Under the floorboards

Chapter 4

When I opened my eyes, I thought they were closed. All around me was darkness, and a really bad stench. My nose automatically scrunched up when the smell hit my face, it slightly made me want to gag, but I tried to maintain my composure so I could get out.

I felt around and my hand landed on something squishy. I lifted my palm off whatever it was and began to gag again. This time, I threw up, heaving my insides out of my system.

After emptying me stomach, I maneuvered around the puddle that I just made and felt around to the edge of the garbage bag. When I got there, I placed my hands against it and tried to push at it, but the stretchy walls just kept going back in place. I huffed in defeat after several tries and then grabbed my bag from my shoulder. I placed my more clean hand inside it and pulled out a bobby pin. I felt around to where the ball at the end was and when I grabbed it, I started bending and twisting it. I did this for about fifteen minutes before I heard a crack and then the ball broke off and left me with a jagged tip.

Before I began making my escape, I heard an odd noise that grabbed my attention. It was the sound of a truck. I wasn't sure that kind, but I knew that there were only a few types that came into neighborhoods. Either ones delivering mail or ones to take away the trash.

As quickly as I could, I began jabbing at the bag and after a few seconds, created a small hole about the size of my hand. Then I ripped and pulled at it as hard as I could, hearing the truck coming closer. Finally, after I made a hole big enough for me to fit through, I climbed out of the bag and rolled off the side.

When I hit the ground, I was slightly in a daze. My arm hurt a lot and looking down at it I saw that there was a gash on the area above my elbow. It looked a bit nasty, but it wasn't in need of immediate care as far as I could tell.

Looking around, I saw that the truck was coming close and that it was a garbage truck. I grabbed my bag which was right next to me and then ran away from it. I didn't run very far and stopped when I reached the base of a building. Then I waited until the truck left before I continued.

After the tuck hit a few stops and then turned a corner and was no longer in sight, I stepped out and tried to figure out where I was. I got a slight twinge of fear when I saw that all of the buildings looked identical. They were all white with black doors and bricks lining windows which were a couple feet above the door. They also all had a window to the right of each door that had a flower bed in it. I had no clue which home I was from, considering that I had never seen the outside or knew what flat number it was.

Now that the garbage bag was also gone, I had forgotten which direction I had come from. I then sat down and brought my knees to my face and began to cry. I knew that I shouldn't be, but it so scary that everything was bigger than I was and for the fact that, well, I was lost.

"Oi! You! Why are you sittin' dere and bawlin' yer eyes out?" My throat hitched as I heard the voice. Looking up and wiping my tears away, I saw a girl that looked to me around my age. She had short, curly, flaming red hair and freckles. She also had dark brown eyes and was wearing a worn out, orangeish, patchy sweater, a yellow scarf, grey pants, and a pair of brown shoes. Her outfit was obviously handmade, and not the best looking.

"I asked yer why yer bawlin' yer eyes out?" I looked up at her face and got out of my slight daze and sniffled and tried to hide the fact that I was crying before answering.

"I wasn't crying, okay? I was just resting myself before I got moving again!" I probably could've made a better excuse, but at the moment, that was the best one I could think of. As I spoke, I stood up and brushed my pants off even though there was nothing on them. The girl chuckled a bit and gave me a look that was of total sarcasm.

"Suuure, I won't argue with yer, but I know yer ain't tellin' the truth," She giggled then before continuing, " The name's Lizzie. Lizzie Topps." She smiled and waited for me to respond.

"Um, mine's Serena. Serena Clock." I extended my hand out to shake hers, but instead was pulled into a hug. I saw startled at first and made a slight squeak before Lizzie let go.

"Oops, sorry 'bout that. I'm a hugger!" Lizzie laughed again, then began to as well.

"It's okay, I'm just a bit jumpy I guess." I smiled at Lizzie and then looked around.

"Where are we? I mean, I know where we are, but where are we to be exact?" Lizzie laughed at my dumb question, causing me to blush. It was stupid, but I had to ask sooner or later.

"We're on 42nd court and on a sidewalk. But considering that yer didn't know that, I'm guessing that yer a 'Ouse Borrower." I nodded my head before she continued, " Well, since yer don't know yer way around here and by the state of yer clothes, I'm guessing yer could need a friend to show yer around." I smiled and nodded my head. Even though one of these could be my home, how would I know? They all look the same and if I went into the wrong one then who knows what could happen to me? Plus, Lizzie has to be from somewhere and someone there might know where I'm from, considering that my parents are famous.

"Well then, come on!" Lizzie smiled and began to walk away from me. I then chased after her and we then began towards something I could never have expected.

~A/N~

YAY new chpater! Sorry it's been like a month since I last updated. School has been hell and some nights I don't sleep with the amount of homework I have. It's crazy! Tomorrow I have 3 projects due and I've had 2 others and the first quarter hasn't even ended! This is mental!

Okay, I know that Lizzie talks odd, but I like it. And she's based on the City of Ember Lucinda Dryzek. Also, I don't really know a lot about the London area and how things go there, since I'm as American as you get! So if during the story I get anything wrong, just comment and I'll fix it. Just don't be rude.

Hopefully I'll be able to update soon!

Vote, comment, share, or do whatever floats your boat!

~Lexy