The Zodiac Children

Chapter 4 - We'll Bring You Home

"Talk," Lathan spoke sternly as he yanked the chair out from the table and sat.

Everyone else sat down at the table as well. The man sat in front of Lathan, and beside Lynn. Curtis sat by Lathan while Marie chose to sit by Lathan as well.

"Those rings, are one of the most powerful things in the world. Only certain people can 'wear' them," He looked over at Lathan.

"Well, no duh, all the other ones shattered into a billion pieces," Curtis stated, annoyed being told facts he already knew about.

"They disappear once the right person has come around. This boy here is clearly a Saggitarius, which explains the half horse thing and bow. If you look, there will be the zodiac symbol on your body," He talked once everyone settled and calmed down.

Curtis and Marie searched their bodies, eventually, finding them. Curtis had the sign of Capricorn on his kneecap and Marie had the sign of Cancer on her wrist.

Lathan looked at them, considering the possibility that they could turn into something too. Surely, if he could turn into Saggitarius, they could turn into their Zodiac's as well, right?

"But grandpa, I have the sign of Aquarius on my neck. You told me it was because my mom decided to tattoo me when I was little," Lynn tapped the mark on her neck.

"Lynn, your mother gave you the ring when you were very little. All she told me was how the rings work and that-" He paused, and avoided looking at her.

"What grandpa?" Lynn asked, concerned for what was happening.

"That you would be picked to be Aquarius. You were to go out in the world, help collect the Zodiacs, and to defeat something unknown. She told me there was an evil being, who was doing the same," He turned and looked at the boys.

"From what it sounds like, your friend Emily was captured by him. Either he just started, he got a head start, or you guys are the last free Zodiacs," He gave a worried look to the teenagers at the table.

Lathan was the first to catch on to what he was implying here, "Hold on, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I need to rescue Emily, but how are you sure this is what's happening?"

Lynn looked at her grandpa and then back to the three strangers he expected her to travel with, "I don't know if this is a good idea."

"I agree with the redhead," Curtis nodded.

Lynn ignored him, "Grandpa, you still haven't explained anything. Where am I to go? What is my purpose?"

"I was told to send you west, you will have to find a small village in Kansas. It is like that house you found here. It will be hidden until you come across it," the old man nodded at her.

"Lynn, I've raised you since you were a tiny child. Your mom would be proud of you. There's so much I want to tell you about her, but now isn't the right time."

Tears fell down Lynn's face, but she blinked them away and smiled, "Okay, I'll do it, gramps. I'll go out and help them."

The old man smiled, and stood up. "Here, let us make some food and get water for the road. I have some cash for you all as well."

After some emotional goodbyes, and some minor arguments, the old man sent the kids to travel across the country to an old town.

"Well," Curtis stuck out his hand. "Welcome to the team, ginger."

Marie elbowed him, "Ignore him. I'm Marie, he's Curtis, and horse boy back there is Lathan."

"I'm Lynn," she smiled. "Besides the annoying one-"

"Hey!" Curtis crossed his arms.

Lynn giggled, "I think, I'm gonna like being with you guys. I hope we're able to collect everyone!"

"I don't know how our fates are connected, but first things first. We need to find Emily," Lathan clarified and started walking faster, and ahead of everyone else.

Curtis nodded.

"Let's just hope it's easy."

It wasn't going to be easy.

They didn't get an hour into their trip before Marie asked them to wait outside a gas station to use the restroom.

Lathan and Curtis had some time to talk alone.

"Hey, Curtis," Lathan nodded at him.

"Hey," he cleared his throat. "How are you holding up?"

"Terrible," he sighed. "Just awful."

"I thought as much," Curtis leaned back against the wall, and put his hands in his sweatshirt pockets.

"I miss her Curtis. I miss her so much," Lathan paused, not being able to say anymore.

"I know buddy, we'll get her back, I promise."

Lathan managed a little smile, and he looked over at Lynn. He didn't know what to think of her, honestly. He didn't hate her, obviously, He just didn't know what to think of her. The more people to help, the better. She seemed like a more responsible Marie, and reminded him a bit of Curtis the little times he showed emotion. She even reminded him a little of Emily with small, little childish actions every now and then. Thinking of the short girl, had saddened him again.

Lynn noticed how upset the two boys looked, so she decided to strike up a conversation to help them out of their mood.

"So, what do you two like doing? Any sports or hobbies?" She asked, smiling gently.

Lathan looked at her, returning to his grumpy look. "Football, video games, and watching television," He stated, and turned to look the other way.

Curtis yawned, "Oh, I like anime, video games, reading, and.. bird watching," his voice got softer the longer he talked.

"Bird watching?" she questioned.

Lathan facepalms.

"Yes, bird watching," Curtis stood up. "What about you?"

Lynn held back a small laugh, and instead smiled, "I like some sports, and I like hiking." She actually looked pretty athletic as well. "Not too much," Lynn shrugged and put one hand on her hip.

Marie soon returned from the bathroom, smiling as she approached the boys and Lynn. "So what happened while I was gone?" She hoped she'd be able to get a bit closer with Lynn, seeing as she was the only other girl with them so far.

"We're just talking about bird watching. Now let's go," Lathan grumbled, and started walking again.

They began the trip once again, knowing this is going to be what they're doing most of it, the rest being up to speculation. Lynn walked beside Curtis, trying to see if he had any redeeming qualities, also to hear more of their stories and more about this Emily girl.

"Who is she? What's she like?" Lynn's curiosity got the better of her.

"She's Lathan's girlfriend, and one of my best friends. She's really sweet, and will stand up for what she believes in. She also won't take orders from anyone else, unless of course, it's Lathan. Even Then sometimes she won't listen," Curtis started to chuckle when he finished talking.

"I really hope I get to meet her, she seems wonderful," Lynn gave Curtis a warm smile.

"Yeah, she is.." he returned the favor, her interest giving him a sense of comfort.

Lynn ran up to the rest of the group, understanding a bit more why Lathan was in so much of a rush. Curtis still stayed back, trying to clear his head.

'Are we gonna be able to bring her back? This dude who knows more about these rings and Zodiacs more then us, probably has multiple people now,'

Curtis looked and saw Lathan smiling a little at Lynn.

'No, we will. We have too, We can't leave her there in that hell hole,'

He noticed Lathan frowning again.

'Don't worry Em, we'll bring you home.'