Seventh Dimension - The Door, Book 1, A Young Adult Fantasy

The next morning, an annoying rooster awoke me. How many times did he need to cock “cockle doodle do”? I put the strange dream behind me, not wanting to let fear overshadow my already anxious thoughts. I slipped on my new dress, washed my face, and combed my hair as best I could. Water does miracles when you have no brush. A delicious assortment of fresh fruit and bread filled my stomach.

  I wanted to leave before the sun became unbearable and I had too much time to think. When I entered the stable, Worldly Crow sat on a wooden beam in the rafters. Groomed and fed, Baruch looked handsome, a good thing since I had no idea how to take care of a donkey.

  After tipping the man a silver coin, I climbed on Baruch’s back and hid Cherios in the folds of my dress. How comfortable I had become riding on a donkey. Even Cherios was happy after eating two meals of fresh carrots and greens.

  The winding road led down a steep mountain into another valley and then back up another mountain. At least I was riding, but my backside was sore from sitting on the donkey. My aches and pains distracted me from worrying so much about where I was or how I’d get home. I could only think about one thing at a time, although my thoughts always returned to the dog. What happened to her?

  With lunchtime approaching, Baruch announced, “We’re almost there.”

  What would happen when we arrived? How would I introduce myself?

  Worldly Crow had flown ahead. A short distance away, a rock-stucco home abutted up against the side of a hill with a cave in the back. The building was three levels high, if you counted the roof as the third floor, with stone stairs on the outside. Surrounding the house was a large open field where sheep and goats were grazing.

  I wished I’d never left home. “Baruch, what’s your master going to say when I show up on his doorstep?”

  “Oh, I didn’t think of that. Don’t let him know you can talk to me.”

  As if I’d tell him. I uncovered Cherios and patted her on the head. She snuggled up to me as she sniffed the air.

  We entered a courtyard surrounded by early blooming spring flowers. Baruch stopped in front of a small grouping of palm trees.

  A handsome young man with curly black hair, tanned skin, and broad shoulders approached. His deep-set eyes seemed too intelligent for this place. “I’ll take your donkey for you,” he offered.

  He lifted me off Baruch and set me on the ground. “I hope you enjoyed pleasant travels,” he added.

  “Yes.” My legs were wobbly after sitting for so long on the animal.

  The young man focused on me with much interest. “Your father has been expecting you.”

  “What? What did you say?”

  He stopped short. “You’ve traveled a long ways?”

  “Yes. But what did you say about my father?”

  A thin, long-faced woman interrupted our conversation. Her nose looked like a pencil point. I nearly fainted as the cloud-woman approached, wearing a forced smile.

  “How are you, Shale? Your father is expecting you. He’ll soon return from Jerusalem. I’m his wife, Scylla.”

  She extended her hand.

  I reached out in return. “Nice to meet you,” I stammered. My father? I wasn’t sure if I should ask any questions. Was this some kind of elaborate prank?

  She gazed at Baruch. “We missed Baruch. Glad he’s back.” Her focus returned to me. “You needed transportation, your father said.” Her eyes roamed my body as if I had contraband. If you don’t need your bag, my servant can take it for you.”

  I glanced at the young man and then back to my supposed stepmother. Why didn’t I ask more questions about my father?

  I’d much prefer talking to the good-looking dude. “This is Cherios. Can you take care of her, too, sir?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the servant said. “I’ll take the rabbit and donkey and give them food and water. Can I take your bag?”

  “Bag? Oh, yes. The knapsack—uh, I want to hold on to this. Thank you.”

  I patted Baruch on the nose. “See you in a bit, and you, too, Cherios.” I rubbed the top of the rabbit’s head. “Here is her blanket, if you would take that, also.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The young man put Cherios under his arm and guided Baruch around to the back of the wealthy estate. I watched them until they disappeared.

  Standing before my father’s wife seemed very strange. I’d imagined this day coming—but a long ways into the future. She stood as a statue with her hands stuck in her two front pockets. Her stone face made me uneasy.

