The Gray Tower (Being Rewritten as The Erstwhile Druid)

Chapter 6.3: Beginning

Mom? Dad? Are we going to the zoo today?

Of course, honey. Dad would never break a promise.

A red house, one the color of blood existed in a sea of beige houses.

The front door opened, revealing a young girl and her parents. Today was a happy day. They piled into the car, the girl pulling on her seatbelt. The man had told her stories, about people who flew out of cars and were taken away by monsters.

Monsters gave her the frights.

Since she was a good little girl, she gave the belt a few extra tugs, insurance against any would-be kidnappers.

She pulled something from her pocket and showed it to the woman.

Mom, look at this. I made it yesterday in class.

Wow honey, that’s beautiful. Is that me?

Yup! I painted it just for you. See, dimples, and that big black spot you have next to your lip.

The man laughed. Honey, that’s a mole. Be nice to Mom, okay?

The car reversed out of the driveway, progressing smoothly along the gray asphalt road. They traveled, breaking out in songs and lame jokes. Before the girl knew it, the zoo came into view.

Swerving into the parking lot, the man navigated the field perfectly, fitting neatly between two larger vehicles.

Inside the gate was the zoo, a world of mysterious animals that she’d only ever heard about.

The family exited the car. The girl bounced up and down, unable to contain her excitement. Her eyes teemed with anticipation.

Dad, what’s that?

That’s a hippo.

A hippo?

Yes. I think they’re from Africa… or was it South America? I’m not sure. Cute aren’t they?

Can we get one as a pet?

The woman laughed. No honey, where would we put it? Plus it might eat you. Eat you whole!

But it’s so cuuuuuuuute.

Honey, how about a cat, you know, something normal?

They’re so boring, the girl whined. They just sleep, eat, and poop. I want to play together. But… it doesn’t have to be a pet. A brother. Mooooooom, I want a brother.

The man and woman shared a glance. Honey, we’re working on that. Dad’s trying his hardest.

Oh Keith, don’t tease her like that.

What do you mean, what do you mean? The girl was confused.

The adults laughed.

What? Tell me, demanded the girl.

Maybe in ten more years.

But… that’s so long! I’m only six. That’s longer than I’ve lived.

I promise, honey.

Do you really?

I promise.

It’s a promise then.

The family continued through the wondrous place, the little girl oohing and aahing at all the things she’d never seen before. The two-dimensional animals of her storybooks were real, just as she’d known all along. Majestic animals welcomed her every which way she looked, beckoning the young girl toward them with wide eyes and adorable faces.

Here they were, penguins, tigers, monkeys, lions… denizens of the picture books that her dad read aloud, lulling her to sleep each night.

But all good things come to an end, as they should.

After a few fun-filled hours, the zoo’s gates closed, bringing the girl’s surreal journey to an end. The girl cried out for her new friends, resisting with all her might as she was dragged away.

Honey, it’s time to go, the man said.

But, but… I don’t wanna, the girl replied, hot tears plopping onto the pavement.

The zoo’s not going anywhere. You remember the hippo? He’ll still be here next time too.

Really? You promise?

We’ll come again soon. How about for your birthday next week?

The girl stammered excitedly. O-okay! It’s a promise. Pinky swear?

Pinky swear. Mom can be the witness. The man held out his giant pinky, knelt down, and enveloped the girl’s tiny digit.

Mom did you catch that?

Of course, honey. There’s no way we’re going to let him break his promise, right?

Yup!

The family got back in the car. Again, they sped off on the gray asphalt. Tired, the girl fell asleep, head drooping forward blissfully as drool leaked from her mouth like a faulty faucet.

Peace.

Bliss.

Sleep.

And then disaster struck.

A car horn sounded, a sharp sound that wrenched the girl violently from her dreams. It didn’t stop. The incessant screeching continued, as if to ward evil away. The girl noticed the woman screaming at the man, raising her finger to point at something in the distance. The girl squeezed her eyes shut.

If she couldn’t see nothing would happen.

The steel cage lurched awkwardly as the steering wheel wildly rotated. The man knew his efforts were futile, but this was his family.

Peeking through semi-closed lids, the girl could swear she saw a skeletal figure above the adults, jaw clattering loudly.

The car jerked away to the left. Before the girl knew it, the car was tumbling, her world spinning frantically in a dizzying haze of stars. Over and over and over again… She felt her insides shifting, left, then right, then left again.

Crying, the girl murmured a tiny prayer, as only children do, wishing with all her might that this was all simply a terrible dream.

And then, the world returned, as if nothing had happened. She swayed in the darkness, held aloft by a belt.

Mom? Dad?

Silence.

Mom! Dad!

No reply.

I’m scared, so scared!

Nothing.

Dad, what about our promise? The girl blubbered, her tears reaching no one. I’ll never cry again. I’ll do anything. Darkness welcomed her as it carved out its place, each sob opening another wound.

Minutes passed, though they felt like days.

Outside, she could hear voices calling for help. One female, one male.

Maybe they’re okay. Mom! Dad! I’m here!

But as the voices grew clearer, she realized they were strangers.

Strong hands reached in through the shattered glass.

You’re going to be okay. A husky deep croon. She melted into the warmth of the hands, taking comfort within their rough calluses.

She wondered what would become of her. But most of all, she wondered what would happen to her promise.

They’d promised to go to the zoo again.

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Sad chapter. ;=; Please vote or comment with any questions or thoughts if you enjoyed the chapter. You can vote by pressing the star. Thanks so much!