An Unfortunate Beginning

by Natasha Brown

  Pepper picked up her phone and growled, “What’s up! It should have charged enough for me to turn it on – the freakin’ thing’s broken!”

  Then I remembered something. “Did you have your phone in your pocket earlier? When we were in the attic?”

  “Yeah, it’s been in my pocket all day.”

  I walked across the room, pulled my watch out from inside one of my dresser drawers and handed it to her. “I was wearing this when I went into the story last week, and now it’s broken.”

  “Crackerjack.”

  Whatever. “The metal got real hot and hurt my wrist. I don’t think you can take electronics.”

  “That’s good to know for next time.”

  I shook my head. “No, there won’t be a next time. It’s too dangerous.”

  “But, Nim –”

  I pulled up the cuff of my pant leg all the way to my knee and pointed to my scab. “I got hurt – see? Going into a story like that is dangerous. You could get killed or captured and then what? I’ll stick with my own life instead, as pathetic as it is. I don’t think I’ll run the risk of being forced into some evil king’s army while walking down to the gas station in Portland.”

  Pepper stared at my knee and a sly grin slid across her face. “But wouldn’t it be exciting if that did happen?”

  I glared at her. “Thanks.”

  Snickering, she replied, “Okay, sorry. I’d never really want that. But if you won’t go into your story again, will you please think about giving some hope to poor Princess Amerovia and Malick and anyone else that’s sad and afraid? They’re real just like you and me.”

  “Fine.” I decided agreeing with Pepper was the quickest route to sweet silence.

  Chapter 11 - Back Again

  The golden pen lay in its velvet-lined resting place, quiet and innocent. After a long night’s sleep during which Malick and Red’s faces wound their way through my dreams, I woke, resolved to help them. Pepper was right. I had to admit, there wasn’t anything wrong with providing some hope. It couldn’t hurt to give them a proper ending.

  I turned the pages of the story until I was staring at the words ‘The End’, cradling Grandpa’s pen in my hand, prepared to cross them out. The tip glided over the paper, but no ink came out. I shook it a couple times and made a test mark on the edge of the paper. The black ink filtered out in a fine line.

  This time I wrote the beginnings of a sentence just beyond the ending of my story, but again, no mark was made. What was going on?

  I pulled out another blank page and wrote on the top, ‘A Novel by N.R. Vale’. It seemed to be working fine so I switched back to my story and tried once more to touch pen to paper, and nothing happened. Not a mark.

  I opened the drawer and found a pencil. Maybe I could add to it with something else. I knew what would happen before I tried. Nothing. It appeared the pen had sealed the story off. ‘The End’ seemed to be a binding contract.

  Well, at least I’d be able to tell Pepper I’d tried. I made an effort. She probably wouldn’t be satisfied with the result, but I was. There wouldn’t be a happy ending for the characters of my story, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it, short of risking my own life, and that wasn’t about to happen.

  Pepper would just have to deal.

  ***

  “What? Well, that’s not gonna do it. We need to find a way to help them, Nim. We’re all just characters in a story, like them. We have to figure out a plan.”

  The librarian eyed us from her desk and continued tapping away on her phone. Aside from one seventh grader perusing the aisles, we were alone in the library. It was so quiet, it felt like our conversation was being broadcasted through the room.

  I shushed Pepper. “Ssh, do we have to talk about it now? If anyone hears us, they’ll think we’re crazy.”

  “How’s that a change? Who cares? It’s not like we’re risking losing our social standing – grow a backbone.”

  She always made it sound so simple and straightforward. Pepper was the most fearless person I knew.

  “Fine.” I snapped. “But it doesn’t change things. I’m not going back in again. There’s nothing that will change that.”

  She opened up her bag and started searching through it. “Have you seen a pair of pliers around here? I need them to pull your undies out. Chill, granny.”

  I swore steam erupted from my ears as I glared at her, while she cheekily winked at me.

