Porcelain

The light from the TV lit the dark room. 1

“He turns for the final goal. This kick determines the whole game! There the kick . . . it’s good!” the announcer shouted as the winning goal was scored. The camera zoomed into the young man’s jovial face as he punched his hand into the air and his teammates gathered around him cheering and lifting him into the air. 2

“I want that.” A thin porcelain finger pointed toward the smiling triumphant face of the young man.3

“Whatever you want my Beloved.” 4

The small porcelain child reached up to embrace her father and bestow a vermilion kiss upon his cheek. A warm breath whispered into his ear, “I love you Daddy.”5

‡6

There were cheers all the way to the locker rooms to which he was carried. 7

“Kevin! Kevin!” they chanted as well as singing the school song with the rest of the crowd. 8

He felt like he was on cloud nine. He had scored the winning point and they were now state champions! His heart was pumping a million miles an hour and he felt as though he could take on the world. 9

His teammates deposited him on the bench that divided the row between the lockers. He led the school song once more as well as a favorite cheer.10

“This is for you guys! We couldn’t have done it with out each and everyone of you! We are now state champs because of our team work and efforts! Not to mention our top-notch coach! Three cheers for the Monster!” he used the teams favorite nickname for the coach.11

“Hip! Hip! Hooray!” their cheers where heard out side of the locker rooms. 12

Soon everyone was showered, changed and heading to the after party. They would be welcomed back to their school as heroes.13

After a long night up partying ‘till late, as it was a Friday night, a very tired Kevin drove home. Opening the door, he was tackled by a flying child. 14

“You won! You won! You won!” his younger brother Danny exclaimed as he hugged his big bro around the waist.15

“Yeah we won alright.” Kevin smiled and ruffed up Danny’s hair.16

“James and I knew you would do it. And you scored the winning goal! You totally ruled out there!” Danny smiled and Kevin couldn’t help but sigh at the mention of James his brother’s pet rock. 17

“Danny let go of your brother, I’m sure he has quite the ordeal all ready. You can leave your stuff right there and we’ll take care of it for you. You just head on up to bed.” His mother smiled and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.18

Danny promptly let go and took his brother’s things. For being thirteen, he was quite strong, but he was always as gentle as a lamb. His overactive imagination had gotten him suspended for the third time. He had a tendency to believe everything his mind told him, especially when it came from James. However, this quirkiness got him bullied in school as well as in trouble with his teachers. He just never knew when to stop pretending. 19

Kevin had always protected him through the years so he had little trouble with the other kids as they knew that is you messed with Danny you had to answer to Kevin, who had built up quite the name for himself as a tough guy and not one to be mess with. 20

“I’m just gunna go crash.” He said as he went up the stairs and into his room. The walls were painted suede brown and on the walls hung soccer and band posters. His clothes were only moderately spread around the floor. He stripped off his shirt and flopped on to his bed. Grabbing the covers underneath him, as well of those slightly off the bed, he covered up and went to sleep.21

Morning came all too early, while he was thrilled by his victory he was beat tired for all the practice that the team had put into the final game as well as all the effort he had put out yesterday and the lack of sleep he had been having since the state game had been announced. 22

There was a knock at the door. 23

Kevin emerged from the covers enough to peep open one eye and manage an “Mm?” 24

The door opened a crack and Danny poked his head in with a slightly guilty look on his face.25

Kevin knew that he wouldn’t be getting anymore sleep anytime soon and so pushed himself up enough that he could actually see his brother with both of his eyes. 26

“What’s up little guy?” he asked blinking the sleep from his eyes.27

Danny scampered into the room, jumped onto his brother’s bed, and buried his head in Kevin’s bare chest.28

“Whoa! What’s wrong little guy? Is James ok? What’s wrong?” he was a bit worried, as he hadn’t seen his brother like this since the last time some kids stole James and smashed him with another rock.29

“No, James is ok.” He said through his sobs, “but . . . I was afraid that you were gone.” He buried his face further into his brother’s chest and wrapped his arms around him as tight as he could. 30

Kevin put his arms around his brother and hugged him back. 31

“I’m going anywhere little guy. I promise. I’m right here see? You just had a bad dream. Now come on let go.” 32

He did and looked up earnestly into Kevin’s emerald eyes. 33

“You promise? You’ll never leave?” he asked as though he were only six again.34

“You know I can’t say never. I’m gunna have to go to college, but you know I’ll come and see you sometimes, on the weekends and holidays. But you’ve still got me for another year before we have to worry about that. Now calm down,” he whipped the tears off his brother’s face and ruffed up his hair.35

“I love you.” Danny replied and gave his brother another good hug before jumping off the bed as though nothing was wrong as he dashed down stairs.36

Kevin shook his head as he rubbed the back of head, something he had a tendency to do when it came to his worry for his brother or when he was thinking. 37

