Just a Girl

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

 “Excuse me?” Liz’s voice shot. Winnie didn’t even acknowledge the fact that she was talking to her. She just looked in Liz’s blue eyes searching for what was being hidden from her.

 “I know what you want me to tell you, and I will. All in good time, all in good time…” Liz said fading off.

 Winnie just sat on her mattress and crossed her knee over her leg, arms firmly crossed against her chest. ‘Even if I’m not the princess,’ Winnie thought, ‘I can still play at their level,’

 “Ah, the silent treatment, eh? Well I’m going to tell you without all the fuss, because I think that it is very important that you know.”

 “That I know what?” Winnie said, sourly.

 “What my father plans on doing with you.” Liz said trying not to bring worry into her voice. “He wants to keep you here for more than a year, but I don’t know how much over a year he will keep you, that is if he ever lets you go back.” Her voice faded out as she saw the expression on Winnie’s face.

 Stunned and at loss for words Winnie finally managed, “Great, I guess I’m cleaning and cooking for the rest of my life.” Winnie said adding a fake smile. Liz tried to show a smile but just couldn’t find one in her.

 “Oh, what are we going to do!” Liz cried, not able to think.

 “Well, when something goes wrong in the town, the higher person fixes it.”

 “Yeah, so?”

 “Well I left out a person who can fix things.”

 “Um… I’m not sure I know what you are talking about.”

 “YOU! You can convince him to let me leave! He loves you and you are his only daughter, you know! It would work-”

 “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! I hardly ever talk to my dad.”

 “That is exactly why he would listen!”

 “Look Winnie, I’m sorry, but I can’t do it!”

 “Yes you can. Please, for me?” Winnie said as doubt filled her words

 When Winnie didn’t see a change in Liz’s face, she worried. “Guess I can’t count on you…” Winnie mumbled, but obviously Liz didn’t hear her, for she just kept rambling on.

 “Winnie, I guess I’ll try…” her voice trailed off. “I will do it for you Winnie.”

 “Okay,” Winnie started, “As long as I get to see my parents again..” And her voice trailed off bringing tears to her eyes.

 Liz knew what she had to do. She knew that she had to do this for Winnie’s sake and because it was right. She couldn’t let her father get away with this just because he was king. ‘Kings are supposed to be noble and good. Or at least in my world they are,’ Liz convinced herself.

 “There is a way to do this but I think it might need some consulting with Mary first.” Liz said cunningly.

 “Alright. Let’s do this.”

 Walking up and down flights of stairs and seeing all those wooden doors was starting to make Winnie dizzy. Looking at all the passing doors, and not paying attention to where she was going, Winnie walked right into Liz who had stopped in front of her.

 “Why did you stop?” Winnie asked.

 “I stopped because this is the door we need to use.” Liz said with a duh like attitude.

 “Oh, well I knew that. I was asking why Mary would be behind this door because it has no plaque signifying what the room consists of.” Winnie said, thinking that using those smart words would cover up for her earlier stupidity.

 Liz didn’t say anything more to Winnie as she opened the door to see a stone balcony that Mary was sitting on, her legs swinging off. She was looking far into the forest, as if she lost something there that she oh so desperately wanted to go back for.

 “Hi guys.” Mary said, but wasn’t really in the conversation, her mind only to where she was gazing.

 “Hello Mary!” Winnie and Liz said at the same time.

 “We need your help with something rather important.” Liz said, stressing important.

 “What is it?” Mary asked still too into in her daze.

“Mary, you are not listening.” Liz complained.

 “Yes I am.” She said turning her gaze away from the forest and into Liz’s eyes. “What is it that I shall assist you with?”