Soul Thought

The Masses

The masses

 

It had only been a few hours when Celeste walked back up the road towards the house.

The four of them walked close together, none of their faces gave away any hint of why they were back so soon. I had expected them to be gone for at least a few days, and concern was gripping my heart – but none of them looked worse for wear, which was good in its own way, but even more confusing.

On seeing my expression Celeste power walked her way over to me, taking me by the arm, narrowly avoiding a rouge hit my sparring partner had decided to aim at me while I was distracted.

Celeste glared at him before carefully steering me away from the fighting and towards the rest of the group. None of them looked tired, or were sweating in the slightest – making me wonder exactly where they had been and what they had been doing.

As we reached the group I stared at each of them as they shared a look, easily forming a guard around me with Celeste in the front. Slowly but purposefully they led me towards the front of the house, stopping just short of the front gate, stepping into the shadows of one of the trees.

“What?” I asked, trying to peer around Celeste, only able to catch glances of what was ahead.

Celeste turned to me and smiled brilliantly before stepping out of my line of sight. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. From here I could see at least a few dozen sleeping bags, and tents were scattered around the edges. People sat in small clumps talking – people with tattered clothing sat and chatted with people who looked like they could buy Buckingham Palace with their pocket money.

“Whoa” I spoke without even meaning too and Celeste smiled smugly – as though she had been the one to gather all these people here – but I knew she couldn’t take the credit.

“We’ve been out here all morning talking to the girl who said she’s their leader, from what he found out they all answer to her.” Celeste scowled, and I had a feeling that meeting didn’t go particularly well.

“She wasn’t a fan of Dolly and I.” Celeste explained, and I clenched my hands into fists – who is this girl to judge my best friend?

“She asked to see our leader” Celeste restrained a smile.

“Like ‘take me to your leader’ kind of way?” I asked, and Celeste couldn’t hold back the laugh that escaped her lips, nodding.

“Right, well, take me to their leader.” I pulled a face, and the group once again formed their protective circle around me.

Celeste pushed her way through the horde of people, who had instantly swarmed us, arms reaching through my guards to touch my shoulder, or my hair, a wild look in their eyes said they were all a few cents short of a dollar.

Our little group slowly made its way towards one of the bigger more outlandish tends in the grounds – a bright orange that stood out against the greys and browns of the other ones in the vicinity.

Celeste knocked on the way next to the door, and I was surprised to see that the material didn’t bend under the force of her hand. She turned to look at me, and I nodded, allowing her to back off a little, and the group to form a looser circle around me.

A girl who seemed to be around the same age as me opened the flap, short bleach blonde hair was cut into a kind of pixie look with deep plum tips on the ends, she gave me a once over, before smiling wickedly.

“Come in.” She insisted, but I was sure the invitation was for me only.

“Go back to Karter, tell him to expect guests.” I instructed three of the group who had escorted me, making sure Celeste understood she was to come in with me.