The Inside Story

Where Am I?

I didn't feel anything at first, my body was immobilized and everything was a blur. I felt my head was rested on a pillow and the rest of my body was laying on a bed. I opened my eyes slowly to see a murky brown ceiling above me.

The air smelled like the outdoors, I heard the occasional buzzing of a bug nearby, and I finally lifted my upper body to see my surroundings. There were 6 other beds similar to mine and all empty.

I placed my hand on my jeans and felt its soft texture and lacy bottom. I looked down and saw I wasn't wearing my long sleeve with jeans, I was wearing an old fashioned dress. It definitely gave off a medieval feeling with it being tight on my chest, short sleeves, and the bottom dragging on the ground.

I glanced at my shoes, instead of sneakers, they were white flats. I slid off the bed trying to see if I could find the others. There was a window with shutters on my right, so I peeked out to notice we were in a village.

Different cottages were lined up in a neat row with many people walking, talking, eating, and the kids playing. The front yard was a neat lawn covered with an abundance of flowers. It felt like nature was very present in this place than it did where I live.

"Katie?" A voice said, pulling my attention away from the window.

Snow was in front of me with her own maiden gown except her hair was in elegant curls, a rose in it, and there was a certain glow illuminating from her.

"Hey Snow, any idea where we are?"

Snow sighed deeply, and scanned the house with a disgusted expression, as if she dreaded this place.

"This is my story, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves'."

My eyes widened as I gasped. "Your story? As in, you're the main character?"

"Yes."

"I guess that explains why you seem even more beautiful here...this is the story that says you're beautiful."

Snow shuddered. She glanced around the room with careful eyes, then back at me. "Ella and Selena are not here, we should go look for them."

There was something off about Snow. "Snow, is everything okay?"

Snow shook her head furiously, her eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "Yes, everything's peachy. Now let's go, we have to find Ms. Sierra."

Snow looked away and disappeared down the stairs. The mention of Ms. Sierra stirred in my head, how could the little mermaid do such a thing? I remember I had spent some time with her practicing before my performance with Robin, she was very patient and understanding. Her voice was like silk, and her eyes sparkled with happiness.

I shook my thoughts away, grabbed my backpack from the bed, and headed down the staircase to catch up with Snow. The rest of the house was similar to the room above, with furniture here and there. It had to be spacious in order for seven dwarves and a teenage girl to live here.

"Excuse me, who are you?"

I turned to see a short man with a white beard trailing to the ground, warm eyes, and a big tummy.

"Are you one of Snow's friends?"

I nodded. "Yeah, my name's Katie. Who are you?"

"I'm Luther, Snow and her friends are outside helping with the laundry, you are going to gather some flowers to freshen this place up. You don't look like you could handle doing laundry," Luther commented.

I didn't know whether to be offended or not, but I opened the door to go outside. Selena was hanging up clothing with clothespins, Snow was scrubbing the clothes with a brush and a bucket, and Ella was sweeping the side of the road.