Chapter 3

“So, what you’re saying is that you’re helping four people gone mad. That’s so you.” Abby says after I finish my story.
                “What do you mean, that’s so me?” I ask her.
                “Helping people just because they say they travelled through time. You’re so desperate to get away from Nance that you believe everything you’re told.”
                “Hey, you’re supposed to support me.”
                “Yes, and I am supporting you, by being honest.  Because that’s what I’m supposed to do too.”
                I roll my eyes.
                “No, but seriously, sweetheart. How on earth could you believe them? There’s no such thing as time travel.”
                “How do you know that? You can’t prove if it’s real or not.”
                “Then how do you know if they’re speaking the truth or not?”
                “Okay, you’ve got a point there. Still, they needed help and...”
                “And you saw a way out. I get it.”
                “You do?”
                “Yes, because if they’re telling the truth you would be able to get away. But it’s just a fairytale. Please wake up before it’s too late.”
                “Is this supposed to make me feel better?”
                I sit down on one of the chairs at our fixed table in the school cafeteria and put my bag on the one next to it.
                “Yeah. No. I’m just warning you.”
                “But I want to believe them.” I say in my most childish voice, making Abby laugh.
                “I know. Wouldn’t it be the perfect tale?”
                “Are you going to Sally today?” I ask her after a minute of silence.
                “Yes. I help her twice a week, remember? Besides, mom asked me to give Sally her dress back. The one she borrowed for that party last week.”
                “Ah, right, sisters. I’m so jealous you’ve got a job.”
                “It’s not really a job when you’re helping your aunt.”
                “You get paid for it, so it’s a job. By the by, what party?”
                “The opening party for the new Boldings’ office block.”
                “Oh. She designed that, right?” Abby’s mother is the architect of many buildings in the city. She also helped with the design of her sister’s hotel. I wish I had a such a good family relationship as Abby’s got with her mother and aunt.
                “Talking about Sally, why did you bring them to her?”
                “Because they needed a place to stay and that’s the best place I know. Also, I love the Paradise and I trust Sally with whole my heart; why shouldn’t I bring them there?”
                Abby smiles. “True. You’re coming with me after school?”
                “Yep.”
                “What about Nance?”
                “I’ll just tell her the same as yesterday.”

---

                “Sal! I’m here!” Abby yells as we walk through the door of the estate. She walks to the office and looks inside.
                “Not here?” I ask.
                “Nope. She’s probably at the stables.”
                We walk back outside and follow the path to the back of the estate, where the stables are placed. Currently seven horses are having a place there; Sally’s own three horses and the horses of the four strangers. The eighth stable is the home for the five goats who are walking around the grounds of the estate; the other two stables are empty.
                As we pass the stables, looking if Sally’s around, a chick runs for our feet, followed by its mother.
                “Oh, the chicks have broken out of their shells.” Abby says enthusiastic. “Hello there, little one.”
                She pets the chick, which peeps at the touch and runs to its mother. Abby laughs at the sight of it all and walks away.
                We turn around the corner and see the horses walking in the barnyard. Sally rests her arms on the fence, talking to Valora. The latter notices us and waves at me as Sally turns around.
                “Abby! Hello dear, how good to see you. Ramona, how are you?”
                “I’m fine, thank you.”
                “I saw the chicks are finally out.” Abby says.
                “Yes, there are seven in total. It’s good to have them running around again.”
                “It’s nice again, yes.” Abby looks at Valora. “You must be Valora. Ramona told me about you. Nice to meet you.” Abby shakes Valora’s hand.
                “This is my best friend Abby.” I add when Valora looks at her puzzled.
                “Oh. How very nice to meet you indeed.” Valora says, and bows.
                “Uh, yeah, we... we don’t bow here.” I mumble.
                “Oh, right. I’m sorry.”
                I wave her apology away to tell her it’s okay. After all, she’s not used to modern actions.
                “So, I thought there were four of you.” Abby mentions.
                Valora looks a bit puzzled once again.
                “I kind of told her everything.” I say.
                “Of course, best friends.” She smiles. “They’re busy in the stables. I think Cade is letting Felix and Aiden do some choirs while he’s trying to figure out how to read one of those magazines himself.”
                I chuckle. “That wouldn’t surprise me.”
                The three of us start to walk to the big doors in the middle of the building, but Abby suddenly stops.
                “Almost forgot, Sal, here’s the dress mom borrowed.” She grabs a small package from her bag and hands it over to Sally.
                “Thanks. Tell her I want to see pictures.” Sally smiles. “Oh, if you’re going to the stables, can you check the forage supply? It’s gone a bit faster now with four horses extra.”

