Chapter 9: Room 101
1428 Words
The Silent Scream Inn, Chaos Realm.
“What the Chaos?” Jamie shouted as the corridor she has been walking down was suddenly turning 360 degrees.
i“It is the Chaos change, it happens every day at a random time!” Tracker said as he jumped on Jamie’s back.
The floor became the ceiling, the pictures on the walls all changed in order or completely disappeared. The corridor suddenly became much wider and the surface that was once a ceiling now grew long grass. The walls appeared to grow bark and the lights suddenly started to fly around. On closer inspection, Jamie determined they were some sort of firefly.
A bell tolled and a voice boomed, “The chaos change is complete and all is well. May Mother Universe and Father light bless the Empress in all her glory!”
Jamie got up and dusted herself down. “Is there anything else you guys have forgotten to mention? A flying pudding perhaps?” Jamie said as the building started to move in, then out. It took a minute to realise that the building was actually breathing.
“It is the chaos realm, what do you expect Xic?” Vanth mind linked in reply.
“I told you I was under pressure! Well, we best get to our room and try to get some rest!” Jamie muttered. Fluff has just been sat quietly cleaning himself throughout the whole incident.
“Yes, let’s xic!” Fluff said.
Jamie sighed, she knew she was never going to live the name down now! Jamie looked down at the skull key fob, it hadn’t changed. The room number was still 101. “Room 101? This hotel room does not look big enough to have a 101 rooms!” Jamie said.
“Oh, bless you Xic! You think the numbers go up in numerical order! When are you going to understand this is the chaos realm. It is not quantifiable, it can’t be measure or put neatly into order. It is based on emotion, feelings and the unexpected!” Tracker said in a dramatic tone.
“Oh, please!” Fluff said and Jamie could feel him roll his eyes.
“Come on, let’s get going!” Jamie said as she carefully walked down the corridor. She made sure she did not touch the walls as they were still moving in and out.
“Is the..” Jamie asked.
“Building alive? Of course! The whole city is!” Tracker said.
Eventually, they reached the big wooden door with the number 101 over it. On closer inspection, Jamie notice the numbers were actually made of tiny black beetles. “Makes no sense to paint the numbers when things change so regularly around here!” Vanth said and for the first time, Jamie thought something made sense.
Jamie was about to put the key into the lock when she heard a female voice say, “So, it is you!”
Jamie looked around startled and the voice continued, “ I knew you come crawling back to me!”
“That is where you are wrong, I would never go inside you again!” A male voice suddenly snapped back.
“Why not? You know I am the best you ever had!” The female voice said.
“Oh, great! Trust us to get stuck with the room where the security is having relationship problems!” Fluff mind linked.
“What?” Jamie asked
“What? Did you say what? Were you dropped on the head as a child? Is that why you are so ugly?” The female voice said. Jamie heard Vanth snigger as Fluff pawed the lock.
“Oi, get your clean paws off me! They are disgusting, there is not a scrap of dirt on them!” The female voice said. It suddenly clicked, the female voice was the lock, which meant the male one was the key. Jamie opened her hand and the skull jaw moved and said “Hello!”
“Hello? How are you?” Jamie asked.
Jamie heard Tracker snigger and say, “Did you just asked a key if they are alright?”
“Oi, lubricant boy, nothing wrong with being polite!” The key snapped.
“Yes, as my mother use to say manners maketh the demon!” The Lock pointed out.
“Your Mother sounds very wise!” Jamie commented.
“Yes, she was part of one the royal locks in the Empress’s palace and my Father...The Lock said.
“Here we go!” The Key said with a sigh.
“Is one of the locks at Kyronus! He keeps the criminals locked away!” The Lock said, ignoring the Key.
“Wow, that is very impressive!” Jamie said.
“I know! See Key, someone appreciates my pedigree!” The Lock said pointedly.
“I am sorry, but would you mind letting me in? I am so tired!” Jamie said with her sweetest voice. They may be objects, but Jamie could hear the voice of fed up servants. A little politeness got someone a long way!
“Only, if he admits that I am the best. Not that rusty old lock down the way! I know he has been with her, even if he could not turn her!” The Lock said.
“Love, it was an accident! You know you are the only lock for me!” The skull key said.
“Really?” The lock said.
“How could he not? You are a very special lock by the sounds of it!” Jamie said shrewdly.
“Exactly what she said! I love you, baby! I love being with you, I love it when I turn you the way that you like..”
“Oh, I think I am about to be sick!” Fluff comment.
“Oh, darling, I love it when you are with me! You make me so special! Come to me..” The Lock said.
“I will baby, you just wait, I am coming!” The Key said happily.
Jamie, not sure what was happening, quickly put the key into the lock. There were some noises from the lock that made Jamie feel slightly uncomfortable and the door swung open.
Tracker walked in and said, “Welcome to your home for the next few hours!”
Jamie looked around and was pleasantly surprised. The carpet was still grass and the bed was made of logs, moss and leaves. There was a smaller room on the side that had a pond for the bath and loo.
“Well, this is not bad!” Jamie said as she took the key out of the door. Hearing the protests, she quickly returned the key into the lock on the inside of the door. Jubilant noises continued, especially when she turned the key. Jamie was not sure if she could ever view a lock and key quite in the same way again.
Jamie headed for the bed. She sighed as she took off her boots and laid down. Jamie was not a fool, she knew a furious Amon and Richard would be waiting for her.
“I best get this over and done with!” Jamie said as she felt Fluff sit on her chest. Jamie closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.
When Fluff was sure she was asleep, he narrowed his eyes as said, “You may reveal yourself. Don't bother hiding anymore, even that imbecile can sense you!”
“Oi!” Tracker protested.
“Shut up!” Fluff hissed.
Slowly, the shadow from the wardrobe moved and formed into a humanoid shape.
“I presume he sent you?” Fluff asked
“Yesss” The shadow man replied
“Who?” Tracker asked.
“The one true King!” The shadow said.
“Well, do a better job hiding, she sensed you!” Fluff ordered. The shadow nodded and faded back to where it came from.
After a moment, Tracker said, “So, it is true. She is here to bring balance back to the realms!”
Fluff grumped and said, “What makes you think that? She is here to save her mate, that is all!”
“Yeah, right!” Tracker said as he curled up by Jamie’s feet and closed his eyes.
Meanwhile, Jamie opened her eyes and smiled as she was in a wildflower meadow. The sun was shining in the cloudless as a gentle breeze blew. Jamie turned and was shocked at who she saw. “Eric!” She gasped.
- Writer
