Pitfall (5) (The Underground Kingdom)

by Steve Elliott

  “I still resent the One for how they’ve treated my race,” Nix confided. “They’re so arrogant and egotistical. I hate that about them.”

  After those candid confessions, everyone stared at each other in shock. “Well, you can't say we weren't warned,” Nix said, wryly.

  “Yes, you're right,” Thorn agreed, still shaken by her outburst. “I didn't realise how much I resented my sister.”

  “And I went with Janoma out of spite,” Trix revealed in a wondering tone. “I was trying to show you all that I could be as happy as you were. I can see that now.”

  “And I still have unresolved feelings about the One,” Nix confessed. “Obviously, I haven't totally forgiven them for the death of my father or how they’ve treated us in the past.”

  “I've always known I was shallow,” Janoma mumbled, “but this shows me just how low I've fallen. Maybe it's time I did something about it.”

  “So, some good has come out of all this self-discovery,” I proclaimed. “Everyone now has goals to aim for to improve their lives.”

  “I haven’t heard you say anything yet, Stephen,” Nix shrewdly declared. “Where are all your hidden revelations?”

  “It doesn't seem to be affecting me the same way it did you,” I shrugged. “Maybe it wasn't designed for humans. After all, I am a human. My mind is, anyway. But, be that as it may, and to join in, I'll tell you how I feel.”

  I looked at Nix. “I cherish your companionship, my dear friend, and I'd like nothing more than for it to continue.”

  Turning to Trix, I said, “You'll always be a part of our family, little one, and I wish you only happiness in the days ahead. I hope one day soon you'll find that special someone to be with you and who gives you the happiness you deserve.”

  “Janoma, I have to say that I've never liked you, but I can see the beginnings of a decent person there. Don't let that spark die.”

  I took a step towards Thorn and held her hands. “I don't need a fancy machine to tell you how I feel about you, my darling. I adore you and I want to be with you always. You're the light of my life and I'd be desolate without your beautiful spirit around me.”

  “That's so sweet,” Thorn whispered, her eyes filling. “Do you really mean it?”

  “With all my heart, dear one,” I promised sincerely, lifting her hands and kissing her palms. True to form, Nix interrupted my bonding session with Thorn by making a crude and entirely scurrilous remark.

  “You never let up, do you?” I reproached, annoyed at his mood-breaking interjection.

  “It's what I do,” he informed me, casually. “When you two get together like this, you tend to forget that the rest of us exist and, right now, we need to know what to do next.”

  “Well, I think we've explored our inner selves quite enough for one day, don't you think?” I asked, looking around.

  “More than enough,” Thorn agreed. “I vote we get out of here.”

  Thorn's vote met with a general consensus and so we headed for the entrance. I noticed that Janoma was missing and turned around to find him, only to see him hurrying to catch us up. We grouped outside and discussed our next move.

  “We have to tell the Council of Elders about this place,” Thorn insisted. “It's a cultural heritage and has to be preserved.”

  “You'll have to screen visitors, though,” Nix commented. “Imagine what would happen if just anybody became exposed to that truth ray, or whatever it is in there.”

  “I wonder how it works?” Trix reflected thoughtfully. “And why build it in the first place?”

  “Your forebears must have had a use for it, Trix,” I told her. “It seems to be some sort of an emotion amplifier that exaggerates hidden feelings. It must have an automatic start switch as soon as anyone enters the room. I have to admit that I can't really see the purpose of it however, unless it was built to help people to know themselves better. Anyway, I imagine that Phil would be dying to rummage through everything. I wonder what his inner feelings would be?”

  “I'm not sure he has any,” Thorn smiled. “All he thinks about is his machines. There's no room for anything else.”

  “He might surprise you,” I grinned. “You know what they say about the quiet ones.”

  “No, I don't,” Thorn replied. “What do they say about them?”

  “I'm not exactly sure,” I told her. “It's just a saying. I think the general idea is that they sometimes harbour deep, underlying emotions.”

  “A pretty stupid saying, if you don't mind my saying so,” Nix interposed, disdainfully. “Typical human weirdness.”