“Well there’s no sleeping now.” He threw the sheets off and stepped out of his bed.38

He stretched his arms and legs for a couple of seconds then stripped off the jeans that he had fallen asleep in. He spotted a pair of fairly clean cargoes and a navy blue band t-shirt. He put on his deodorant and dropped his jeans in his clothesbasket.39

As he came down the stairs, he could hear the phone ring and his mother answering it. 40

“Danny go get your brother.” She said with one hand on the receiver. 41

Danny came tearing around the corner and ran smack dab into Kevin who was ready for him. 42

“Phone for you.” He said looking up at Kevin for a moment then dashing back into the kitchen.43

Kevin followed after at a more moderate pace and once he entered the kitchen took the phone form his mom and answered, “Hello?”44

“Hello is this Kevin Miller?” came an older man’s voice.45

“It is.” He replied.46

“This is Jonathan Gorton, a scout for the United Stats Soccer Federation; youth national’s team U-17 MNT team. We would very much like to meet with you and discuss your possible future as the professional soccer player.”47

“YEAH!” Kevin jumped up in the air and whooped.48

The others looked at him in complete surprise and curiosity. 49

“Are you serious! Yes, of course I’ll meet you! Just name the time and place and I’ll be there!” he exclaimed completely blown away by this crazy turn of events. 50

The man laughed, he must be used to people reacting like this whenever he called.51

“Excellent! How about the Liberty square not to far from your house?”52

“Sure! What time?” 53

“Around five today, I’m in flight right now and should be in town by then.”54

“Great! Thank you so much! You won’t regret this!” 55

“No, I don’t believe I will.”56

The man hung up and Kevin turned around and gave his family the news.57

“That’s great Kevin!” his mom answered. 58

“Who would have though that an opportunity like this would come around for you.” His father added.59

“What time does he want to meet with you?”60

“At five at the Liberty square.” 61

“I’m sure the shop will be ok for one day.” He said with a smile.62

The shop was the family ice cream parlor that was within walking distance of the house. His father had opened it before he got married to Kevin’s mom. The two of them first met in that parlor as she was looking for a job and he took her on and soon after they were married. Kevin had never seen anyone so in love before, and not the least bit afraid to show it.63

“Thanks dad. I need to go catch up with the guys were going over to Zack’s place as they want to personally congratulate me on my victory.” He grabbed a piece of toast that was sitting on the counter and headed out the door. 64

As he passed the living room door, he saw Danny watching TV, there was an old Missing Children add on the screen. It showed a Hispanic looking girl and mention that she had been missing for quite some time, but then again the add itself was pretty old, he remembered when the girl in question had gone missing. She had gone to his school and he had even seen her in one of the school plays. She had been brilliant, and completely captivated the crowed. It had been a huge deal when she went missing. 65

Kevin had started walking his brother home form his Jr. High to make sure he got home safe. Her parents had been devastated and the school had up its security as well as its rules as the authorities had suspected that she had been taken while still on the school grounds. He put it out of his mind and went out the door to meet up with his friends.66

“Congrats pal! We all knew you were going to pull some sort of stunt at the end. Can’t go down without one last bang can you?” his friend Cory laughed.67

“Yeah, I mean did you really have to score that last goal?” Zach teased him giving him a whack on the back.68

“No way can our Kevin resist the chance to show off, you know that.” Doug shrugged hands up.69

Kevin punched him on the shoulder for that last one. These guys had been his pals since each of them had transferred to his Jr. high school. There was something weird about each one that had earned them the attention of the school bullies and it was Kevin that got them out of each fix. 70

[Cory had a bit of a feminine way about him, though he was completely straight, that the other guys apparently couldn’t stand and so had decided that he had to be gay, and thus needed them to ‘straighten’ him out. The had him cornered in an ally and had stared to beat the crap out of him when from behind they heard someone ask, “What’s up fellas?” 71

With that, Kevin let the beating begin. In the end, they ran off with the clear understanding that they were never to bother Cory again. Cory had been ruffed up a bit but was all right, a bloody lip, sore gut, and a wounded pride. Kevin had sustained his own share of injuries, a bloody lip as well, a bruise forming around his eye, and sore knuckles. They sat in the ally each catching his breath when finally Cory managed to get a thank you out.72

“Don’t mention it. Those guys are jerks looking for a fight. You didn’t do anything wrong and there is nothing wrong with being yourself.” Kevin looked over at Cory and gave him a thumb’s up with a slightly pained smile.73

Cory let out a chuckle and the two of them headed to Kevin’s family ice cream shop. 74

“That looks like a bit of a shiner.” Cory said noticing how bad the bruise was.75

“Don’t worry there’s lots of ice where we’re going.” They both laughed when they got to the ice cream shop.76

