THE 33 KEYS: Key 2 - ANSWER THE CALL "Listen for that Perfect Beat"

CHAPTER 64: CLIMB THE LADDER

Now I'm in a dark hole. But there are three levels to it and I'm at the bottom one. There's another problem too. Fantum is missing. But why would I not be okay with that? Or am I just terrified by an overdose of my own presence? Is there really such a thing as too much privacy? Besides, I've never really been alone my whole life, have I?

There has always been some novel to submerge myself in. The green sprouts of new beginnings to adjust to. Favourites to choose and defend from devious villains in need of validation. But, despite crowding my vessel from time to time, I have never been to the core that is Mary Pethiel. So now what should I do? Switch out the murky darkness for an elusive one? Is it time to face my own shadow yet? All matters to consider after I get myself to safety, no doubt.

I lift my eyes to the light at the top of the hole then around each level to source a way out. There seems to be three rings suspended above the other. Except for that middle level which has stairs running along the wall to the top. So all I have to do is find a way to get to level two and I'm home free. How though? As I'm thinking it, a silver ladder with seven rungs appears; and Fantum's intimidating voice with it.

"You stupid girl!" she spits the words. "Use it to climb out."

So I eagerly place it against the wall as instructed.

"It's too short to reach."

"Tell it to somebody who cares. Word of advice though. Do it before the water rises."

"What water?"

"Look for it yourself. I'm not your plumber."

"I'm telling you, there's no water here."

Fantum doesn't respond. But to ensure her last words didn't fall on deaf ears, I move around the hole drumming my feet into the ground like a fool. When I'm done, cracks appear wherever my feet touched and water springs up uninvited. Slow but steady is the song it sings. A rock ballad engaging my mind from the feet up.

I secure the ladder on to the wall and attempt to climb anyway. However, it keeps leading me to nowhere so I eventually give up. Then I remember something I saw on television called ladder balancing and stand the ladder up straight. I only get to two rungs before diving to the ground for safety; then follow that up with a few more attempts before the technique kicks in – and common sense with it.

Now I lean the ladder forward a bit and get to three rungs. Then four. Now five. Each time jumping before it falls until it finally hits me. A ladder too short for against a wall wouldn't make a difference at the middle anyway. So I throw it down and slump to the ground defeated, water at one inch and climbing. No doubt it wouldn't be its greatest achievement to cover the likes of me.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you?" Fantum sprays the air with her venom. "No rest for the wicked!"

I decide to hit the tennis ball back at her.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you?"

"Good. You're a regular comedian. Allow me. I've always wanted to try my hand at it."

And with that the cracks widen. Now I'm up to three inches of water in the blink of an eye. I reach for the ladder but it makes a back flip. Every time I get close, it repeats itself. Soon I am running around the hole, chasing after it until I'm out of breath, unable to snatch opportunity from this disaster because I never learned to swim.

"I don't want to die," I whisper. "I can't die alone in this deep dark hole."

A hand appears out of nowhere and clutches the ladder on the fourth rung, which becomes the thirty-second rung after it stretches to thirty-three. Now it bursts free from its skin and becomes half human half snake. Then human. And now just the violet wand with steps that twist themselves into a gene.

"Stop helping her!" Fantum screams out.

But I'm already on the second level and making my way up the steps against the wall. When I finally reach the top, she is already there. Still a twisted wand of growing rage. And unable to keep it in any longer, Fantum explodes on me like a handful of salt would. Then the scenery completely changes.