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always,
     
    Mom and Dad
     
    After reading the letter, Nikoleta started to cry a little, again. She always wondered about her parent’s whereabouts but she never thought about what their personalities were like. Her parents were two brave individuals who sacrificed a normal life to save hers. She owed them everything.

 
     
     
    6
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    N ikoleta and Day got up and headed back. When they got there, Bosh and Kibbie conjured a bed on the couch. There was a warm looking blanket folded up and ready for her. “I hope it's comfy for you Nikoleta,” Bosh said. “It's great, thanks," Nikoleta replied, with a smile. She sat down on the couch and got comfortable. Day brought her a night gown to change into. It was hard to tell what time it was because they were underground but Nikoleta did feel tired. She went to the bathroom and changed, washed up and came back out.
                    “Tomorrow morning,” Day began, “We are going to meet Raphael to get news on your parents.”
                    “Cool,” Nikoleta answered. “So, how will we save them? I'm sure if this princess is as evil as you say we won’t be able to just Waltz into the castle and get them,” Nikoleta said. “You are right. If only it were that simple. Tomorrow we will discuss it with Raphael. He is the groundskeeper so he knows all ways into the castle...known and not known. He will know what to do.”
                    Nikoleta felt her stomach turn. Would she be finally meeting her parents in a day or so? The thought was a little overwhelming. What if they were disappointed in her? What if they wanted to change her? How would she know they were really her parents? There were still too many questions and not enough energy at the moment. She knew she needed to ask some anyway.
                     “Why wait til I come here to save them? Why not save them on your own instead of waiting all these years?” It was a decent question. “I know it's hard to understand, Nikki. Can I call you Nikki?” Kibbie asked and Nikoleta nodded. “OK. Anyway, if they were to be rescued any time before now, they would be risking their lives more than they already are. They wanted to see you...in case something was to happen during escape.”
                    “I guess that makes sense. It's insane to wait this long but it makes sense. I just can’t imagine what they are going through. Is anyone hurting them? What have they done all day, every day for seventeen years?" Nikoleta had a never ending amount of questions, it seemed. The others tried to answer them all the best they could, of course. “Last I spoke to Raphael, they were in the dungeon. Every day they were being fed old crackers and water and nothing else. Raphael tries to bring them extra, real food on occasion so they aren't totally starving. That’s the last thing I heard.” Kibbie told her.
                  Kibbie and Raphael were very good friends. They met years and years ago when Kibbie went to visit the village. After a few years and him gaining her trust they started discussing Nikoleta's parents. Raphael agreed he would watch over them and at least keep her updated. He kept his word.
                    “Well, when we meet this Raphael, I just hope it's all good news. At least that they are alive,” Nikoleta said. “Me too, Nikki, me too,” said Kibbie.
     
                     Sleep didn’t come easily for Nikoleta that night, which was a surprise for her being that she felt completely exhausted. She kept thinking about her parents being in a cold, dark, nasty dungeon and being tortured or who knows what else. Her mind was too busy for sleep. In the morning, panic would happen in the orphanage with everyone looking for her. Her face may even end up on the local news...or a milk carton. People may think she was dead for goodness sake. Nikoleta knew it was worth