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Missing Persons
others have their own cities, or perhaps 'lands' might be a more accurate word," said Vikus. "The majority of our people live here, although some dwell in the suburbs, if their work so dictates. There stands our palace," said Vikus, directing Gregor's eye to a huge, circular fortress at the far edge of the valley. "There we are headed."
The lights shining from the city's many windows gave it a festive look, and Gregor felt his heart lightening a little. New York City glittered all night long, too. Maybe this place wasn't so foreign after all.
"It's really great," he said. He would have loved to explore it, if he didn't need to get home so badly.
"Yes," said Vikus, as his eyes took in the city fondly. "My people have much love of stone. Had we time, I think we might create a land of rare beauty."
"I think maybe you already have," said Gregor. "I mean, it's way more beautiful than anything in the Overland."
Vikus seemed pleased. "Come, the palace has the fairest view of the city. You will have time to admire before we dine."
As Gregor followed him down the road, Boots tilted back her head, turning it from side to side. "What'dyou lose, Boots?"
"Moon?" said Boots. Usually you couldn't see the stars from where they lived, but the moon was visible on clear nights. "Moon?"
Gregor looked up into the inky black sky and then realized that, of course, there was no sky. They were in some kind of gigantic underground cavern. "No moon, little girl. No moon tonight," he said.
"Cow jump moon," she said matter-of-factly.
"Mm-hm," agreed Gregor. If roaches talked, and bats played ball games, then probably there was a cow jumping a moon somewhere, too. He sighed as he pictured the tattered nursery rhyme book in the box by Boots's crib at home.
People stared openly at them from the windows as they passed. Vikus acknowledged a few, nodding or calling out a name, and they'd raise their hands in greeting back.
Boots noticed and began to wave. "Hi!" she called. "Hi!" and while none of the adults answered her, Gregor saw a few little kids wave back.
"You hold great fascination for them," said Vikus, indicating the people in the windows.
"We do not get many visits from the Overland."
"How did you know I was from New York?" asked Gregor.
"There are but five known gateways to the Underland," said Vikus. "Two lead to the Dead Land, but you would never have survived those. Two gateways open into the Waterway, but your clothing is quite dry. You are alive, you are dry, from this I surmise you have fallen through the fifth gateway, the mouth of which I know to be in New York City."
"It's in my laundry room!" Gregor blurted out. "Right in our apartment building!"
Somehow the fact that his laundry room connected to this strange place made him feel invaded.
"Your laundry room, yes," said Vikus thoughtfully. "Well, your fall coincided most favorably with the currents."
"The currents? You mean that misty stuff?" asked Gregor.
"Yes, they allowed you to arrive here in one piece. Timing is all," said Vikus.
"What happens if the timing is off?" asked Gregor, but he already knew the answer.
"Then we have a body to bury instead of a guest," said Vikus quietly. "That, in truth, is the most common outcome. A living Overlander like yourself, plus your sister, well, this is most singular."
It took a good twenty minutes to reach the palace, and Gregor's arms began to tremble from carrying Boots. Somehow he didn't want to put her down. It didn't seem safe with all the torches around.
As they approached the magnificent structure, Gregor noticed there was nothing carved on it. The sides were as smooth as glass, and the lowest window opened two hundred feet above the ground. Something was off, but he couldn't quite place it. Something was missing. "There's no door," he said aloud.
"No," said Vikus. "Doors are for those who lack enemies. Even the most accomplished climber cannot find a foothold here."
Gregor ran his hand along
Leta Blake, Alice Griffiths