it. As for the medallion ad the book that you found, very few items survived the switch from magic to technology; those were a few of them. A building survived as well. Your beloved orphanage was once a monastery, the monastery where it was decided that Nesserum would become technology oriented.”
“Why didn’t my parents come and get me from Nesserum?” Kelsi felt her eyes sting with suppressed tears.
“If anyone were to go to Nesserum his or her magic would be taken away in the twinkling of an eye.” Mistress replied unfeelingly. “Your parents weren’t able to cross the bridge anyway and no sane royal would take them even if they wanted go across.”
“What about me? How did I make it to Nesserum without losing my magical abilities? Or did I lose them?” Kelsi decided it was about time the subject was changed. She no longer wanted to talk about the parents that abandoned her.
“You didn’t lose them, surprisingly. The only way I can see that you made it across it that you subconsciously crossed the bridge. Even though you made it across, your body knew that you shouldn’t be there and it put up a protective barrier to keep you safe, forcing you to forget everything magical.”
Suddenly, it all made sense. Why she couldn’t use calculators, why she couldn’t get on the school bus, and all the other infinite things she couldn’t do, it was because she had magic running through her veins. She yawned, realizing for the first that she had been listening to Mistress for several hours now.
“You may leave now. I’m sure tat I’ve answered enough of your pesky questions today,” as soon as Kelsi heard the words she found herself in her own bedroom instead of the “classroom.”
“Sleep well,” Mistress’s voice echoes into the room erieely, causing shiver to run up Kelsi’s spine.
She looked around the room, wondering if there was a draft from an open window. An unshakable chill engulfed her. What had she gotten herself into?
Walking to the window, she checked the latch, making sure that the wooden slats were bolted on the window. She peeked outside before locking it and she found it as creepy as it was beautiful. It was like mostly everything in the huge manor, gorgeous with a slightly disturbing undertone.
Kelsi yawned and her eyes watered. Her brain began to shut down; tiered from the overwhelming amount of information she had received and began to ache in advance from the volumes of knowledge tat today’s information entailed. The bed beckoned to her and se stumbled to it, not minding to her clothes, climbed into its welcoming, comforting embrace. Her eyes closed and she was out before she could even think of the Mistress’s information and the danger it put her in. If only she had known.

One Truth Prevails

No way! I'm actually posting something other than stories, gasp!

Two or three years ago, my Uncle John started watching this anime show called Case Closed. I watched it with him and was instantly hooked. A show that combines both murder mysteries and anime, count me in! Case Closed is about a teenage super slueth named Jimmy Kudo. He is slipped some posion when he gets too close to some sinister men in black and is shrunk into an eight year old boy! Now, under the name of Conan Edagawoa, he is staying with his almost girlfriend, Rachel, and her father, Detective Richard Moore, hoping to stumble on the same men in black so he can find the posion and come up with an antidote. In the mean time, he must solve the mysteries meant for Richard (Richard isn't the brightst bulb out of the lot.) It's hard work, especially since Conan's "just a kid" but with his super brains and awsome gadgets he'll find a way!

In any case, you can get some of the episodes on Netflix (or buy them on DVD). Kendle and I can't wait until we can get the next lot of them! Just a warning, the murders a pretty graphic, even if it is cartoon blood and there is some swearing (very minimal compared to High School, I can assure you) but I would definatly recommend this fun anime that has been running since 1996. The real question is: Will Jimmy ever get his real body back? We can only hope so!

Planets: Chapter Six: Unknown Knowledge (Part One)

I think this should clear up a lot of things, well, at least some things. Enjoy, and remember, comments, speculation and crititisim PLEASE!

Chapter Six: Unknown Knowledge

“Did you sleep well?” Asked Caleb. He was at Kelsi’s door, the sun from the open window catching the golden stands in his sandy hair.
“Yes, thank you,” Kelsi replied.
“I’m sorry to disturb you but Mistress sent me here to retrieve you.”
Kelsi sighed. She was always being retrieved. It was as if she were a book and not a person. “That’s fine. Let me just find a pair of shoes,” a pair of silver slippers very similar to the golden shoes she had worn yesterday were next to her bed. “Well, I’m ready to go,” she closed the door behind her.
As before, Caleb led her though the confusing corridors, except this time the pathway was different.
“I never really thanked you for showing me the gardens last night. They were superb,” Kelsi smiled, trying to catch his eye.
“It was my pleasure.”
Kelsi frowned. There was something wrong, she could tell. Caleb wouldn’t look at her, his eyes brimming with a mixture of pain, hate and fear.
What have I done? Kelsi racked her brains, trying to remember if she did anything completely unforgivable. Something caught her eye. Caleb was wearing gloves with amazing leatherwork in the soft black leather. He hadn’t worn them yesterday. She looked closer. It was hard to tell but she thought she could see bandages in between the cuff of his blue long sleeved tunic and the gloves.
Catching a hold of his arm, she pulled up the linen sleeve of his shirt. He tried to pull away but wasn’t fast enough. Kelsi gasped. She had been right, there was a bandage, a snowy white bandage dotted with blood.
“Please, don’t ask,” his voice was desperate. He pulled down his sleeve, covering the bandages that wound up his arm from his palm.
Kelsi stopped the words that were on the tip of her tongue. What happened? And where do I fit into all of this?
Caleb knocked on one of the doors, standing as straight as a pole as he waited for them to open.
Why won’t he just speak in his weird language? The pleasant yet mysterious life she thought she might have was shattered. Now everything seemed downright confusing and a more than a little sinister. The glimpse of the darkness that she had seen last night when Caleb said that his life was in danger, was slowly becoming a full fledged view.
Mistress finally opened the door. “Kelsi, so good to see you,” she welcomed, her smile as frigid as the first frost. “Caleb, you may leave. This way, Kelsi.”
It was a different room than the room Kelsi had met Mistress in the day before. Though it still was filled of the finest materials it wasn’t as extravagant as the other room; this room had a purpose. A gold gilt chalkboard that was covered with strange symbols was on the wall next to diagrams made out of thick parchment. The diagrams had pictures of ferocious looking animals, some recognizable from fairy tales, others unknown to her. A sturdy desk was in the middle of the room facing the chalkboard. Various parchments, quills, scrolls, inks and dusty, thick books lay on the mahogany desk.
“Wha . . .” Kelsi began but was quickly cut off by Mistress.
“I shall explain later. Follow me, breakfast is waiting in the other room,” she walked briskly towards a door and opened it. It led out to a sort of glass enclosed porch. Outside was a part of the garden that Kelsi hadn’t seen last night. Golden buttercups were liberally mixed in with the green lawn and a gorgeous lilac bush that matched Kelsi’s dress was planted near one of the windows, partially obscuring the view. Kelsi inhaled. The smell of the lilac was almost intoxicating.
“Take a seat,” Mistress was already sitting, unfolding her napkin and putting it in her lap. “Fresh fruit?” She served Kelsi an interesting array of fruits. “I’m sure you’ll find your fruit delightful. All crops you eat here are grown on this estate. You should find that the fruit is slightly different than your Nesserum varieties.”
Kelsi bit into an apple slice tentatively, then slowly chewed, rolling it across her tongue to taste it better. For the most part it tasted like an apple, only the flavor was more intense. She took a bite of a strawberry. Like the apple the flavor was bursting, exciting, bold. As she sampled the other fruits she found the case to be true with all of them.
“It tastes better,” Kelsi quietly said. “It’s as if the flavor has been amplified.”
“You will find that the case here.”
“Is it always the case?” Kelsi questioned, feeling confident that this was at least one question that would be answered, unlike many of the questions she had asked before.
“It is very rare when it is not,” Mistress began to nibble a bit of toast then cracked a hard boiled egg with her spoon. “Have some toast or an egg.”
Kelsi obeyed. She dipped her knife in a pot of what appeared to be raspberry jelly and spread in on her toast. She took a bite and smiled. Raspberry jelly was her favorite. Following Mistress’s example she took a hard boiled egg and cracked it. Sprinkling salt and pepper on it, she took a bite, enjoying it every bit as much as the toast.
Mistress put her napkin down on her plate and stood up. “Let us go into the other room,” her voice was very businesslike as was her facial expressions.
Kelsi stood up and followed Mistress out of the glass porch and into the room she had seen before.
“Sit down,” Mistress pointed to the desk and Kelsi sat down obediently. “Now I shall answer some of those questions you have been asking. I shall start by telling you who you really are.
“Your name is Kelsi Uialiin, a native of Crisinae, one of the three sister planets. Your parents are Renee and Austin, peasants, low class,” she said the words with disgust. “I have traced your mother’s line and your great-great-great-great-grandmother was a lesser princess. That’s what makes you so unique, that’s why you are here.”
Kelsi tried to follow what Mistress was explaining but became very lost. “What are you saying?”
“Haven’t you wondered how you got here? You owe it all to your great-great-great-great-grandmother Silyvia. Though it is a wonder that you could do it, Elise Slme was a royal with only one percent common blood in her veins and she had was a sister to the queen but she couldn’t make it across the bridge,” Mistress studied one of her cuticles, as if the task of telling Kelsi about her heritage was extremely boring instead of extremely confusing.
“What do you mean?” Kelsi finally snapped and lost her temper completely. She stood up from the desk and accidently knocked off some books and a bottle of crimson ink that shattered and drenched the carpet, books, and the hemline of her dress. “You’re not making any sense!”
Mistress chuckled. “So you do have anger. I was beginning to wonder. So far all I’ve seen is a mess of confusion, frustration, sadness and happiness. It’s good to know that there is anger somewhere inside you. We will need to use that later. You may go now,” she turned to some paper work, busying herself before Kelsi even left.
“No! I won’t!” All the emotions inside of her had burst. Part of her felt exhilarated as she screamed, as she let everything out. “I’m tired of all these little facts that don’t fit together! I want to actually know what’s going on! I won’t leave until I get real answers!” In her adrenaline rush she didn’t care what Mistress did to her as punishment, Kelsi was no longer afraid of her. She felt a power course through her, a power that made her feel invincible. Her hair began to fly out and a bottle of ink towards the right of her left hand began to shake, threatening to fall over though the room was as still as a crypt.
A look of pure joy and triumph flitted across Mistress’s face. Kelsi saw it and the look instantly stopped her anger. That look, it wasn’t good.
“I see you’ve stopped throwing that temper tantrum of yours,” Mistress was flipping through papers again.
Kelsi’s face flushed. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what overcame me.”
“Go to your room,” Mistress didn’t even look up.
“Yes, Mistress,” Kelsi walked out of the room, embarrassed and ashamed. All fear of Mistress’s puzzling look had evaporated and was replaced by humiliation.
Halfway down the hall Caleb joined her. “Let me guide you back to your room.”
“Okay,” Kelsi mumbled.
At the door of Kelsi’s room Caleb talked once more. “Please, don’t lose your temper, don’t get angry,” he earnestly whispered.
Kelsi looked away. “Okay.”

