Chapter VI - The Picture

Chapter VI - The Picture

The next week is filled with many dinners and lunches of meeting bachelors who might offer their hands in marriage. They all seem quite boring to me, however, I think Aralyn has taken interest in one eighteen-year-old boy, and vice-versa. The weirdest thing about all of it is bumping into any of the other girls who have come here to look for husbands as well. On our second day in Wendra, Aralyn and I were on our way to a lunch meeting when we bumped into one girl. She must have been at least twenty-five. Her face was quite narrow and she had long, white-blonde hair giving her an odd sort of charm. However, I will never forget the melancholy look of desperation in her eyes. I could hardly believe that such a thing could happen to a woman with such unique beauty. 

On our last night at the house of Artrillious Cranks, I was putting my things back in my cases to prepare for the next day. When Aralyn skipped into the room looking as excited as a puppy rolling around in a bed of grass for the first time. I stare at her curiously.

“What?” She asked.

“This week was filled with some of the most boring and awkward moments of my life. What could you possible be so excited about?” 

Aralyn smiles. “Well, you know that guy, Fredrick?”

“Yes.” I replied in anticipation.

“Well, after dinner we took a walk in the garden. We talked for a long time and then he walked me back to our room. Then he said he wants to see me again and that he’ll be in Effgere for your eighteenth birthday.”

“That’s great Aralyn.” I sai but, didn’t actually mean. I was so glad to see Aralyn happy, however, the odds that my parents would choose Fredrick are slim. I would hate for her to loose him, but for now, she needs a few moments of happiness.

We leave right away the next morning and eat breakfast in the car. 

“Welcome back travelers. Sit tight and enjoy our ride to Eekul.” Says Driver when we get in the car. The ride to Eekul lasts three full days. We stop each night to rest. Apparently, the seats in the car pull out into beds. Now it is the third night of our journey and I can’t sleep. I decide to sit outside and stare at the black sky. The ground is soft, the night is cool, and the moons shine brightly in the dark space above. 

“Can’t sleep?” I hear Callum’s voice from behind. I shake my head in reply. “Me neither.” He continues as he walks over to sit next to me.

“Are you still mad at me?” I ask after moments of silence.

He shakes his head “No. I’m disappointed that you said ‘no’ but, I can’t stay mad at you forever.” Silence soars over our seating place. Callum looks out into the distance. I stare into his thinking eyes, as the various shades of blue move in a pattern that suggests deep thought. “And, I’m sorry.” He continues. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I know you didn’t mean to offend me.” His sapphire lamps shifted down and flashed into my emerald ones.

“Thank you.” I say laying my head on his chest and closing my eyes.

He puts his arm around my shoulder “You’re welcome.”

I open my eyes to the blinding light of the sun. Callum and I must have fallen asleep. I lift my head out from under his comforting hold and find his eyes still closed in peaceful rest. 

“Callum.” I whisper. “It’s morning. We fell asleep.” 

He opens his eyes and looks around. Then, Uncle Berke steps out of the car looking quite cheery.

“Good morning you two.” He says. “You look quite comfy.”

Callum smiles then we climb into the car. when the beds have been put away and we proceed with our journey. 

Eekul is even more boring than Wendra. Aside from the people being boring, the house was just one tall block painted entirely grey inside and out. Luckily, we only spend four days here and then move on to our next destination, Effgere. This city is even further away than Eekul, which means we have to spend a week traveling in the car. For some reason, Driver takes us on the most inconvenient routes possible. At one point during the week, Callum, Aralyn and I were so bored that we made a game involving apples.

The first person starts out holding the apple. Then, they say a color. All other players name an object of that color. The person with the apple passes it to the person who named the better object then it repeats. This keeps us busy for quite some time. When we arrive in Effgere, we are welcomed by a tall, lanky man named Hanson. Next to him was Artrillious Cranks who had trimmed his full beard to a more classy length still reaching from temple to temple. Uncle Berke, Artrillious, and Hanson went on with some pointless conversation lasting quite a few minutes. However, at this point I have reached my full capacity for the intake of dullness and completely zone out of the discussion until it reaches it’s end. 

I actually like my room in Effgere. The walls are painted with my favorite color, emerald, and the ceiling is tiled with glistening silver panels. The floor is covered in a plush, white carpet, and the silver bed is decorated with emerald curtains and a mint green blanket. 

After getting myself settled and putting my things away I decide to take a look around the house. The hallways are filled with odd metallic paintings which reflect light to every little corner. I go into one, large open room. The walls are made entirely of gold with sheer, white curtains dripping down from different areas, and the floor is made of a beautiful cream colored marble.

“Like what you see?” A red-haired boy asks from behind.

I smile “Yes. It’s an incredible room.”

“Good. This room was built specifically for large parties. The celebration of your birthday will be held here.” He says, now standing next to me. He is a strange looking boy. No older than twelve I assume.

I stare at him perplexedly. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” I ask.

“Oh, forgive me. I’m Rory Glaad. My father owns this house. You’re Olivia Netherly, right?” he replies.

“Yes, but how-” I start.

“-It doesn’t matter. Come. I wanna show you something.” He grabs my hand and pulls me down a dark corridor, and into a white room with a large mahogany desk.

“Wait here.” He instructs me, then leaves the room. Quite distorted at the situation, I examine the room while I wait for his return. On the desk, there are piles of strange looking papers. I look around cautiously to see if anyone is coming, then rifle through them curiously. On the papers are words, and pictures. In the pictures are men, women, and children. I can’t help but feel like I recognize these people. Like I know them. I pick up one paper that says 

Elias. fifteen years old. Escapee. 

I look down at the picture. I know the face. Not generally, but specifically. It’s the boy from my dreams. the Dark-Haired boy.

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