Recluse Island

Chapter 56

May 2014

"Well, this is it!" said Effie exuberantly, kicking her feet back and forth in nervous excitement.

Josiah nodded in response. He was still feeling a bit sick to his stomach and didn't want to risk opening his mouth just yet. In fact, all he wanted at the moment; was for all this to be over with already.

The two were in their usual seats at the back of Navarre Hall waiting for the review to begin. And more importantly the conclusion of Rafanoli's Challenge.

Protectively placed between his feet was the cloth bag that Millie had procured from the Mud Room filled with the two thousand seibolds they had miraculously been able to collect. Josiah still couldn't believe it. Just like he still didn't believe he was actually going to be able to leave the Clinkirk Compound. It had to be too good to be true, Josiah could not dislodge this thought from his mind. Something would go wrong; it couldn't be as simple as they said, handing over the money and then calmly being led out of the compound and above ground to Stormy Shore.

Josiah hadn't mentioned anything to his family, he was sure that their plan would not work. What was the point in getting their hopes up? On the other hand, if it did work, they were certainly in for a big surprise, but Josiah still felt confident it wouldn't come to that.

Effie however didn't. "Just think in a few hours you'll be able to see the ocean for the first time! And trees! And the sun! And get a Sir Luca Cone!"

As supportive as she was Josiah knew she didn't really want him to leave. For a while her behavior made him think that she honestly didn't care and all that mattered was winning the challenge. Until she had come to him that morning and told him how terribly she was going to miss him. She had even cried, so now he knew the forced enthusiasm was really just an act to cover up her true feelings.

"Look there they are!"

Josiah looked up and saw Millie and Nelson approaching along with Taryn, Benedict and Joaquin lagging.

"Compliments of my sister," said Joaquin, handing Josiah a navy blue, white polka dot bowtie once he had reached his side, "So that you can leave the compound in style."

As with all review's residents were not required to wear their uniforms. Because Josiah would be "leaving," Effie had insisted he dress for the part. Which is why he was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a lime green polo shirt. Effie had opted for a sleeveless blue and red floral dress, her hair pulled back in a complicated knot with ruby studs sparkling in her ears. Josiah suspected she had gott dressed up so he would always remember her this way, assuming they never met again. But Josiah didn't want to think about that, it probably wasn't going to happen anyway.

"Uh thanks," said Josiah, staring at the bowtie in his hand unsure what to do with it.

"Here let me," Effie took it from him and quickly attached it around his neck, "You look fabulous!" she exclaimed.

"Totally," concurred Mille from Josiah's other side where she and Nelson had taken their seats, "Right Nelson?" Millie wore a red and white Polka dot scoop neck dress while Nelson looked crisp in baby blue board shorts and a white V-neck T-shirt.

"Absolutely," he agreed, "So have you got anything to eat?"

Millie sighed dramatically and handed him a foil wrapped chocolate ball from her white money pouch.

"Great, thanks!" He kissed her cheek while he began to unwrap his treat.

"Well can you believe this is the end?" asked Luella, arriving with Edwin, Glenn and Andrea.