Planets: Chapter Five: Confusion (Part two)

Kelsi just stared dumbly. The woman, Odyssomai, was gorgeous, unhumanly so.
Her shiny, raven-colored locks shone under the bright lights, exactly the opposite of her porcelain skin. Smoothing her black satin dress, Odyssomai looked at Kelsi intently, her dark eyes gleaming like the glistening opals she word around her neck.
“I know you can speak. I know more about you than you know yourself. I even know about your parents,” her words were cold, without feeling, just like her stunning beauty, but they were enough to release Kelsi from her stupor.
“You know my parents?” The words were squeaked out, nonetheless they were exactly what the strange woman wanted.
“All in good time, my dear,” Matron had sometimes called Kelsi “my dear” before, but when Matron said it, Kelsi felt warmth. When this woman, Mistress, said it, she felt fearful, as though the words were snakes waiting to bite her. “We have much to discuss before we come to the subject of your parents.” She fingered a strand of hair, a strand as crimson as her full lips.
Kelsi felt the need to protest but swallowed it, feeling that questioning the mistress would only provoke her. “Yes, Mistress. What would you have me do?”
An unnerving smile played across Mistress’s face. “First, I would have you eat lunch with me. I assume you haven’t eaten.”
“No, Mistress.”
Mistress clapped her hands and Caleb appeared in a cloud of smoke.
“Yes?” He quietly asked the mistress, looking into her bottomless eyes.
“Fetch us some food. The finest from the kitchen.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Caleb vanished, the reappeared moments later, displaying an extravagant meal.
Kelsi realized she hadn’t eaten since lunchtime yesterday but found she wasn’t hungry even with the platter full of delicacies before her. Caleb set in on a faceted crystal table that was set for two.
“You may leave,” the mistress told Caleb. Kelsi wanted to call out, to make him stay and not leave her alone but it was too late, he had vanished.
Mistress took two bowls of soup, steam rising from them in spirals, from the silver tray.
“Take a seat,” she motioned for Kelsi to sit down. Kelsi looked at the mistress questionably, there was no chair for her to sit in, until Mistress snapped. A delicate little platinum chair appeared. Kelsi gingerly sat down, afraid to even breathe for fear that the chair would break.
“Be at ease. Eat,” Mistress commanded as she blew on her soup.
The soup was thick, creamy and white in color. Kelsi carefully dipped in her spoon and, following Mistress’s example, blew on the soup. She closed her eyes and relished the flavors. Potatoes and onions were obviously the staple ingredients, though she couldn’t recognize the other flavors, mostly due to her lack of knowledge in the food department. The orphanage wasn’t known for it’s culinary arts. The school cafeteria either.
“Like it?” The mistress asked, smiling faintly. “I’m sure you haven’t had anything like it on Nesserum. The secret ingredient it cilrag, a native plant grown here. It’s mostly known for it’s horrendously potent poison but, if cultivated correctly, the bulbs are a delicacy. Shall we move on to the next course?” Mistress snapped her fingers and the bowls disappeared. She lifted up the cover and dished some type of meant onto the two plates, then added two small piles of what appeared to be vegetables.
“Speak. I grow tired of your silence,” Mistress commanded.
“Where is my friend?” Kelsi tried to say the words with force but they came out frightened instead.
“Such loyalty and dedication,” the mistress said, her words mocking Kelsi. “She is with the others.” She carefully cut a small square of meat and placed it into her mouth, even her chewing was graceful.
“Others?” Kelsi questioned.
“Those against us, those that are wrong,” she paused, drawing a drink from her jeweled goblet. “It is not time to speak of these things, at least not yet.” She waved her hand over the two plates. As before, the plates disappeared. Kelsi’s meat had hardly been touched, she had only taken two or three bites.
“Did you find the meat satisfactory?” Mistress asked. Opening the cover for a last time, she drew out two fruit filled pastries.
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Good.” Several silence filled minutes passed by.
“Why am I here?” Kelsi couldn’t hold the question in any longer.
“That, like many of your other questions shall be answered later,” she daintily ate the last mouthful of pastry. “You may leave. I will summon you when I need you again.” She clapped and Kelsi found herself in the bedroom once again.
She sat down on the bed and stared at the wall blankly. What just happened? Her brain felt like it would explode from an information overload. Or rather, a sensory overload. I didn’t really learn anything new. Kelsi thought harder. Well, I did learn that someone knows something about my parents. What that something is, I don’t know. She flopped back on the bed and looked up.
On the ceiling there were stars, glittering dots that were faintly shining different shades of blue, red, yellow and white. She couple pick out a few constellations she had learned back at the orphanage, like Twenty-five Kittens and Singing Family but they were in the wrong place and took a while to find. Other constellations that should’ve been there, weren’t. Weird. Why would anyone paint the stars on wrong? Is this some kind of a senseless joke? What’s the point? She closed her eyes, not wanting to look at the wonky stars on her ceiling. Sleeping was out of the question. She was too keyed up from the new . . . place she was at.
A desk in the corner, sturdy ebony with delicate carvings, caught her eye. In her excitement earlier today she had overlooked it but now she had plenty of time to examine it. It might help pass the time; she had no idea when Mistress would summon her. She walked over to the desk and fumbled with the objects on it. Several reams of paper were on the desk along with multicolored inks and quills made of exotic feathers. Inks and quills? This place seems to be untouched by time! Not that it’s a problem for me. I never could use ballpoint pens anyways. She dipped a bright blue plume into some scarlet ink and carefully printed her name across the top of some parchment: Kelsi Wood. Wood wasn’t really her last name and she didn’t particularly love it but she didn’t have much of a choice. When she had come to the orphanage Matron hadn’t known her last name so Kelsi was named after where she was found, a wood. It had led to several mean nick-names like Wooden Head and Dumb Tree, names which had hurt at the time but no longer bothered her. Anyways, by now she had been called more insulting things.
She unrolled a scroll that was in one of the cubbyholes and frowned at it. The scratches on it were just as foreign as the words Caleb had spoken a while ago. Kelsi suspected that they were the same language. Another unrolled parchment showed a map of the nighttime sky using the same star patterns on her ceiling. There were many constellations on the paper but Kelsi rolled it into it’s former shape and put it back. She wasn’t up to the crazy stars again.
Her thoughts bounced around her head, untamed, caged monkeys that wanted to be free. Reaching out for a fresh bottle of navy blue ink, a snowy white feather, and a fresh piece of paper, she opened the cage door. She began to list all her questions in neat letters down the page.
Why am I here? How did I get here? Where exactly is “here”? She rested her head on her fist. After a second she scribbled furiously. Where is Lorna? Is she okay? Will the “others” hurt her? Will they brainwash her? What is the weird language that Caleb spoke? What does Mistress want with me? How does she know my parents? Are my parents still alive?
Though she had many more questions she lay down the quill. Writing down all her questions not only made her think of more questions, it was also rather tedious. It’s sad how I try to deep myself occupied and I end up confusing myself even more! She crumpled up the paper, stood up, and scooted in the chair.
I could just take matters into my own hands. If Lorna is anywhere here, wait, Kelsi interrupted herself. Mistress said that “the others” have her. She sunk onto the floor, resigning.
What can I do? In a strange place with no one I know I’m helpless. Tears of self-pity began to run down her face as she realized her predicament. I can’t even help Lorna because I have no idea where she is!
A knock on her door made her quickly dry her tears. “Yes?” She opened the door, not to terribly surprised to see Caleb on the other side.
“Are you alright?” He asked, his emerald eyes full of concern.
“I guess,” Kelsi smiled ruefully. She hadn’t thought that her tears were so apparent. “Does Mistress have need of me?”
“Not yet, though I dare say that she will soon. It isn’t like her to take someone in and forget about them. I suppose that you are wondering why I’m here. I was rather abrupt earlier and I’ve been afraid that I gave you the wrong impression ever since.”
“What’s that?” Had she been incorrect in trusting him?
“That I’m rude, secretive and uninformative. I can assure you that those qualities are not in my nature. I wanted to make it clear that those are all characteristics that I lack. Would you care to take a stroll with me?” He offered her his arm.
Kelsi was speechless for a moment. How he could think that she thought him anything but gentlemanly was beyond her. “I would love to,” she finally got out the faint reply.
“Mistress has a lovely garden. I was thinking that it would be a good place to walk. It does get a bit chilly though,” he added as an afterthought. “You may want to bring a coat of some kind.”
Kelsi glanced around the room and found a golden cape on a hook. “Sounds wonderful,” she smiled as she grabbed the cape and linked arms with him.
“Would you mind if I asked you a question?” Caleb asked as he led Kelsi through the corridors.
“No, not at all,” she looked at him expectantly.
“Why were you crying?”
“You weren’t supposed to know. I guess I never was good at hiding my emotions,” she studied the threads of her sleeve as if they were a fine portrait instead of well done embroidery.
“I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer.”
“No, I don’t mind,” he had finally gotten them outside. Kelsi sat down on a marble bench and collected her thoughts. “I’m just so overwhelmed and,” she paused, “so helpless. I hate to admit it but I’m stuck in a strange place with no friends. It’s not like I had many to begin with and now one of them’s lost!” She stopped, breathing in deeply so she wouldn’t cry. “In a way I feel like an ungrateful brat, I mean, new clothes, a perfect bedroom, fabulous food, hot baths, how could a person go wrong? But . . .” she trailed off. “Does any of this make sense?” She felt bad, overwhelming the poor guy when she hadn’t even known him a full day. With her luck he’d think she was a whiney crybaby. He probably regretted ever asking such a question.
“Well, at least you got one thing wrong, you do have one friend,” he gave her a warm smile. The smile touched his eyes, or rather lightly tapped them, but in that instant Kelsi saw a glimpse of how he really was without the curious sorrow.
She gratefully smiled back and actually looked around the grounds for the first time. Earlier that morning through the open window the garden had looked young, like it was late spring or early summer. A closer look showed it to be about the same season as the forest near the orphanage, late fall. A slight cold breeze blew through the garden, tousling the leaves. Kelsi shivered slightly and drew her cape in closer.
“Are you cold? You can use my cape if you wish. Mine is probably warmer,” Caleb offered his hunter green cape.
She inspected the cape and decided he was right. His was lined with something fleecy and warm while hers was made of a thin silk, decidedly not the warmest of materials though it did have a certain appeal, look-wise.
“No thanks, I’m all right. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“I may not be able to answer it but other than that I don’t mind.”
“Why are you sad?”
Caleb instantly stiffened. “That is one of the many questions I can not answer.”
“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked,” Kelsi instantly regretted asking the question; even though it had been praying on her mind all day it wasn’t worth turning her only ally against her.
Caleb relaxed. “No, I shouldn’t have reacted that way. It’s hard to explain and it is forbidden. It would cost me my life indefinitely if I told you,” he hesitated for a moment. “I could give you a reason but it may be a bit uninformative.”
“No!” Kelsi quickly interrupted. “Please, forget I even ever asked. I was out of line, I’m so sorry!”
He looked surprised that she felt so strongly. “Let me show you more of the gardens,” he offered his arm to her and she took it.
Kelsi sighed a sigh of relief. It was as if Caleb had read her mind. She really didn’t want to continue discussing her disastrous, dangerous question.
The sun began to set, it’s dying rays turning the sky blood red.
“Oh no,” Kelsi murmured, her eyes riveted to the sunset.
“What? Are you alright?”
“The sky, it’s red,” she replied faintly.
“Is that bad?”
“Horrible, worse than horrible. Red skies are the worst of signs. It’s a terrible omen. Back when I lived at the orphanage you knew you or someone you loved would get hurt soon, either physically, emotionally or mentally, if the sky was red.” The superstition had proven to be true, at least to Kelsi’s point of view.

