The Vagrants

Chapter 4

CAMERON

I stuffed my last spare shirt in my bag then slung it over my shoulder. The bag was a dark shade of green with my name stitched on the inside, my mom had given it to me for my 15th birthday.

I walked outside after saying bye to my family and friends then went towards the Shed. This was my first quest and I wanted it to go well. I only complained about being the only guy because when I looked at my friends, I could see them laughing at me and mouthing things like "careful, three girls can turn you into a sissy" or "remember to stay a dude" and other annoying comments. Now I'm not the only boy going.

The other four people were waiting outside the Shed with bags resting by their feet while they waited for me. Jefferson, Maikki (who had her hair side-braided) , and Marnie were all talking and passing around a small snack. When Marnie bit into it, I could hear her commenting "Mmm. Gosh, this is so good. Do you mind if I keep the rest with me?" Jefferson took out a plastic bag filled with banana bread and handed it over to Marnie. Evelyn had her hair down with two braided locks of hair tied to the back of her head, one on each side. She leaned against the Shed wall, picking at her nails. I didn't know why she didn't like joining in the conversations, we weren't that bad.

I walked over to Evelyn to try start talking to show her that she can make friends. "Excited?" I asked her. She just looked at me then shrugged. She really had socialising problems. "Of course," I began, I wanted to get something out of her "you Combatants are so occupied all the time, with you poking fake people with sharp stuff, and showing everyone how tough you are, and- " Evelyn cut me off by grabbing me and holding me against the Shed wall "You may be the one that is the expert in the infirmary, but that doesn't mean I can't put you in one". I gulped then nodded. She let me go then leaned against the Shed again.

I decided that was enough of trying to talk to Evelyn, so I went over to the rest of the people, who were staring at me. Marnie was the first to speak "What did you do?" I explained to them how I wanted to get a conversation going, and method that didn't end well, Jefferson was clear on his opinion "Well, that wasn't very bright. Who tries to make friends by insulting their group of people?" I shrugged then answered "Me."

The council approached us then waited for Stadran to speak "Well, I hope you're all very excited. We want you to go deep into the Curtain, then tell us what seems wrong. I'm counting on you," he nodded towards Maikki and Jefferson "to know what the other world I supposed to look like -considering the fact that you Sages learn a lot in school- and to be able to tell if something feels strange. Now you guys have 6 minutes 27 seconds until the Curtain opens." The Curtain opens when a new hour has started. We are waiting for five o'clock to go through.

We went into the Shed and waited. On the walls were paintings of the first four Vagrants, some of them separately, some of them having a good time together. I stood staring at Kyle, Evelyn was looking at Chaz, Marnie at Kyla, and Maikki with Tanya. I could see how similar Evelyn looked with her ancestor. They had the same facial features except for the eyes and hair. Maikki only had Tanya's eyes, a nice shade of turquoise. Marnie didn't have much resemblance to her ancestor,even the shade of hazel their eyes are weren't the same, but if they do have anything alike, I couldn't see it. I didn't look like Kyle either.

Kyle had straight dark brown hair and brown eyes. My father looked like him though. Chaz had brown hair, gold eyes and a slight tan. Just like Evelyn, he looked like the type of person that will really destroy you if you in any way hurt the people close to them.Kyla had blond hair put into a bun and dark hazel eyes. She had rosy cheeks on her fair skin. She really was pretty. Tanya had curly light-brown hair that grew up to her shoulders. It was brushed behind her ear to make herself look more neat. Intelligence flashed in her eyes that really gave away the fact she was a Sage. Tanya would not be mistaken for something else.

Jefferson stood in the middle of the room looking from the portraits of the first Vagrant to their descendants. Soon he looked at his watch then called us over "11 more seconds. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." Just then, the room illuminated with a purple light coming from the Curtain. We all turned to see a wall of different colours merging together. It really looked magical." Umm...are you guys um...ready to go?" We all looked toward Jefferson then nodded. I caught a look on Evelyn's face, something I've recognised. Suspicion. What could she possibly be thinking? I pushed aside the thought then turned to face the Curtain.

"Here we go." Marnie said. We all glanced at each other and together, we stepped through.