Chapter 3
Gregor awoke when his nose was tickled by Lizzie's hair, which she had been growing out for quite some time now, and came down to the middle of her back.
"Time to wake up, sleepyhead." She said with a smile.
Gregor yawned and shook himself awake.
He stretched and nimbly hopped out of bed then threw on the clothes he wore the day before and dragged himself into the kitchen.
Gregor was attacked by the smells of breakfast being made and took a seat at the table. "Morning, baby." His mom said, unsettlingly happy. "Oh, Morning Mom." Gregor replied.
Her brow furrowed but before she could say anything, Gregor's father groaned loudly as he walked out his parent's room and took a seat at the table.
"Morning, Dad." Gregor said.
His father grunted back at him.
He was not a morning person.
Someone seemed to be missing from the table.
Someone small.
Someone loud.
Boots was not at the table.
Gregor almost had a heart attack before he realized that Boots was not yet awake.
He excused himself from the table and walked down the hallway towards their Grandma's room.
He opened the door to see that, thankfully, Boots was still sleeping soundly. "Such a loud snore for such a little girl" Gregor thought as he lightly shook the little girl awake.
She rose with one eye half-open mumbling "Bekfest…" and plopped down again, asleep in seconds.
This time, Gregor reached into the crib and fished her all the way out.
As he did, her eyes popped open and the first thing out of her mouth was: "Where Temp?"
Ever since his family left the Underland, Boots had asked this question every morning. She had gotten used to going down to the Underland almost every day, so It was strange for her to be in New York for such a long non-interrupted time.
Boots had persisted with the same question over and over again that now she could see Gregor did not intend to answer.
The tiny girl scrunched her face up and balled her fists. Gregor could see she was about to throw a tantrum for the ages.
Gregor braced himself as the onslaught of auditory death rippled throughout the vicinity and he could have sworn that even the Underland itself could feel the tremors.
Boots finished and left Gregor with a ringing in his ears and she did nothing more than whimper all the way through breakfast.
Gregor quietly ate his breakfast of soggy waffles drenched in syrup.
It was then that everything he had heard last night came smashing back into him.
He almost dropped his fork as he broke out in a cold sweat.
Luckily, his parents did not notice the unusual outburst.
Gregor didn't know if he should bring it up.
He decided it would be safe to lightly bring up the topic.
Gregor piped up, "So… How about the Underland?"
All conversation ceased.
Gregor's parents turned to face him.
"Gregor, there's something you should know. Someone all of you should know." His mom said, slowly
Normally, Gregor would be surprised. But he knew what was coming.
"We think we might go live… In the Underland…" His mother reluctantly said.
"Right on Cue." Thought Gregor