* * * * *

She had been eight when she had first heard the of the questionable fear. Even at eight she had scoffed at tales of boogeymen and black cats. When she heard of the red sunsets her reaction was the same as when she had heard of ghosts. She laughed.
“Red sunsets? They’re just a scientific phenomenon. There’s nothing creepy or scary about them,” she could hear her little kid self now.
The older orphanage girl, Stella, gasped. “With an attitude like that, they’re going to become more than that. You shouldn’t say stuff like that, especially not that loud! They might hear you.”
Her little, naive self nearly fell over, she was laughing so hard. “I think that you’ve had to much homework or something. You’ve lost it!” She skipped away, still chuckling.
“I tell you, someday you’ll regret that you didn’t listen to me!” Stella yelled after her. She, being young and inexperienced in many things, payed no heed to Stella’s warnings.
If only she had. How much heartache would she have avoided? Kelsi could only wonder.
The someday that Stella talked of, happened the very next day.
Kelsi had a kitten, a pure white one that she had found forsaken near the forest. She loved the kitty, which she ironically named Midnight. Kelsi had fixed up an abandoned shed that was near the orphanage, collecting old, dirty dishcloths that the cooks discarded, she even found a broken, old crate for Midnight. The food that she brought to her kitten was food from her own plate or food that she rescued out of garbage bins, like tuna cans and leftovers no one would eat. She never had a pet of her own, never had anything to care for so she cherished Midnight and visited her every day, before and after school.
This particular morning she was surprised to find that Midnight hadn’t greeted her at the doorway, like she usually had. She walked into the shed and lifted up the towel that covered Midnight’s bed. Midnight lay there, her breathing shallow. Kelsi’s eyes grew wide.
“Midnight?” She gingerly reached in and picked up the kitten. Midnight’s eyes were closed tightly. Kelsi just sat there dumbly, not sure what to do. She held the frail kitty close, tears running down her face. A few minutes later, the inevitable happened. Midnight died.
Kelsi did the only logical thing she could think of. She wrapped the kitten up in the cleanest of all the towels and carried her outside. A rusty shovel was near the doorway so Kelsi put Midnight delicately down and began to dig a small grave near Midnight’s favorite climbing tree. The task wouldn’t have taken very long except Kelsi had to stop more than once, her sobbing making the task quite difficult. Once she was done she laid Midnight’s body down into the grave and sprinkled flower petals over the towel covered kitten, then cast a handful of dirt over the petals. Finishing the job, she shoveled the dirt over the kitten she had loved so dearly, placed a large stone at the head of the grave and placed blossoms on top of that. Kelsi tried to quiet her wails but soon gave up, she crumpled up into a heap and cried, long and hard. She wasn’t the girl she had been a day ago, the girl that scoffed at silly superstition. She was older now, she had now know abandonment, loss and death.
Wiping her tears, she eventually walked back to the orphanage, long after school had ended for she had spent the entire day at Midnight’s grave. The school had called and she received questioning and a lecture from Matron but she didn’t care. What could Matron do that was worse than the death of her beloved cat?

* * * * *

Caleb put an arm around her, trying to soothe her. “That may be a bad omen on Nesserum but it isn’t a bad sign here. It’ll be okay.”
No, it won’t. She silently thought. “If you don’t mind, I’ve had enough for one night. Please take me back to my room.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Caleb turned and led her back the way they had come.
The two walked the rest of the way in silence. Before Kelsi knew it, they were already at her bedroom door.
“Thank you,” Kelsi opened the door, “for showing me some of the gardens. I’m sorry we couldn’t see the rest of them.”
“We can always see the rest another night, that is, if it would please you,” Caleb bowed to her. “Good night.”
“Maybe, good-night,” she shut the door then slid down, her back against it. Her breathing came in gasps and she shook, terrified. Subconsciously she knew it was ridiculous to have this fear of a sunset but she couldn’t shake it. The fear consumed her. Anyways, if it was bad luck at St. Bradwock’s it was bound to be worse here in this strange place where nothing made sense. She sat on the ground a while longer, quaking until she realized that she was quite tired.
What do I wear to bed? She looked for a closet but a dark blue nightgown with silvery gauze draped over the darker fabric caught her eye. Kelsi shed the dress that she had been wearing and slipped the nightgown on. It wasn’t quite as soft as the previous dress but it was warmer and cozier. Flowers and swirls were embroidered in darker silver thread keeping the gauze from becoming separated from the dark blue cloth. Kelsi stopped shivering and climbed into bed. She was so much warmer now, especially since she was under the downy comforter.
She banished all confusing thoughts, for now she would forget that her best friend was missing, forget that her new acquaintance had a troubling past that could result in his demise. Right now she would just pretend that she really was a rich girl who lived in a rich house with a rich guardian who gave her rich things.
Kelsi smiled at the though. She may not understand what was going on but she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. There may be consequenses tomarrow but she was going to live it up today.

Pass-a-long Stories: Faithful . . . ish

I'm sure that you all have read Kendle's post called The Green Man (of course you have, right? =>) This is another one of those Pass-a-long Stories. Now Kendle changed the color to go with who wrote what but I find it more fun to try and guess who wrote the different parts. So, without further ado:

Faithful . . . ish

She had to hold on for just a few moments more. Even though she felt her fingers slipping she kept telling herself she had to hold on. If she let go now all would be lost . . . he would be lost. This was their last chance to be together. She had to hold on or she would never see him again but if no one came to rescue her from this cliff soon she would never again have the chance to be with him. She tried once again to pull herself up, but couldn’t.

Ryan, she thought. Do it for Ryan.

“Still hanging on?” A man appeared above her. “I thought you would’ve let go long ago. You’ll let go now.” He sinisterly laughed as he pried her hands off. “Good-bye.”

She screamed as she fell through the air. Then everything went black.

When she opened her eyes she was surprised to not find herself on gleaming white shores but in a pair of muscular tan arms. The first word out of her mouth was “Ryan,” but a silky deep voice answered, “No, actually it’s Drew.”

“Oh, where am I?” Mae said in a groggy voice. Here head hurt terribly.

“Well, you’re in my cottage at the bottom of Mt. Sinister.”

“Mt. Sinister? Oh now, Mt. Sinister, Ryan!” She jumped up out of Drew’s arms but fell back into them because everything was spinning horribly. “I have to find him!” Mae told Drew.

“Not now, you need to rest.” She gazed into his handsome, worried face.

“Are you sure you’re alright? You took quite a fall.”