  Chapter 19

  In the end, we decided to make our way back to the settlement. For one thing, I had to return to my human body for the routine watering and feeding process, and besides, we’d all had enough excitement for one day. However, I noticed that Janoma began to act suspiciously. More suspicious than normal, I mean. I saw him fumbling in his backpack on the odd occasion and darting mistrustful glances at us all. Finally, I could stand it no more and confronted him.

  “Okay, Janoma,” I demanded, “what are you hiding?”

  “Nothing!” he squealed, guiltily. Everybody stopped walking and stared at the both of us.

  “What's going on?” Nix enquired.

  “I'm sure that Janoma has something in his backpack that he doesn't want us to see,” I explained.

  “No, I haven't!” he blustered.

  “You know, whenever you say something these days,” Trix commented, “I'm always inclined to believe the opposite. Come on, Janoma, out with it! Tell us what you've got in there!”

  Janoma looked around at a sea of determined faces surrounding him and surrendered. “Very well,” he said, defeated. “If you really must know, I found a few bits and pieces back at the room that I took as souvenirs.”

  “What things?” Thorn requested. “Show us!”

  Janoma reluctantly reached into his backpack and took out his purloined items. We gathered around to see and there, in his outstretched palm, nestled two sparkling diamonds, as large as hen’s eggs.

  Nix whistled in admiration. “They’re huge!” He exclaimed, amazed. “Where did you find them?”

  “In a drawer,” he sheepishly admitted. “Well, I wasn't going to leave without something! I'm sorry,” he added defensively, “but I just can't stop being greedy.”

  “Janoma, Janoma,” Trix murmured, sighing in resignation, “what are we going to do with you?”

  “I don't know,” he confessed, hanging his head in shame. “I'm pathetic. You know it and I know it, but I just can't help myself.”

  “You're nothing but a common thief,” accused Nix.

  “All too true,” Janoma despairingly acknowledged. “I'm ashamed of my actions and that’s something new for me. I should really return these jewels but my uncle desperately needs money to prevent him from losing his shop, and I thought that these two beauties would do just that. Once again, I'm sorry.” He looked so woebegone that I felt a pang of sympathy. Others obviously felt the same because Trix piped up in his defence.

  “Well, I don't know about the rest of you,” she stated, “but I say we should let him keep the jewels. After all, they’re not artefacts or relics or anything. And, despite what I think of him, he is doing it for his uncle.”

  “I suppose,” Nix grudgingly agreed. “It's only money, when all’s said and done. Hell, let him have them!”

  “You're being too easy on him,” Thorn argued. “Why should he profit from everything that's happened? He hasn't done anything to earn it.”

  “You're right, of course, Arugohumna,” Janoma said repentantly. “I don't deserve it. I've been selfish and uncaring. I even traded Trix’s affection for greed, and that's something I’ll regret to my dying day. But I want to change. I want to make up for my past mistakes and hopefully be a better fairy for it.” He looked at Trix wanly. “I know the answer before I ask, Trix, my dear, “he began, “but, sometime in the future, would you allow me to spend more time with you?
”

  Trix hesitated, the emotional turmoil clearly etched on her face. “We can never be like we were, Janoma,” she declared, “and it'd be stretching the point to even call you a friend, but ……… I know you do care for me in your own way, thanks to the room, so maybe ……… Very well, I wouldn't take it amiss if you called on me now and again.”

  “I'll settle for that,” Janoma said, gratefully. “And thank you. I appreciate your forbearance.”

  “Well, now that it's all settled, let's be on our way,” I commanded. “I have a body to get back into.” We continued our trek in a more harmonious state of mind, when Thorn suddenly pulled me aside from the others.

  “What's Traculimna doing?” she whispered.

  “Pardon?” I asked, baffled. “What do you mean?”

  “What's she up to?” Thorn clarified, leaving me none the wiser. “With her Stephen, I mean.”

  “Well, right now,” I informed her, “they’re having afternoon tea. Why on earth did you ask, Thorn?”

