The Story Teller
Akeel Dubaun
"The Wizard of Oz"-The move to Knox-
Dorothy heard the crackling of the assault as she drove up her new driveway. A moving van was following closely behind her, lugging giant brown boxes of her belongings. The car was stopped and the door opened revealing a wide smile and a panting husky. The house wasn't too large nor to small, it was just enough for her and her white husky Taku. The house was white with a brick wall surrounding the one car garage.
She walked up to her house, running her had down the smooth white wood of her porch. She turned her head slightly noticing the snapdragons left from the previous owner. Glancing at the white door, the smile still planted on her face, she fumbled around for her pair of silver keys. With a click the door flew open and the smell of window cleaner and carpet soap roamed past her nose. "They cleaned this place up well since the last time I was here." She said out loud, though no one but the empty walls could hear her.
Walking slowly, she entered the house, her wine-red boots clicking against the wood entryway. She continued to the living room, her eyes roaming from one side of the wall to the other, she now knew why the clean smell roamed so freely. A ceiling fan was twirling at high speed just above her, making her long blonde braids levitate behind her. A loud voice kicked her out of her trance and she turned around, startled.
"Ms. Dorothy, where would you like me to place your boxes?" The van driver asked fiddling with his tan hat. She gave her ever so famous smile and gave a giggle. "In the garage will be fine sir, I won't be working on my house much tonight." She replied as he nodded, and then walked back out the door. Dorothy turned back around staring at her hands. I just want to check around town tonight…she thought glancing at the ceiling fan once again.
Walking out of the small convenient store, Dorothy felt the soothing breeze once again. She reached into her bag and pulled out a single apple, lifting it to her mouth, she bit into the smooth red skin. The sun was lowering now, and only a glimpse of orange peeked over the horizon. The sounds of children were heard across the way in the Knox Park, but to her surprise many people were out on the street. She tossed the apple into the garbage and paused to brush off her black skirt and blue tang top. Then leaning over she brushed her boots of dirt and dust, one braid falling over her shoulder.
She had to admit that Knox was a polite and decent town, but one thing bothered her. She walked all over town looking inside different stores, but not one building was a library or bookstore. If there was one thing Dorothy enjoyed best, it was reading a great novel all curled up in her bed. "This place has to have a library." She said looking to her left and then her right. This fact beginning to get on her nerves, she walked across the street to the children's park. Perhaps someone here likes to read. She thought slowly approaching a boy about the age of eleven. "Excuse me, but do you know where the library in this town is?" She asked the boy only to receive a puzzled look.
"Why do you want the library?" The boy asked, standing from the curb. Dorothy's eyes widened slightly, and her face also turned into a puzzled grin. "Well, to read of course." She told the young boy with a giggle. The boy paused, his eyes scanning from her head until he reached the end of her boots. He slowly started to shake his head side to side, then his pace quickened. "N-no, you don't want to go there. W-why don't you borrow books from someone." He stuttered with a trembling lip. Dorothy shifted her weight impatiently, and she was getting annoyed. "Why? I want to go to the library to check out some books. I'm not sure why you don't want me to go." She asked shaking her head in confusion. "NO! YOU CAN'T! HE'S AN EVIL MAN!" The boy yelled, tears forming in his eyes. Dorothy's face became saddened. "Now, now. I'm sure he's not that bad. Just tell me where to go. Please." She ordered rubbing the boy's head. "F-fine, but I-I warned you if anyone asks, ok?" He said rubbing his eyes. "Yes, I know." She replied waiting for him to point her in the right direction.
"That way." He said pointing left down the street. She quickly glanced down the street, squinting because of the sunset. "Thanks." Dorothy replied pushing her bag further on her arm. The wind traveled through her hair as she stared down the road. Ok, I guess I'm off. She thought walking in the direction the boy pointed.