Read Seventh Dimension - The Door, Book 1, A Young Adult Fantasy Page 17
Where was I? Groggy and disoriented, I twisted and turned to force myself awake. When I remembered, I stood and ran to the window. The sun had dropped in the sky, and the shadows from the trees were long. Nighttime approached.
Then I saw her, dreamlike—the white dog. Her eyes danced, and her small body sashayed at the hope of seeing me at last.
“Sleepy head, wake up,” she demanded, “and come down here at once. I traveled the universe to bring you here, and I shan’t wait any longer.”
I shoved open the door and ran out. I saw the white dog before everything turned black. I squinted. Fifi lay motionless at the bottom of the steps. I heaved into the stony wall, clasping my stomach, as if I were going to bowl over.
When I reopened my eyes, the white dog was prancing as if she had won Best in Show at Madison Square Garden. She bounded up the stairs and ran into my arms.
I scratched her ear as she wiggled in my lap. “You aren’t going to run away this time, are you? Can you talk, too, or was that my imagination?”
“All animals talk. Most people don’t have the gift of understanding what we say.”
“How did I receive the gift?”
“The king is the giver.”
“The king?”
“The sheep sent me to you,” the white dog said.
I patted her on the head. “So many unexplained things go back to that children’s story.”
The dog stretched and cocked her head enjoying the rubdown.
I laughed. “Is your name Much-Afraid?”
“I was always afraid until the king healed me.”
I wanted to hold her tightly for a long time. The white dog nuzzled her head in my lap, and the more I scratched her ear, the more her affection warmed my heart.
“Did you know that dog is God spelled backwards?” the white dog asked.
“No. How did you know that?”
“The king told me.”
“I wish I could meet him someday.”
“You will.”
“Tell me more about this king.”
“He’s perfect.”
“Then I better stay away from him.”
The white dog shook her head. “No, you got it wrong. The king knows you aren’t perfect—but since he created you, he knows everything about you.”
“Created me? My parents did that. No matter—maybe the king will adopt me and make me a princess, and I won’t even have to kiss a frog.”
“You underestimate the king’s power,” the white dog replied.
“What about you? I’m here because of you. Where are we?”
“We’re where the king brought you.”
“Brought me?” I eyed the dog skeptically. “So the king sent you to me to bring me here, and he wants to make me his daughter, but I don’t yet know my father. Sounds like a story I might write someday, and I wouldn’t be accused of plagiarizing—it’s too fantastical.” I laughed. “I just made up a word.”
“The king loves magical stories.”
“Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to hear one.” I looked at the dog’s foot. “How come you have a limp?
“I don’t.”
“I saw you limping back at the apartment—twice.”
“I was imitating you.”
“What are you, some kind of psychiatrist?” I had almost forgotten about Dr. Silverstein.
“How did you hurt your foot?” the dog asked.
I stiffened as my joy fled. “It’s healed now.”
The dog changed the subject before I lied. “Come. Let me show you around the stable.”
“I’m going to name you Much-Afraid. You remind me of the dog from my favorite childhood story.”
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
“A dog that knows Shakespeare.” I laughed. A king of stories and coincidences? Lost in thought, I entered the stable. The cave was roomy and dry for an enclosure full of donkeys, pigs, goats, and sheep, and even some animals that weren’t invited. Two mice scurried underneath the table. Baruch was munching on oats when I walked over to his stall. “I’m so happy to see you—in such a short time you’ve become my favorite donkey.”
“And how many donkeys have you ever met?”
I held up my fingers and counted—one.
We both laughed.
“I’m happy to see you, too, Miss Shale.”
I grinned. “How is Daniel?”
Baruch’s eyes beamed. “We’ve got plenty of oats, fresh water, and a clean stall. Daniel is kind. Different.”
The way Baruch said it reminded me of Mari’s words.
Cherios hopped on the ledge and bobbed up and down. “I have lots of carrots and veggies.”
Much-Afraid barked excitedly. “Come meet Lowly.” Much-Afraid led me to his stall. A cute little pig wagged his short tail as he bowed. “Th-thank you for bringing Baruch b-back to us.”
“You’re welcome.” I examined the stony walls and high ceiling. The other animals in the stable nodded at me but remained quiet—except for the fiery donkey in the back stall. He was a large, red-haired ass with a cantankerous disposition. Banging his backside into the wall, he grumbled and kicked the doorframe with his hoofs.
“What’s wrong with him?” I asked.
Baruch jerked his head towards the back and whinnied. “Daniel gave me his stall and put him in that one. He didn’t like being moved.”
I studied the disgruntled donkey as he gave me a sarcastic smile. I leaned over and whispered in Baruch’s ear. “Stay away from that brute, okay? He gives me the creeps.”