After the showers and clad in their big fluffy robes, the three of them stood before the door on the right.
Cindy led the way. When she crossed the threshold, she stopped. Abby almost ran into her. It looked like a giant cathedral, but where the pews would be were racks and racks of dresses. There were ball gowns, saris, kimonos, and dresses of all kinds. “Look at all the dresses,” Cindy said with a hint of awe in her voice.
Six women who all had long black hair and looked like they were in their early twenties stood at the far end. One of them said, “Oh, look, they've arrived.” She waved her hands. “Hurry, ladies, we need to get them ready for the ball.”
With that proclamation, all six flew into the air and towards the three, shocked girls. They landed at their feet, and the first one said, “We are the sisters Che; we are honored to be at your service.”
Abby said, “I'm Abby, this is Jo, and the one drooling over there is Cindy.”
Cindy was running her hands along a silk dress. She stuck her tongue out at Abby.
“It is lovely to meet you,” the one who did the talking said as she clapped her hands twice. “Now, sisters, let's get to work.”
Before Abby knew what had happened, two of the sisters had looped arms with hers and had her soaring towards a rack of dresses. “We have just the thing for you, but, of course, you may choose any dress you like.”
The other sister said, “This dress was worn by Lucenda Arens for the 300th calling. She was the first woman to visit the Talamarie plane and pass through the Anwerton Gates.”
“I don't know what that means, but it sounds very impressive.”
“Oh, it is. I've been studying her writings for the last two years, and she is amazing. A lot of it is still over my head, but each day I see the world - all the worlds - more clearly.”
Abby ran a hand along the silk and said, “It is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, but I think something less precious would be better.”
Both sisters looked confused. “Why do you say that?” said the second sister.
“I sometimes spill. If I ruined a dress like this, it would be awful.”
“Don't worry about that. They can't be ruined. They are protected for all eternity to be here for each class. This dress is one of a very few that has only been worn once.”
“Really? But why? It is so lovely.”
“It has been waiting for you I guess.”
Abby felt wonderful and before she knew it was standing in the ancient gown. It seemed as if it had been designed just for her.
The sisters began fussing with her hair. There were brushes and combs, and her head felt tingly as they worked. One sister whispered, “Your hair is the most beautiful I've ever seen.”
A squeal came from the front, and Abby heard the undeniable sound of Cindy reaching a level of pure happiness. “The shoes, look at the shoes!” floated across the room.
The sisters carried Abby's clothes and bow and quiver and led her up to the front. Giant spinning columns with cubbyholes rotated slowly. Cindy was transfixed, her head swiveling back and forth as she tried to take it all in. The sisters who were waiting on Cindy flew up and grabbed a pair from a spot twenty meters off the ground.
Abby stood next to her and said, “Wow, you look great! That dress is perfect for you. I've never seen anything like it.”
“I know; I haven't either. It's a sari from India. I didn't think it would go with my blonde hair, but they said it was made for me. It fits really well.” It was then that she stopped looking down at herself and noticed Abby. She squealed, “Oh my God, that is stunning. You clean up real good.”
Abby's helpful sisters returned with a pair of two-inch heels. Abby said, “I'm not sure I can wear those. Do you have any flats?”
“Try them.”
Abby put them on. They felt just right.
Jo had snuck up behind them and said, “You both look great.”
Cindy nearly lost her mind when she saw her. “I wouldn't have recognized you in a million years. Wow, under all that...well...you, there was...well...THIS. Wow. And what happened to your hair?”
Jo looked worried. “What do you mean? Is it awful?”
Cindy's voice raised an octave as she said, “It is awesome.”
Abby said, “You really do look great,” and gave her a hug.
All six sisters stood back. Two of them were crying, and the one who had introduced the sisters said, “You are ready. Just head straight down the aisle and through those doors. You'll hear the party down the hall.”
Abby said, “Thanks, you've been great. May I ask you something?”
“We are at your service.”
“How long have you been doing this?”
“Being an attendant for the ball is a great honor. One must have been ten years removed from the challenge and then be selected by the council. The attendants serve only one year.”
Cindy said, “I would so love to do this someday just to see the shoes again.”
The sisters giggled. “You would be an excellent attendant. But now you must go. The ball awaits.”
The three of them walked back past the dresses and through the giant double doors. A man in a formal uniform that looked like it might be military or royal guard looked straight ahead until they were near. He said, “Ladies, if you follow the hall around to the left you will find the party.”
