Into The Woods(Chapter 9)

Escape Plans

They woke up with a start. Something was ringing in the distance. Christopher had remembered that it was their first time in the servants quarters. So he told them what was up.

“It’s just the awakening bell. To make sure we don’t sleep in.” The twins sighed. Whenever a bell went off in the village it meant it was school time. They went into the enormous kitchen and joined hundreds of other servants making breakfast for Maldavo. 

“Is it always like this,” Aríana said, “everyone doing what they are told all the time?” 

“Pretty much. It’s kind of annoying,” Christopher said. They finished making the breakfast and served it to Maldavo. His breakfast was fleas and rats. They walked to the tent for their break.

“I know how to make a portal. I can make us a secret room to plan our escape,” Aríana said. She got to work. She found a box and cast the spell that Maddi had taught her. Pretty soon, her work was done. 

“Now this is our planning room,” said Aríana.

“Awesome,” said Christopher. Lía jumped into the box and Christopher quickly followed suit, leaving Aríana to think I hope this works, before jumping into the portal. 

They came into a room that looked exactly like their secret room back home. It had a television, two armchairs, and a corner with fluffy pillows and a fluffy blanket. The twins walked around the room while Christopher studied the television.

“What the heck is this?” He asked.

“It’s a television, silly,” Lía said.

“Lía, remember he’s never heard of television before. He was born here,” Aríana corrected. Aríana then proceeded to flip on the television. There was a channel about something they had never heard of called the Super Bowl. The television told them it had been Super Bowl Sunday yesterday. Christopher jumped, his blond curls bouncing as he talked. 

“That thing talks!” he exclaimed. Aríana was laughing so hard behind Christopher’s back that Lía had to help her breathe.

“Let him get used to it!” Lía whispered to Aríana. They walked over the television and showed Christopher how to use it. 

“We should get to planning,” said Lía, after they had watched the television for a while. They all murmured agreement and went over to the nook. They dragged the chairs over to the rug in a semicircle. 

“Christopher, do you know when Maldavo is asleep?” Aríana asked.

“Yep!” Christopher replied. Christopher then told them that Maldavo only slept from 11:00 pm to 6:00 am. 

“That means we can only escape from 12:00 to 5:00, to be safe,” Lía said to conclude the conversation.