The Spirit Child

Chapter Four

Barb dropped a small, bronze key into the palm of Katrine's little hand. She made a fist with her hand and smiled up at Barb, giving a cheeky grin. Barb grinned and began to wave.

"I'll see you at the Feast." Barb sighed as she walked towards the door, "There should be a map in the drawer in the room downstairs sweetheart."

Barb gave one last look and slammed the door shut, leaving Katrine alone in her new home.
~~~
Katrine pulled out the map from her drawer and sat down on the bed. She spread the map flat as she smoothed out the blankets near her. The map was HUGE! The best part of it, was that it only shows the Animal Quarters. This place was like a Palace!

Katrine put on a pair of brown boots that were also in the drawers, she looked at the mirror near her and examined her dirt covered face. She sighed to herself as she went to splash her face with cold water.

Katrine locked her door as she slowly made her way to the Dining hall. Her nose stuck in the map.

A couple of Hallways later, she finally saw a large brown door. She couldn't quite open it, to her dismay. But, someone else opened it for her and the Feast begun.

There were 3 long and large wooden tables. The tables were lined with bread loaves, huge pitchers of water with ice and a side dish of lemon slices. There were two large glass bowls filled with salad with diced tomatoes and cucumber slices. On a separate platter was a huge mound of linguine and another plate held a pile of chicken legs. People were already crowded together sitting down. They all turned to Katrine with huge smiles.

"Let's eat!" Screamed a voice, everyone waited for Katrine to sit down, then everyone began to eat like wolves.

Katrine slowly inched her way to get a bit of salad and a man came around and topped it with pepper and ranch.

Katrine watched as others fought for a bite. The chicken plate was nearly done, so was the salad. Katrine was enthusiastic as someone passed her a small bowl of linguine.

"Thank you!" A deep voice boomed.

The room turned silent as a bald man in a grey suit held a wine glass up in the air. Everyone else seemed to have a glass and they put their glass up too.

"To our newest member Katrine!"  The man announced, the crowd cheered and whistled, "May you have a safe, first day of work tomorrow!"

Everyone clapped as the man returned to his seat and everyone resumed eating.

After at least a couple hours of talking, the group was escorted to the large room that she was in before. Everyone was dancing and screaming. The balconies that held each group were now empty, as the floor turned into a flashing dance floor.

"Amazing." Katrine whispered, slowly making her way to the floor and watching everyone dance.

Everyone was much older than her, but she saw a small boy wearing a tuxedo, standing alone. She walked towards him. Noticing that she was wearing a food-stained outfit. She quickly made a costume change, now wearing a long, spring dress.

"Hey!" She yelled at the boy, who looked nervously at her.

"I am truly sorry." The boy replied, bowing down, "My father specifically told me to not talk to the members of the Animal group."

Katrine tilted her head, "What are you implying?"

"My name is James." The boy said, "Can you please, pardon me? My father will be mad that I--"

"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY ABOUT THE ANIMAL GROUP?" Katrine screamed at him, pulling the collar of his tuxedo.

"Stop!" Screamed James, "The Animal group are absolutely filthy!"

"Which group are you in?" She asked.

"I'm part of the Light Group." He spat, "One of the most Pristine groups in the Spirit family. Right under Water and Love."

"So? What's it to ya?" Asked Katrine.

He shoved her away.

"The Animal group is the most disgusting and unimportant group in the Spirit life! You're almost as worst as the Child Birth Group!"

And she watched him sprint away, towards a light yellow balcony where he disappeared from the room.