Seventh Queen

Forgotten

Kyle's POV

An uncomfortable silence followed Basil's announcement. I shared a glance with Alani, hoping that she understood what I was trying to silently communicate. Clearly, she didn't. I hadn't even uttered one word to Basil since he had arrived; Alani was clearly better at speaking gently to him than me. I'm not a mean person or anything, but I've never been good with kids or...whatever Basil is.

Sighing, I took the responsibility upon myself and asked him, "Well, what do you mean we've been 'revealed'?"

His voice dropped to a more ominous tone - yet it was still extremely squeaky. "When you are revealed, it's almost like showing your 'true colors'. Meaning, whatever you're like inside - in your soul - will become visible on the outside."

Although it was cheesy, I had to admit it was pretty cool.

"Not everyone will look similar at all. Kyle, for example. You must have a strong passion in your soul, fiery, if you will. That is why your appearance almost resembles a flame." He spun around to Alani. "Alani, you're serene, calm, and cool headed. You're a natural born leader." He turned to look at both of us. "I'm guessing I'm correct in assuming this?"

I nodded, probably looking as dumbfounded as Alani. I honestly wasn't impressed - just a little weirded out by this tiny man. Anyone could tell the things that he guessed, so it wasn't a truly surprising feat. Anyone would know I was 'fiery' if they spent five seconds with me.

"You may be asking how and why I know this." Basil continued, although I wasn't asking myself anything. He gave a dramatic pause. "Those stories are all for another time. More likely never."

Geez, I thought. This little guy is really theatrical.

"Now we'd best be leaving now! Come on, let's go!" Basil insisted, sounding like a character from a cartoon. He began walking off into the white, fishing around in his pockets. I looked around; he sure was moving fast for someone with such tiny legs. In the end, I settled on grabbing his trailing coat tails and dragging along behind him.

"Wait!" Alani interrupted. I turned to glare at her; I wanted nothing more than to leave this overwhelmingly blank area.

"I want to know where we are - as well as where we're going. And," she swallowed. "If I can ever go back. Back to my home, I mean."

Basil nodded thoughtfully, looking too dignified for a three foot tall man who just had a teenager ride his coat tails - literally.

"I'll answer those questions one at a time.

"We're currently at The Crossroads: an empty space that is used for dimension travel. Although, people rarely travel through different dimensions. Therefore The Crossroads is hardly used."

My mouth fell open. Sure, this day was strange and difficult. But I'd never expected to be traveling to an alternate dimension. It sounded like a plot from an 80s sci-fi movie: cheesy and with no place in my life. The second part was especially important.

"Ok...go on," Alani urged.

"We're currently going - well not right now, obviously. We're stationary, and not moving right now, so-"

Alani cut him off, hiding her urgency well. "Yes, Basil. We understand that. Clearly we're not traveling anywhere! Continue."