  “Because, back in the room,” she began to explain, flushing a little, “I realised how jealous I was of her. I've always been jealous, but I've never admitted to myself before.”

  “So, you're jealous,” I consoled. “It's not the end of the world. I'll bet there are lots of things about you that make her jealous, as well.”

  “You don't understand,” Thorn complained. “Traculimna is so much more attractive than I am. She's never had trouble finding partners. I feel so insecure and awkward next to her, and I've always had this feeling deep down that even if I did find someone, she’d take them away from me. No one can resist her.”

  “I can,” I told her softly, tenderly cupping her chin in my hand and slanting her face upwards for a kiss. “I'm resisting her right now by being with you. Thorn, dear heart, you underestimate yourself so badly. You're totally beautiful and have an inner fire that fascinates me. Tracey is undeniably gorgeous, but there are different types of attractiveness and not all of them have to do with external looks. I'm not comparing the two of you, but I can honestly say that I would never give you up for her. I love you both equally. In different ways, of course, but equally.”

  “Thank you, Stephen,” she whispered. “I feel better about myself now. I love you, too.”

  “That's good to know,” I smiled. “I want you never to forget that.”

  Chapter 20

  We eventually arrived back at the settlement, weary but triumphant. Our first task was to inform the Council of Elders who listened, astonished, to our revelations. We made no mention of Janoma’s little windfall, having previously promised not to do so in case the Council decided to confiscate what he had found. After relating all that had befallen us, I excused myself, citing my need to briefly return to the human world. Outside the Council Chambers, Janoma thanked us for the adventure and for saving his uncle’s business.

  “I owe all of you a favor for keeping my ……. um, little findings a secret,” he told us. “If ever you need anything, feel free to call on me. In the meantime, I'll be trying to be a better person. Note the emphasis on ‘trying’. I realise that I've a long way to go.”

  “You'll do fine,” Trix encouraged, patting him on the arm. “And who knows? One day we might get together for real.”

  “Now that's something to look forward to,” Janoma declared, grinning at her. “It gives me incentive.”

  Nix bid us farewell, declaring that he’d best get home before his sisters destroyed the place. “When I'm not there,” he confided, “all these strange ideas pop into their heads. They have delusions that they’re interior decorators, and go mad with paint and so-called artistic embellishments. If they had their way, they’d turn the house into a carnival attraction. Someone rational has to be there to stop them.”

  “Go home, you incurable ratbag,” Thorn declared. “The last thing we want around here is you smelling up the place.”

  “I love you, too,” Nix calmly replied. “If I wasn't friends with Stephen, I’d take you outside and put you in the rubbish bin where you really belong.”

  “You and whose army?” Thorn sneered. “You're hallucinating again.”

  “Remind me again why Stephen hangs around you?” Nix smirked. “It can't be for your looks or your personality. So, what else is left?” Then he snapped his fingers. “Of course! That must be it!” Despite all of her previous experience of his jesting, Thorn impulsively, and unwisely, fell into the trap of Nix’s teasing.

  “What?” she demanded. “What must be it?”

  “I can't think of a single thing,” Nix gloated, a wide grin on his face. “You have nothing left.”

  “You horrible, ugly borgulessa!” Thorn yelled. “Go home and stop polluting the environment! The air is full of enough of your toxins as it is.”

  Nix laughed. “You're so easy, Arugohumna,” he told her. “You're lucky you have a tiny trace of cuteness because you’d never get by on intelligence alone.”

  “Leave!” Thorn thundered, pointing a finger out of the settlement. “Before they discover your open cage door at the zoo.”

  “Not bad,” Nix said, critically. “Five out of ten.”

  “Only five?” Thorn squeaked. “That does it! You're obviously deranged! Get out!”

  “Goodbye all,” Nix announced, giving us an elaborate bow. “Until the next time you want me to participate in some wacky adventure. But, the next time, please leave Arugohumna back here, preferably tied up in the basement among the rats. She’d feel more at home there.”