She smiled shyly. “I am now.” All thoughts of Ryan vanished as Drew smiled, his white, even teeth gleaming. He leaned in close, their faces almost touching. He softly kissed her then brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, “Can I keep you?”

She was about to give in completely when she thought of Ryan cold and hurt and faithful in a dark dungeon. She had to save him but she wasn’t sure she was going to marry him once he was free. This is crazy. She thought. She had just met Drew but oh what a live, what a grip.

She looked up at him with pained eyes.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, concerned.

“I . . . I can’t stay here, I . . . I need to go save someone I love.”

His smile faded a little but then it broadened as he said, “Is this that Ryan person you keep talking about?”

“Yes and I need to save him now or I’ll never see him.”

“All right,” he said kindly, “but you have to wait until you’re better.” Then he carried her into his room and laid her on his bed. Then he kissed her gently on the cheek and told her to sleep.

Once Mae woke up, she felt extremely better. Drew came in with some soup in a bowl for her.

“Mmmm, this is delicious, Drew,” she loved the way his name sounded and how she lovingly curved her lips to form the W in his name.

“No problem. I would do anything for you.”

She looked down, his gaze made her feel . . . she couldn’t explain it. A glint caught her eye. A ring. A diamond ring. What? Who was that from? She pictured a face but couldn’t think of his name. Then suddenly it came to her. Ryan. Ugggh! Quickly she took off the engagement ring.
“Can you dispose of this for me?” She smiled at him.

“Of course.”

She couldn’t take it. His eyes were so sincere. She brought his head down to her level and kissed him.

“I hope Ryan rots,” she thought. He had never kissed her like this before. They were just starting to get some plum into it when who of all people, Ryan, walked in.

“Mae?” She quickly pulled away from Drew.

“Ryan!” She said in surprise. “I didn’t expect you to be here. How did you get out of the prison?”

“I stopped waiting for you to come and rescue me, that’s how.”

“Cool, I’m glad you’re okay,” she wished that he would disappear.

“That’s all you can say!?” The rage that had built up in Ryan burst. “Look at me! I’m a wreck becuse you didn’t come save me!” He was right. Dried blood matted his hair. Bruises dotted his skin and his clothes were terribly tattered. Drew stepped in between Ryan and Mae.

“Excuse me, this beautiful woman has suffered an incredible fall. I don’t think yelling will help her recover.”

Ryan’s face twisted with hate. “I don’t care what you have to say,” he tried to shove Drew aside.

“I can’t allow you to verbally abuse Mae,” Drew punched Ryan in the gut. Ryan groaned and dropped to the floor.

“Thank you,” Mae twisted her blonde hair and smiled at Drew. “Dispose of him.”

“Of course,” Drew kissed Mae deeply. Ryan’s face was stricken with grief.

“Out you go,” Drew grabbed Ryan by the scruff of his neck then pushed him out of the room. Once Drew came back Mae locked the door. She kissed him so hard that she accidentally sucked his brains out through his mouth, but Mae wasn’t going to let that get to her.

“Oh well, no use crying over spilled brains, Oh RYAN!”

Planets: Chapter Five: Confusion (Part one)

Since you guys are so impatient, not to mention any names (Kat?e!) I'm posting PART of a chapter, since I don't have the whole thing typed up. Enjoy! (And comment/speculate, PLEASE!:>)

Chapter Five: Confusion

The sun hit Kelsi’s eyelids and they began to flutter, fighting to stay closed in the warmth.
Warmth? Kelsi sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Amazed at the sight before her, she slowly folded the plush quilt back and stood upon the gleaming oak floor. Sunshine streamed into a welcoming room that was perfect in every possible way. Kelsi’s feet treaded over the luxurious rugs that overlapped each other, made of a fine, sturdy material that was brightly colored. She reached out the window and began to close the ebony shutters but stopped when she was the emerald sea that was the outside world. Plants seemed to grow before her eyes, she could have sworn she watched a rose open it’s velvet blood red petals. Tearing her eyes back to the glorious room, Kelsi stared at the shimmering draperies. Designs full of life danced across them, obviously made by someone who was handy with a needle and some embroidery thread. Even the bedspread glittered, though the superb flowers were not made of thread but sparkling jewels. Examining the fabulous room could have taken hours but Kelsi felt she should move on.
She could feel her muscles strain as the pushed the heavy ebony door open. A hallway with lots of doors was in front of her.
“Wait, where’s Lorna?” Kelsi remembered her best friend for the first time since she had woken up, ten minutes ago. “Is she in one of these rooms?” Her voice oddly echoed, as if the whole house was empty. Her voice sounded misplaced, as if the silence shouldn’t be disturbed so she kept the rest of her thoughts exactly that, thoughts.
That’s strange, shouldn’t the draperies on the walls keep it from echoing? Just like in the room she had woken up in, the walls glittered with elegant tapestries, though unlike the bedroom these seemed to tell a story. On one wall hanging there was three identical planets that were connected by golden bridges. The puzzled look that had become increasingly more familiar to Kelsi’s features inhabited them once more.
What does it mean? Reaching forward, she touched the hanging with her fingertips then spun around. She needed to go through the door behind her, she felt she needed to. Walking to the nearest doorway she pushed it forward. Inside was a bathroom of sorts. Steam engulfed her, warming her through and through. Self-consciously she reached up, realizing that she was a wreck. Pine needles were stuck in her hair and dirt covered every visible square inch of skin. There was a deep tub that was halfway filled with hot water. Not thinking twice, Kelsi stripped down and carefully settled into the basin, avoiding the fancy bottles along the side. She held her breath and dunked herself all the way under, watching her hair gracefully float. It was eerie, the way she could let go and forget everything. Her mind was blank, she stopped caring. She was just there. After a couple seconds, her lungs threatened to give out. Resurfacing, she drew in a deep breath then gasped when she realized what she saw. Several bottles floated up and poured themselves into the constant stream of water that flowed into the tub. The water foamed and bubbled, then started to change colors. Some other bottles levitated and rubbed themselves into Kelsi’s hair and skin. Fragrant smells harmonized as she sat there, enjoying the most wonderful bath she had ever had. The pleasurable bath abruptly ended as the basin quickly drained itself and a pitcher filed with water repeatedly dumped itself over her head.
Kelsi coughed and sputtered, some of the water had gone down the wrong tube, and pushed her sopping hair out of her eyes. A fluffy towel was hanging on a jeweled hook so she grabbed it and wrapped herself in it.
Her dirty, old clothes had been replaced by a new, extravagant dress. She slipped it over her head, the cloth feeling as light and soft as cloud vapor. The gown was a soft orange, a color that Kelsi herself would have never picked, and studded with golden brown topaz and deep orange embroidery. It hugged her body, fitting like a glove so she turned around and around, feeling the soft fabric swirl around her legs. Kelsi had precious few dresses as the orphanage and none had come even close to fitting as well as this one did. As she spun she caught a glimpse of a girl, so she stopped. She looked closer and found that it was a looking glass infront of her. She gasped. The girl in the mirror gasped back.
Is that really me? Kelsi put her fingers forward and touched the mirror. For once Kelsi looked . . . elegant. Instead of looking like the frightened, lost, unloved orphan that she really was, Kelsi could have been mistaken for a young woman with happiness, wealth and suitors. Her hair began to twist together, strands intertwining with gold stars to create a sophisticated coiffure. Kelsi slipped on a pair of golden slippers that had materialized in front of her and quietly left the room.
“Can I help you?”
Kelsi let out a high pitched scream then quickly regained her composure. “Oh, I’m so sorry! You startled me. I was beginning to think that this place was deserted,” the words tumbled out of her mouth. It was such a relief to know that she wasn’t alone.
The boy smiled, but it didn’t reach his sad, bright green eyes. “I’m sorry for startling you. My name is Caleb, I was sent her to fetch you and bring you to the mistress of this estate.” He led Kelsi through many confusing twists and turns. Even with her experience of the orphanage’s puzzling set up Kelsi was lost after walking through the second corridor.
“What is this place?” Kelsi asked.
“Mtudeuh. It is owned by a powerful sorceress. She is the mistress that I am taking you to.”
“How did I get here? Where is my friend?” Kelsi’s voice grew more urgent as she asked about Lorna.
Caleb’s eyes flashed. “I can tell you no more. Please, don’t ask me anything else, I may say something that will cause trouble for both of us.” His voice was soft and sincere.
I trust him. The thought surprised her. Kelsi’s trust was hard to attain. The only other people that she truly trusted was Lorna, her best friend who knew Kelsi better than she did herself and Matron, who had cared for Kelsi since she had been a baby.
Kelsi quietly studied him as they walked along the endless hallways. He was tall with sandy blonde hair that was short and tousled. Kelsi supposed he was around 18 or 19, he looked about as old as the Seniors that roamed Dilworth High’s campus. It seemed wrong to compare him to the cocky Seniors at her high school. Intelligence seemed to emit from him but he acted like his heart had been broken.
Caleb finally stopped in front of a golden door. He closed his eyes, said several strange words, then pulled the door open with a crystal door knob.
“Here,” he said in a whisper full of respect and fear, “is the mistress’s room.”
“Are you coming with me?” Kelsi didn’t want to enter the ominous room alone.
“I can’t,” Caleb replied. “You must go alone. I’m not wanted.”
Kelsi looked distressed. “Alone?” Her voice wavered.
He solumnly nodded, doing nothing to help the increasing fear that Kelsi felt growing inside her. She looked forward, dreading walking down the darkened chamber.
“Goodbye. Thank you,” she looked back to where he had been standing only to find that he had vanished. Her eyes grew wide. Strange. Taking a big breath, she mustered all her strength and stepped into the room. Immediately the room erupted with light, color, and life. Rainbows from crystals that hung from the ceiling brightened the room, gold paved the floor, diamonds encrusted the extravagant furniture and the furnishings were made of luscious black and red silk.
“Welcome Kelsi,” a soft feminine voice spoke. The voice wasn’t soft because it was timid, it was soft because it was so powerful, so commanding, that it didn’t need to be any louder. Silence ensued. Kelsi had head that you shouldn’t speak unless you had been asked a question. Though she hadn’t ever lived by this rule it seemed fitting under these circumstances.
“You may walk in closer, you have nothing to fear,” the voice came from behind a large chair that was covered in scarlet crushed velvet.
Kelsi took several steps closer, still trembling despite the voice’s attempts to calm her. She crept closer until she reached the back of the armchair.
“Face me,” the voice commanded.
Kelsi walked around the chair then stopped in front of it.
“My name is Odyssomai,” the beautiful woman said, “though you may call me Mistress. Most people do.”