The sounds of music and laughter led the way. Abby was surprised when they rounded the corner; there were hundreds and hundreds of kids, maybe a thousand. She had expected a few dozen like there had been when Stevie and she had first stumbled through the door.
The doorway was like one of the ones she created with her rings. It went through to a massive courtyard on a plateau. The sky, bursting with the orange glow of a day nearing its end, looked warm and inviting. All around lanterns hovered well above the tables, flickering and bobbing. Hundreds of round tables with massive bouquets of flowers in the center of each one were surrounded by kids dressed in the most amazing outfits. Everyone looked beautiful or handsome as the case may be.
Abby heard Stevie yell, “Abby!” She looked, and he and George were across the way near the stage at a round table.
Abby wanted to run, but it didn't seem ladylike, so she strolled with Cindy and Jo towards their friends. Jo couldn't stop looking up at the sky. “Look at the moons. Do you think this is real?”
Cindy said, “That guy in the black and gold uniform sure looks real...hot.”
Abby giggled. She could tell Cindy was in her element.
George couldn't help himself; he ran up to the girls and said, “Wow, you look fantastic.”
Cindy said, “You look rather handsome yourself, Georgie boy. Not bad at all.”
George turned bright red. The look on Cindy's face showed she was proud of herself.
Stevie was talking to another boy and said, “Abby, Jo, and Cindy, let me introduce John Chow. He is with that group over there.”
Abby said, “It is nice to meet you, John. How was your challenge?”
“It's nice to meet you, too. It was okay. We survived. It sounds like you had a rougher time than we did, though. The Pit of Woe is legendary. My father has told me about it, but I don't think he has ever heard of anyone surviving.”
Abby said, “We only survived because Jo here was so clever.”
John smiled at Jo and now it was her turn to blush. “It was nothing,” she said.
Waiters, who looked to be the same age as the attendants that helped them get ready, walked around with glasses of drink. It was a strange but wonderful flavor that nobody could seem to describe. All agreed that whatever it was it tasted great.
For a half an hour there were hors d’oeuvres and lively conversation. A lot of people, mostly boys, came over to the table. They all seemed very keen to meet Abby. Everyone had a story to tell or wanted to hear about the pit. It seemed that word had gotten around. Most of the kids were incredibly nice, but a few seemed distant and cold.
> Abby hadn't noticed, but Cindy hovered very close to her. Each time someone gave off a less than friendly vibe, she sent them a look that could only be described as a “death stare.” Nobody misbehaved.
The stage had massive, stadium-like seating. Just as the last of the sun was ducking behind the distant mountains, the stage exploded in a brilliant fireworks display. Cheers rose up from all.
When the smoke cleared, the seats were filled with men and women wearing fantastic robes. A heavy bell, easily six feet across at the base and ten feet high, was struck by what could only be described as a giant man or a small giant.
Abby and her friends hustled to their tables and took their seats. The chatter died down. Jo whispered to Abby, “Look, there's Alouicious, up there on the left side near the woman in the pink and orange robe.”
When finally there was complete silence, an impressive cloud of blue and silver smoke rolled across the plateau. A bolt of lightning shot out into the night followed the thunder. Alphie soared in a giant circle then landed softly by the lectern, morphing into his human form as his feet touched down.
Everyone clapped.
“Welcome all. Tonight we celebrate the completion of the challenge by every one of you. I'm proud to say that this is the most successful class we've ever had.”
Someone gave a whoop, and everyone cheered.
Alphie was a professional; he waited for the cheering to die down before continuing, “Soon we will dine and then my colleagues will share a few of the more intriguing stories from your adventures.”
Somebody yelled, “Pit of Woe!” The cheers were deafening.
Abby looked at Stevie who was smiling from ear to ear. He was having the time of his life.
Alphie gave a quick nod towards Abby and her table mates and continued, “This is not only a celebration of your accomplishments, but a start to a long and magnificent journey should you choose to take it. You will find a small, magic, wooden box on the table in front of you.”
There were murmurs of confusion as nobody saw any boxes. Alphie looked to his side, and the giant man struck the bell one more time. With a tiny puff of smoke a box appeared in front of each child.
Delighted gasps rose up from every table.
“Inside each box is a gold coin. When the evening is done, you will choose. If you wish to go back to your lives as they were and wipe the memory of all that has happened, then you simply need to toss the coin in the fountain at the back. You'll find yourselves safe and sound back at the doors you came through. If, however, you want to undertake a life of discovery and adventure both here and back home, you will take the coin with you and head through the door next to the fountain.”