Zack was a run-a-holic; he absolutely loved to run as well as to eat peanut butter. He had it on absolutely everything he could. It was this diet that was then blamed for his horrible B.O. While he could out run anyone in the whole school, it wasn’t in open areas that the bullies decided to surround him: it was the locker room. 77

“What that stench?” 78

“I don’t know but it seems to be coming from him.” 79

“Ha. Ha. Guys, this is getting old.” Zack had been putting up with that crap for a while but knew better than to pick a fight where he was sure to lose.80

“Well maybe if you frick’n body odor wasn’t fumigating this room maybe we wouldn’t be so bothered.”81

One of the guys shoved the shirtless Zack into an open locker. The sides of the doorway scraped his arms and his shoulders smashed into the sides shooting pain right to his neck. He cried out but they were ready for it. They gagged him with his shirt, dragged him into the showers, and turned on the faucet spraying the frigid water right into his face and down his bare chest. 82

He was always a strong kid from all his running but when your arms are shooting up pain, it’s hard to fight back as well as the fact that the cold water was shocking his body. He jerked instinctively away but he guys held him fast and kept the cold all the way up. They laughed as he cried through his t-shirt and tried to breathe without getting water into his lungs.83

There was a crash as one of the kids was thrown to the wall. 84

“What the?” 85

They had only a split second before Kevin had another one of them down on the wet floor. The guys let Zack go to help their friends. He crawled out from under the water’s stream, pulled the shirt out of his mouth, and coughed to get he water out of his lungs and to get some air in.86

As Kevin took another down two of the guys got behind him and grabbed his arms and a third commenced punching him in the face and gut. Zack saw this and pushed himself up against the wall then launched himself at the third guy. They wrestled on the floor, as Kevin got free of the other two. One of the first guys got back up again and pulled Zack off the third guy but Kevin had already finished with his two and so was able to take the new guy down. 87

While the bullies were all down for the moment, Kevin grabbed Zack’s hand and got him out of there and out into the halls. They stopped and caught their breath hands on their knees. Kevin saw how Zack was shivering, so he took off his shirt and held it out to him with the command to put it on. As he had just saved him, Zack did not argue. Not a second after the shirt was on him a group of teachers and two police that worked at the school came down the hall lead by Cory.88

“In there.” He pointed89

“They should be coming out any second now.” Kevin added looked at the door.90

And they did. Bursting through the door shouting curse words address to Kevin and Zack but stopped short when they saw the group of adults that awaited them.91

As the bullies were being taken to the office in hand cuffs one of the teachers looked at Kevin and Zack and asked if you were alright.92

“We’re fine!” Kevin replied with that same smile and a thumbs up towards Zack as he added, “right?” 93

“Yeah, I’m ok.” He smiled back.94

“Either way you boys should get to the nurse’s office. Especially you Mr. Miller it looks you’re in for some killer bruises.” He said with a concerned look.95

“Don’t worry about me sir. I’ve had worse. Besides my family has a lot of ice.” Cory and him laughed at the old joke but the others were a bit confused.96

“I’ll fill you in on the way.” Cory told Zack as the three of them made their way to the nurse’s office both boys being supported by Cory who was in the middle.97

Doug, the last to join Kevin’s little band of misfits, had a slight speech impediment that make him talk in a way that makes him sound really stupid, when really he was one of the brightest boys in the grade. His long hair didn’t help matters either. It soon became that the whole school seemed against him for his stupid speech but smart brains. They found it pride damaging to be outsmarted by someone who sounded like an idiot.98

It was after school that they stopped him at his bike before he went home. 99

“Hey stupid! Nice bike you’ve got there, why don’t you let me take it home with me?” the guys laughed as Doug undid his chain and completely ignored them.100

“Hey! Are you so stupid that you can’t even understand me or something?” the leader asked as he stood in front of Doug holding the middle of the bike’s handles.101

“No I simply choose to ignore stupid people.” He said and glared up at the leader.102

“You hear that,” he said looking at his compatriots. “The idiot is calling me stupid. I think he hurt my feeling.” With that, he pulled the bike forward, Doug wasn’t ready for it and lost his balance for a moment and was met by a knee.103

The air shoot out of his lungs as the other boys laughed and the leader hopped on to Doug’s bike and started to peddle around rubbing in the fact that Doug could do nothing about it.104

“Man, this is one nice ride!” he said smiling as the coughing Doug who finally caught his breath and stood clutching his sore stomach.105

“Whatcha gunna do idiot? Stutter at me?” the guys laughed.106

“You gunna cry and call for-” he didn’t get to finish as Kevin had just kicked the front tire of the bike causing the whole thing to fall.107

“Oh whoops. I was just practicing my kick. You’re not hurt are you?” Kevin bent down and tried to help the kid up but the boy only slapped his hand away with a curse.108