                “So you work for Sally?” Valora asks as we enter the stables.
                “Twice a week, yes. It’s not really a job, though.”
                “What do you mean?”
                “She means that because she works for her aunt it’s not really a proper job.” I say. “Hey guys.”
                Valora was right; Felix is mucking out one of the stables and Aiden is polishing a saddle, while Cade sits on a small chair in the corner, looking at one of the magazines I gave.
                “Ah, great, you’re here. I want to ask you something.” Cade stands up and shows me one of the pages of the magazine, an article about broken Hollywood marriages. “Why do these people marry each other if they, what do they called it again, break up again after a few months?”
                “Oh, yes, that happens a lot. You marry, and 73 days later you get divorced. Big hit, especially in Hollywood.” I say. “I hope this isn’t the only thing you’ve been doing since I left yesterday.”
                “He tried to read that history book you gave.” Felix says.
                “Tried?”
                “Do you know how big that book is? And how boring?” Cade says to defend himself.
                “How much have you read?”
                “I’ve read a bit about those Dark Ages and something about the so called Arthurian legend. It surprised me how much of the information was actually true. They know a lot about my ancestors.”
                “Wait, so it’s not just a legend?” Abby asks.
                “Of course it’s not!” Cade sounds a bit offended.
                “So all that has been written about King Arthur is actually true? It really happened?”
                “Yes! Well, there are a few things in this book that aren’t correct, but most of it is true.”
                “And how’d you know?” Abby asks provoking.
                Now Cade even looks offended. “How I know? It’s the story of my family, my ancestors! It would be strange if I didn’t know the facts!”
                “You’re ancestors, eh?  Wow, you must have gone really mad to believe something like that.”
                “Abby, don’t.” I warn her.
                “Mad? Who the hell are you to say I’m mad? You’re... You’re a maid! Do you even know who I am?”
                “Well, according to you you’re a Pendragon. According to me, you’re just an arse.”
                “Abby!” I yell. “Okay, both of you, stop it. Abby, you were being mean. Cade, you are very easily offended. Don’t take everything so seriously.”
                “I’m not easily offended.”
                “Actually, you are.” Aiden says.
                “Dollop-head.” Felix mumbles, too soft for Cade to hear, but hard enough for the rest of us, who stand closer to him.
                I suppress a smile and suddenly I realize I didn’t introduce Abby yet.
                “I almost forgot. Guys, this is my best friend Abby. Abby, this is Felix,” I start.
                “Hi.” Felix waves his hand and smiles.
                “This guy is Aiden,”
                “Nice to meet you.” Aiden leans over to grab Abby’s hand and gives a soft kiss on it. Abby lets out a soft giggle only I can hear.
                “And the guy you just fought with is Cade.”
                 Cade only nods, still with an offended look on his face.
                “Also, did you really have to do that?” I whisper to Abby.
                She shrugs. She still won’t believe they travelled through time.
                “So what have you read?” I ask Felix and Aiden.
                “The timeline in the back of the history book,” Aiden starts.
                “There’s a timeline in the back?” I pick up the book and open the last page. There is, indeed, a whole timeline with all the important events. “Okay, great, then I don’t have to make one.”
                “and I’ve read a bit about today’s society.”
                “Okay, can you sum up the most important things?” I ask.
                “Women are as important as men, media and...”
                “Whoa, wait, did you just say women are as important as men?” Cade interrupts.