  Things went on like this all week. Pepper was as stubborn as me, and had Mom been alive, I was sure she would’ve said I’d met my match. Pepper definitely made me crazy. Well, crazier.

  First thing Saturday morning, Pepper was on our porch ringing the bell. I stumbled to the door in my pajama bottoms and t-shirt. It was raining out as usual, and as she blew past me water dripped off her jacket and onto my feet.

  “Brr, it’s so cold out there you could frost a cake!” Pepper dropped her bag to the rug, slipped off her coat and hung it from a hook on the wall. “I could use some tea – Holly, got some brewed yet?”

  “Is that you, Pepper?” Aunt Holly called from the kitchen. “Need something to warm you up?”

  “Love that woman,” Pepper said as she headed to the kitchen.

  Pepper was like a growth you couldn’t remove. It was probably best to adjust to the fact that she wasn’t going anywhere. As long as she gave me privacy in the bathroom, I guessed we wouldn’t have any real problems.

  Today was the day Aunt Holly was going to take me to get a new comforter and curtains. Not that it mattered to me, but she seemed to care that I felt at home here. It wouldn’t take me long to point to whatever was solid, and dark in color. I didn’t want to go, but she really wanted me to pick exactly what made me happy and I didn’t have the heart to say no to her.

  “We’re heading out as soon as I’m dressed,” I said as I sipped my coffee. “Won’t be gone long, though.”

  “I’ll be fine. I can just come back later,” Pepper answered and stared out the kitchen window.

  “You can come with us if you want, Pepper.” Aunt Holly offered.

  “Oh, no thanks, I’ll just come back. Don’t like malls.” She made a face into her cup of tea.

  “All right. Hey, Nim, why don’t you head up and get ready to go – I’d like to get back so I can get started on a painting that’s been haunting me for a couple days. Gotta get it out of here.” She tapped her forehead.

  “Know what that’s like,” I said.

  I hurried up to my room and came down in my regular gear – jeans and a hoodie sweatshirt. My hair was useless to work with, so I left it alone, which meant it fell into my eyes on a regular basis.

  Aunt Holly had on her jacket and her keys were in hand. “Ready to hit it?”

  “Sure,” I answered while I flipped up my hood.

  Pepper wandered from the kitchen with her mug and said, “I’ll be right behind you – was just going to finish this real quick.”

  “That’s fine, sweetie, just make sure you lock up before you go. There’s a spare key under the mat.”

  Aunt Holly and I hurried through the rain to her car and while we pulled off the driveway I thought I saw Pepper peering out at us from the downstairs window. All the way to the department store I had a nagging feeling that didn’t leave me.

  When we walked down the linens section, I reached out and grabbed the first thing that caught my eye – a dark gray bedspread.

  “These would probably go with that,” Aunt Holly said as she held up a pair of striped gray curtains. “Not very colorful, but if it’s what you want…”

  “It works.”

  “Well, if I can’t convince you to go with a splash of color. You’re definitely easy to shop for. Anything else you need clothes-wise, like pants, socks or underwear? I’m not very good at this, Nim – you’re going to have to help me out here.”

  When I packed my things to move in with Aunt Holly, I left a lot behind in Florida. I could have used some more clothing, but I didn
’t want to be under the florescent lighting any longer. I wanted to get back home. Something just didn’t feel right and I was anxious to put my concerns to rest.

  “Naw, not today. Maybe next weekend?”

  “Okay, I don’t mind leaving. Not my scene – I normally shop at the thrift stores downtown. You can find some really unique things there.”

  For the first time that day, I realized I was standing beside a woman who was wearing a tasseled scarf around her waist like a belt and a fuchsia shirt with yellow sunbursts. Yeah, she didn’t exactly fit in with the department store crowd, but then, I didn’t, either.

  “Maybe I can take you sometime.”

  “Sure.”

  Aunt Holly paid for everything, and I threw my bag of bedding into the back of the car to head back home. The rain hadn’t let up while we were gone. If anything, the storm got worse. Aunt Holly’s car wipers seemed desperate to keep pace with the rain, groaning as they stretched from the passenger’s side to the driver’s side in an annoying tug-of-war.

