Chapter 20
Lucy suddenly felt her fingers tingling, her toes, her legs, her arms, and her torso. And soon, she had the ability to open her eyes. She wasn't sure what she expected to find above her head, but her familiar attic ceiling was definitely not in the top three. And yet, there it was. She gasped, hearing a ringing in her ears. What had caused it? Oh yes. Someone had screamed. It was so terrifying that Lucy cringed in the memory of it. She slowly sat up, and looked over to see Sean. He had his eyes opened as well, staring at the ceiling and flickering to Lucy's startled face. Jess was already standing, looking around herself in wonder. But where was Rose?
Oh god.
Rose.
Sean must have realized this as well because his eyes welled with tears. The girls crowded around him as he sat up and looked around him. There was no Rose. He knew that scream sounded familiar. It had belonged to Rose. It was her sudden, deathly realization. The three sat in silence for a while, clinging to each other. Above them, the sounds of music could be heard. Music and a roar of speech. Was that the party? Was it still going on? "It was like we never left," Lucy whispered, her voice sounding almost eerie.
"I can't believe she's gone," Sean said, his eyes blankly staring at the picture of Rose leaning against the brick wall covered in dust. Jess nodded, looking up at him sadly. They had all become fond of the rebellious Princess who soon hoped to return to her home land. But she would never return. Now, she was gone. Forever.
"Come on Sean, we should go upstairs," Lucy said, slowly standing up. They had lost two people on their journey through the hidden lands of Evel.
Then, it hit Sean.
"Sydney! We left Sydney!" He gasped, staring up at the two in sudden surprise. But nobody volunteered to return through the door behind them. They didn't wish to enter those terrible lands ever again.
Instead, they gathered together and entered the party. The next day, Sean returned to the basement and boarded up the tiny, square doorway.