                I hear Abby clear her troth and shut her up with an angry look. I don’t want any more fights between her and Cade. I agree with her though.
                “Women have become as powerful and important as men, yes. It’s not like we’re dumber or weaker than men. We’re all equal. Why so surprised?” I ask, hoping the bitter tone in my voice might shut him up.
                Cade thinks of something to answer, but Aiden shuts him up  again before he even starts talking. “You should read the book before you say something stupid about it.”
                “I actually think it’s good.” Felix says. “Our society sounds so disrespectful to women now.”
                I smile. I’m glad he thinks about it in a good way, and looking at Aiden’s face, he agrees.
                “Can you go on?” I ask Aiden.
                “Uh... Oh, media and electronics are very important, young women have a lot of problems with their selves because society makes them think it’s important to be super thin and beautiful instead of being yourself, global warming seems a big problem and... Well, that’s all I’ve read.”
                “Wow, I’m proud. That’s a lot already. I didn’t expect you to know all this after one day. Great job.” I feel like a teacher now, controlling if my students have done their homework. “What about you, Felix?”
                “Uh, well, except the things Aiden showed me last night and just told, I don’t know a thing. Actually, I couldn’t read, because Cade gave me a lot of chores to do.”
                “Oh, yes, of course, it’s my fault.”
                “Cade, if you want to fit in you shouldn’t act like such a lazy pig.” I say.
                “I don’t want to fit in, I want to go back to the place I came from.”
                “Yes, and until we find out how to do that, you should cooperate a bit more.” I turn back to Felix and Aiden. “It’s good that you show the things you’ve read to the others. The others will learn the same and they won’t have to read the same to know the most important thing. By dividing it, you’ll know the things you need to know faster than if you read everything yourself.” I turn to Valora. “Have you read anything different than what they just told us?”
                “Yes, I’ve picked up the book about the electronics. The technologies of this society are amazing. You can talk to someone who’s on the other side of the world via cell phones or something called the internet, on which you can also find a lot of information. It’s brilliant!” She says enthusiastic.
                “I’m glad you like it.” I take a small package from my bag. “Here, this is one of those phones. There is a booklet with instructions and an explanation of how it works. And here,” I search for the piece of paper in my pocket. “on this paper you see a few series of numbers. They are phone numbers. By typing in one of these numbers and clicking on the small green button in the bottom right, you can contact the person from whom the number is. As you see, I wrote down my number, for when you need any help. The second number is Sally’s, I thought that might come handy.”
                “Oh, give it.” Abby says, grabbing a pen out of her bag.
                I give her the piece of paper and she writes down her number.
                “This one might come handy as well.” She says.
                “Thanks.” I whisper to her.
                “No problem.”
                I feel my phone vibrating again. Every time Nance calls me, the urge to runaway gets bigger and bigger.
                “I have to go. Call me when you’ve figured out how.” I say, particularly to Valora.
                “And I should go to work now, or Sally is going to kill me. If you need any help, I’ll probably be somewhere around the estate.”
                Abby grabs her bag and walks into the forage room. As she looks back to us, I can see her staring a little bit longer at Aiden than she looks at the rest of us before waving at me.
                I wave back and grin. Perfect tale indeed. 

