Welcome to Almusilaa

Chapter One

Our entry into Almusilaa was sudden, with the whole plane shuddering. I was looking out of the window so I could see the city suddenly appear from empty space where only the desert had been before.

Almusilaa was a city that was on the small side. It wasn't as big as Melbourne but it was still a large city. Cars moved about on the ground in the early morning rush looking like many multicoloured ants going about their business. The whole scene was bathed in the golden light of morning.

We touched down shortly after and got off of the small plane. We were met with a group of six people on the run way. They were of both sexes and different ages though they all wore suits. Two groups of two went into the plane we had just vacated before returning with the two tied up and sedated women.

"They're just being taken into custody." Victor explained with a nod at one of the suites.

The man came over and passed Victor a slip of paper. He unfolded it before making a 'hmph' sound.

"You all are to stay in a hotel while we clean up this mess." Victor told us. "The Council has booked some rooms for you all to stay in. You'll have today and tonight to rest after your ordeal," he said, looking at us familiars, "and tomorrow the council will want to speak to each of you." He finished.

At the mere thought of rest I gave a wide yawn, I hadn't slept since the night before and I was exhausted. Judging from the following yawns from the people surrounding me they were also tired.

The mouse beside me gave a wide yawn. He was the newest, he had only been a familiar for a day. He was Daniel, the man who had been on TV.

"I will take you to your hotel." Victor said before walking towards a car.

In the end they had to divide the group because there were so many of us. One of the men in suites drove Charlie, Lee, Cooper, Grace and I while Victor took the other familiars. Ellen took Sam separately in a different car.

After weaving through into the heart of the city, we pulled up in front of a hotel. It was five stories high with balconies jutting out from the brick walls. The hotel was sandwiched between a restaurant and a multi-story parking garage.

As we all got out of the cars, our group attracted a lot of stares. Now I knew for sure we were the ones attracting them.

Victor took the front of the group and led us into the hotel. Charlie and Lee took the front while we familiars trailed behind.

We stepped through the sliding glass doors and into the cosy lobby before Victor strolled to the front desk. As I looked around the lobby in boredom I realized that the restaurant was part of the hotel.

The wait was agonizing. I yawned again. I had been unable to sleep on the plane but now I was on solid ground it was all that I wanted to do.

As I sat waiting for Victor my eyes started to close against my will. I shook my head before looking around, trying to find something to focus on to keep myself awake. Charlie was quietly talking with Lee about something which made Charlie giggle.

Even after a night of barely any sleep Charlie was easily the most beautiful person in the room. Her smile was contagious, and I found myself smiling at her. How had I not realized I had a crush on her sooner?

Victor came back with a handful of keys, just in time to distract me from staring at Charlie before she noticed.

"We've booked two rooms for you all, one for the women and one for the men. Is that agreeable to everyone?" Victor asked courteously.

The council had booked us two rooms next to each other on the fourth floor. Since there were no cat doors and most of us couldn't get into the rooms by our selves Victor instructed all of the familiars to stick with either Lee or Charlie when we needed to go out.