Everyone's Out to Get Me

This Is The Bikini Bottom. I Dont Take Criticism.

-TENTH CHAPTER LET'S GO

"Where to?" the driver asked.

"Quinlin Sonden's office, please."

I leaned over and added quietly, "Take your time. Really." He can take the whole damn day if he wanted.

The driver chuckled and flicked the reins. The giant scorpion thrashed its tail against the water, pulling us along.

"So, who's Quinlin? " I asked. Alden smiled, he smiles alot. You can never trust people who smile this much.

"He's the best probe I know. If anyone can slip into your brain, it's him."

"That's so creepy." I shook my head. Are they hearing themselves? Seriously. "Why Atlantis? Isn't it a little hard to reach?"

"It's because it's hard to reach. Atlantis is our most secured city. Anyone and anything that needs added protection is here. Including your file."

"I have a file?"

"A highly classified one."

"What's in it?"

"You'll see." Stop being so fucking mysterious all the time, will you?

"That's not creepy at all." And I was ignored, again.

I opened my mouth to ask another question, but Alden shook his head and pointed to the driver. I just wanted to know if we'd be getting food, jeez.

The carriage entered some sort of business district. The streets were packed with elves, all in long black capes, and the silver buildings stood taller than the others, with round windows tracing down the sides and glowing signs bearing their names. TREASURY. REGISTRY. INTERSPECIESIAL SERVICES.

I also ignored the giant MATCHMAKING sign in the distance because firstly: what the fuck is that and secondly: I want nothing to do with it.

Not to mentioned half the signs were unreadable?

"I take it I'm the only one who can't read that random string of letters?"

"The runes?" Alden asked, following my gaze.

"If that's what they are." They should have those giant glowy signs around here.

"It's our ancient alphabet."

"You can't read it?" Fitz sounded too surprised. Being the clueless one was getting old fast.

Holy shit, I'm dyslexic now.

Alden stroked his chin. "But you can tell they're letters?"

"Yeah, but it's giberish. Is that going to be a problem for school?" On the bright side I wouldn't a prodigy anymore. I get to chill in kindergarten.

"Nah, it's rarely used," Fitz said. Shit. "Only when they want to be fancy or something."

"Huh, okay." So, always? Or is that controversial to say...

"Reading should be instinctive, though" Alden mused. "But maybe your human education affected you somehow. We've never had anyone with your upbringing, so it's hard to say."

"Does that mean I get to do over kindergarten?"

"Of course, not."

"Damn..." The it popped into my mind that my parents still don't know about this stuff. "How-"

"No reason to worry, Sophie. We'll figure it out with testing." Not what I was going to ask but okay.

I stopped paying attention to the drive half way through. Lots of sparkles. The crystal keep catching my eyes. Sue me.