"And so, Theseus killed the Minotaur, by chopping his head off with a sword," said Ms.Murphy "And led the Athenians back out of the labyrinth." There were a couple of gasps and a few whispered cheers from around the classroom. "That's how the story ends - what did you think?"
The children raised their hands. Edward waved his hand so hard, that he almost fell out of his seat.
"Yes, Edward?"
"I thought it was a great story," replied Edward, "I especially liked the end, because the Minotaur gets his head chopped off!"
She raised her hand. Ms.Murphy reluctantly called out "Yes, Alice?"
Alice stood up.
"There's no need to stand up, Miss Kinderfoot."
"I know," replied Alice "I just like to stand, Miss - Mum says everyone can hear you better that way."
Ms.Murphy sighed, "What is your question?"
"It's not really a question, Miss," replied Alice. "More like a statement. You see, I know for a fact that the Minotaur wouldn't eat humans - they don't even like meat! If anything, he was probably cross that all these humans kept disturbing his home. You would be upset, too, if I kept coming into your home with out permission, wouldn't you, Miss?"
Laughter erupted around the classroom.
"Miss Kinderfoot, the Minotaur isn't real," replied Ms.Murphy. "It's just a myth, like all the other ancient Greek tales."
"But, Miss..." said Alice.
"That's all for now, Miss Kinderfoot," interrupted Ms.Murphy. "Now, moving on."
Alice sat back down and stared out the window. She felt something tug at her leg. Alice looked down and saw it was Marigold.
"What are you doing?" whispered Alice.
"I'm really sorry, Miss," said Marigold "We haven't much time - you need to leave the school right away!"
"You know I can't do that!" whispered Alice, in a much sterner voice. "I'll be kicked out of school!"
"I know, Miss," replied Marigold "But you are in danger!"
"Danger?" asked Alice, this time a bit too loud.
"Miss Kinderfoot!" cried Ms.Murphy "Can you please stop talking!"
"Sorry, Miss," replied Alice.
Alice looked at Marigold and gestured to the windows.
"You need to leave now!"
"I can't, Miss," pleaded Marigold "Your mum's in trouble - she's been kidnapped!"
"She's been what!" cried Alice.
"That's it!" shouted Ms.Murphy. "You will spend your break in here, Miss Kinderfoot!"
"Yes, Miss" replied Alice.
-
The school bell rang and the classroom emptied for break. Ms.Murphy sat at her desk with her arms folded and eyes glued to the clock. "I'm really disappointed, Miss Kinderfoot," she said. "I thought we had passed this silly phase of talking to yourself in class."
"I wasn't, Miss," replied Alice. "It was..."
"You know, Miss Kinderfoot," interrupted Ms.Murphy "I really don't want to know."
Ms.Murphy stood up and walked over to Alice. "I don't care if it was a unicorn or the Minotaur - this sort of pathological lying needs to stop! You must take responsibility for your actions and NOT blame imaginary friends!"
Alice could see Ms.Murphy's eye twitching - she was very cross. At that moment, Marigold appeared from behind Ms.Murphy.
She began pointing towards the window and mouthing something that Alice couldn't understand.
"What are you saying?" she asked.
"Are you not paying attention to me?" said Ms.Murphy.
"No, Miss," replied Alice. "It was Marigold, the sprite."
"Oh come now, Miss Kinderfoot," said Ms.Murphy. "You don't really think I'm going to believe you?"
She started to laugh - when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Ms.Murphy froze at the site of Marigold.
"Marigold!" cried Alice. "What are you doing?"
"Sorry, Miss," replied Marigold. "We needed to wrap things up."
Alice grabbed Miss.Murphy's arm. "Miss?...Miss?" Miss.Murphy didn't budge. Her eyes were fixed on Marigold.
"What did you do, Marigold?" asked Alice.
"Don't worry, Miss," replied Marigold. "It's a common reaction with most people when they see a sprite for the first time. Now, we have to run."
"Why?" asked Alice.
"Because of that," said Marigold, pointing towards the window.
Alice turned to see a menacing green figure approaching the window at full pelt.
"What is that, Marigold?" she asked.
"That, Miss, is a Harpy," replied Marigold. "Now run!"
"I think you're right," said Alice, retreating backwards.
But before they could reach the door, the Harpy came CRASHING through the window, and landed right in front of Ms.Murphy.
"Ahhh!" screamed Ms.Murphy and ran straight out of the classroom.