“Like hell you were! I saw you do that on purpose! You’ll pay for that you jerk!” he shouted as he detangled himself from the fallen bike.109

“Hey I didn’t mean-” he did get to finish as another of the boys had taken their chain bike locks off and had hit him on the back with the lock attached to the end.110

Kevin cried out as the master lock met his back. 111

“Take that you jerk!” the boy shouted but his smile faded as Doug tackled him to the ground. 112

“What the- get off you idiot!” they wrestled on the ground as Doug tried to get the chain out of his hand, and the boy was trying to hit him with it.113

The leader finally got out from underneath the bike and went over to pull Doug off his friend but Kevin stopped him.114

“Where you going?” he asked as he stood between him and the wrestling pair.115

“Get out of the way!”116

The wrestling stopped when the boy finally managed to punch Doug in the gut. As Doug rolled and lost his breath for the second time that boy stood up and made to hit him with the chain.117

Kevin intercepted it before it reached Doug with his arm. The chain wrapped around it and he grabbed it and pulled the guy forward right into his waiting fist. The leader saw how things were defiantly going bad and took to opportunity to split. 118

As Doug finally got his breath back, he looked over to Kevin who unwound the chain from his arm.119

“Well that’s going to leave and interesting bruise.” He observed as Kevin pulled it off. 120

Kevin turned his head and smiled at Doug, “It’ll look like one of those arm tattoos.” 121

They laughed at this. Kevin helped Doug to his feet.122

“You gunna be ok?” he asked.123

“Yeah, you got beat worse than me, I just got a sore gut.” He smiled.124

After that Doug hung with Kevin, Zack and Cory and nobody has bothered them since.]125

“Hey it might have been that winning goal that got me the attention of the scout.” Kevin said flopping down on one of Zack’s mushy sofa. 126

“What scout?” Doug asked as the other guys joined him in sitting on the various types of furniture that occupied the room.127

With that opening, Kevin preceded to recount the events of this morning’s telephone call. 128

“That’s crazy-cool man!” Zack flopped back into the chair he was in. “I wish a scout would come to one of my meets. I could probably get a full ride scholarship if they saw my 300.”129

“Yeah, but how can anyone watch what they can’t see?” Doug joked. 130

The guys laughed and talked about the current homework, teachers and plans for the summer.131

Having slept in till noon then hanging out with his friends till four Kevin had promptly sped the time to his meeting with the scout.132

“Well guys wish me luck.” He said as he stood and walked home to change, grab a bit to eat then head out.133

“Looking sharp there.” his dad shouted after him as he went out the door.134

“Thanks! I don’t know how long I’ll be out but it shouldn’t take too long!” he shouted back as he walked backwards.135

He turned and started for the park. 136

He didn’t want to look like he was trying too hard to impress him. He was wearing a new pair of sneakers, a navy t-shirt under a white button up with light blue strips going down it vertically. For pants he had on a good pair of jeans that were moderately broken in that had a slightly faded look along the sides, he had showered and gelled his hair so it was slightly spiked; he looked quite sharp.137

He got to the park a bit early but he had timed it so that he would. He didn’t want to be the one to show up late or have the scout thinking that he wasn’t totally for this by not being here before him. Adults always liked punctuality. 138

“Kevin?” a voice form behind him asked.139

He turned and standing there was the scout. He was dressed sharply in a black suit that had white stitching going down vertically and polished leather loafers shone from his feet. He was in his late forties; peppered hair that was still all there, warm brown eyes gave him a welcoming smile.140

He held out his hand, “As I said before I’m Jonathan Gorton.”141

Kevin shook his hand, noticing his well manicured nails, 'I guess when your rich you have good nails.' He thought nothing more of it and introduced himself, “I’m Kevin Miller, but you already know that.” 142

The man smiled and gestured to a waiting limo, “If you please Mr. Miller.” 143

Kevin wasn’t quite expecting this but figured that scouts probably preferred somewhere more private. He got in the limo and Mr. Gorton followed. The door shut and the car started moving.144

“Well Mr. Miller, how long have you been playing soccer?” he asked looking over warmly, Kevin felt really relaxed around this guy, not at all what he expected from a scout.145

“I’ve been playing for about nine years. My elementary school only lets you start playing sports when you are in third grade.”146

“That’s interesting. Do you have any family?” 147

“Yeah. I have a little brother who’s about thirteen, and both my parents are alive. They own a ice cream shop not far from our house.” 148

“That’s good.” He smiled, and then opened the fridge that was built into the limo. “Would you like something to drink?”149

“A water is fine.” He wasn’t really thirsty, but he didn’t want to seem rude by declining his offer. 150

The man reached in, pulled out bottled water, and handed it over to him. Kevin opened it up and took a sip not wanting to look stupid just holding it.151

