The Ring of Fire

Chapter 4

Castor walked towards Alice's room and knocked on her door, there was no reply. "Alice? You up yet?" he asked but again received no reply. "I'm coming in." he said right before he opened the door and entered her room. Her room was just like he remembered. Messy. Really messy, with books and clothes strewn across the room, her music player lay discarded at the foot of her bed and photos of him, their parents and their friends covered her lilac walls. In the bed sleeping in a tangled mess of sheets, lay Alice in all her glory. He went to the foot of her bed and stood there for a second, she looked at peace when she was asleep, the tiredness no longer weighing her down. It was then, that another memory hit him.

Albert was going to leave for work soon, he had to get to the other side of the country to meet up with a client and attend a meeting. This meant that they were not going to see him for sometime, most probably a week. It was well past seven and if Alice didn't wake up soon, they were going to be late for school. He knocked on Alice's door but when there was no reply, he took the liberty to barge in. Her room like always was a mess and Alice lay tangled in her sheets sprawled across her bed. He thought for a second about different ways to wake her up. Maybe he should blast music at a high volume, but then his mother would scold him. Maybe he could drop a stack of her books on her back, but then she could get hurt, which though hysterical and satisfying could get him grounded for a few days. That was when he spotted a bucket filled with clothes for laundry, and then like a lightbulb idea, he knew exactly what he had to do. He left her room and went to the bathroom, then filled a bucket with water, and made it back to her room. He had just entered her room when she started twisting and turning in her, muttering in her sleep. That morning Alice was awoken with a bucket of cold water and Caster standing at the foot of her bed with an empty bucket in his hand. "What's wrong with you? Why did you get me all wet Thundered Alice. "You are late little sis. I was just making sure you woke up and got ready on time. Also, I did you a favour, you seemed to be having a nightmare."

"I was fine until you came by." Alice retorted

"You were tossing and turning in your bed." Castor pointed out

"Anyway, what was the nightmare you had?" asked Castor curiously.

That question put Alice deep into thought. "Alice?" shouted Castor. The voice brought her back into reality. "What?" she asked Castor, who was still standing at the foot of her bed with a frown on his face. "Nothing you looked anxious and lost. It's fine if you don't want to tell me about your dreams. I'll find out who Arianna is sooner or later. Anyway, you should get ready. You are already late", replied Caster and left the room.

Caster was brought out of his thoughts when he heard a rustle of sheets. He had been spacing out a lot recently, he was worried that this might be a problem, but for now he settled with waking up his sister. He sat down at the edge of her bed and then gently shook her shoulder, speaking in a soft voice and asking her to wake up. Her eyelids fluttered open and she asked in her sleep-filled voice "Cass? Is that you?" Cass, An old name Alice had given Castor when Alice had been around two. It had been ages since he had heard that name. "Yeah. Yeah it's me Lis". Caster had been around two at the time and had found it easier to just call her Lis instead of Alice. As soon as he replied, Alice sat upright in her bed. She hated it when he chose to come into her room. "Castor? What on earth are you doing here? Haven't you ever heard of privacy?" Alice questioned. Caster grinned, this was how his annoying sister acted. As much as he loved the part of her that spoke with care, he was better acquainted with the sarcastic side of her. "Oh, nothing. I was just snooping through your drawers, trying to find out some deep, dark secret of yours", Caster replied, his tone laced with sarcasm. "What do you think I was doing, huh? Have you had a look at the clock? It's well past seven already. If you don't wake up soon we are going to be late for school and you will have to deal with an angry Emma dragging you out of here." Alice shuddered at the thought of an angry Emma. She was nice and kind but when you provoked her she could be really scary. Alice had learned the hard way when she had been in her lethargic mood and seemed hell-bent on trying to be as slow as possible. Emma was quiet for some time before she burst and dragged Alice out, shouting at her the whole time.

"Fine-fine. I'm up, no need to drag Emma into this. Now get out of my room. I'll be down in some time ", Alice replied, begrudgingly getting out of her bed. Caster chuckled at her behaviour and vowed to douse her with water if she didn't come down in fifteen minutes.

After passing twice in the bathroom Alice came down to have breakfast. "Mom what's for breakfast?, asked Alice while entering the kitchen.

"Eggs and toast, dear", replied Catherine in a low tone. Her hands were working in perfect rhythm, eyes were focused on the stove but the warmth in her eyes had been dimmed with sorrow. Albert's death had shook her completely. After doing her work she used to sit on the couch for hours staring in oblivion. Unaware of any happiness or warmth left in the world, living somewhere distant and cold.

Alice sat beside Castor all the time glimpsing at the elegant lady making them their breakfast. "She used to hum tunes and sing songs while making breakfast. I have never seen her respecting silence while preparing food" whispered Alice arching her brows. Castor pulled her close and assured her of better times.

After about quarter of an hour Alice and Castor left home for school after bidding Catherine farewell.

By Eight o'clock the siblings rendezvoused with Emma and Edin. At arriving at the bus stop the usual greetings were exchanged which was followed by Edin telling Castor about last night's game and Emma starting about her math test. Both Emma and Edin planned to make Castor & Alice feel lighter, carefully not reminding them about any form of grievous thing.