Chapter 2

Angry people are all over the place. It doesn’t matter if this is an act or a joke or whatever this may be, they need help.
                I bring my right thumb and forefinger to my mouth and whistle. “This way!” One of the guys, seems to hear me. He pushes the guy on his left and points at me. As an answer, I wave. The guy doesn’t seem to consider any other options, because he turns his horse my way, riding out of the circle of cars, followed by the other three. As people look at me with the anger still on their faces, I yell: “Sorry for the chaos! My friends here are trying to make this stupid video about what happens when you put on clothes from the Dark Ages and go stand in the middle of a junction. It’s okay now. I’m really sorry!” I turn around and look in the faces of four very confused human beings.
                “Okay, what is a video, what are the Dark Ages and where the hell are we? What year is it?” the guy who came my way first asks. He’s tall and has got dirty blonde hair and dark blue eyes with a bit of green in them. He looks like he’s twenty, twenty-one, and if I look at the others I think he’s the oldest.
                “I’ve got one question before I’ll answer yours; Who are you?” I ask.
                The guy sighs. “Fine. My name is Cade Pendragon, these are my... friends, Felix,” he points at the guy who heard me first, “Aiden and Valora.” I wonder if he wanted to say servants at first.
                “Pendragon?” I ask. “Then you must be family of King Arthur.”
                Cade sighs again. “Yes, he’s one of my ancestors. Now it’s your turn to answer my questions.”
                “Cool.” Okay, there are three possibilities here: One, they’re very good actors and I’m being Punk’d or something like that. Two, they’re lunatics. Or three, they’re telling the truth and they’re from the past. That would mean they travelled through time. What do I need to believe and how am I going to find out? Guess I’ll just play the game for now. “You’re in Stroud, England, in the year 2012, on the 17^th of March to be precisely. A video is a recording of...” O dear, how am I going to explain this? “images, representing scenes of motion. The Dark Ages, or Middle Ages, is how we call the period between the 5th century and the 15^th.”
                “Why is that period called the Dark Ages?” the third guy, Aiden, asks.
                “Err... If I’m right it’s because it follows the Roman Era and comes before the Renaissance, and it was a ‘darker’ period or something... You know, you shouldn’t ask me, I didn’t really pay attention in History class.”
                “You said we’re in the year 2012.” Cade says.
                “Yep.”
                “How is that possible?” Valora asks. It’s the first time I hear her talk. She’s got a warm voice. She’s probably a friendly person.
                “I don’t know. I’ve never travelled through time. Where did you come from? I mean, what year?”
                “Uh...” Cade looks at Felix.        
                “1267. The day was, if I’m right, I’m not really good with the calendar system, the 17^th of March. Wow, what a coincidence.” Yes, what a coincidence.
                “You probably think we’re mad.” Valora says.
                 “Why would I?”
                “Because we think we travelled through time.”
                I think I need to tell them about the three possibilities. If I say one of my possibilities is that they’re actors, they might reveal themselves.
                “Well, I thought you might be mad at first. That was one of my possibilities. Another one was that you are actors who are pulling a prank on me right now. The last one was that you are speaking the truth.” I think I can scratch the possibility of them being lunatics anyway. What’s the chance that there are four people together who have gone mad and now think the same thing? That leaves two possibilities, and there’s something inside me that really wants to believe them.
                “So, what do think?” Felix asks. For an actor the ultimate test.
                “I think I believe you. Even though you’re story is quite unbelievable.” An actor would now reveal himself, but they’re looking at me surprised.
                “You... You believe us?” Aiden asks.
                “Yes. I do believe you, and I’m willing to help you...”
                “Great! You can find a way to send us back in time, and meanwhile you can make sure we get a place to stay. And some food would be great too, I’m starving.” Cade interrupts me, just like I imagined he would. He really is a king’s son.
                “On one condition.” I finish my sentence.
                Cade looks at me and rolls his eyes. “Of course, fine. What’s your price?”
                “I don’t have a price. My condition is that I’ll treat you like I treat everybody else.”
                “What’s that for condition? Really? Do you know to whom you’re talking? I’m a prince!”
                “I don’t care that you’re a prince in your time. You’re in my time now, and here, you’re not a prince. Do you want my help or not? I’m probably the only person who believes you.”
                I can see Cade’s in conflict with himself. “Fine.”
                I smile. “Good. Now, for a place to stay. I know the perfect place. It’s this very nice hotel in the Golden Valley, a mile away from town. It has stables, so there’s a place for your horses too. I know the owner. You have to follow this street, then turn left at the bridge and follow the road out of town. If you see a small estate with the name ‘Sally’s Paradise’, you’re in the right place.”
                “Sally’s Paradise? What kind...” Cade starts.
                “Shut up.” I say.
                “I was just...” he protests.
                “Really, you’re so annoying when you open your mouth.”
                “Excuse me?”
                “Wait, you’re not coming with us?” Valora asks.
                “I’ll come later. I need to do something first. I’ll let Sally now you’re coming.”
                “What are...”
                “Just wait and see. I’ll be there in half an hour or so.”
                “Okay... Let’s go then.”