“So why should I consider you for the U-17 MNT team?” Gorton leaned back and watched Kevin as he took another swallow before answering.152

“Well, I’ll play my heart out for you guys. Ask anyone on the team and they’ll tell you I’m a hard worker, I never miss a practice and keep a good attitude on the field.” He said smiling.153

The man smiled as well, “That’s very good.” He said again.154

Suddenly Kevin didn’t feel right. He blinked thinking that maybe his eyes had just dried out but doing that he realized he felt really sleepy. He didn’t want to go to sleep in front of the scout so he fought it as best he could but he realized that this was not a natural occurrence. His eyes went to his water then to the scout, who was still smiling.155

“Very good.”156

Kevin tried to get out of the limo but the door wouldn’t open and all the while exhaustion pulled at him.157

“Let me out!” he managed as he finally collapsed on to the floor of the limo. 158

“Very good.” Was the last thing he heard before the blackness took him.159

‡160

From within the folds of the inkblot shadows there manifested a spectral form, more doll than girl. As she daintily swept cobwebs off her silk dress, her glass eyes trailed over to the boy lying on the hard floor. 161

'He looks so peaceful,' she mused to herself. 162

With almost fluid gracefulness, she sat down, nearly on top of him, to lavish his lips with tender caresses from her small hands and to snake her fingers through his blonde hair. Even in her tender years, this porcelain nymphet longed to hear the boy whisper her name like so many young lovers before them. Although she knew his name, Kevin, it would be foolish to hope he knew her name, Isabel. 163

What was he like? Isabel had so many questions bubbling up from within her she felt she’d burst. Why wouldn’t he wake up? He’d been asleep for hours, and although she was tempted to try a fairytale revival, she knew those only worked when a prince kissed a princess, not the other way around. 164

Boredom, her ever-present tormentor, was growing unbearably stronger with each hushed breath that escaped the boy’s lips. Perhaps she’d go play with her dolls, she had so many. Daddy always made sure she was well provided for [a fact that had caused much tension between Mother and him. Mother had said Daddy was spoiling her and that it had been madness to keep Isabel in The Playroom (not that Isabel really cared, in fact she preferred it this way). Finally, Mother went away leaving behind only a few trinkets and Daddy and Isabel moved on with their lives.]165

Did boys like to play with dolls or would Kevin think her childish to indulge in such activities? 166

Isabel sighed, if only she had had more playmates like Kevin. 'Oh well,' she thought fingering one of her ebony locks, maybe she would settle for brushing her own hair today.167

Kevin slowly stirred awake. His body felt a little stiff from the hard floor. He pushed himself up into a sitting position. He tried to survey his surroundings but was unable to even see his hand in front of his face.168

“Hello! Is anyone there?” he shouted to into the darkness, he didn’t expect any reply. 169

'You are such an idiot! How could you have fallen for this? Yeah right, like a real soccer scout would call your house just because you happened to score the wining goal at a state game! You are such a sucker! Now you’re trapped in Lord knows what, Lord knows where, in the pitch black. 170

'Calm down! Just . . . try to figure out a way out of here. Freaking out about your situation is not going to help get you out of it!'171

He took a deep breath and tried to focus, a time old ritual he would always perform before his games. He stood up and started to walk forward with is arms in front of him feeling for any solid form that he might follow along and hopefully find a door or some other way out of this place. 172

He didn’t know how long he walked in the dark, arms outstretched as his eyes slowly adjusted to the faint amount of light that the room had. He could soon vaguely make out what he thought to be walls and walked a little faster to get to them. His heart was pounding a million miles a second as his mind started playing tricks on him. He started to see blurry images in the darkness.173

'It’s just your imagination Kevin, stop it! Juts relax and you’ll be ok. You’re just trapped in some creepy guys basement and all you have to do is find the stairs and get out . . . before anything happens.'174

This did very little to help calm his nerves or slow his beating heart. 175

He finally reached the wall and started to walk briskly to the right figuring that either way he would eventually wind up at a door. Unless this room had no doors . . .176

'Stop it! Relax already!'177

He stopped because he was quite certain that there was someone in front of him coming ever closer. 178

'It’s just you imagination. There is no one there. Unless its that guy . . . DON’T GO THERE!'179

“Who’s there?” he demanded of the figure. 180

It stopped and seemed to tilt its head just the slightest bit.181

“Hello.” Came a quiet voice out of the darkness. 182

“Who are you?” he shouted back, the voice had sounded like that of a little girl, how many other people were down here? 183

“Isabel.” She replied with voice full of fear.184

He slowly walked toward her but as soon as she saw he was coming towards her, she ran to him. He was surprised as she ran right into him just like his little brother would whenever he was scared or afraid. 185

“Oh, thank God you’ve come! I’ve been down here for years!” she cried into his shirt. 186