At that moment, Abby saw Mr. Pincer was glaring at her. He made her nervous, but she trusted Alphie when he said it would be alright.
“So, without further ado, let's eat,” Alphie said.
The man struck the bell again, and the tables were immediately covered with plates filled with the favorite foods of each child. Gasps of delight rose up across all the tables. More of the delicious drink was brought around. The party was truly underway.
Alphie made his rounds as did the other robe-clad elders. When he got to Abby's table, he said, “You've survived much more than we intended, but that is the nature of life. One never knows what lies down a path not travelled.”
Abby said, “Where did all the other children come from?”
“The challenges take place all over the world. There are three of them for those in the United States.”
Stevie asked, “What comes next?”
Alphie smiled, “That will all be made clear providing you choose to keep your gold coin.”
“Oh, I'm keeping it. You can count on that. Abby and I are...”
Abby put her hand on Stevie's arm, looked over at Mr. Pincer who was a few tables away, and asked, “Does anyone ever throw their coin in the fountain?”
“Four hundred and thirty six years ago a boy did but not since. Don’t you worry about Mr. Pincer, Abby. I’ve had a talk with him. You are free to make your own decision.”
Stevie said, “You know we had a blast.”
Abby looked concerned.
Alphie looked at Mr. Pincer who turned away and said, “He is a strange man, and I can say you are most certainly welcome here. All of you would be wonderful additions to our world. I might even go so far as to say we need you.”
“You do?”
Stevie said, “I need you. I can't join if you don't. I'd miss you on the adventures.”
“Okay, I'm in.”
“Well then, as the party is winding down and if you've all had enough to eat, I'll escort you to the door,” Alphie said.
About half of the children at the party had already said their goodbyes and headed home. Abby and her friends walked past the fountain. It was free of coins. Abby and Stevie said goodbye to Jo, Cindy, and George. Cindy promised to make sure everyone connected on Facebook. Stevie and Abby didn't have Facebook but promised to set it up as soon as they could get to a computer.
Abby took Stevie's hand. With a look back, she waved to Alouicious and Alphie and walked through the door.
***
It was early morning in Boston, and they walked into alley an behind the Kim's store. It was covered in a grey slush from the snow, which had partially melted. The lovely clothes they had worn were gone. Abby and Stevie were wearing the same stuff they had left in though the clothes were much less grimy. Mr. Pak came out of the store and asked, “Hello, how was your challenge?”
Abby said, “You know about the challenge?”
“Come inside. Mrs. Pak will want to know that you are okay.”
Inside, the smell of breakfast filled the kitchen. Stevie asked, “What day is it?”
“It is Sunday morning,” said Mr. Pak. He added, “You will get use to the time difference.”
Abby asked, “How do you know about the challenge?”
“Where do you think I met Mrs. Pak?”
Mrs. Pak laughed. “You should have seen him. He was so brave and handsome. I just melted when he chased the baby dragon away.”
Mr. Pak asked, “Did you have any dangerous encounters? Mrs. Pak was very worried about you.”
“Ha! Mr. Pak fretted the whole weekend. He was a wreck.”
“We survived the Pit of Woe,” Stevie said proudly.
“That is a dangerous place,” Mr. Pak said then continued, “I'm surprised it was part of your challenge.”
“It wasn't, but we sort of got sidetracked.”
“Well, I'm glad you're back safe and sound. Do you have your coins?”
Abby and Stevie showed them the coins.
“Oh, that is good. I'm so very pleased,” Mr. Pak said. “The next part of your adventure is much less scary.”
Stevie asked, “What is the next part?”
Mr. Pak put his finger to his lips, “I'll never tell.”
Stevie smiled then gasped, “Oh, no, I forgot my satchel! My books for math class were in there.”
Mrs. Pak said, “Don't you worry. I have some errands to run. I'll go get it for you and bring it back this afternoon. You come back later, okay?”
“Thanks, Mrs. Pak, you're the best.”
Abby said, “I better get home before the Drapers get back.”
They said goodbye, and Stevie walked her home. When they arrived, the house looked the same, and the car was still gone. Abby said, “I made it. I think I'm going to take a long nap.”
“Hey, you better go get rid of all those TV dinners, or they will suspect something.”
“You're right, thanks.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being my friend and going with me on the best adventure I've ever had.”
Abby gave Stevie a long hug and said, “I can't wait for the next one.”
The End
bsp;
Secret Doors: The Challenge Page 16