Exactly half an hour later I arrive at Sally’s. The peach blossom in the front yard is already starting to bloom and the ivy-grown estate is beautifully mirrored in the pond. The few tables and chairs in front of the estate totally finish the picture. It’s no wonder this place is being called ‘Paradise’.
                I walk inside and as the bell rings, Sally walks out of her office next to the lobby.
                “Ramona! How good to see you again. How are you?” Sally puts her shining red hair out of the ponytail before she hugs me.
                “I’m fine, thanks. What about you? The peach blossom outside looks really pretty already.”
                Sally smiles. “Yes, I know, she’s doing very well for this time of the year. And to answer your question, I’m doing great.”
                “And in business? This year didn’t start too good, did it?”
                “No, it didn’t. I had no guests in January, but it’s starting to get better. There’s an older couple from Sheffield staying here right now, plus your friends of course. But just between you and me, they’re quite odd, aren’t they?”
                I chuckle. “Yes. Yes, they are.”
                “Do you’ve got any idea how long they’ll stay here? I mean, for the administration.”
                “I’m not sure, but I think it’ll be a while before they’ll leave. I’ll make sure they’ll pay every week.” I only have to find money.
                “I know you will. I gave them rooms seventeen and eighteen.”
                “Thanks.”
                I walk upstairs. I don’t hear any chatter in room seventeen, so I walk to eighteen and knock on the door.
                “Come in.”
                I walk in and see the four strangers, looking at objects they’ve probably never seen before. “So, how do you like it here?”
                “You came!” Valora jumps up from the bed and walks towards me.
                “Of course I came. I said I’d help you, and so I will.”
                Valora smiles and grabs my hands. “You’re a good person, uh...”
                I realize I never told them my name. “Ramona. And thanks.”
                “Ramona? That’s a beautiful name. What does it mean?”
                “Err... Wise defender, or protector, if I’m right.”
                “Beautiful. I think it suits you.”
                I smile. I was right about Valora, she’s really a nice person.
                “If I’m allowed to talk...” Cade sounds annoyed, waiting for me to stop him, but as I’m not, he goes on. “may I ask what’s in that bag?” He nods at the big bag in my hand.
                “Oh, right.” I grab something out of the bag and throw it to Cade. “Clothes. As you’re going to stay here for a while, I thought it would be better if you’d look like you belong in this century. Now, here,” I grab some other clothes. “these are for you, Felix, these are for Aiden, and these are for you.” I turn back to Valora and give her the clothes I bought for her. “Also, I brought some books with me. You guys can read, right?”
                All four nod.
                “Good. I’ve got a History book, so you can find out why we call it the Dark Ages. I’m not sure you should read everything.” I say as I lay the book on the desk next to the bed Valora sat on.
                “Why not?” Aiden asks.
                “Because most of the things written about in this book happen in your future. Though it might be a good idea to know the basics if you’re going to stay here for a while. I’ll make a timeline of the most important things.”
                “Okay, what do you’ve got more?” Cade asks.
                “I’ve borrowed this book from the library, about today’s society, thought that might come handy as well. This one’s from the library as well, about electronics.”
                “What are...” Cade starts.
                “Just read the book.” I say annoyed. “I’ve also got a few magazines, don’t ask, about famous people, movies, music, fashion, everything you need to know to fit it.”
                I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket again.
                “I’ll be here again tomorrow. Don’t go anywhere too far, don’t come into town and be nice to Sally. I’ve got to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
                 When I leave, my phone bleeps, indicating a new text message.

                                “Hey, Nance just called my parents, wondering if you were with me. They backed up for you, but you should arrive at home in 10 minutes. Something wrong? Xx Chandler.”

I smile and text Abby back.

                               “Thanks. I can’t explain what’s going on in a text message, I’ll tell you tomorrow, ‘kay? Xx Joey.”

Now I only need to arrive at home in 10 minutes.

                “Where the hell have you been?” Nance yells angry when I close the door behind me.
                “With Abby.” I hang my coat on the rack and walk towards the stairs.
                “You are grounded. That means you have to come home immediately after school.”
                “Yes, but we have to do a project for school together and you banned the use of internet, so we had to go to Abby’s place.”
                Nance stares at me, not knowing what to say, and without a word I walk upstairs. 