He instinctively put a protective arm around her as she cried. He thought whatever she was wearing felt rather odd, there didn’t seem to be much cloth between her and his hand. 187

“It’s alright.” He said in the voice he would usually use for his brother whenever he was crying.188

“NO! You don’t understand! I’ve been down here for so long! Always alone in the dark! Until I heard your voice shouting. I was so happy; finally, there was someone there someone who could help me. I wasn’t alone anymore!” she cried gripping his cotton shirt in her small and fragile fists.189

He looked down into her eyes but in the dark could barely make out her face and the outline of her. Her head bent down, she seemed to be whipping her nose on her sleeve, and he heard her hiccupping slightly from her crying.190

“Alright,” he tried to sound brave. “Since you’ve been here so long do you know where the windows are or even a door?” 191

She sniffled for a couple of minutes thinking, and finally replied.192

“This way!” she declared as she grabbed his hand and pulled him through the darkness. 193

She ran with certainty of sight.194

'She must have been down here so long that her eyes have completely adjusted to the darkness.' He couldn’t help feeling sorry for the poor young girl that reminded him so much of his own brother.195

'I wonder if you’re worried about me’ He tried to put it out of his mind knowing that worrying about such things wouldn’t do him any good.196

“We’re almost there!” she announced over her shoulder as she went a little faster, but still, he was a soccer player, keeping up was no problem for him. 197

Suddenly she stopped and he almost ran her over.198

“It’s just around that corner.” She said. 199

“What’s wrong?” he asked wondering why she would go no further.200

“I can’t stand the light.” She said her head bowed. 201

He heart went out to this poor little girl who couldn’t even stand to be near sunlight. 202

“Alright-” he started.203

“Please come back!” she cried latching on to him again like the desperate child she was.204

“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you here alone.” He promised and went around the corner into the room.205

He had never been so happy to see light before. It was barely coming through a bared and paneled window. He felt as though he were in some surreal place because the light was so faint yet so pure. He ran up to the window and pried off the old boards. The bars where an old metal but they held fast under his pressure. He tried to rattle them lose but they wouldn’t budge. 206

He cursed under his breath and stood looking up at the window. It was the basement type that was level, with the ground so there was no chance of him kicking it out. But, perhaps if he found something that was sturdy enough to break the glass the girl would at least be able to squeeze through and get help. 207

He looked around the room but there was nothing beyond the boards that he had just pried off the window. 208

“Great.” He sighed. 209

He turned and went back to where Isabel was waiting. As soon as she saw him coming around the corner she ran to him.210

“I was so scared that you had left with out me! I was so scared that I was alone again!” she started crying all over again. 211

He squatted down to her height and looked her in the eyes as he held her shoulders.212

“It’s going to be alright. I’m going to find a way out of here. And I promise that I will not leave you here alone.” He said with all seriousness as he looked into her cobalt eyes. 213

She sniffled and nodded.214

“Okay. Now are there any other windows or even a door?”215

“There’s one other window I have found. There are a lot of doors but I’ve never found the one that leads upstairs.” She said eyes locked on his as if trying to savor every moment she could in doing so. 216

“Alright. Take me to the other window.” He stood up and she led him to the next window.217

It was just like the previous one. Boarded up with bars that wouldn’t budge. He cursed again and sat down in the lit room. It must be getting close to dusk because the light was growing fainter through the window. He wondered how long he had actually been there. He looked at his watch and saw that it was 6:32 pm. 218

'How long was I out?' He wondered. 219

Doing the math, he figured that he had been out for 24 hours. 220

“Kevin! Where are you?” he could hear Isabel’s voice calling from around the corner.221

“Hold on I’ll be right there!” he shouted back.222

He stood and went back to her and let her hug him once more, he understood that she must have been so incredibly alone that the physical presence of another person was something she didn’t want to let go of. 223

“Come on. Now where are these doors?”224

She nodded and took his hand she walked slower this time as though there was no rush what so ever. Then again maybe there wasn’t. 225

“The doors just lead to different rooms.” She said. “Why don’t I just take you my home!” 226

“Your home?” he asked.227

“Yeah it’s where I stay most of the time.” She smiled and grabbed his had and started to lead back into the darkness and he followed complacently not knowing where they were going anyway.228

‡229

With the help of crimson-veiled lights, which flickered oh so faintly, shadows took part in a solemn dance over the walls and upon the ceiling. The eerie light and childish adornments of the room—peeling floral wallpaper and a star-speckled blue ceiling—intertwined to create a sense of misplaced comfort. Isabel inhaled the musty smell (the very same one that clung to Daddy’s books) and sighed once more clasping Kevin’s hand.230

“So, what do you think?” She asked all puppy-dog eyes.231

“Um…it’s nice” Clearly, he hadn’t been expecting a room this nice. Isabel smiled.232

