Gregor pressed his forehead against the screen for so long, he could feel a pattern of tiny checks above his eyebrows.
How long had it been since he had last been standing here like this, waiting for summer to end, not knowing what would happen next, and how it would change him forever? "An eternity, most like," he muttered.
Gregor sighed in frustration. Was there anything to do? The summer had returned, and with it another year of boredom in his untidy little apartment.
What to do, what to do. Gregor sighed again. His father was gone with his mother in Virginia to prepare everything for their arrival. His parents had left him in the care of the old woman next door, Mrs. Cormaci. But she was gone as well, out to the dry cleaner's. Lizzie, one of his sisters, was sleeping in her room, and Boots was entertaining herself with a spatula. Gergor's grandmother was…gone.
Thoughts kept running through his mind. Her last words, and everything that had happened since then. What came after death? Gregor wondered. He had come so close to finding out many times, but never had.
But those times were long past. And now, the grate that led to the land of his dreams, the land that held everything—and everyone—he loved was sealed, held over by paint and an inch of reinforced steel.
The Underland. What was happening now? Had it worked out? Had all the species successfully dropped war and raised their hands for peace? And most of all, where was Luxa?
Luxa. The beautiful queen of the Underland, stern and arrogant, yet at times kind and gentle. How far had she come? Gregor felt around in his back pocket, panicking for a second. The picture. Where was it? Then he found it, in his other back pocket. He took it out and gingerly set it on the counter next to him.
There they were, together. Everything forgotten. All the pain, the suffering, the death. Everything was perfect, right in that instant. And he wanted it to stay that way forever.
But fate wouldn't have it. Fate would rather have them torn apart, because love is the strongest bond, and the easiest to break.
No. That wasn't true. Love was not easy to break. Even in death, love may even become stronger than before. But the ache always remains, and happy times remain in the heart.
Suddenly, Gregor's right fist tightened. He had to know! He needed to see her again, to see everyone, to know that they were alright, to let them know that he was alright. Just once. It wouldn't hurt.
Gregor slipped his shoes on and grabbed a coat in case it rained. "Lizzie! Boots!" he called. "We're going for a walk, and you're coming with me whether you like it or not!"
He scribbled a note for Mrs. Cormaci to read when she came back.
Mrs. Cormaci,
Went to Underland. I couldn't stand not knowing. I hope you understand. Please don't tell mom and dad. Thanks for everything you've done. Boots says hi.
--Gregor
She wouldn't be happy with him, but he felt sure she'd know why he'd done it.
With that, he slipped out the front door, his siblings in tow, hopped in a cab, and began the journey to Central Park.