Planets: Chapter Four: Master Plan

New chapter everyone (Kat?e rather)! I'm excited (this is my favorite chapter so far. With any of my luck, everyone will hate it :>) I would really like some feedback on this one if you don't mind. Thanks!

Chapter Four: Master Plan

“Excuse me, can you tell me what aisle tarragon is on?” A frantic mother with three screaming children asked.
“Aisle three,” Kelsi replied, not looking up from the fruit display she was re-arranging.
“Thank-you,” the woman quickly scurried off, grabbing several small toys to try and appease her small children.
“At lest it’s Friday,” muttered Kelsi though somehow the thought just made her more depressed. Almost a whole week had passed since she had found the medallion and she had nothing to show for it. She hadn’t even finished her report, the book that she was going to use had disappeared.
“What’s up?” Lorna asked Kelsi. “You look kinda down.”
“Don’t get me started,” moaned Kelsi. “Ths week has been horrible! People have been making fun of me more than usual, my job stinks, I’m flunking my computer class and barely passing most of my other classes. Oh yeah, I accidently touched an outlet at the orphanage yesterday and it burst into flames! No one got hurt but if someone had I’d never be able to forgive myself. I’m tired of how things are,” her voice was full of despair.
Lorna looked at Kelsi sympathetically. “I guess I can’t help you out much since I’m not in high school.” Lorna’s adopted parent’s didn’t believe in public school so they home-schooled all their kids.
Kelsi sat on the floor, staring blankly at the linoleum tiles. She looked as weary as her frame of mind. Dark circles were beneath her eyes and her hair lay in a deeper disarray than usual. After a minute she looked up.
“I’m going to run away,” she said resolutely. “I can’t stand it here any longer, I think if I stayed one week more I’d lose it.”
Lorna seemed surprisingly calm, as though she thought it would come to this. “And I’ll go with you.”
“Say that again?” That was something Kelsi hadn’t expected.
“When you run away I’m coming with you.”
Questions tumbled out of Kelsi’s mouth. “What about your dreams of going to college? What about your family?”
“They’re not . . . mine. I love them but I feel that I need to go on. There isn’t anything left for me here and who wants to go to college when they can become a forest hermit?” Lorna’s voice was light-hearted.
Kelsi was horribly confused. She would love to have her come along, Lorna was the sister that Kelsi never had, but Lorna had always been close to her family. She had never voiced any doubts or concerns about them.
“Sure, you can come,” Kelsi said hesitantly. “If you’re positive this is what you want to do.”
“When are we leaving?” Lorna placed her apron on a hook and shook her golden hair from the ponytail it had been it.
“Tonight. We’ll gather some provisions and hide in the woods.”
“Are we going anywhere in particular?”
“Not yet, we’ll figure that out later.”
* * * * *
Two hours later, Kelsi and Lorna met by a tree that was in between the town and the orphanage.
“What’d you tell your parents?” Kelsi smiled at the box Lorna was carrying and wondered how she explained it away.
“I’m taking donations to the orphanage. How did you slip by Matron?”
“I took out the “garbage” before dinner,” she motioned to the black plastic on the ground. “I won’t be missed until the late-night head count.” She pulled two candles and a book of matches out of the garbage bag. “I figured we’d need these.” The last of the sun’s rays had long since faded from the sky. She lit both tall, white candles and handed one to Lorna then stashed the matches in the pockets of her jeans. Quietly chattering, Kelsi and Lorna walked for quite some time, journeying closer and closer to the heart of the forest.
“Sometimes I wish that I could just use regular stuff, like lamps and flashlights,” Lorna grumbled after she had to re-light her candle for the sixth time.
“I always wish that,” Kelsi whispered, though the reply was quickly blown away by the wind, just as fast as her unshielded flame.
“What?” Lorna asked as Kelsi fumbled for a match.
“Nothing. If search parties come looking for us, it’ll take them a while to find us,” observed Kelsi. “We’ve covered up our tracks pretty well.”
“Can we stop then?” Lorna stumbled over a gnarled root. “I’m getting kind of sleepy.”
Kelsi looked around again. “I guess we’re safe here.” She spread out a blanket then draped her coat over herself. Shivering, she realized that it seemed to be several degrees cooler in the dark forest.
“Too bad we don’t have anything warmer,” her teeth chattered fiercely. “Who knew it would be so cold?”
Lorna threw Kelsi an extra blanket. “Guess it was good to bring me along after all. I have better foresight,” Kelsi could see her grin impishly in the faint candlelight. “Don’t freeze.”
“Thanks,” Kelsi smiled, relishing the freedom she had waited so long for.
* * * * *
“Mamma, come look!” Isabel tugged on her mother’s brown sweater.
Sarah looked up from the mushroom spore she had been examining underneath her heavy-duty microscope. “What?”
“Ryan found something! Come see!” The five-year-old girl practically dragged her mother to a large tree.
“Someone slept here last night,” Ryan’s voice held an unusually large amount of knowledge for a thirteen-year-old boy. “The grass is trampled down and it’s too big to be an animal, at least any animals you’d find around here.” Isabel looked at her brother in awe then quickly pulled toddling Jacob away from the scrutinized area.
Seven-year-old Anthony swung down from the tree he was in, accidently ripping a hole in his blue flannel shirt. “Let me see!” He grinned, gaps from missing teeth as he tugged on Isabel’s light brown braid. She let out a shriek and tugged on a handful of his pale blonde hair.
“That’s all you found?” Allie swished her yellow braids over her shoulder and laughed. “For being two years older you’d think you’d be more observant. I found this in the grass,” she handed a golden medallion to her mother.
Sarah was floored. “Fourteen years ago,” she mumbled softly. “In this very spot. A medallion with a bridge on it . . . Kelsi has gone home.” The three oldest children looked at their mom worriedly.
“Are you okay, Mom? Muttering isn’t part of being eight months pregnant, is it?” Allie asked.
“No,” Sarah smiled. “Lets go home and have some hot cocoa.” She swept Jacob up into her arms and fondly gazed at her five children. “Kelsi has gone home.”

Planets: Chapter Three: Weekend of "Fun" (revised)

Last revised chapter! Woopee! Next chapter is something absolutly new! I know that I'm at least excited (especially since the next chapter's pretty good!) Anyways, here you go!

Chapter Three: Weekend of “Fun”