  “Here we are,” Aunt Holly said as we arrived on the driveway.

  I looked at the window that I saw Pepper staring out of before we left. It was dark and empty. I was probably just being paranoid.

  We let ourselves in, and dripped water onto the entryway rug. Aunt Holly shoved the bag of linens into my arms and said, “Here you go. I’m going to get myself some snacks and board myself up in my studio to paint. Shout if you need anything.”

  She breezed past me and headed to the kitchen. Now I was free to do whatever I wanted, at least until Pepper showed up. I stomped a few times to get the extra water off my shoes and trudged upstairs to my bedroom. I dropped the bag of stuff on my bed and scratched my forehead. I’d change the comforter and curtains later.

  There was really only one thing I wanted to do. I’d been too busy with Pepper and homework this past week to spend any time writing. When I went too long without letting my imagination pour out, I started to get anxious. Well, more anxious. I’d write a story today (without the magic pen!).

  I turned up the thermostat on my way down the hallway and leapt up the attic stairs two at a time, nearly losing my balance on the top step. I immediately knew something wasn’t right. The table lamp was on, and I knew I’d switched it off the last time I was up here. As I approached the desk I noticed a torn piece of paper lying on top of my book, with the golden pen beside it.

  My hands shook as I read the note.

  Nim-

  I get why you don’t want to go back into your story, but I feel differently about it. I’ve gone inside to see if I can’t help rescue the princess and set things right. Don’t be mad at me.

  See you soon,

  Pepper

  If I were in a cartoon strip, I would have had a huge thought balloon floating over my head filled with every swear word known to mankind. I couldn’t believe her. How could she be so stupid? Did she have some kind of death wish?

  “Pepper!” I cursed aloud and gripped the edge of the desk.

  I should have figured she’d do something like this. I’d sensed something wasn’t right. She was forcing my hand, and I wasn’t happy about it.

  Resolved to help my friend, I grabbed the folded leather uniform and boots from the corner of the attic and stormed down to my room. I closed my door behind me and set them on my bed. There was no way I was going to wear those boots again; they were way too big. My tennis shoes would have to do.

  I got out a pair of thermal underwear and put them on. It was frigid cold there and I wasn’t going to freeze this time. The uniform went on next and I even pulled out my winter coat and gloves. The contents of my school bag were turned out onto my floor and I shoved anything in I thought would help me out: the pocketknife Grandpa gave me the last time I saw him, bandages, an extra pair of socks, paper and a pencil and my leftover snack from school, which consisted of a granola bar and two apples. I flung the pack over my shoulder and looked at my room one last time.

  The smooth, black stone I found in the roots of the charred tree gleamed from my desk and I slipped it into my pocket with no better reason than to have something to rub between my fingers when I got nervous. I walked down the hallway and stopped at the attic door. I took a deep breath before climbing up to the shadowy room.

  I sat down at Grandpa’s chair, placed one of my hands on the pages of the story, and grasped the cool, golden pen with the other. Pepper was my friend, my only friend. I wouldn’t leave her to fend for herself, even if it meant putting myself in danger. I could not lose anyone else from my life. That wasn’t an option.

  In a soft whisper I spoke the magical words, “Ars imitatur vita.”

  Chapter 12 - Where’s Pepper

  Dark skies greeted me once again, forcing me to wonder if a sun even existed here. I scanned the basin, hopeful I’d see Pepper resting on a boulder, but I was alone. The only trace of life was the blackened husk of the tree in the center of the space. I didn’t know why I would think things would be so easy. They never were.

  There wasn’t time for me to stand here like an idiot. I needed to track down Pepper and convince her to come back with me before one of us got hurt. I scoffed at myself. Finding her wasn’t going to be the hard part; convincing Pepper to do anything would be the true challenge.