"That got her moving," quipped Marigold. "Now, follow me!"
Alice and Marigold dashed down the hall, with the Harpy not far behind.
"Why are we running from a Harpy?" asked Alice. "And WHO has my mum?"
"It's very complicated, Miss," replied Marigold.
"Good, we lost her. Let's hide in the storage room."
They rushed into the storage room and locked the door.
"Now, what happened to my mum?" asked Alice.
"You see, Miss, these two very bad men took her," began Marigold "Well, they're really not men at all, but that's besides that point. We just need to meet the others at Dr.Cordova's hideout. Then we can make a plan to get your mum back."
"Shush," whispered Alice. " I hear something!"
"Don't say a word!"
-
"Miss Kinderfoot!" said a male voice.
Alice knew that voice. It was Mr.Cameron, the headteacher.
"Open this door right now!" he cried.
"Yes,Sir,"replied Alice. She opened the door. Alice could see that Mr.Cameron was rather cross.
"What on earth are you doing?" scolded Mr.Cameron. "I have a broken window and Ms.Murphy in floods of tears- saying something about a a fairy and a monster!"
"Sir!" warned Alice, but it was too late.
-THUMP!-
The Harpy shrieked so loud, that Alice thought her ears would burst. It readied it's razor like claws and was about to pounce, when Marigold swooped down and began pulling at the creature's hair.
"Run, Miss!" cried Marigold, as she was tossed around like a rag doll.
Alice didn't hesitate and made her way to the front of the school, where she was stopped in her tracks by Faun and Mormo.
"You must be Alice," said Faun.
"Who are you?" asked Alice.
But Faun said nothing. Instead, he began to play the pan pipe. Alice felt her knees begin to go weak. Her eyes soon followed...
and in a matter seconds, she was asleep on the floor.
-
Alice awoke in a small park in the city centre. The air was cold and the grass, very damp.
Alice jumped to her feet and rubbed her arms to get warm. She could see no sign of the two men or the Harpy.
"Marigold?" she called out. "Marigold, are you here?"
Alice felt very alone.
As she continued searching for Marigold, Alice noticed a note on the grass by where she was lying. She picked up the note and it read
-We have your mum.We have Hope. Return what is rightfully his, and we will free your mum. You have 48hrs...or you will never see your mum again!-
Alice hadn't a clue what was going on, but she knew she hadn't much time to save her mum.
"Right, Marigold said to meet the others at Dr.Cordova's hideout," Alice thought. "They will have the answers." She left the park and made her through the city.
-
Dr. Minotaur Cordova lived underneath an old tower near the river. He was in charge of keeping the more dangerous Kinderfoot creatures, like Nero and Medusa, from escaping and causing havoc.
Alice came up to the tower and pushed on the iron gate. It was locked.
"Are you guys there?" she called out.
At first, there was nothing. Then she saw two very large horns rise up from the ground. It was Dr.Cordova. He gave Alice a smile and unlocked the gate.
"Good to see you again, Alice," he said. "The others are downstairs."
Alice followed Dr.Cordova downstairs and through the labyrinth he had built.
"I love what you've done with the place," said Alice.
"Thank you," replied Dr.Cordova. "Though, it's been a nightmare getting rid of the damp."
They came to the middle of the labyrinth, where they found the others.
"Alice!" they cried.
Alice held up the note.
"What is this?"
Abner grabbed the note and showed it to the others.
"This is bad," said Gretchen. "They have Alice's mum!"
"They have Marigold, too!" cried Miguel.
"Where does it say that?" asked Alice.
The creatures all looked at each other and nodded. They knew the time had come to tell the truth.
"You tell her," said Miguel.
"No, you do it!" snapped Gretchen.
"Stop it you two!" scolded Abner. "I'll tell her."
"What is it?" asked Alice.
"You see, Alice," began Abner "My real name is Envy. Miguel's name is Disease, Gretchen's name is Crime and Marigold's real name is Hope."
"I don't get it?" asked Alice, confused.
"Don't you see, Alice," said Abner "The three of us are the world's first evils.We are the spirits from Pandora's box."
Chapter 4...
The Fantastical Miss Kinderfoot book is in the works! (Book news will appear on this site)
Other work by Antonio Papaleo:
'The kite who was scared of heights'
"A great story about overcoming your fears" Coldplay's Chris Martin.
Out NOW on fierce panda books...
Buy it on Amazon.
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