Cards

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

When Jack woke, the first thing he heard was a voice.

"...How is he?"

Then another.

"...In bad shape."

"But he'll live, right?"

"Of course, but he won't be in good health for at least a month."

"That's all that matters."

Then another voice cut in.

"We found him very close to The House. We'll have to divert their attention further west of the forest."

"He made it further than most. He's strong. Probably cut out to be a Diamond."

"But that would mean... there's only one Diamond card left... He's a...?"

"It's only a hunch! Let's not spread a rumour. We don't need panic."

Jack groaned and attempted to sit up, but his spine creaked like a rusty gate. His brain throbbed like it was going to burst through his skull. The voices he had heard were silent, and he tried to see who was there. Dried blood clumped his eyelashes together, but he forced his eyes open and was met with a blinding white light. Blinking out the gunk in his eyes, the fuzziness in his sight faded to reveal three teenagers standing above him. They were all staring at him.

The boy in the centre had wild, unruly black hair, was wearing a white lab coat and was smiling in a tranquil, yet slightly deluded manner. The girl next to him was beaming a comforting grin, and the other boy on the right, who towered above the others, had his arms crossed and was smirking. He had surfer blonde hair, and was the first to speak.

“Huh, you woke up quickly.”

Jack massaged his forehead with his palm in an attempt to soothe his pounding head. “W-where am I?”

“You were chased by the Queen’s wolves, who pick up the scent every month of another kid of the prophecy -”

Jack waved his hand, as if to stop the flood of information. “Woah, what prophecy? I’m not a part of any prophecy.”

The girl shrugged apologetically. “Sorry mate, but if you’re here, it means you’re part of it.”

Jack’s head hurt more from confusion. “Fine, but what prophecy?”

The surfer guy went to speak, but the boy with deranged look on his face stopped him. “All in good time, Sam. Until the ceremony.”

Sam looked as if he was about to protest, but thought better of it, and then left through a large oak doorway. Jack’s brows were knitted in curiosity. “What ceremony?”

The boy with black hair spoke. His voice was almost otherworldly, and his dark green eyes drifted to the ceiling, sparkling with knowledge. “The Shuffling Ceremony. We’ll find out if you truly are a part of this prophecy, and what part you’ll play in fate.”

The girl put her hand on his shoulder, and his eyes seemed to reluctantly snap back to reality. “Jekyll, stop scaring - uh…” she looked at Jack. “What was your name again?”

“Jack.”

She stopped for a while in thought. Her gaze flickered for a moment. “Hmm.” She muttered. “Anyway,” she said, appearing to shake off her other thoughts, “Stop scaring Jack.”

“Indeed… I apologise. That was unnecessary.” Jekyll said darkly. “Isla, now I need to treat my patient. Soon, when he’s all stitched up, I’m sure he would appreciate a tour around Headquarters.”

Isla nodded. “Of course, Jekyll.”

As she left, she glanced back curiously at Jack.

Jekyll tapped the tip of the syringe needle, which was full of a slightly luminous green liquid. Slight nausea rose within Jack. “Wh-What is that?”

“Anesthetic. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine by this evening,” Jekyll assured him.

As the needle pricked his arm and the green liquid flooded through his veins, euphoria spread throughout his body like an icy rush. Suddenly, his arm felt like it was made of lead. He struggled to keep his eyelids open.

As his vision blurred, he heard Jekyll say, “Hmm… Jack... I wonder.”

__________________________________________

Hey guys! Yes, I know author notes are annoying, but I feel like I should let you know that as I have the busiest schedule in the world (I'm a rower...) that I don't have an update schedule... So I really apologise if that annoys you. I also write really short chapters. It is something I'm trying to work on, but I hope you'll keep reading my story nevertheless!

Don't forget to vote, comment, and add to your library! Also, PM me! I like to talk to y'all!

Ave atque vale, amici!

the-misadventurer xxx