Every Story Has a Beginning

Part 6 - The Grand Tour

Chapter 1 - Figuring Out The Layout Of The Land

Dave

So, Jay and I reported back to base, the sun now high in the sky, above all the trees.

Alfred was sleeping peacefully beside Matilda, who was reading a book.

I don't really understand how Matilda can spend so much time reading books. I like reading, but then after half an hour or so, the words start getting all jumbled up, and I realise how tired I am. Then, after that, I just go off and get a sandwich, and then after that, I can't really be asked to read the book again. I usually give it another few weeks or so before I start reading it again. This is exactly why I prefer shorter novels.

But anyway, Jay and I said hello to our pals at base.

"Hello again!" I greeted.

"Hey Dave!" Matilda replied. "Hey Jay!"

Matilda slowly shook Alfred awake. I watched as he shook himself to his senses, now seemingly less gloomy. He stretched a little before saying, "Hello again! How was your quest to find the layout of the land?"

I gave Jay an expectant look but all he responded with was one of awkwardness.

"Well... Um... Yeah... We only explored the park... We didn't want to get lost!" Jay mumbled.

"Well, that's great..." Alfred said sarcastically.

"Thanks Alfred!"

"Can you not tell sarcasm?" Alfred asked.

"No! What's sarcasm?" Jay questioned.

Alfred face-palmed himself. I refrained from doing so, but I was genuinely wondering how Jay would get around in the world not knowing what sarcasm is.

"Never mind..." he replied, shaking his head.

"Alright then... Let's have a walk around, we'll surely find a place that can show us directions!" Matilda suggested, eagerly.

So, both Alfred and Matilda got up and joined us. The sky was blue, and there were no clouds in sight. Well, no grey clouds in sight. By this time, around 11am, the streets were pretty packed. At least we weren't back in London Liveable Street, or else it would've been more bustling than bustling! So, we continued to walk down the road. We then saw a building, which could potentially find us our way back. A tour guide's place. The door was glass, with a bronze border around it, and as Jay went to open it, I realised it probably needed quite an ink job, as it made a high-pitched squeak that convinced me that there was a mouse scuttling about somewhere, even though there probably wasn't.

Inside we noticed a man, just taller than Jay, but just shorter than me. He had blonde hair, just like mine, but grey eyes that looked deadpan.

Around the room were a ton of maps, atlases, and travelling brochures. There was also a book that caught my eye, titled, "80 Days Around The World." Samson seemed to be reading it, there was a large brightly coloured bookmark stuck in it. I had remembered watching the series, and I'm glad that I didn't bother reading the book, it looked over 200 pages long.

"Hello," Jay then said. "My name is Jay, and this is Dave, Matilda and Alfred. We're a bit lost."

"How polite of you to introduce yourselves, my name is Samson, it's nice to meet you. Now, where are you headed?" he asked.

"Stoketown, Sir," Jay replied.

"That's miles away," Samson stated.

"Metaphorically?"