  “Follow me,” she said.

  Maybe I could run away in the middle of the night. They sent a donkey to fetch me? How could that be? I was chasing a dog and happened to meet a donkey along the way.

  The door opened to an elaborate earthen house. Rushes woven together covered the flat roof. Off the main room, three small adjoining rooms abutted. Elaborate rugs covered the wooden floors and the stone-hewn walls reminded me of fancy fireplaces back home. Wooden beams supported the walls and outside stone stairs led to a second floor.

  Luxurious accommodations varied widely, but this was quite stark by American standards. Soon a servant brought a bowl of water and washed my feet.

  Scylla’s icy eyes made me uneasy. I pretended not to notice how much she disliked me.

  “Where’d your dress come from?”

  “I bought it.”

  “Oh, so you have money?”

  I nodded.

  “Tell me about your journey.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “What grade are you in school?”

  “Ninth.”

  “Can’t get along with your mother and stepfather?”

  What business was it of hers? I ignored her question. “When is my father going to be here?”

  “Soon.”

  Not soon enough. What had my mother told her about me?

  Scylla continued. “Your mother didn’t tell us when you’d arrive. Your father is a high-ranking Roman dignitary and had important business that couldn’t wait. Theophilus called him back to Jerusalem for a few days. He’ll be here tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Or the next day.”

  After an awkward silence, I asked, “How did you know I was coming?”

  “A messenger arrived last week with a letter. It was not my decision to let you stay. It was your father’s.” Her tight lips turned into a forced smile.

  “I see.”

  “You’ve never met your father?”

  “No. He left when I was a baby.”

  “So your mother says. Do you want to know the story?”

  “What?”

  “She ran off with you. The law was after her for reasons you wouldn’t understand—serious issues about your future and a pre-arranged marriage she wouldn’t honor.”

  I doubted her statement. “Mother never told me anything like that.”

  Her demeanor softened. “You must be tired and need to rest.” As she sauntered towards the door, she paused. “Don’t give me any trouble. Your father has put me in charge of you. I’ll trust you until you give me reason to think otherwise.” Then she disappeared into an adjoining room.

  What was that supposed to mean? A kinder woman’s voice interrupted my musings.

  “Come here,” she said, “and sit at the table.” The young woman brought in a tray of food—fish, olives, pomegranates, and bread. My heart pondered everything as I nibbled. I wasn’t hungry.

  She smiled. “My name is Mari.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I mumbled. I didn’t feel like being pleasant.

  “Can I take you to your room now?”

  “Sure.”

  We walked outside and she escorted me up the steps. The handsome man who had taken Baruch and Cherios from me when I arrived was in the field. “What’s that man’s name?”

  “Daniel. He arrived a few months ago to help with Nathan. Very kind, smart as a wolf, but—I shouldn’t say.”

  I glanced back at Mari. “Shouldn’t say what?”

  Mari
’s eyes looked sad. “I can’t let him get too close to me. He would know too much.” Then she smiled, as if I was supposed to understand what she meant, or she supposed I knew more than I did. I shrugged off her comment and called to Daniel, waving my hand. “Thank you for taking care of my animals.”

  He did a slight bow and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  After Mari left, I peered out the tiny window that faced the rolling green hills. Sheep grazed in the pasture. A short distance away, a door opened into the rocky hill where the animals were in a small cave. I’d check on Cherios and Baruch shortly.

  I stepped back from the window and observed my new surroundings. A bed was in the corner with a small wooden table beside it, similar to my room at Jacob’s Inn. A wooden vanity was on the opposite wall with some female toiletries—perfume, powder, and make-up of sorts. Two small, multi-colored rugs covered the wooden floor. There wasn’t much else. I’d at least enjoy trying out the makeup.

  I laid down for what I meant to be just a few minutes—I wanted to see how comfortable the bed was—but I drifted off to sleep. A familiar bark woke me a few hours later.

  Chapter Ten

  THE MEETING