The Quest

Prologue - Chapter 11: Window Scrubbing

***Cafeteria***

Carmin POV:

"I'm already exhausted from a full day of cleanin'. I can't believe we still gotta wash a hundred windows!" I hear Grim complain as me, Jackson, and Alex walk to visit with Yuu after classes. "Try to learn from this experience then." I hear Yuu state tiredly. "What's buggin' me is, Ace ain't even here yet! To make us wait, after what he did... Grrr!" Grim whines. "Hey Yuu! Hi weasel." I say when we make it to Grim and Yuu. "I am NOT a weasel!" Grim exclaims angrily. "Oh hi guys." Yuu says tiredly. "Where's the annoying kid?" I ask. "Ace? Oh, I'm not sure, I think he ditched us." Yuu says. "And there ain't no way am I doin' his punishment for him! C'mon, Yuu, I don't care if we gotta drag him kickin' and screamin', he's washin' those windows!" Grim exclaims. "We'll come with." I say.

***Classroom***

"Hey! Ace! Get over here! Try to hide from me, will ya! Huh... Maybe there's really no one here?" Grim asks himself as we look around. "Oh, I wouldn't say that, I'm here." a painting says. "....not the oddest thing we've seen." Jackson says. "Bwaaah! That painting just talked!" Grim exclaims in surprise. "Yes, and...? Is a talking painting really such an oddity at this school? The lady in the portrait on that wall talks too. As does the gentleman in the portrait on this one. As long as a painting has a mouth, why wouldn't it be able to talk? Is that really so strange?" the painting asks. "Are you like those ghosts from yesterday?" Yuu asks.

"Unlike those restless spirits, always wandering hither and thither, I've been contentedly hanging on this wall for over fifty years. Now, you seem to be searching for someone." the painting says. "We're lookin' for this guy called Ace. He's got messy hair and a heart drawn on his face." Grim states. "Ah, I know the one. A new student, I believe? Today was his first day at school. I think he went back to his dorm a while ago." the painting says. "Myaaah! So it's true! He's tryin' to ditch us! Do you know which way he went?" Grim asks. "The door to the dorms is in the eastern building." the painting replies. "Let's chase after him, guys!" Grim exclaims as he runs off. I hoist Yuu, who gave me a tired thanks, on my back and follow Grim and the rest of the group.