The Flame

Chapter Four

I wake up to dad sitting on the edge of my bed. "Hey sweetheart," He smiles at me. "How did you sleep?"

"Good."

"Well good." He rubs my foot. "So, about yesterday… how did it go?"

"Good." I answer, trying to show that I'm not lying but I fail. He looks at me with a blank stare. I can't read him.

"Bell, you know you can tell me anything." He looks at me. "Did something happen?"

"... Yes." I look down. Remembering what happened yesterday. "But I can't tell anyone about it."

"Bell," I look up at him. "Please tell me."

"I can't." I say looking back down. I feel the tears rise to my eyes but I keep them from rolling away.

"Okay." He gets up and walks out the door of my bedroom and into the hallway. Why didn't I tell him?

• • •

The next morning I woke up with a jerk.

"Bell get up." Mom shakes me. A scared look on her face. She forces me to sit up.

"What is it mom?" She gets my shoes on and a jacket. We walk to the kitchen. There are three palace officials standing over in front of the door.

"Bell Evans?" The official in the middle– which I'm guessing is the one in charge –asks, stepping forward.

"What's going on?" I ask, my voice cracking at the sight. Why are the palace officials in my house? I thought. Did they find out about my test?

"We will explain when we get there. But for now, you are coming with us." They start to walk out but I stay put. The middle one turns around and looks at me. With a scared look, I hug mom, dad, and Jenna. And I follow.

• • •

The palace is in section one. In the middle of Madison, about 30 minutes from where I live. I look out the window to see the sun rise in the East. I look up at the huge, beautiful building as we pull up to the palace. The officials get out and open the door for me to get out as well.

The officials led me up the stairs to the palace doors. When we walk in, I am hut with the smell of cookies. The walls rise up above up. We stand under a giant chandelier, sparkling with diamonds and jewels. It's more beautiful than I imagined it to be.

A tall woman, probably in her early 20's, stands in front of me. "Hello, I'm Jessica. I'm the head of the maids. You will be working here as a maid from now on." She says, giving me a big smile. What the heck?? "Now if you will follow me, I will bring you to your room," She turns around and we follow her. We walk down the hall, up the stairs, and down another hall to our right. Then we finally stop at a room, towards the end of the hall.

The room smells of fresh air and flowers. Across the room I can see doors, leading to a balcony, that are wide open. There is a dresser on the left side of the room and a bathroom on the right. A small bed sits in the middle of the room. There are some fresh clothes sitting on the bed.

"Tonight there is a ball that you will need to work. So, get dressed and I will send another maid up here to get you." She said before leaving. With the officials trailing behind her.

I walk over to the bed, where the clothes sit. There was a pair of red pants and a red shirt. I put them on and walk over to the mirror, next to the dresser. Is this a dream? I walk out to the balcony and see a beautiful garden. I know I'm supposed to wait for the maid to come, but she isn't here and I need to know why I'm her in the first place. So, I decided to take a walk around the palace, maybe visit the garden. I really need a breath of fresh air and a walk, after all that has happened today.