“Yup, Daddy wanted it this way…would you like tea?”233

“Uh…sure.”234

Isabel motioned towards a tiny table in a corner complete with an intricate, child-sized tea set. Kevin understanding went and sat down. She on the other hand, went to fetch her gloves and change.235

“I’ll be right back, ok?” She purred sweetly as the shadows swallowed her up. 236

“Um…Isabel?” Kevin sheepishly called to her.237

“Uh huh” She called back as she struggled with the buttons that went up her back.238

“Uh…where’d this all come from?”239

“Daddy, of course.” There she was done, now for her hair. 240

“Daddy?”241

“Uh huh.”242

Isabel took a moment to admire her reflection in the mirror. Her hair fell in soft curls down her shoulders and her dress! This dress was her favorite, its skirt a mass of colors and frills like a birthday cake and ribbons that wove their way up her arms—it suited a princess. Another quick look she returned to sit across from Kevin.243

“I hope you like mint.” She smiled sweetly pouring him a cup. 244

Kevin nodded and politely took her small offering gulping it down. Isabel was sure at that moment she loved that boy, he was so innocent and trusting—just like a charming prince should be. 245

“You know what?” she smiled coyly, “When you’re done with your tea we should play a game!”246

That got the boy’s attention; she liked the feeling of his emerald gaze. “What kind of game?” 247

“Oh a make believe game! Like the kind Peter Pan played with his nymphs!” she smiled.Kevin wasn’t sure what entirely was going on. Make believe? Like Peter pan? He was way too old to be playing children’s games. But then again . . .248

“Isabel exactly how long have you been down here?” he asked.249

“Since I can remember.” She answered sweetly sipping her tea, she noticed his cup empty and poured some more for him.250

“Did your father lock you down here?” as much as Kevin didn’t want to believe a father was capable of such a sick act, .all this simply added up to the father’s imprisonment of his child.251

“Yes. But Daddy always comes to visit and he bring me new friends so I’m never really lonely.” She said brightly as it was a fact of her life.252

She noticed his shocked and sickened look and added, “But I feel horrible about what he does to them. Taking you away form you family . . . he does it because he wants me have friends but he won’t ever let me out.” A lone tear slid down her doll-like face and she dabbed it away with her gloved hand.253

“I’m sorry.” It seemed like an odd thing to say but he really couldn’t think of anything else to say.254

Perhaps he wasn’t too old to play after all. It is for a good cause anyways.255

“What should we play?” he asked, trying to act enthused with the idea.256

She smiled and gave a little squeal of glee.257

“Oh, wonderful! I know just the story!” she stood up and walked over to what looked like a large steamer trunk. As she opened the lid she began the story.258

“There is a royal princess who gets kidnapped by an evil goblin king. Her brave knight has to go through many trials to save her before she is forced to marry the evil king.” She rummaged around for a moment, found what she was looking for and lifted them out.259

She drew out a broad sword and a small arm shield. As she turned around to face Kevin his whole world seemed to fade out for the briefest of moments then come into sharp focus as she declared, “Sir. Kevin!”260

He was in complete shock as he was suddenly in side of what looked to be the throne room of a castle surrounded by a massive crowd of people dressed for the medieval occasion. Even he was dressed in what looked to be renaissance clothes. 261

“What the-” he didn’t get to finish before Isabel looking ever the princess continued.262

“Take a knee.” 263

He ad little choice but to stand and kneel before her. As he did she held out the sword she had taken out of the trunk it looked new forged and he could see the sharpness of the blade.264

“With this sword, may you guard our realm with courage and honor!”265

The crowd cheered madly as he took the sword, more than a little confused and blow away. As the cheering died down she continued.266

“With this shield, may you fight and triumph in many a battle!” 267

Again the cheering and again he received her gift of an arm shield that seemed to fit perfectly around his left arm. Isabel smiled with the pride a princess has in her beloved knight. 268

“Now these are not by any means normal weapons-”269

She was unable to finish as at that moment a figure crashed through the massive stained glass window that Kevin had not been previously aware of. The man wrapped an arm around Isabel and lifted he off the ground and back out the way he had come.270

“Isabel!” Kevin reached up trying to grab her before she was out of reach but his had only brushed across the hem of her gown. 271

The Goblin king, as Kevin guessed he was vanished with Isabel and his surrounding shifted again.272

Instead of the grand throne room he was now in a dark tunnel. 273

“Ok, what the hell is going on!” he had gone from tea with Isabel to now standing in a tunnel with a shield on his arm and a sword in his hand, all of which is impossible.274

He no more time to ponder this mystery as a black knight came charging at him sword ready to run him through.275

“Whoa!” he dogged the swing and swung at the knight with his own sword but the second it mat eh armor it bounded right back off jarring his arm in the process. The knight quickly turned and brought his sword back down again. Kevin had no time to doge and so brought up his shield and took the blow.276

