(SCRAPPED VERSION) The Other Side of The Planet

Chapter VI

Biff swings open the door of the boat to reveal its hollow interior, with stairs leading downwards into a lounge pit and a platform lining the upper wall. Ackely and Ogden enter hesitantly and are blasted with the scent of an unknown fruit, observing the walls bestrewn with an array of shelves, books, weapons, maps, diagrams, wall ornaments, and small trinkets. To the right is a flat wall that conceals a quarter of the dome. The floor is covered with many rugs and pieces of furniture, which are cluttered with the same items as the shelves. Candles flicker across the shelves and tables. Every piece of furniture stands tall enough to make the fact that they weren't made for creti very present.

"Have a seat," Biff says, gesturing to the lounge pit. "That place down there is the only place I had time to clean on such short notice. I'll get some drinks for you." As she walks towards a refrigerator against the wall on the left, the two slowly approach the curved couches that surround a table and the large, wooden rod that pierces the center of the boat.

"Oh my goodness, what's going on? What are we doing?" Ackely whispers, frantic. "You saw what happened back there, right?"

"Yes, yes, I did," Ogden replies, "I don't know what's going on either, but I'm pretty sure we're safe. She could've killed us back there, or at the very least knocked us out. But, she didn't. I don't know what she wants, but I'm pretty sure she won't kill—"

Biff's voice nearly makes them jump out of their skin. "What would you guys like?"

Ogden is the first to reply. "Uh... W-what do you have?"

"Well," she says, peering into the fridge, "I see some cola, milk, water, or, I could make some tea. It's not much, but it's all I had time to grab."

"That's okay. I think I want—"

Ackely taps Ogden on the side. "Better get something else. You've had a lot of cola lately. It can hurt your teeth, y'know."

"I suppose." Ogden raises his voice to reach Biff. "Would it be too much trouble to make tea?"

"Absolutely not. What kind?"

"Green, if you have it."

"Alright. What about you, triangle boy?"

Ackely's eye widens and he blushes slightly. "Oh, uh, what kind of milk do you have?"

"Do you like coconut?"

"I think so."

"Alright, you two sit tight."

As Biff prepares the tea and pulls a few ceramic cups from a cupboard on the wall, the two sit with a thousand questions buzzing in their minds. They feel the massive pit of worry in their stomachs lessen a little.

After a couple of minutes, Biff approaches the table with a tray that holds a ceramic kettle, a few cups, and two spoons. After she descends into the pit and sets the tray on the table, she sits.

"So," she says, putting her hands behind her head, "first question."

Following a few moments of silence, Ackely shifts in his seat and forces a question from his throat. "Those guys, the policemen... They're still alive, right?"

"Yeah, don't worry, they'll heal."

"They'll heal?"

"Yeah, they'll be fine. Obviously they aren't going to feel like a million pits when they wake up, but they shouldn't be dead."

"Shouldn't be?"

Biff leans forward. "Look, when we get to where we're going, I'll go back and check. They'll be okay." She put her hand on her chest. "I promise."