The Girls from Downstairs

four: come home with me

“Hello, maiden.  I’m so glad to finally meet in person!” he said.

I sat up off the bathroom floor.  Did I pass out...? 

“Who... who are you?  What are you doing in my room?  How did you get here?”

“I traveled far to get here.  I’ve come for you.  Our time to be together has come.”  He held out his hand for me to take.

“What kinda drugs are you on, kid?” I asked.  I put my hand on my throbbing head.  “What drugs am I on?”

“What is a ‘drug’?” he replied.

“Oh, I get it.  You must be one of Erik’s friends, right?  The get up, the accent, the whole arriving in the middle of the night to creep me out.  How much did he pay you, buddy?”

He laughed.  “No one paid me to come here!  I came willingly!”

I scooted back to the wall.  “What did he promise you in return?!?  Me?  I wouldn’t believe any rumors, because I haven’t been with any guys like they say!  Popular or not, I’m no slut.”

His smile faded.  “What are you talking about, maiden?  I’ve simply come here from my home land of Somnoria.  Vesta has told me you are the woman to bring me to manhood, and help me to obtain the crown and become a great ruler of my kingdom.  I’m ready now; I’ve come to take you home.”

Again he held out his hand.  Upstairs, I heard Tom walk from his room to the basement door.

“Esmerelda?  Who are you talking to?!” he demanded.

I hesitated.  “N-no one!  I’m talking to no one!”

“I can hear voices!  Who’s down there?  Is it Mackenzie?”

“Oh, yeah.  Because she can squeeze through the new bars installed on my windows!” I said.

“Don’t get smart with me!  Who’s down there?”

“No one!  I’m talking to myself!”  the stranger continued to smile at me.

“Come with me,” he begged. 

“Who was that?!”  Tom called.

I shushed my prince.  “He can’t know you’re here!”

“Answer me!”  I didn’t.  “I’m coming down there!”

“Come with me!” my prince begged further. 

“I can’t!  I can’t just leave!  People will wonder what happened to me!”

“Who cares?  Come with me, and I promise if it’s not everything you’ve dreamed it would be, I’ll bring you home,” he said.  The sincerity in his eyes was something I’d rarely seen before.  He grabbed my hand to help me and held me to his chest.  “I promise.”

Our heads were less than a foot away.  My step-dad looked in the bedroom and caught us holding each other.  His eyes bulged out of his head as he raced for us.

“Get me outta here!” I shouted.

“Your wish is my command, my lady!” the prince said. 

He led me towards the full-length mirror hanging on my closet door, running full-speed.  I tried to scream and closed my eyes, but before I knew it something changed.  I didn’t feel the pain of colliding with a cement wall and glass mirror.  Everything was brighter, birds were singing, and the air smelled sweeter.

“Where am I?” I asked, looking around in amazement.

“Somnoria.  Welcome home, princess.”