Chapter 6

Chapter 6

 

            Sometimes it is hard to know if someone will keep their word. Especially when someone else forces that word to be kept, Unfortunately…  that person had just left then.

            “See yah ‘round Johnny!… Now then follow me.” Michelle waved back, then we walked up some stairs to the second floor. The place was actually pleasant to look at. Just proved that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Lights stuck out from the wall. Each had crystals hanging down, they dangled freely. She leaded me outside to a widows walk.

            “First matter of business! Our tour!” Her arms went up. “Ahem. Lady and no gentlemen, welcome to The Emerald City Inn! Our fine establishment consists of a kitchen, stable, bar, stage, fun, and hospitality!” She waved her arms slightly with what you might want to call ‘curtain fingers‘.

            “All righty then, time to show you my beautiful Emerald City! This way!” I gave off a smile. It’s not that bad here. She almost skiped down the hallway. Hmm she’s very cheerful for a- “Oh, and here will be your room! No no no, not yet, we need to attend the rest of our tour!” She glided on the carpet, and rode the banister down the stairs. Uh… oh what the heck. Weeeeeee! I almost lost sight of her because she skipped pretty fast. She skipped down another hallway. The smell of brownies hit me like a summer heat wave. We entered a kitchen that had pots hanging from the wall, and a young girl who looked about fifteen turned around. She struggles to speck.

            “H-h-hi.”

            “Angelia darling, this is our new guest Courtalia she is a good friend of Johnny’s.” Angela had her black hair in two pony tails. She wore a white apron that was stained with multiple colors. She had blotches of mix on her cheeks. There was steam everywhere. Where does it come from? Her eyes, gray. They seem familiar…

            “Well it’s nice to meet you, Courtalia.” She sat on a stool for a break.

            “Likewise. Angela is a very pretty name how old are you? Fifteen?”

            “Yes miss.” She also was a very pale girl, but in an appealing way.

            “Well lots more to see, come along now.” Michelle was obviously not very patient. But  I waved good bye, and she smiled and waved back. We skipped our way to a door that was a dark brown, unlike the other doors that were either painted green, white or gold. She went in first. Why does it smell like-… oh, so this is where the barn is. There were about three horses, and there were things hanging from the wall that I couldn’t identify horse stuff I guessed. 

            “Here we have the stalls for our horses. Remember girly, yah gonna have to ride one to Minosis.” Michelle explained.

            “What? I do? But I don’t know how to.” I can’t ride a horse! I’ve never rode one before!

            A voice came from nowhere, “I could teach her.” A boy that looked to be sixteen or so, emerged from the hay that I guess he was sleeping in. The startled Michelle gasped.

            “Ugh, you are so dirty! Look at you! I swear Dylan you are a disgrace to the family name!” She shouts.

            He gave a cocky smile. “Now now, Mom, compose yourself when in the presence of a guest.” The infuriated Michelle continued.

            “This is my son, Dylan.” He gave a salute as a greeting. I did the same with a bright smile. He had dirty blond hair and was tall, and very well built. Oh, wait a minute if he’s your son, and he’s sixteen then… I knew it! This place is a-

            “My son is sixteen. And a very helpful employee. Now with the riding practice. What will it cost her Dylan?” She gave a devilish smile to me. This woman is trying take me as one of her… “collection“!…Well  not gonna happen!

            “No payment needed.” He said. Michelle obviously did not agree.

            “Unacceptable! That would mean she would get free lessons! No, I can’t have it!” Michelle’s fists are restrained only by her will, which won’t be much in a few minutes, if they don’t stop arguing. I have to do something.

            “That’s enough! I don’t want to start anything.” I took out a twenty dollar bill. Our money is very unique. It is green, and it has a picture of the Cookzania palace, a building that I have never seen before. And on the other side is a spear being held by a hawk. “Here.” They both stared at it as I held it out with my hand.

            “Fine if you insist, I will accept this. Only because it is coming from a fine lady.” Dylan winks. It’s good to have some people on your side. Michelle is not satisfied.

            “Harrumph, Dylan get back to work. The lessons will begin tomorrow at 12:00 sharp.” She stormed out of the room with her nose to the ceiling.  When she was gone, Dylan speaks.

            “Don’t mind her.” He paused. “Her emotions change quickly… very quickly.” He turned back to his work, or in his case, sleeping. “You should get back to your …. Tour. “ I started to the door.

            “So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked.

            “Yep.” He winked and I am gone. What’s up with the winks?

            Michelle was in the hall leaning against a wall, with her arms folded. It was then she gave a long sigh… then she moved on.

            “Alrighty then, let us continue.” She leaded me to the east wing of The Emerald City. There was only one room there, the bar. There were paper lanterns in the shape of crystals. Every piece of furniture was either gold, green, or white. The booths were white with gold rims, with green cushions. There was a stage too. Ah if only they would let me perform here. There were about five men in this place. Most looked like weary travelers. But one looked like he was at a higher position in class. “This is it. Lovely isn’t it?” She said. The group of men waved and greeted Michelle.   

            “Hey! Michelle! How’ve yah been?” Said one of them. The clean man speaks.

            “Michelle, how lovely to see you again.” He picked up her hand, and kissed it. She giggled. Oh please. I had an urge to ask a question so I did.

            “Is this your husband?” He was still holding her hand when she responded.

            “Something like that.” Of course. I thought to my self almost rolling my eyes. The man looked about thirty like Michelle. He had a curvy mustache, and was wearing a derby hat. He was tall, slim and tall with dark black hair.

            “Michelle darling if I may invite you to sit. It would give me great pleasure to do so.” She of course giggled and sat.

            “You can find your room on your own can’t yah?” She asked, dazed and forgetting about me.

            “I guess so.” I said as I started walking, when a man finished his drink and asked

            “Well who was that then?” I kept walking. Michelle answered.

            “Just a friend of Johnny’s is all.”

            “How is Johnny? Still look’n for a crew?” He asked. I answered before I leave the room completely.

            “He sure is. You know, If you are a friend of his, you should help him.” I said kindly. Then there was a silence. What did I say? Not knowing what else to do I left.

            I walked through the hall, up the stairs, and to my room. When it was opened, I slammed the door and dived into my bed. Ah, so soft. Without a second thought I fell into a deep sleep.