  I began walking out of the basin and onto the valley trail, my shoes crunching on the gravel as I went. When I neared the end of the trail where it connected with the road and guard station, I stopped, pulled off my coat and stuffed it into my pack. I didn’t want to cover up my uniform, not if I was going to try to pull this off. I was a soldier in Slag’s army, and needed to look like one. With my bag flung over one shoulder, I crept forward. It would be best if it appeared I was coming from Braylon’s castle. I moved along in the twilight, keeping my eyes on the gate and tower. I didn’t see any movement.

  When I was satisfied with how far I’d gone, I hurried over to the road and walked back toward the station. A man wearing the same uniform as myself stepped out from the tower and called out to me, “Oy – where’d you come from?”

  I didn’t have the time to worry about what to say. I took a deep breath and improvised. “The carriage broke down and I had to walk the rest of the way. The others went back to the castle to get help. I don’t have the time to wait.”

  “Bloody useless. I thought we weren’t being relieved from duty until nightfall. I wasn’t informed of a unit passing through.”

  We were now close enough to each other that I could see his steel gray eyes and scarred chin. He was studying me carefully, and seemed to be deciding if I was even worth talking to.

  “Are you a general?” I said with as much venom as I could.

  The man’s eyes widened and he shook his head, clearly thrown from my question.

  “Well then, do you expect to be informed of all of the movement of our forces? I am not here to take your post. I have a far more important duty. What is your name?”

  “Rogen. The name’s Rogen.”

  “Very good, Rogen. I need your help with something. I am looking for a girl who may have passed through here. That sound familiar?”

  Rogen frowned and called out, “Ey, Kendrick, come out here.”

  Another soldier emerged from the guard tower and joined us at the gate. He was much younger than Rogen, maybe a couple years older than me. He buttoned the top of his uniform and said breathlessly, “Yes, sir?”

  “You see a girl walk through here?” To me, Rogen muttered, “Was indisposed for a bit and had Kendrick take charge. You don’ have to tell no one ‘bout that though.”

  Kendrick went silent for a second before saying, “Yeah, a girl came through. She needed directions. She was young, and real pretty like.”

  My ears pricked up and I squinted at Kendrick as he grinned foolishly. What a complete tool. Bet he made a pass at her, too. Rogen seemed to be on the same wavelength. He smacked the boy upside the head and said, “Was she now? You great cassick – you’re supposed
to detain anyone who comes through ‘ere!”

  “Where’d she go?” I interrupted.

  “She headed down the road that way.” Kendrick pointed in the opposite direction from the castle and stepped away from Rogen while he rubbed the side of his head.

  “Say, mate, you’re not going to tell anyone about this, are ya?” Rogen was clearly worried.

  “I’ve been sent to track her down. If this turns into a disaster it will be you who has to answer to Prince Braylon, not me!” I was getting into this maybe a little too much. “You’d better hope I find her,” I said to Kendrick, poking him in the chest. His face paled and his jaw fell open as I continued, on a hot streak now.

  “Why don’t you fools do your jobs properly so I don’t have to come back here and give you any bad news?” I walked past them without waiting for a response and heard Rogen scolding his sidekick. Once I put some distance between us, I couldn’t help but smile. It felt good unloading on them. It felt even better to perform in the moment without failure. It must have been my agitation that gave me courage. It was some kind of miracle.

  I had gotten over one hurdle, but my problem now was I had no idea where I was going or where to find Pepper. At least I was moving in the right direction and this time I was wearing tennis shoes instead of slippers or boots two sizes too big.

  The walking kept me busy and warmed my torso, but my hands felt like icicles. Without a functional watch, I couldn’t say how much time passed, but it seemed like at least half an hour before my surroundings changed from something post-apocalyptic to something less depressing. The rocky terrain began to show some signs of life. I’m not talking paradise, but there were a few gangly trees and bushes, so it was an improvement. The sky, however, remained sunless and dreary.

  I spotted a few buildings in the distance, which I assumed were homes. I picked up my pace, encouraged that I was nearing a town or village. Hopefully, I’d find Pepper there. I held onto that hope as I trudged along the road.