The sun beat down on Kelsi’s back and she could feel sweat dripping from the nape of her neck. She angrily yanked at a stubborn weed then began to dig around it, hoping she would loosen the dirt around the weed. The smell of wet dirt hung heavily in the air, almost as heavy as Kelsi’s over-sized tee-shirt felt. Bitter smelling turnips mingled with the sweet smelling dirt, making Kelsi want to gag. Turnips must have been her least favorite vegetable, probably because they seemed to thrive in the orphanage soil. She shook a muddy turnip, dirt flying everywhere, and placed it in a large, overflowing basket. Glancing at the sun, the only way she could tell what time it was since she couldn’t wear a watch, she decided that her shift started in thirty minutes. Hefting the heavy basket, she swiftly walked to the kitchen entrance and dropped the basket by the sink. Dashing to the bathroom, she scrubbed her arms and face then promptly dunked her hair into the sink She rubbed a palmful of 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner into her scalp and quickly rinsed her hair. After putting a clean pair of jeans and a black tee-shirt on, she unwound her hair from the towel and began to speed-braid her hair. Slipping on her shoes she began the familiar walk toward Food For Cheap.
“Ding-dong!” Sang the door as she walked into the building. Once she got in the backroom she sighed a sigh of relief. Luckily she was on time. Tardiness was NOT something that Mr. Merah tolerated. Kelsi tied on her stained smock and began to walk out the door when she heard an all too frequent voice.
“You and Lorna are working on the widows today. You also need to put up our new winter posters. Olivia and Allie will be working at the cash register,” Mr. Merah informed Kelsi.
“Okay,” Kelsi walked to the only windows the concrete building had. The giant windows were streaked with mud. Rain had come last night and instead of cleaning, it just made things worse. Kelsi was surprised it hadn’t snowed, the unusually cold fall already felt like winter, it might as look it. Lorna was already scrubbing the filthy windows with newspaper, a cheaper and sturdier solution than paper towels.
“Hiya! Ready to work?” Lorna looked up for a second then scraped off a fleck of dirt that was stuck on the glass window.
“I’ve been working all morning, what’s a little more? Anyways, a little hard work never killed anyone, right?” Kelsi tore a piece of paper from the obituaries and glanced at the black and white pictures. “Henrietta Nellie Perkton died on Tuesday. (Not by washing windows, I might add. It was a heart attack.) She left her entire fortune to her hamster.”
“Her hamster?”
“Yep, her hamster,” Kelsi tried not to laugh. Every now and then Lorna and Kelsi would try to come up with an outrageous comment and see who would crack first.
“That’s one wealthy hamster. I wish I was a hamster,” Lorna looked at the picture of Henrietta Nellie Perkton wistfully.
Kelsi couldn’t take it any longer and started laughing hysterically. Often times the pressure of everyday life made her crack, once she started laughing, she was off. She leaned on the glass of the window for support then quickly jumped back. She frowned at the window.
“Darn fingerprints,” she spritzed the window with knock-off glass cleanser and vigorously scrubbed. Soon two of the four windows were sparkling clean.
“I had the weirdest dream the other night,” Kelsi randomly said.
“Yeah? I’m always up for dream stories,” Lorna replied.
“Well, I was trying to get to this house but there was a basket of a dozen eggs balanced on my head. They weren’t regular chicken eggs either, they were ostrich eggs so they were really heavy and I couldn’t drop them. I was waking really slowly but I hadn’t cracked one yet. Suddenly, hoards of clowns were chasing after me! I tried to run but the eggs teetered like they were going to fall. I was stumbling across huge rocks, clinging to my basket for dear life as the clown’s smiles loomed closer and closer when they surrounded me and . . . I woke up.”
“My, that’s some dream!” All the windows were clean now and Lorna had begun to tape up the new winter posters. The poster that she was putting up was of a shivering Charlie advertizing some hot cocoa that was on sale. “Of course that isn’t as bad as the dream I had of a zillion Charlie the Chicks chasing after me chanting, ‘Cheep, cheep, cheap food at Food for Cheap!’ Now THAT’S a nightmare!”
Kelsi smiled. Somehow Lorna could always make her feel at ease. It was silent for a while as the two put up the dreaded Charlie posters.
“Do you have dreams very often?” Lorna suddenly asked.
“Sometimes. I don’t always remember them though,” replied Kelsi.
“What about reoccurring dreams? Do you ever have those?”
“Sometimes,” Kelsi looked very puzzled now.
“What are they about?” Lorna pried.
Kelsi raised an eyebrow. Lorna usually didn’t ask this many questions, especially when Kelsi didn’t want to answer them. “I do have one dream,” Kelsi began but was interrupted by Mr. Merah.
“Great work girls, everything’s good until Monday. You can go home now,” he began to walk away.
“Wait!” Kelsi exclaimed. “Don’t we get our paychecks today?”
Mr. Merah began to search his pockets. “I nearly forgot,” he handed Lorna and Kelsi one envelope each. “See you two on Monday.”
“‘Bye,” Kelsi took off her apron and placed it back on the peg then tucked her envelope inside her thin sweater. A muffled noise came from her throat. Her hand flew to her head and she stopped, then leaned against the door of Food for Cheap.
“Kelsi? Are you okay?” Lorna worriedly asked.
“It’s not much, my head just started to hurt,” she grimaced as a new wave a pain swept through her head. “I just need to get back to the orphanage.” She took off running though her head felt like it was going to explode. Blindly stumbling over rocks and stumps, she arrived to the orphanage, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to get to the dormitory. Climbing the winding staircases she finally made it to curtained bed and threw herself on the bed. Her face was red and puffy from crying. The pain had begun to slowly course through her whole body. As each second passed the pain didn’t ebb away as she thought it would, it only grew more and more intense. Writhing in pain on her bed, Kelsi bit down on a pillow, trying to keep her sobbing cries from being heard.
As quickly as the pain had come, it left, leaving her exhausted and confused.
What just happened? She slowly sat up, gasping for breath when the dinner bell rung. Her stomach angrily growled making her realize that she had only had three hard-boiled eggs and a cafeteria cookie since lunchtime yesterday. Making her way down the staircase slowly, she clung to the wall, trying to avoid the throngs of girls thundering down the staircase. She took her place at one of the long wooden tables and smiled at the food. Tonight’s dinner was more substantial then usual. A thick bean soup was served with turnips and cornbread. She started on the turnips, her least favorite part of the meal, to find that even they tasted good to her starving, aching body. The fatigue that had overcome her minutes ago soon melted away as she relished every steaming bite.
“What do you think about the report we have to do for Miss Apeed’s class?” Olivia asked on of her platinum blonde minions. “Combining English AND History for one assignment? What a drag.” She gave one of her perfected eye-rolls.
Kelsi silently laughed. They were going to have to do two assignments anyways. At least this way they could just turn the same report in twice.
“I don’t know,” said Noel, the second most fashionable minion since first place was taken by Olivia. “My report is going to be on how fashion has changed on Nesserum.”
“Good idea, I wish I had thought of it,” Olivia’s face fell. “I guess I’ll have to do something like how the geography has changed.” Her lip trembled.
Kelsi could smell fake tears coming.
“You can use it, Olivia. I can think of a new idea,” Noel reluctantly offered.
A high pitched squeal filled the room. “Thank you SO much, Paula! I don’t know how to thank you!”
“Don’t mention it,” Noel knew better than to expect a favor from Olivia. Many a girl had been kicked out of Olivia’s social group for less.
Kelsi snorted. Olivia’s crowd was unbelievably predictable. Guess what they’re going to talk about next, the school dance this weekend. She silently predicted.
“So, who are you going to go to the dance with?” Samantha, the second most funny girl in the group, since first place was taken by Olivia, asked.
Wow, I’m good. Kelsi moved on to her bean soup and started to crumble her cornbread up into it.
“Gilbert Pecue,” Olivia said nonchalantly. The other girls sighed appreciably.
“How did you get a date with him?” Heather, the girl that was allowed to tag along, enviously questioned.
“How?” Olivia snickered condescendingly. “My dear, I never have to try. Boys just come to me. Oh and by the way,” her voice became slightly threatening, “you would do best to not question anything I do, understood?”
Heather nodded, terror-stricken by the frigid tone in Olivia’s voice.
“So,” Olivia’s voice instantly warmed. “The dress I’m wearing has gold,”
Kelsi had heard all she wanted. She quickly downed the rest of her bean soup before she headed up stairs again. Even though the food restored her some what she still wanted to get to bed early.
While brushing her teeth she noticed a loose brick in the bathroom. She looked at the brick curiously and carefully pried it out with her fingers. The mortar had crumbled away gradually over time but this wasn’t the first time someone had taken it out.
Kelsi reached behind the brick and her eyes got as big as saucers. In the palm of her hand was a medallion that was slightly larger than a bottle cap. It was made of the finest gold and a delicate chain was connected to it. Perplexing letters circled around an engraving of a bridge, the same bridge of which she dreamed. Kelsi was floored. Sparkling in the florescent lighting was evidence that someone else knew about the bridge.
Taking care to not touch the light switch, Kelsi tucked the cold necklace into the pocket of her pink kitty bespeckled pajamas, replaced the brick and went to her bed. She was happy that the week was over. Too many bizarre things had happened. Next week would hopefully be saner, it couldn’t get much crazier, right?

The Gospel According to Larry

I know it might seem lame but I couldn't help it. This is my favorite book report I did last year. I really got a kick out of it. I'd talk (type) about it more but I think I pretty much covered everything in the book report itself, so, without further ado, The Gospel According to Larry!

The Gospel According to Larry
By: Janet Tashjian

There are many examples of symbolism in The Gospel According to Larry. One of the most prominent symbols is the name of Josh Swensen’s alter-ego, Larry. Larry is symbolic because it’s about the most un-biblical name that Josh can think of, which is precisely why Josh chose it. Larry symbolizes Josh’s want to go against the grain of society. Another symbol is the logo that Josh comes up with. This logo which is on the web-site that Josh created is a peace sign. Inside the peace sign is a dove with a olive branch in it’s mouth, a world, a floppy disk, and a plug. This shows that Josh thinks that if he can get rid of name recognition and consumerism that the world will be a peaceful, happier place. It also shows that he believes that the Internet is the way to promote his idea of world peace. The make-up counter at Bloomingdale’s symbolizes Josh’s mother because she spent a lot of her time there. This is also where Larry goes to feel closer to his mother.

The very first chapter of The Gospel According to Larry is full of foreshadowing. In it, the author, Janet Tashjian explains how a boy came to her with a story. He asks her to read it so he can get “the truth” about Larry out. This foreshadows that somehow the boy, Josh, is connected to Larry, an Internet “prophet.” Since Josh is by himself and tells Janet that he will contact her, it implies that he’s on the run and that something bad happens since Josh is connected to Larry. When I read this part I did pick up on the foreshadowing. It made me sad because I knew that the story wouldn’t end very happily.

Some flashbacks were also involved in this story. One particular flashback talked about Josh’s memories of his mother. This was important to this story because it shows how Josh’s life was before his mother died. It also shows how he was a regular kid with a mom that guided him. Once she died he became more reclusive and withdrew from everyone. He became more reserved, which drove him to create Larry. This enabled him to voice his opinions without anyone knowing.

(Note to Mrs. Palmer: I know that this isn’t a required part of this book report and I don’t care if I get points docked off but I have to voice my honest to goodness opinion.) Janet Tashjian creates a believable tale about how a boy came to her with a story. I mean, we live in an age of computers where almost anything could happen. I found this aspect of the story very interesting and enjoyable. I probably would’ve even recommended this book to others if it weren’t for one extremely large flaw that is pretty much the basis of the whole story. Ms. Tashjian is trying to preach to us. Even worse, it doesn’t stop there. She preaches about how everyone should believe in anti-commercialism. I hate commercialism as much as the next person, I even agree with SOME of the ideas she presents in her book. Yes, I do think that a lot of models/actresses are anorexic whether they admit to it or not and yes, it is ridiculous how into brand names our society has gotten. Nevertheless, the way she preaches and the extent of her preaching make it sound like she is also against the economy. I’m sorry, (wait a sec, I’m NOT sorry) in any case, I just CANNOT read an anti-economy book in good conscience. I guess what I’m saying is, Ms. Tashjian, I thought that your story was an interesting concept but I would have actually enjoyed it if it hadn’t been bashing the economy. Oh yeah, and next time, don’t shove a message down our throats. Thanks. (Another note to Mrs. Palmer: Thanks for letting me rant like this. I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I’ll stop now.)