The force of the hit sent him to the ground and made his arm feel like mush. He cursed and rolled to the side as the knight brought down his sword again.277

“Come on! Can’t we talk about this?” Kevin asked sarcastically. 278

The knight answered with his sword and Kevin had to roll again.279

I bet I could trip this guy but I would break my leg if I tried it! A hammer would be better use than this sword!280

He tried to stand but the knight kept at him giving him no chance to get standing. He rolled again and noticed that his sword had changed. The hammer he had wished for was not in his hands.281

He wasted no time wondering over this, he swung the hammer and smashed into the knight’s legs breaking them on contact. The knight cried out but Kevin took no notice as he quickly got up and started to run away from the knight incase he decided to make like the black knight from Monty Python and keep at him.282

He took all of two steps before he heard the second knight coming up behind him. He had only enough time to turn and raise his shield before the knight’s mace made contact. Kevin cried out as his arm felt like it was being shattered. The mace had become imbedded in the shield so when the knight pulled it back Kevin’s arm was jerked with it. 283

Crap!284

The knight drew out a dagger and swiped at Kevin but he stood on his toes and bent at the waist dodging it for the most part but the knight had managed to plant a shallow cut across Kevin’s stomach.285

Kevin cried out and swung his hammer again this time smashing it into side of the knight’s head. The knight didn’t even cry out as he fell to the floor of the tunnel taking Kevin’s arm with him.286

“Oof!” He sat on the ground and taking a breath pulled the shield off of his dead arm. He took a sharp breath then it was free. He cradled it in his lap and lamented the damage that had been done to his nice shirt. Blood from the stomach cut had stained both his shirts and the dagger had cut a line right through it. 287

He again had only a moment before the scenery changed again. This time he was in the core of a volcano with a pool of lava bubbling below him with only a thin stone bride crossing to the other side of the core where he could see Isabel tied to the wall and a cloaked figure waiting. 288

“Kevin!” Isabel cried in desperation.289

The Goblin simply laughed and literally flew at Kevin.290

He grabbed the hammer that was still resting at his side and swung it the second the king came near. The king simply stopped then grabbed Kevin’s throat and pressed him up against the wall. 291

Kevin swung the hammer again and the king didn’t seem to expect this and let his go and disappeared.292

Kevin gasped and breath the sulfur air, then pushed himself off the wall and sprinted across the bridge. 293

“Kevin watch out!” Isabel warned.294

He spun and dropped to the ground as the Goblin king flew over him. He stood and continued on. 295

“Hang on Isabel!” he shouted and finally got to the other side. 296

He cut her down and they started to cross the bridge again when the Goblin King came again. Kevin grabbed Isabel and dropped to the ground covering her with his body.297

The Goblin swooped over them and Kevin pulled them up and pushed her forward shouting for her to run to the other side and somehow get out of this crazy place. 298

He ran behind her looking over her shoulder watching for the goblin and ready to drop or fend it off where it to come for them again. 299

He heard Isabel scream and turned to see her barley hanging on the edge of the bridge. She must have tripped and cough her self before she fell. 300

“Hold on Isabel!” he shouted dodging the flying Goblin once more.301

He slid to where she hung holding his arm out and catching her hand just as she let go. 302

“I’ve got you!” he said and started to pull her up.303

“Kevin the goblin!” he turned and saw the goblin was headed right his way.304

He had abandoned his hammer, which had since returned to being a sword, and would not be able to reach it time to fend off the Goblin. He made a split second decision.305

With what little strength he had left he pulled Isabel up and shielded her with his body just as the Goblin’s sword came down onto his back. Isabel screamed.306

He never felt the blade. 307

He sat, eyes closed tight waiting for the pain but it never came. Isabel stopped screaming and he could feel her trembling just the slightest bit but aside from that there seemed to be nothing. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. 308

They were back in the basement. 309

Kevin’s body went completely lax and he collapsed onto the floor. He was completely exhausted. His arm was throbbing and his stomach felt warm where his blood was slowly streaming out. 310

“Kevin! Oh, Kevin are you alright?” she cried.311

He could only moan. He closed his eyes hoping for unconsciousness but remained awake. 312

“Stay here, I go and fetch a healer!” she then got up and dashed out of the room.313

He had passed the point of questioning her antics. He just let himself not think.314

She soon returned, dressed in a ‘healer-like’ outfit with a first aid kit. She knelt down next to him and started to unbutton his shirt. This brought him back.315

“Whoa, what are you doing?” he asked holding the hand that had been opening his shirt.316

“I’ve got to sanitize the cut and stop the bleeding.” She stated matter-of-factly. 317

He sighed and relaxed. Although the thought of being semi-undressed by a nine year old girl didn’t sit well with him he saw the logic in her reply. He was also dog tired.318