The Zodiac War

Chapter 8

The remaining teens observed sadly as their new friends, Elizabeth and Jonathan, got into a black limousine. For breaking one of the highly reinforced laws, they would be punished greatly. Their mothers, Vivienne and Iona, decided to pull them from the trip. It was now up to them to decide the fates of their children.

Rose almost cried while watching her two friends be taken away. Elizabeth and Jonathan had started developing feelings for each other, but now, they would never be able to get a chance at their relationship. Rosalie believed the entire thing was unfair.

To everyone's surprise, Valinda was apologetic and remorseful about the incident. "Um... We leave for Capricorn Texas in an hour... Even without Miss Elizabeth, yes. Um, why don't you all go get ready?" Valinda spoke softly and kindly, showing her sorrow for the children.

Everyone nodded. Some wondered what they would do without the Capricorn representative in a Capricorn state. Some wondered about what would happen to their friends. Others were reprimanding the laws of the country mentally. But all the teens had similar thoughts.

-=+=-

The plane ride was ominously silent. Barely anyone spoke. Valinda grew tired of the teen's silence.

  "Hey, in Texas we will have fun. There will be rodeos, contests. Lots of fun stuff," Valinda reminded them, smiling sweetly. "Elizabeth lives in the capital. Maybe we will see her one last time."

The kids nodded lazily, lost in their own thoughts. Valinda stressed over how depressed she had made the children.

She changed into a serious persona. "It is the law. They broke it. It isn't my fault they decided to disregard the rules. They could never be together. A Capricorn and a Sagittarius don't belong together. They would clash way too often."

Blue retorted, "What sign are you, Valinda?"

Valinda looked confused and stuttered quite a bit while she answered. "U-uh... I'm a-a... Not sure... I was never given one. No one is aware of my sign. Meaning, the Zodiac Laws don't actually apply to me..." She mumbled the last part to herself, but most of the kids heard it.

"I see," Rosalie said to herself. "So you can do whatever?"

  "Technically, yes... Um."

  "You can fall in love with whoever?" Chase pried.

  "Yes..."

  "You can live like we used to before this system?" Jessica added, getting irritable and angry.

  Valinda crossed her legs nervously and tucked her hair back. "Yes... But it comes with a price! I am not considered a full citizen. Since every country uses this system, I have no home. I'm not allowed in politics, I'm not allowed to call anything my own."

  The children stared at her, wide-eyed. Valinda shifted, uncomfortable with being in the spotlight so suddenly. "Oh look, we are beginning to descend."

-=+=-

  "I say we look for Elizabeth," Rosalie proposed nonchalantly in the hotel.

  "You crazy? She is probably in deep enough shit already," Jewel muttered bitterly.

  Aria and Spafina looked surprised at Jewel's attitude. Aria Spoke defensively but calmly, "But I think we should see how she's doing, shouldn't we? Just to make sure they didn't... Eliminate her?"

  "If she hasn't been eliminated by now, then she will be if we go to her," Colin grumbled.

  Wolf removed his headphones for once to join the conversation. "What if we make her come to us?"

  Everyone stared at Wolf with their undivided attention. Blue questioned, "How?"

  "Well, she's Iona's daughter. When we first met, it seemed like Elizabeth was the ambitious, Mommy's girl. Anywhere Iona goes, Elizabeth will follow so she can learn to lead if she runs for election. We just need to draw the attention of Iona."

  "When did you get smart?" Spafina exclaimed. "That's genius!"

  Chase waved his hands in the air dismissively. "Ok, but how do we draw Iona?"

  Colin responded, "Aren't we the chosen few who went on the Grand Tour? Wouldn't she want to meet us?"

  "Not if we caused her daughter to break the law," Rosalie disagreed, shaking her head. Spafina leaned on her sister for comfort.

  "Hm. Would Iona do it if the press saw?" Blue suggested, "Like, we make it public?"

  "Maybe. We should ask Iona and Elizabeth to dinner to apologize. I'm pretty sure they won't say no if we ask in public," said a confident Aria.

  Jewel joined in, finally being optimistic. "There's a ribbon cutting ceremony to open up a new orphanage. It's currently 7:49 A.M. and the ceremony is at five this afternoon.We could ask her there!"

  "How the hell would you know that?" Blue asked in disbelief.

  "I read the damn brochure."

  "Anyway, it sounds like we got a plan. Let's waste the day until then," Wolf said, plopping on his bed and passing out.

  "Welp, might as well have some fun," Rosalie mumbled to herself, grabbing a marker. Jessica and Blue reached for their own.

  Wolf's face was soon decorated with inappropriate artwork and phrases. The three smiled at their work.

  "Wake him up and lets go to a carnival or something," Rose commanded Spaf.

  Spafina woke him up gently, but Wolf locked himself in the bathroom after she whispered, "You got a dick on your face."