Arnie stared at the sketch, his mouth hanging open. There was total silence for several minutes. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. There was another person here, in this world.
The leader made a sound like he was clearing his throat. It was clearly a sound of impatience. Arnie looked at him - wearing the same expression of open-mouthed shock. The leader spoke, his voice was calm.
"So, you can clearly see why we need you. The writings predicted it as well - it must be so"
"But... how did she get here? Since when? Where is she?.."
The leader cut off his questioning.
"All your questions can be answered in training. But we need your agreement to help us first." Arnie shivered slightly. He didn't think it was wise to annoy this guy, but nonetheless really didn't think he'd be of much use.
"I don't think that I am really suited..."
The reply he got came across as a roar, incredibly loud, and Arnie physically recoiled.
"ARE YOU REFUSING TO HELP US? ARE YOU PREPARED TO WATCH US WIPED FROM THIS LAND?"
"Of course not... I... I just don't think I really stand much of a chance, I was easily overpowered by a few of your own soldiers." His voice was weak, hesitant. He had a feeling that he wanted to help, a feeling he should help, and the feeling grew, but he was scared, nervous.
"Ah! Fear not, you will be trained fully before battle." The transformation in the leader's mood was as shocking as his earlier outburst. He sounded calm and friendly now.
Arnie looked over his shoulder and noticed a row of pencil-soldiers standing there. He glanced back at the leader who wore a now unreadable facial expression. Arnie had the distinct impression that there wasn't much of a choice. He felt sadness, fear, trepidation and a whole array of emotions wash over and through him as he nodded his head in agreement.
Almost immediately, a cheer erupted through the room. High pitched squeals, contrasted with some deep voices and the strange noise of the tables. He looked around, the entire room was cheering and jumping around. It was defeaning.
He looked straight at the leader, who was smiling with a knowing smile.
"Welcome Soldier Arnold. We will now swear you in. Kneel before me."
He moved forward and kneeled before the leader and looked at the floor. Silence had settled over the room like a thick blanket. The emotions and feelings continued whirling around within, and he wanted to get out of the room.
"Repeat after me:
"I swear to write that which needs written. To erase and change it as only pencils can do when called for and to be as a pencil is. I shall surrender my eraser if I fail in my task."
He only hesitated a moment, considering mentioning he wasn't actually a pencil, but he decided to go along with it instead. His voice was slightly stronger now as his resolve grew.
"I swear to write that which needs written. To erase and change it as only pencils can do when called for and to be as a pencil is. I shall surrender my eraser if I fail in my task."
The cheers rose up from the crowd once more and continued for quite some time as more food was brought out for all.
"Your training begins tomorrow!"
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YOU ARE READING
Travel to Sockland
Adventure(*Wattpad Featured Story*) Arnie is a physics student. When he discovers once again that one of his socks has gone missing, he decides to apply his knowledge to tracking down where the lost socks end up. He soon finds himself in Sockland, a world...
