AURORA

Chapter 16

            The last staircase had a giant bouquet of pink, yellow, and traditional red roses. They were fully grown and vibrant. There is more color in the roses, than in even the finest bride's dress. Someone has to be watering them consistently. The walk up this staircase felt longer. The steps seems to pull away from me. The last step is so close. Before we reach the top, I let out a small inhale and exhale. We walk down the hallway and I see in big bold numbering, room 103. The door is intricate and made out of the same wood as the flooring. Helena and I stand side by side. She looks at me and encourages me. "Well, go on. Knock," I raise my right hand and reluctantly knock.

             No one answers. I look at Helena and knock with an agenda the next time. I hear a voice. "Who...Who is it?" He's definitely drunk. I hear him knock something over. I hear his footsteps as he comes to the door. He begins unlocking the door. From the sounds of it, he has multiple locks on the door. He leaves the chain at the top hitched and cracks the door open. An attractive, young man opens the door. He has a suit on, but he's missing his jacket. His top is slightly unbuttoned. "Well who are you two?" "Umm hello, I'm Cara and this is Helena. Could you please spare us some of your time and answer some questions we have?" He rapidly responds, "No!" he attempts to close the door but I put my foot in the middle to prevent it from closing.

          "Please, It's about your ex-wife Amoura." He opens the door again. "Amoura you say? Well, I guess I could help. Hold on." He closes the door, unlocks the chain and lets the door fly open. "Come on in. Have a seat at the table." We head over to this small circular table. His home is quite intricate in every detail. It's neat and elegant. The kitchen is a sight. Everything shines and adds on to the beauty of the apartment. The only dreadful thing in here is Mr. Mendeci. He drunkenly walks to the table and sits down. "So, what do you two want to know about Amoura and why?" Helena peers at me and I begin to speak. "I was wan...before completing my sentence, Helena interjects. "We were wondering if you know where she was. Queen Vera wants to make her one of her handmaidens. I'm the queen's head handmaiden you see. We would highly appreciate it if you disclose to us her whereabouts."

          Amoura as a handmaiden? I suppose I could see why the queen would want her. She's beautiful. Very headstrong though. She's very stubborn. The last time I spoke to her, she was heading to one of the shops for a watch. We had long been divorced before that." I look at Helena with curiosity. "A watch? Why would Amoura need a watch?" "She said she was going somewhere. It must take a long time to get there, because most people around here only use watches when they're going on a lengthy trip. I believe she said she was headed somewhere where she would be alone.

    She would be in a place with no kingdoms or other people. Just trees, grass, and her. She has this hunch that something bad will happen." "Mr. Mendeci, something bad has happened. We need to find her and fast." He lays back and calms himself. "Why do you two need her? Please tell me why and be honest. We weren't together for more than a day, but I still care for her. I need to know your exact motives before we go any further." I look at Helena and begin telling Mr. Mendeci everything."

         As I listen to Cara telling Mr. Mendeci our reasons for wanting to find Amoura, I hear the terrible things Aurora did. I hate that Cara had to go through all that she did, but I'm glad to have been given the opportunity to help her. She's a great person. It can't be easy telling people something as unbelievable as an evil queen who has these abnormal abilities. At first, I thought she was lying. Someone wouldn't go through all this trouble just because. I believe every bit of her story. She told the truth and even if I didn't believe her, she would've kept going.

          "Wow Cara, that's a lot to take in. I won't say that I believe you, but I do want to find Amoura. So if that means going on this quest with you, then I will. If you're telling the truth, then I'll find out when we find Amoura." "I don't ask that you believe or trust me, but I'm glad you're willing to help. It's too late to go searching now, but we'll leave at midday tomorrow. We'll meet at The Keg since we're all familiar with that place. You need to bring a bag of supplies and wear something similar to what I'm wearing. We will be doing a lot of walking and I don't know when I'll be back. If she's really that far then you need to be in the most durable clothing. And you can't bring any of that alcohol." "Ahh will do."

           "Cara, I have to go get Garrett. I'm going to take him to one of my handmaidens to stay with. I'm also going to talk to the queen. Don't worry, I'll give her a good reason to let me go. She'll grant me some away time, trust me. I'll come back at The Keg when I return. Mr. Jonson please escort Cara to The Keg." "Sure. Well ughh let's all go now." We all head to the door and part ways. "I want to stop drinking Cara. I really do. I believe that's why Amoura and I didn't last. Instead of being with her, I spent most of my days at The Keg drinking my life away. She's gone partly because of me. I should've never let her out of my sight. She's a kind and caring woman. She's wise and knows what's best for her. What was best for her, wasn't me."

          "Well when we find her, you can tell her all of that. Do not cast yourself a pity party. Everyone has done things they aren't proud of, but most of the time we're given chances to redeem ourselves. You will get your chance and you will take it by the reigns and succeed. This journey has become bigger than me. Helena is helping me because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for her. You're joining me to get back the one that got away. I'm doing this because this is my only way out." We made it to The Keg peacefully. "Well we're here. Think on everything I just told you. Throw out and empty those beer bottles and refresh. Start on a clean slate. Find the other side of you that you've been hiding. Goodnight Mr. Mendeci." 

He looks down and looks up, experiencing an epiphany as I close the door. "Goodnight Cara."