Flying To New Heights

Chapter Six

   Adelaide left Oliver's side, for it was beginning to get dark, and her mother would probably punish her if she was out after dark, alone, no less. Pink faded to a dark purple, and the sky turned black. Tiny pinpricks of light resided in the dark sky, mapping out pictures. Adelaide's feet slapped the ground, her breath was ragged from running so hard, and she was still a bit far from home. The stars above seemed to watch as she ran happily home.
     Adelaide slipped into her home, trying to be as quiet as she could.
"And where have you been?" A harsh voice rang out in the darkness. Adelaide froze. Her mother lit a candle and folded her arms.
"I was...uh...," Adelaide said, fumbling for the right lie.
"Don't lie to me, Adelaide," her mother said, her voice sharp and harsh, as if detecting Adelaide's pure fear.
"I was out walking," Adelaide said quickly.
"At ten o' clock at night?" Her mother demanded.
"Yes," Adelaide said. Her mother shook her head. Adelaide assumed her mother would simply walk away, and that she wouldn't have a punishment. But her mother's hand went in the air and she slapped Adelaide. Adelaide reeled back and rubbed the sore spot on her face.
"Leave," her mother said. "I don't want to see you in this house until tomorrow morning."
"But where will I go?" Adelaide shouted. "There isn't a place for me!"
"Figure it out!" Her mother yelled. "You're supposed to be smart, like your siblings!" Adelaide glared at her mother and stormed out. But the moment she stepped outside, tears overwhelmed her. Adelaide leaned back against the front door and clutched at her chest, gasping for air. Her mother wanted her out; it was painfully obvious. She began running, tears blurring her vision. Where would she go? She would have run to Jube's house in this situation, but Jube was gone. She was imprisoned. Orchid's apartment was close; she could go there. But Orchid didn't really like her. Nevertheless, Adelaide began running towards Orchid's apartment.
She rapped on Orchid's door loudly. Suddenly the door opened, and Adelaide fumbled since she was half-leaning against the door. Orchid glared down at her.
"What do you want?" She asked angrily. "I'm right in the middle of important research."
"Mom said she didn't want to see me until tomorrow morning. And so...," Adelaide said, trailing off.
"You ran," Orchid finished for her. Adelaide hung her head. Although she was loud and loved talking and was incredibly good at making friends, she had emotional issues and tended to run away from her problems. Why? She didn't really know, to be honest. Orchid looked down at her like she was a pest and a nuisance. Maybe I should go find Oliver, Adelaide thought. At least he likes it when I am around. Adelaide looked in the direction of where she had first met Oliver. The spot where they first talked would always be a special place for her.
"So can I stay?" Adelaide begged. Orchid cast a glance back into her apartment. Adelaide looked past her and saw a large, wooden desk littered with parchments and maps. Orchid frowned down at Adelaide.
"No," she said simply. Orchid closed the door, and Adelaide slumped against it, too stunned to wipe the tears from her cheeks. Her own sister, her own blood sister, put her out and turned her down. She couldn't control her tears, and soon she was sobbing into her hands. Suddenly, Adelaide felt little, leathery feet land on her knees. She looked up, and saw Biscuit standing on her knees.
     "Cooo," Biscuit cooed, trying to make Adelaide feel better. Adelaide and biscuit had always been close. More like friends than like owner-and-pet. Biscuit sometimes followed her to school and walked with her home, but Biscuit would always perch on her shoulder for the walk. Adelaide stood up, wiping the tears from her face. Biscuit flew up and perched on her shoulder.
"Maybe we should go find Oliver," Adelaide said softy.
"Cooo?" Biscuit said.
Adelaide sighed. "My friend. The dragon. You know, the sweet, cute one?" Biscuit cooed happily, and bobbed his head as if he knew she liked him.
      "Cooo," Biscuit cooed softly.
      "So you think we should find him?" Adelaide asked.
      "Cooo," Biscuit said.
      "All right," Adelaide said. "Let's go." She then began walking in the direction of the place she had last seen Oliver.