Chapter 1

The man is dressed in a dark blue suit and the woman wears the most beautiful dress you'll ever see, her long chestnut-coloured hair waving in the wind. She's holding flowers in one hand, her other hand tangled in one of his. His other hand lays on her belly, indicating the one she's starting to get; She's been pregnant for, what, three and a half months now, maybe four? The man and woman are looking at each other, happiness shining in their eyes. Little do they know their happiness won't take any longer than a year from the moment this photo was taken.
                As I put the photograph back in the small box, I hear someone storming upstairs. Quickly, I put the box in my closet. Just in time.
                "I've been calling you for five times now!" Nance, my foster mother, stands in the door opening. “If you’re not coming downstairs in the next thirty seconds, you won’t get any food!”
                “Fine.” I say. I’m not hungry anyway.
                “And don’t think you can come downstairs later tonight to grab some food out of the fridge!”
                “Okay.” Challenge accepted. No really, she’s been saying this a lot, and every time I know to sneak out of my room when she and Will have fallen asleep. It’s not hard to fool Ethan, the son of Nance and Will. I’m not calling him my brother on purpose; these people have never felt as my family. The only family I’ve got is my best friend Abigail.
                “Really, you should get off the floor once. You never come out of your room. It’s almost like you’re mental.”
                Ugh, is she still here? Why can’t she go away? “Thanks.”
                “And buy some new clothes. You look like a hobo. You don’t get fifty pounds a month to buy drugs.”
                She called me a hobo. A mental one. Great. “Yes, thank you. Are you done ranting about how I can’t do anything good? I’ve got some crack right under my bed and I’d love to use it.”
                Nance is even more pissed right now. “Violet Ramona McKenzie! You’re grounded for the rest of the month, plus no internet or television!”
                “For the rest of the month?”
                “Do you want me to make the period any longer?”
                “Oh, I’m fine with it, but I thought you wanted me to go out and shop for new clothes?”
                “There are web shops.”
                Ha, that’s funny. “True, but you just gave me an internet prohibition.”
                It’s really hard not to burst out laughing. Nance is just standing in the door opening, not knowing how to answer. “Well... If you don’t shut up I’m going to buy you clothes.”
                Okay, that’s not fair. That means I’m getting the cheapest and ugliest clothes you can imagine, even though Nance and Will are rich. Luckily I’ve got scissors and needles. “Okay."
                It stays quiet for a second, but then Nance shuts the door and I can hear her walking back downstairs. I walk to the door and put the lock on it. Nance would’ve killed me when I locked the door before she came running up the stairs. I lay down on my bed and stare at the ceiling. I painted it dark blue a while ago, with tiny white spots like stars. It makes me feel like I’m staring at the night sky. Like I’m away from this place. I smirk. Will probably closed my internet connection by now. How I love to see his face when he figures I hacked his computer, though he will never know. He’s just too dumb for that. I mean, who’s password is ‘password’? Or 1234, the code of his safe. Like he thinks he’s being clever by choosing codes that are so simple no one will ever think of them. Idiot. Just wait until he notices the few 100 pounds being gone. It’s not much in comparison with the amount of money that’s actually in the safe, so it’s hard to miss.
                I grab my laptop. Yep, no connection. I open The Sims. The start menu appears on my dash and I click on the icon that says “Start game”. Instead of The Sims, a program called Drudged starts. I click on the tab “Wireless” and a list with all the computers in the house pops up. I click on Will’s computer and a small banner pops up. “Password?” I type in ‘password’ and my laptop makes connection with Will’s. The dashboard of his computer appears on my screen. I look at the note in green in the bottom right of the screen. “This computer is currently inactive.” Great. I open the network centre and make connection with the internet. I open internet to make sure it’s connected. The website of BBC News opens. Yes. Done it again. I check Will’s dashboard once again. No banner pops up to say I made connection. I close the dashboard and minimize Drudged, so there’s only the small icon of The Sims left in the toolbar.
                A sudden vworping sound indicates an incoming message.

“All right, I took the quiz, and it turns out, I do put career before men”

I laugh and start typing.

                               “That’s cool. Want some jam?”
                               “No thanks. I just had a jar of mustard.”
                               “How you doin’?”
                                “Not good. Someone stole some Ben & Jerry’s out of my freezer.”
                               “Err.. Yeah, that would’ve been me. Sorry, I’m a twat.”
                               “Seriously, Joey, stay out of my freezer!”

I just love how Abby and I can have a whole conversation by using quotes.

                               “That reminds me, how come we don’t have jam at our place?”
                               “Because the kids need shoes.”
                                “Dude, stop talking crazy and make us some tea!”
                               “Hahaha. Oh, I love this.”
                               “I know, me too.”
                               “So... How are you?”
                               “Hm... I’m grounded... Again.”
                               “*sighs* Joey, what did you do?”
                               “Chandler, I swear, it was nothing. I refused to come downstairs for dinner.”
                                “Ah, I see. You must be starving.”

I’m actually starting to feel hungry. I lean towards the small cupboard next to my bed and grab a Twix out of the middle drawer.