Planets: Chapter Two: Food for Cheap (revised)

Here we go again, another revised chapter except this time, the chapter is SUPER long. Oh well. Just bear with me.

Chapter Two: Food for Cheap

Kelsi found herself on a bridge, golden in color, from the planks that provided a way for people to tread across to the nails and bolts that partly held it together. The bridge was to magnificent to simply be crafted by human hands, something else was holding gleaming bridge together as well. The sky was velvety black, silver stars twinkling thousands of light-years away. Two green, blue, brown and white globes, one in front and one in back of her, loomed in the sky, looking an awful lot like the satellite pictures of Nesserum. Kelsi felt a cold seep through her, a coldness like she had never felt before. Her gaze fell back to the breath-taking bridge. It was so long, longer than any bridge she had seen before and at the end she thought she saw someone; someone beckoning her. Kelsi put some of her weight on the suburb planks and began to walk slowly. She abruptly stepped backwards, as if the bridge was boiling hot magma. For some reason she was scared like something she didn’t want to meet was waiting for her. But what about that person? She could picture their face, longing to see her after all these years. She knew it sounded funny, but she could feel how much they missed her. Kelsi made up her mind, she would go . . .
“Brrringgg!” The wake-up call sounded, startling Kelsi who had been asleep in her bed. She had that dream again, the bridge dream. The bridge dream was nothing new; Kelsi had been having the dream since she was a baby. It was almost comforting, like a child’s security blanket brought peace and assurance.
“Brrrrriinnnngggg!” The bell sounded, slightly louder this time.
Kelsi groaned and rolled out of bed. She quickly dressed in a faded tee-shirt and a pair of jeans that had a hole in the knee. Both were donated clothing from a local clothes drive. She pulled out a pair of socks that had been dyed pink in the wash and double knotted the frayed shoelaces of her scuffed tennis shoes.
After gathering her school books and homework she put them in a worn black back-pack that was donated as well. Kelsi finally got into the bathroom and hurriedly brushed her teeth. She glanced at her hair and decided to do it on the way to school. Grabbing a piece of toast with barely any apricot jam, Kelsi slung her back-pack over her shoulders and began to book it to school. Luckily the local high school wasn’t very far from the orphanage.
“Got exercise?” Kelsi saw the beat-up yellow school bus zoom by, leaving her to cough from the fumes and shake off the hurt from the insults that the kids hurled at her. Kelsi had gotten banned from the bus (the bus driver had realized that whenever Kelsi stepped on the bus it automatically broke down.) Having to walk to school was beginning to take it’s toll on Kelsi. She didn’t know how much longer she could stand the laughing kids as they pushed down the windows and called her names that she couldn’t block out, no matter how hard she tried.
As Kelsi neared Dilworth High she quickly pulled her stubbornly tangled hair back into a messy ponytail. She sighed. Another long day of torture was ahead.
“Kelsi, can you please turn you picture in?” Mrs. Eisenberg rudely awoke Kelsi from her daydreams. Kelsi had finally made it to Art, 4th period.
“Um . . . let me see if I can find it,” Kelsi rummaged around in her back-pack (whose strap had broken during 2nd period Biology) until she found a beaten-up blue folder. “Here it is,” she pulled out a picture of the golden bridge from her dreams. A blue, green, brown and white globe lay at the end of the bridge, a silhouette of someone in front of the large globe. Golden glitter dusted the bridge’s planks and support beams and Kelsi’s name was neatly lettered in the corner.
“This is . . . beautiful,” Mrs. Eisenberg sighed, uncharacteristically quiet. “This is breath-taking! I especially enjoy the stars twinkling in the background. Excellent!” Mrs. Eisenberg found her voice as she tacked Kelsi’s picture up on the cork board and stepped back to admire the drawing. “Now class, see the fabulous use of glitter in this,” Mrs. Eisenberg began but was interrupted by the bell.
“Saved by the bell!” Kelsi muttered under her breath. “Thank goodness it’s lunchtime!”
Everyone scrambled to get out of the stuffy classroom. Kelsi gathered her art supplied and began to walk towards the cafeteria.
Kelsi stood in back of the very long (and very crowded) lunch line and waited for her turn.
“Do ya want butta on ya carrats?” The lunch lady asked, motioning a butter-filled ladle towards a pile of orange mush.
“Sure,” Kelsi nodded her thanks and handed her dollar-fifty to the lunch lady at the cash register.
“Enjoy your sloppy joe,” the lunch lady said as Kelsi walked off.
Kelsi set her plastic tray onto a deserted table in a forgotten corner. She pulled the plastic spork out of the napkin and started eating the carrots and sloppy joe. Putting her straw into the milk carton she gulped the cafeteria food down.
At least it’s better than orphanage food. She thought to herself as she wrapped the dry crumbly peanut butter cookie that resembled a hockey puck in her napkin. Kelsi put the wrapped cookie in her pocket.
“Afraid someone’s gonna steal your cookie?”
Kelsi groaned as she looked up. Why did that football jock Curtis have to come and bother her? Couldn’t he leave her alone for once? Kelsi pretended that she couldn’t hear him as she pulled out a library book.
“Hey, Little Orphan Annie, I’m talkin’ to you!” Curtis knocked the library book out of Kelsi’s hands.
“Go away Curtis! Don’t you have anything better to do?” Kelsi tried to say bravely but ended up whispering.
“What could be more fun than talkin’ to you?” Curtis leered.
“Isn’t there an English test coming up? If I were you, I’d be studying. Of course if I were you I would have started studying three months ago so I could actually pass!” Kelsi clamped her hands over her mouth in horror. Had she actually said that?
Curtis stood there, his face blank until the insult clicked. “Why you little,” he lunged at Kelsi when the bell rang.
Kelsi grabbed her lunch tray and back pack, dodging a furious Curtis.
“That’s twice in one day!” Kelsi marveled at her excellent timing as she dumped her tray into the giant black garbage can.
Ms. Troa glared at Curtis as he began to follow Kelsi. “Get to class!” Kelsi could here her screechy voice all the way from the computer lab.
“Here’s your assignment, Kelsi,” Mr. Powell handed Kelsi a stack of papers and a clipboard. “Maybe you should stay out of the lab. Most of the computer you’ve . . . dealt with need some more rebooting.”
Kelsi understood. The school couldn’t afford for her to crash any more computers.
“Okay, I’ll just be outside the door,” Kelsi set her backpack down, got a pencil out and sad down on the worn carpeted floor, pretzel style.
“Oh, did you get in trouble?” A tween girl from the Jr. High asked as she walked by. Kelsi recognized her as the only child of the Drama teacher, Mrs. Larchmont.
“No,” Kelsi scowled at the girl.
“Then why aren’t you in the classroom?” Sniffed the girl. “Never mind, I rather not waste my time, especially on the likes of you. I need to see my mother about something too important for you orphan ears to hear,” and with a throw of her sparkly silver scarf the girl primly walked away.
Kelsi’s face flushed. Even a kid that was in seventh grade was mean to her! She felt like crying. Couldn’t at least someone be nice to her? Brushing the depressing thoughts out of her mind she focused on the packet of papers before her.
After jotting down her answer to a particularly hard question about how to make a hyperlink, Kelsi neatly folded the packet back and gave the partially done assignment to Mr. Powell.
“You can finish the packet on Monday,” Mr. Powell said to Kelsi. “Have a nice weekend.”
Kelsi almost laughed. Have a nice weekend, wasn’t that an oxymoron? Sure, it was nice to not have any school but between schoolwork, her overtime hours at her after-school job and chores at the orphanage, Kelsi didn’t have any time for “nice” weekends.
Kelsi entered the English classroom. 6th hour History hadn’t been too bad today, it was mostly notes on the Battle of Kerew in 1795. There was going to be a quiz on Monday so Mr. Cemalt hadn’t assigned any homework in hopes that the students would study instead.
“Welcome class,” Miss Apeed said in her gentle, yet firm voice. “Today we’re going to the library to work on an informative essay.” Some of the students groaned. “I do believe that one os also due for Mr. Cemalt’s class so he and I have agreed that you may turn in the same paper for both assignments.” She passed out a rubric. “The report will be on something that has to do with the history of Nesserum.”
Most of the students looked like they could care less but Kelsi was happy. Two assignments for the work of one? It couldn’t get much better than that, at least where school work was involved. The class shuffled down the hall towards Kelsi’s favorite place in the old high school, the library.
As Kelsi stepped into the book-filled room a comforting aroma welcomed her. The smell was th best smell Kelsi could think of, the spicy odor of old books and the clean smell of new books. Kelsi automatically went towards the non-fiction books and looked through the dusty volumes. She was trying to decide what her informative essay should be on when a particularly ancient, worn book caught her eye. The book looked like it hadn’t been opened in fifty years so Kelsi hefted the heavy volume onto a near-by table.
As she opened the leather-bound book a huge puff of dust came up, making Kelsi cough and sneeze. She turned the yellowing pages to the title page and read what it said aloud.
“A History of the Sister Planets,” Kelsi breathed softly. “Sister Planets? There aren’t any other planets 30 zillion light years away, let alone Sister Planets. Somebody must have mis-shelved this,” but something compelled Kelsi to read on. She hadn’t skimmed more than a page and a half when Miss Apeed’s voice penetrated her thoughts.
“Okay everyone, please leave your books here or check them out. The bell is going to ring in ten minutes and I want to get back to class before then.” Kelsi frowned at the giant book. It was clearly fascinating and she really wanted to read it, even if it looked like it should be in the Sci-Fi section. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to lug the heavy book back to the orphanage. Would it even fit in her backpack? Kelsi finally decided she’d take it with her, maybe she’d get lucky and be able to salvage some grain of truth for the report.
She heaved the book onto the librarians desk.
“Can I check this out?” Kelsi questioned.
