The Four Seasons

Chapter 2

Frost's eyes fluttered open to the sound of rushing water. He leaped from where he had been dozing, looking around frantically for his normal bedroom at the mansion. Noel drowsily began sitting up and rubbed her eyes lethargically. Frost glanced around once more and relaxed his shoulders. The memories of running away came flooding back to him. The blizzard fun, the drama outside the tent, the super-human encounters. They were where they had set off, and ready to continue on their journey.

“What's wrong?” Noel muttered, wiping the crustiness from her dimmed green eyes. Frost sighed.

“It's nothing.” he mumbled. “Let's get a move on, the sun has already risen.” He began striding towards the willow tree to snatch up the laptop. Noel scrambled up from where she lay in the tall grass, struggling to keep up as he began dashing out and away from the river.

“What do you think you're doing?” Noel scolded. Frost stopped abruptly and spun around to meet her scowling gaze with his.

“I, am preparing to set off to our grandparents house, unless you'd forgotten.” he pointed out. Noel sat up and folded her legs, staring off into the distance. She didn't reply. Frost just shrugged and continued on with his antics. He picked up the laptop and began to pad away from the river.

“You coming?” he queried, watching her eyes glaze over as she began daydreaming. Frost sighed and sat down under the willow, observing his sisters movement, waiting to get on the road to their grandparents.

Noel was outside a long, brick house with an old, orange and yellow crab apple tree. The bright fall leaves flew across the horseshoe drive, mingling with the brilliant flaming maple tree's leaves. Noel stared in awe as a beautiful, blond-haired woman in her mid 30's departed from the house, her right hand twined with a handsome, brown-haired man around the same age. They swung their arms back and forth, passing the near bare bushes and making their way down the sidewalk on their pale yellow porch. The couple chatted and laughed, their eyes lit up happily.

“Cynder,” the man began. “This is incredible news. She really said that?” he babbled with excitement as they sat on the wooden bench, rocking back and forth.

“What? What news? Who said what?” Noel called from beneath the fiery colored maple tree. It was clearly autumn where ever Noel happened to be. The couple ignored her. “Hello?! I'm talking to you guys!” She sprang from her spot, shouting and waving her arms. They payed no attention whatsoever.

“I can't believe they're finally coming home. I haven't seen them since they were so young, and so helpless... Aurora said they have also just began unearthing their powers!” Cynder said gleefully. “Oh, Arthur, I've missed them so much... We should begin making up their rooms. Aurora said she'd be pleased to share a room with our little girl.”

“Can you even hear me?!” Noel shouted even louder. “What are you talking about? Who's coming? Why am I here?”

“I'll start taking down the old baby stuff from our other kid's room. He'll probably be interested in technology and sports. Do we still have that gaming system you insisted on?” Arthur inquired.

“Of course! Aurora used to be addicted to that... whaddoya callit? Wii?” Cynder chuckled, smoothing Arthur's hair down with her free hand.

“Will someone please tell me what's going on? Hello?!” but the couple were beginning to fade and the world began spinning slowly, Noel at its center.

“Noel? Noel! Are you ok?” Noel woke to her brother gently shaking her awake, his blue eyes wide with worry.

“W-what?” she muttered as she sat up slowly. “What h-happened?” her senses pricked and she leapt from her position near the river. “W-where did that couple go? Where's the pretty house? The bench-swing thing? What about Aurora?” Noel blathered quickly, trying to remember what happened.