Return to the Underland

Chapter 1 (e)

"Gregor, you need to wake up now,"

"Yes, Gregor needs to wake up now," I groan and slowly open my eyes, Lizzie and Boots are standing over me. They both have grown a lot since we were last in New York. Lizzie was 15 and Boots was 10. All of us lived on a farm in the middle of nowhere with 2 neighbors 1 mile away on each side. 

"Good mornin' guys. Why can't I sleep another 5 minutes?" 

"Cause Mom and Dad need to go into town and Mom wants you to get ready your party starts in 2 hours. Also, don't you remember last week when you said 5 more minutes it ended up being three hours?"

"Yeah, Gregor no sleep," Boots yells in my ear. I sit up, rubbing my ear. Gosh, that hurt. 

"Okay, okay, I'm up now who wants waffles?"

"I do, Gregor, I do," Boots says her curls bouncing as she jumps with delight.

I walk down to the kitchen Boots and Lizzie trailing behind me.

"Now Boots, Lizzie go feed the chickens, ducks, and goats while I make the waffles. Also, don't forget to collect the eggs," 

"Fine, but they better be worth it," Lizzie mumbles.

"Of course they will be good I am an excellent Chef and don't you bring up the Macaroni incident," They laugh at the mention of the Macaroni incident. 

"Fine," Lizzie sighs, "Let's go, Boots,"

"Can I pet them?"

"Of course," Then they walk out of the doors. I grab all of the ingredients and start adding them to the bowl. I put vanilla extract to give it some flavor. After looking in the cabinet I found chocolate chips, should I put chocolate chips?  I think to myself Yea I'll just do it. I add 1 cup of chocolate chips and put it into the waffle maker. 

10 minutes later I used the last bit of my batter and put waffles on a plate for Lizzie, Boots, and myself. The extras I put on a plate in the microwave. Lizzie and Boots walk-in, arguing.

"Boots, you cannot eat the eggs yet they are dirty,"

"But, the insides are not dirty or are they?"

"Gregor! Are the eggs dirty inside?"

"No Boots," She stuck her tongue out at Lizzie, "But. the dirt on the outside will get the insides all dirty and you will get sick," 

"Awww," Boots sorrowful, "I want waffles now!" 

"Ok calm down. Lizzie, do ya mind getting the syrup," 

"Fine," Lizzie says. We all sit around the table eating the waffles, quietly. 

After breakfast was put away I went on a walk to the woods with Lizzie and Boots. I walk into the woods and imminently get a wave of familiarity. It looks just like the jungle in the Underland. Vines hanging around almost touching the forest floor. There was constant noise all around. Large roots were sticking out of the ground. 

After that little walk, I went to my room, to think of my life before I moved to Virginia. When I start thinking about the Underland I recall all of my scars. They haven't gone away ever since I left Regalia.

Regalia, the kingdom of which is ruled by the girl I left there 6 years ago. I haven't gone a day without thinking of her or her kingdom. The Underland was a place where I belonged. I was useful there, helping solve prophecies. Saving thousands. But, I couldn't save the lives of many. Two of them were like family to me. One, I was the only one to show her kindness. The other, I saved him from banishment. I've learned a lesson since that, the more people you protect, the harder it is to keep all of them safe. That's why I keep to myself and why I don't make too many friends. 

"Gregor? Are you okay?" Lizzie comes walking in. 

"Why are you crying?" My hand goes to my face, it's wet. 

"Nothing, Lizzie. Why don't you go play with Boots," 

"No, I want to know what happened. You don't tell me anything, I want to know. You act like everything is fine when it is not! Right after we got back from that place, you barely ate. You sulked in your room for days. I know why. I may not understand what that place meant to you or that whole world, but what I do know is that holds a special place in your heart. I know you carry that plastic bat in your pocket every day,"

"Lizzie go play with Boots, I am fine," 

"Fine, but next time you will tell me," she gives me a death glare that could kill instantly.