  “There won't be a next time!” shouted after him, as Nix was leaving. “Because by then your sisters would have turned you into fertiliser for the garden. Of course, all the plants are going to die, but it'll be worth it.”

  “That's a seven,” was Nix’s fading reply.

  After that, Thorn, Trix, Zenith and I made our way back to our own home to be greeted by a jubilant Tracy. She hugged and kissed us all enthusiastically, even Zenith, then sat us down and demanded the full story.

  “My Stephen has already told me what went on,” she explained, taking my hand, the other Stephen’s hand, that is, “but I want to hear it from you as well. There's nothing like the personal perspective.”

  And so, we each told the story as we experienced it, until even Tracey’s insatiable curiosity had been satisfied. When we had finished, she glanced meaningfully at Thorn. “You’re jealous of me?” she asked, softly.

  “Of course I am,” Thorn replied, blushing. “What did you think? Anyone would be! Traculimna, I can't compete with you. No one can. I feel so ……. so second-rate beside you.”

  Tracey sat beside Thorn and put her arms around her. “Dearest Arugohumna, there's no need to feel like that,” she soothed. “I've always admired your spirit and your bravery. You do things I'd never dream of doing. Like this adventure, for instance. I couldn’t do that. But off you go, without a care, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Don't you realise how envious I am of that? How much I'd love to do the things you do? Arugohumna, you're the most courageous fairy I’ve ever known and I'm so proud to have you as a sister. I love you and I always will.”

  Tracy’s heartfelt speech triggered the start of an emotional, tear-laden reunion of the two sisters. After a few moments, I decided to join the mutual hug. Then Trix added herself to the huddle and even Zenith poked his nose in as well. It was an extremely satisfying bonding session for us all.

  But all good things must come to an end, and we separated. I declared my intention to see Phil and so we all went for a walk and ended up in his laboratory. After being comprehensively kissed goodbye by Thorn and Tracey, both of me reclined on the bed and were returned to my surface body. I awoke as a human, always a bit of a shock, and stretched the kinks out of my muscles. Okay, so that adventure had been a little out of the ordinary. I wondered what the Council of Elders would end up doing with what we found. Perhaps it would be smarter to seal the entrance up and not let anyone in. Knowing the truth about yourself can
be fairly intimidating. It certainly came as a shock to everyone in our little party. I idly speculated if Zenith had felt anything, but that was something I guess we’d never know. It had certainly changed Janoma. For the better, I hoped. Ah well, another day, another weird happening. It seemed to be a regular occurrence back in the fairy kingdom. Speaking of which, I'd better hurry up and go back there. I badly missed Thorn and Tracey’s company.

  Actually, that emotion began to worry me a little. I was spending more and more time with them and had less and less inclination to remain as a human. My surface life was suffering, and I hadn't been to work for ages. Okay, it may have been only casual employment as a computer geek, and the world wouldn’t come to an end if I didn’t do it, but still …….. Was I losing my perspective? Would there ever come a time when I wanted to be a full-time fairy? I know I'd previously thought about it, but would I ever go that far? It was true that being with Thorn and Tracey filled my life with joy and excitement, but was I betraying my human heritage simply to appease my desires?

  The question tormented me and I rolled it around in my mind. Thorn and Tracey had seduced my loyalty, of that there was no doubt. More than anything, I wanted to be with them. Okay then, let’s do this logically.

  My Human Life – dull, boring, pedestrian but familiar. Score 1 point.

  My Fairy Life – exciting, adventurous and new. Score 3 points.

  Human – lonely, girlfriend deficient, a few friends. 1 point.

  Fairy – good companions, two (count them!) girlfriends. 3 points. Shame I couldn’t count Tracey and Thorn as more than one point, because they’d be worth at least a thousand each.

  Human – TV, computers, ice cream. 3 points.

  Fairy – Phil’s weird devices, exotic food. 2 points.

  Human – trees, sunlight, flowers. 3 points.

  Fairy – amazing crystalline rock formations, odd creatures. 2 points.

  Human – cars, beaches, moonlight nights. 3 points.

  Fairy – ability to fly, no honking traffic. 2 points.