                               “I got a Twix.”
                               “Where did you get it from?”

I sigh.

                               “I bought it, I swear. I only steal Nance’s money. And food from the fridge.”
                               “Okay, then it’s cool. By the way, why did you refuse to come to dinner?”
                               “I wasn’t in the mood to be in their company. Also, Nance called me a mental hobo who uses drugs.”
                               “You’re kidding. Wow, that’s harsh.”
                               “Oh well, it’s not that bad. I’m used to it. Besides, it gave me the opportunity of a good comeback.”
                               “What did you say?”
                               “I asked her if she was done ranting about how I can’t do anything good and told her I have some crack under my bed. She was astonished.”
                               “Ha. Brilliant. But if you’re grounded... Are you still planning on going to the cemetery tomorrow?”

Tomorrow. The 17^th of March. Tomorrow it will be seventeen years ago my parents were found dead. They always told me they died in a car accident, but I know that’s not true. I don’t know what really happened though, but I’m trying to figure it out. Abby is the only one who knows about my little investigation.      
                Another vworping sound gets me out of my thoughts.

                               “You okay?”
                               “Yeah, sorry. I was somewhere else with my thoughts for a sec. Yes, I’m still going to the cemetery. Nance can’t forbid me to go. I’ll go right after school.”
                               “Have you already found something new?”
                               “Not yet.”
                               “You know I’m always here for you, right?”

I smile.

                               “Yes, I know. Thanks. Hey, I think I’m going to bed. I’m a bit tired. Okay?”
                               “Sure. See you tomorrow.”
                               “Bye.”

---

                “Oi, Joey, wake up.” Someone pricks with her finger in my side.
                “How long do we still got?” I mumble.
                 “Fifteen minutes.”
                I look up. “You’re kidding me.”
                “No, sorry.”
                “Did Mr. Smith notice I was asleep?”
                “No.” Abby answers. “But even if he did, he wouldn’t care.”
                “True.” Mr. Smith is, like, the coolest teacher in the whole school.
                “Okay, because everyone worked so hard today, I’m letting you go home earlier. So grab your stuff, class is dismissed.” Mr. Smith suddenly says. Everyone grabs their stuff and gets out of the classroom quick. Abby and I follow.
                “Are you going to the cemetery immediately?” Abby asks when we grab our coats.
                “No, I’ll go visit Fleur’s Flowers first.” Fleur’s Flowers is this really adorable flower shop, owned by an originally Dutch woman named Fleur Vermeulen. She’s really nice and sells the most beautiful flowers you can imagine. It’s kind of cliché though, knowing that ‘Fleur’ is the French word for ‘flower’. Oh well, it’s catchy.
                “Do you want me to come with you?”
                “Err... No, I think I prefer this to do alone. But thanks, really.”
                “Okay.” Abby hugs me. She knows how much I love to hang out with her and understands when I want be alone. “Just call me if you need anything, eh?”
                “I will.”

                “Afternoon, Fleur.” I say when I walk into the flower shop. It’s a small space overflowed with flowers. You can barely walk through all the different kinds of flowers and plants, it’s sort of like a jungle, but all these colours together just make you happy.
                “Goedemiddag, Ramona.” Fleur appears from behind a few gigantic plants with dark green leaves. “Wait a second. I already made you a beautiful bouquet.”
                “You... You already made a bouquet?”
                “Yes, of course. I know it’s an important day to you.” I hear some stumbling in the backroom before Fleur shows up once again. “Here.” She hands me a bouquet of beautiful black roses with a few yellow ones in the middle.
                “Wow. These are  beautiful.”
                “Thanks. I already thought you would like them.” She smiles before she goes on. “The, err, black ones symbolise farewell. They are very rare and so incredibly beautiful, just like your parents used to be.” Fleur stops for a second. I know she and my mom used to be very good friends. She told me a few years back. “The yellow ones symbolise friendship. They’re saying ‘I care’. It’s a total of eleven roses. Giving someone eleven roses mean that the recipient is truly and deeply loved.”
                “They’re incredible, and that’s such a beautiful meaning. Thanks. Does the giving of roses have a special meaning too?”
                “Well, a rose represents love, but I mostly picked them because I know your mother loved them. After I opened this shop, she came to buy one rose every week. Most of the time she bought an orange one. They were here favourites.”
                “You and my mom were really good friends, weren’t you?”
                “Yes. Ever since she stood up for me in high school we were best friends.”
                “She stood up for you?”
                “Yes. I was bullied a lot because of the accent I used to have back then. Chelsea thought my accent was rather cute and told my classmates I couldn’t help it because I just moved from the Netherlands. The bullying stopped after that and we hung out a lot. She was a very strong woman who stood up for what she believed in. You are a lot like her.”
                I smile. Fleur is, after Abby, the person I love the most in the whole wide world. She’s so nice and always knows how to cheer me up. I love listening to her stories.
                Suddenly I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I take it out and look at the caller ID. “Crap.”
                “Nance?”
                “Yeah. I’ve got to go. How many for the bouquet?”
                “Nothing.”
                “Nothing?”
                “Yeah. They’re free. Oh, and here.” Fleur hands me a single orange rose. “For you. Now go, you don’t want to make Nance even more angry and you still have to go to the cemetery.”
                “Thanks.” I walk towards the door and grab the handle.
                “If you ever think of running away, you can always come to my place.”
                I turn back around to face Fleur. “Thanks. You’re a wonderful person. I’ll remember that.”

