Southern Snow

Mica tried the door. The handle moved but the door didn’t budge. She felt useless. While her relationship with Ms. Hase was at acquaintance levels, what did she do to deserve this? Ms. Hase’s pictures seemed ok. On the left was a journal with her name on it. The right seemed to be Ms. Hase in a maid outfit. Those images had not changed since she first got a good look at Ms. Hase.

She kicked the door. That accomplished hurting her foot, and very little else. She sighed. She had changed into her jams, a simple affair of a worn AC/DC t-shirt and maroon shorts. At least she wasn’t running around in only her underwear or worse.

She might as well try the other rooms and see if someone would let her crash for the night. She knocked on Mrs. Popov’s room. She probably had an extra bed right? She put her ear to the door. Nothing. She tried the handle. It did not budge an inch. She did the same routine on each door. That gave the same result each time. Well, she guessed she would crash in one of the common areas.

She pouted as she descended the stairs. Why was she being punished? She was only trying to help. While Julia didn’t blow a gasket, she was the rudest she had ever been. What was with that? She really wished she knew what to do now. She directed herself to the library. Maybe there will be some cushy chairs to sleep in.

When she opened the library door, she saw what she expected: a large collection of books on the shelves, two green plush chairs by a grand fireplace, and one large desk with writing materials. She moved to one of the chairs.

As she was about to sit down she heard a rustling sound. She turned and spotted a large dog, patting slowly up to her. She watched it with trepidation. Her legs were jelly, and her hands turned to concrete. The dog walked right up to her. It sniffed her with its great big nose.

She collapsed where she stood. The dog slowly came up and licked her face. Tears came streaming down her face. The dog tilted its head at her. She scooted slowly away from the dog. It whined a little, then turned around on the spot and curled up. It kept on puppy-eyeing her.

She slowly got to her feet, not breaking eye contact, and eased herself into the chair. She lifted her knees to her pounding chest. An eternity passed. The dog snuffled and closed its eyes. Then, it started peacefully snoring.

She tempered her breathing to a lower level. The adrenaline pumping through her had driven away her sleepiness. It might be a moment before she tried moving. Although, would there be anywhere else to go?

Sleeping outdoors seemed like a bad time. Those lawn chairs were not comfy. The dining room’s chair did not look that inviting. The store would be closed. And did ballrooms have furniture in them?

The chair was comfy. If only that thing would get up and move away. She glanced around. She spotted a chest in the corner of the room that she had missed.

Warily she got up and tiptoed to the chest. She tested the lid. It opened up with a silent swish. Inside she was pleased to find several patterned quilts. She grabbed one and sneaked back to the chair. She noted an ottoman under the chair and gently pulled it out.

Checking that the mutt was still where it was, she relaxed and propped her feet on the ottoman. Her eyes drooped as soon as she spread the quilt over herself. The quilt was a layer between her and the scoundrel.

The thing hadn’t moved, maybe it was safe to sleep? It also seemed calm though that could be a trap. Like those damn pictures with Julia. Why was it that she got lectured to by everyone? Was her height making people talk down to her? She overheard other people say she had a youthful air around her.

Thinking it over, the poll choices had no physical changes for her, even though there could have been one. What could that mean? Well if she ever got one it couldn’t make her more talk down too. The future held more of these choices in the future. Hopefully, it would be more useful than this stupid power. Hadn’t the woman said her power or choice was downgraded due to her placement? Then maybe it would be better to try and win the next contest.

Then at least she could have positive results. Negative results were the worst, having to struggle through them. It’s not like she wanted to put effort into that. She had other troubles that she would like to put more time into.

She went into her rambles into sleep.