After her father's tragic passing, Nora Davis is forced behind the scenes, nothing more than a stepping stone for others in their journey to stardom. When an opportunity presents itself, Nora, trapped under her stepmother's heel, takes it as her cha...
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That weekend, Nora took a bus over to Medloy village and then a taxi from there to the palace. The cab couldn't get her right outside the gates as there was always a crowd of excited tourists hanging outside, but the driver managed to get her two blocks over. She thanked the man, paid him, and stepped out, her purse tight over her shoulder.
Today's cloudy sky painted the world gray. Despite the lack of sun, the air was cold, but not bone-chilling. Still, how people could stand outside the palace gates for hours in this weather was beyond her.
The chill sunk into the fabric of her sneakers. She burrowed her chin in the neck of her coat and crossed the first street once the walk signs lit.
Even a block over, she could tell she was close to the palace. While on the outside edge of Sarias' central city, the palace brought in a steady stream of visitors - everyone from visiting government officials to tourists passing through. The real estate was a lot higher the closer one got to the palace, but there was a reason. Even now, as Nora passed coffee shops and restaurants, people spilled out of the building despite the cold.
At the gate, next to a small group of giggling girls with tour badges around their necks, Nora texted Eli.
Rabid fans at the front gate again. Send help.
Eli's response came half a minute later. Did you feed them? I hear they're nice when you feed them.
Her laugh was a cloud on the winter air. I have a half-eaten breakfast bar in my pocket.
Hmm, he replied, maybe not. I'll send in the rescue team for extraction.
A moment or so later, the door to the guard shack opened. A taller guard in a dark uniform saddled up close to the gate, his eyes scanning the crowd. When his gaze traced over her, he stopped. "Nora?"
Nora pushed her way through the crowd. "Here!"
Another guard a few feet down made his way closer, clearing the way towards the side pedestrian gate near the entrance.
The gathered crowd saw movement and instantly responded, their excited chatter and screaming growing in volume.
The guard outside the black iron gate maneuvered her forward in front of him so he could block the crowd. The uniformed guard from inside swiftly unlocked the gate and let her in. It was all smooth, taking only a minute at most. But the second she was inside and the gate locked tight behind her, the gathered crowd reacted.
"Who is she?"
"Why does she get to go in?"
"Hey!"
Camera flashes dotted the air. As if she was someone of importance. Or some new gossip to sell to the magazines.
Crap. She really hoped she wouldn't be over tomorrow morning's paper.
