The Inevitable Fate
Chapter 3
I followed Hilary’s flouncing figure down the refined hallways of the Shire household.
She held a finger to her lips and gently shoved me into her room.
She closed the door firmly and locked it. She turned around and sighed.
“That is the most exciting thing I have ever done in my life.”
I tilted my head and asked, “Really? What do you mean?”
“Well,” she replied, “I am always caged in this house and never
get to do what I really want. I’m not really.. free. This life isn’t all fun, you know.”
I shrugged and said, “I’d rather be a Topworlder than a Beneather though.”
She scratched her arm awkwardly and said, “Well, whatever.
You can use the bathroom over there.” I walked to the door she had pointed to
and she said, “I’m going to watch some TV.” Plopping down on her huge, soft bed,
she took up a remote that was resting on her drawer and turned on the television.
Blinking rapidly, I opened the door and entered into what I recall as Topworld Heaven.
Yeah, I don’t remember much. I just recall fancy showering stuff, clean marble tops,
and bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles. I was having the time of my life
when I heard an urgent knock on the door, followed by Hilary’s voice,
“Hey, I just saw Lora coming in the house.”
Hastily, I turned off the water and dried myself with a fluffy towel.
~ ~ ~
It was night. I gazed longingly at the shining balls of light
in the dark sky. I turned to Beth and nodded good bye.
She nodded and quietly shut the door of the mansion.
I quickly crossed the street and to the door to the Beneath.
I saw some adults and kids there, piling in through the door to their home.
I was the last one to enter, and I made sure to lock the door once I got in.
I slowly marched down the dirt stairway lit with dim torches to the neighborhood.
Once I got out of the stairway, I looked upon the huge field of houses and
stores that I call the Beneath; my home. Walking briskly, I passed a few kids
who were playing with a soccer ball in the light of the small lampposts.
Their parents beckoned them to come inside, and they did, obligingly.
I crossed a dirt path to my house and entered it. It was a one-story house,
which most houses were in the Beneath besides the mayor’s.
My house was filled with a warm light that omitted every shadow.
I found my parents, my little sister, and my older brother at the dinner table.
My brother, Nathan, who was 17 years old, looked at me and teased,
“Hey, Vi, you're late.” My little sister, Rose, who was 9,
added, “Uh-huh, Violet! Where were you? Your hair’s all wet.
It’s not even raining in the Top, is it? What's the weather like?”
Rose loved rain, snow, or shine. She loved to bask in the sun,
jump in rain puddles, or throw snowballs at me and Nathan
whenever she could. I shrugged and said, “It’s a normal day,
with plenty of sunshine,” feeling like a weather news reporter.
Rose smiled and went back to her macaroni and cheese and vegetables.
My mom asked me, “Where have you been?"
My dad added, “Your hair’s wet. Where were you, exactly?”
I replied with exasperation, “I took a shower, what do you think?”
My parents stood up so abruptly that I jumped. Geez, I thought.
Mom said in a restrained voice, “Where did you shower?”
I laughed and replied, “Oh, mom. Dad. So protective.
I showered at the Shires' place."
justsayhi