Ms. Cag frowned at Kelsi, her eyes slits behind her wire-rimmed bifocals. “That book is an antique! I only check out books that old to people with the cleanest records, let me check the computer.” She looked at the screen then looked back at Kelsi. “Only the most trustworthy students are allowed to even look at those books and considering your previous record you aren’t allowed to check out that book.” Her grating voice was as steely as her gray colored hair.
Kelsi sighed. So she accidently tore a page of a picture book out when she was eight and had an over-due book when she was ten! That was years ago! “Alright,” Kelsi looked longingly at the book as she collected her bag and went back to the English classroom.
Kelsi entered the classroom just as the bell rang then did an about face and walked out the door towards the local grocery store (Food for Cheap) where she worked. The only thing more annoying than the store’s ridiculous mascot, Charlie the Chick (“Cheep, cheep, cheap food at Food for Cheap!”) Was the fact that Kelsi had to do all the rotten jobs like mopping the floor, washing the windows, and re-stocking food instead of doing the easy jobs like ringing up food. (Yet another problem because of her technology “curse.”)
“Hey Lorna!” Kelsi considerably brightened as she saw her best friend walk in and put on her “Food for Cheap” apron on.
“Hey! Do you think I’d get in trouble if I put an arrow through Charlie’s head and cross out his eyes to make him dead?” Lorna smiled, pointing at the cartoon Charlie on her apron.
“Wouldn’t risk it, can you risk losing your job and college fund?” Kelsi asked, already knowing that Lorna would say no. Her greatest ambition in life was to go to college and become a science major.
Lorna shook her head. “To bad though, it would have been so refreshing!” She put her sunshine colored hair up with a bright yellow scrunchie.
“Girls!” Mr Merah, the assistant manager scolded. “You know your jobs! Get to work!”
“Yes sir!” Kelsi said as she and Lorna gathered together an eclectic assortment of mops, brooms, rags and cleaning solutions.
Kelsi and Lorna usually worked side by side down each aisle, talking the whole time. Today was no different.
“Do you remember your real parents?” Kelsi asked Lorna. Like Kelsi, Lorna was an orphan but had come to the orphanage when she was five. Lorna had been adopted by a couple with a large family (seven kids) that wanted an even eight but were unable to have more. She and Kelsi had become inseparable when Lorna was at the orphanage for a few months and had been best friends ever since.
“A little. I remember my mother telling me that she was sending me on a mission to save someone,” Lorna laughed, sounding like a chorus of tiny bells.
“What did she look like?” Kelsi scrubbed a particularly stained linoleum tile.
“I mostly remember what she was like, she was kind, her voice was soft. I do remember that she had long hair though. It was dark brown and hung around her face in soft waves.”
“Clean-up on aisle twelve,” Olivia’s voice came over the intercom. Kelsi sighed as she took a mop and bucket to aisle twelve. Mud was all over the floor as well as a dozen eggs. Three boys gasped as she came near and ran away, a football in hand.
“Sorry!” Kelsi heard one of the little boys yell as she quickly mopped up the mess and hurried back to Lorna.
“There’s something better than this, right?” Kelsi questioned, fearing the answer.
“Why do you think I’m going to college?” Lorna smiled then took Kelsi by the shoulders, her face completely serious. “Life stinks right now, but it’ll get better.”
“It just feels like I’ll never have a home, that I’ll be stuck here with no one that loves me,” Kelsi’s voice began to waver but she quickly got a hold of it.
“You’ll go home, I know it,” Lorna soothingly said.
But where is home? Kelsi wondered but decided she should fix the boxes on the cereal display then voice her concerns.
The two quietly worked together for the next three hours, sometimes talking about a new read or something someone said. “Home” was a subject that didn’t come up again but was still fresh in their minds. It always was.
The shift ended and Kelsi began to walk home in the dying daylight. She’d come again tomorrow, the only day she didn’t work was Sunday. Her paycheck came tomorrow and the pennies she earned at Food for Cheap would be hidden in a dictionary under her bed. The money would sit there safe and sound until Kelsi needed to buy something with it, but for what? College was always a possibility but was it a worthwhile one? Kelsi valued education but she was by no means top of her class. The money she earned from Food for Cheap might cover books and tuition at a community college but what about housing? Scholarships were as out of her reach as a happy family and even college courses over the Internet were out because of “the curse.”
Stop wallowing in self-pity! Kelsi scolded herself as she climbed the stone-hewn stairs to the orphanage.
Laughter of yong girls playing tag was heard and Kelsi instantly brightened. They sounded so happy and carefree.
“Kelsi, can you help me?” Tara came up to Kelsi and tugged on her shirt.
“Sure,” Kelsi dropped her bag onto the ground and sat on a fallen log. “What’s the problem?”
“Long division,” Tara made a face. “I don’t get it.”
“Okay,’ Kelsi explained it several different times, patiently correcting and praising whenever it was needed. After watching Tara go through half her 30 math problems step-by-step, Kelsi got up to leave. “If you need any more help, just find me.”
“Okay, thanks!” Kelsi heard Tara yell as she pushed the giant oak door open.
St Bradwock’s had been around for (what seemed like) hundreds of years. Kelsi was surprised that it hadn’t already crumbled into a pile of stones and dust. It had been around for so long because it was very sturdily built, most of it was made of granite rocks. Sometimes Kelsi felt a weird vibe come from the building, like something devastating had happened in the stone building, ages and ages before it had become a orphanage. Not something creepy, like a gruesome murder, but something terribly sad and life, no, world shattering. She knew it sounded insane, how could she know what happened years ago, but she knew she was right. When she got feelings like this there was no way she was wrong.
The old orphanage was almost like a maze, its labyrinth-like hallways often stranded yong girls trying to find their way back to their bedrooms after dinner. The girls would usually cry, waiting for an older girl to find them then guide them back to their room. Luckily, Kelsi knew the hallways as well as she knew the back of her own hand. Fourteen years at St. Bradwock’s had definitely been helpful in that category, she had even found a couple of secret hiding spots, some of them know of by others, some (she was pretty sure) long forgotten.
The winding staircase to the sleeping quarters creaked loudly. Quickly looking behind her, Kelsi felt her heart skip a beat. Even though she knew she wasn’t doing anything wrong, Kelsi always felt like she needed to be on her guard. At the orphanage it felt like the walls had eyes and ears. If anyone did anything it spread through the orphanage like wildfire. Though some girls, like Olivia, liked to be the center of attention, Kelsi liked to keep a low profile.
She finally reached the smaller dormitory where the girls fourteen and up slept. The dormitory for the high school girls were more private than the rooms for the younger girls. Floral quilts divided the rooms during the summer. When the blankets were needed during the winter thin, holey sheets were often used instead. Blankets were very scarce during the winter because the heating system frequently went on the fritz.
Kelsi’s bed was in a more “private” corner of the room. Her bed was furthest away from the door and was near a small square window. Many girls shied away from windows as a horse would from a snake since the windows would let in cold air during the winter. This seemed to be a small price to pay, at least to Kelsi. Beautiful trees from the forest were easily spotted from the window that brought in the needed sunshine for Kelsi’s survival. Shivers went up her spine as she remembered living downstairs without a window. Dark, dreary days surrounded her then and though life was hard now, the window seemed to make orphanage life more bearable.
There was less high school orphans than anything else. Even though there were many babies and toddlers they quickly were adopted before they were old enough to become high school orphans. The few high school students quickly left at their first opportunity, many leaving at age sixteen to work someplace else. The only high schoolers now were Kelsi and five other girls, including Olivia. Kelsi sometimes pondered on why Olivia was still at the orphanage. It was common knowledge that Olivia had been offered more than one home.
“Have a home now?” Olivia would often laugh, her voice filled with disgust. “Parents are more strict than Matron. I may’ve w anted parents when I was little but I certainly don’t want them now, not with all their crazy rules and kooky punishments. No thanks, count me out.” Olivia was often heard lecturing the other girls on the evils of parents.
“Easy enough for her to say,” Kelsi muttered to herself. “When one has millions of loyal friends and adoring subjects, who needs a loving family?” She flopped on her bed, wondering whether it was cold enough to take down the blankets ad put up the sheets.
The autumn cold seeped through the old window. Kelsi shivered. Winter was coming faster and faster, chilling everything in preparation for the freezing winter ahead. Tugging the three thick patchwork quilts down, Kelsi sighed as she thought of the weekend ahead of her. With the on coming cold the orphanage would be full of activity until every nook and cranny had been stuffed with newspaper and even the horrible large crop of turnips were bottled.
Hopefully I’ll be able to work in the garden this weekend. At least it’s close to the forest. Kelsi longingly looked out the grimy window towards the forest. She felt drawn to it, probably because she was found there, but the forest grounds were forbidden to all girls from the orphanage and many of the children that lived in town. The fact that the forest was “forbidden” also made Kelsi’s fascination with it stronger. Tall, imposing pines that made up the majority of the forest helped with the tales that were told. The forest was where strange things happened, many of them dangerous.
Kelsi pulled out several sheets and pinned them up, helping re-create the “cubicle” that was supposedly her own. Curling up on her bed, nestled among the four blankets, Kelsi closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. The smell of pine needles wafted in though the semi-open window. She exhaled and for a second all her fears and worries drifted away. When she was asleep the world was no longer difficult. The world was no longer there.