The Seven Deadly Kingdoms

Chapter 33

     Adelaide tugged on the rope, grunting as she pulled her weight. There my have been counterweights, but they sure as hell weren't doing Adelaide any favors. Adelaide squinted, willing her eyes to adjust to the dark. It was almost pitch black in the tiny compartment.

The first hatch to Adelaide's right passed. Four more to go. The dumbwaiter lifted tantalizingly slowly. Adelaide wondered what were to happen if she were to let go, if her arms were to give out on her. She more than likely would plummet to her death. Adelaide gripped the rope a little tighter at the thought, forcing her arms to pull faster. The third hatch passed. Two more.

Caspian's instructions rang in Adelaide's head, repeating and overlapping in her thoughts. Fifth floor. Maid's uniform. Seventh floor. cedar door. Get in. Get out. She repeated the lines in her head, over and over, her lips forming the words but no sound coming out.

The fifth hatch finally arrived. The 'click' that came with the dumbwaiter locking into place made Adelaide's arms instantly give out, falling to her sides as she panted with exhaustion. She allowed herself a second to catch her breath before attempting to located the handle for the hatch.

Moonlight filled the dumbwaiter as she slid the hatch open ever so slightly. She paused, holding her breath to listen. The room beyond was silent. Adelaide breathed in, crossing her fingers as she opened the hatch all of the way.

Moonlight covered white sheets draped across thirty foot arched ceilings. Light blue stained glass windows that lined the hall allowed moon beams to pass through them, painting the light a pale blue as it illuminated specks of dust drifting in the air.

Adelaide climbed out of the dumbwaiter, almost tripping over herself as she slid to the floor. She picked herself up, brushing off the dirt and rust the compartment had left on her fitted trousers.

Dark wooden doors lined the hallway. Each had copper plaques hung above them, labeling the rooms inside them. Adelaide walked down the long hallway, reading the plaques as she went. Laundry. Cleaning. Sewing. First-Aid.

Adelaide stopped as she passed the fifth door to her left. Lockerroom. Bingo.

The doors hinges creaked as she pushed it open. Lines of lockers created five rows, each about ten lockers long. Surely there would be a spare uniform in one of them. Adelaide sprang into action, opening locker after locker in the row closest to her. Each one was either empty or filled with other's personal items. Changes of clothes, watches, boots, books, glasses. But no uniforms.

Adelaide huffed as she moved to the second row of lockers. More of the same items filled them. Multiple of the lockers were even empty. Anxiety began to fill Adelaide. Caspian hadn't told her what to do if she couldn't find a uniform to change into. In fact, he hadn't told her what to do if anything were to go wrong.

Adelaide felt her hands began to shake as she opened more empty lockers. Caspian wasn't there to help her, and he wouldn't be there until she returned to the maze in the morning. No one was there to help her if something went wrong.

Adelaide cursed under her breath as she forced herself to take a breath, stepping back from the lockers. She would find a uniform. And if she didn't, she would still be able to follow through with the plan. The lack of a disguise wouldn't ruin this for her.

Willing herself to think, Adelaide pinched the bridge of her nose. She had passed a laundry room earlier. There would definitely be a uniform there.

Adelaide rushed to the door, peeking her head through. The hallway was still eerily quiet. She stepped out, jogging lightly to the laundry room. The room was packed with various bins, most containing sheets and bedspreads. Others were filled with clothes. Adelaide couldn't help but smile as her eyes caught on a long table that held mounds of folded clothes. She Picked up one of the sets, and she had never been so happy to see an Avartian crest.