I walk on the small pad that leads to the other side of the cemetery. There are flowers lying on most of the graves, though the persons who laid them there are not around. It’s quiet. There’s no bird singing his song. The only sounds you can hear is the sound of my feet on the gravel path and the sound of the wind running through the leaves of the oak tree. You can’t even hear the cars and the other noises of the city. I actually don’t like silence, but I have to say it feels quite beautiful right now.
                As I reach my parents grave, I feel my eyes tearing up. I don’t try to fight them, I know I can’t hold them up anyway. I read the words on the memorial stone. “Life might have left us, Love never will. Chelsea Wright, 15 September 1972 – 17 March 1995, & Nicholas Taylor, 1 February 1972 – 17 March 1995.” I think the quote’s beautiful. Simple, but so strong.  Even though I never knew my parents, I love them. I miss them. When I was little, I used to imagine about having them in my life, living in a real family, visiting grandma with my mother, playing soccer with my dad in the backyard, listening to my mom’s voice as she read me a bedtime story. I pretended my real life was just a bad dream, and that my dreams were reality. It’s a shame it never meant to be. I have no parents, no grandparents, no aunts and uncles, or at least, not that I know off. I have nothing. No, wait, that’s not true. I’ve got Abby and Fleur. They’re my family. Maybe I should take Fleur’s offer and runaway. I spared money, so I could help her pay the bills. And Fleur would be okay with me getting a job.
                My phone starts vibrating again. I don’t need to take a look at the caller ID to know it’s Nance. I close my eyes. When is she ever going to leave me alone? I open my eyes again and lay the roses on the grave. “I miss you.” I whisper, and I walk away.

As I leave the cemetery I hear rumour coming from the streets; Car’s horns are beeping and people are shouting. I walk out of the street towards the centre of the city. Cars stand crosswise on the junction of five streets, forming a full circle. In the middle are standing four horses and their riders, who are dressed very old-fashioned. The woman wears a dress that looks like it’s from the Dark Ages. The three men are wearing a sort of, what is it, armour? They all look confused. I wonder if this is some sort of act, or a stupid joke.
                “Oi! Move away! You’re standing in the middle of the street!”
                “I’m getting late! Move!”
                “I’m calling the police!”

Prologue

“Where… Where are we?” The girl looks around diffused, her blue eyes flickering around, taking in every bush and every tree.
                “What do you mean? We’re just in another part of the forest. Come on, we have to move on if we want to arrive in Taykon in time.” One of the men says. He’s young, but the oldest of the four and obviously the leader of the group.
                “No, Cade, you don’t understand. We’re not in the Forest of Fertroué anymore. Didn’t you see it? That light?” There’s a slight sound of panic in the girl’s voice.
                “That was just the sun shining through the leaves.”
                “I think Valora is right.” The young man on Cade’s right gets off of his horse and grabs a bit of the sand. “I swear we were on a grass path one minute ago.”
                “Felix, get back on your horse! We don’t have time for this!” Cade orders.
                “No, Cade, listen. We were following a straight path, right? Look over there,” The fourth man points to a turn. “does that look straight to you?”
                “Shut up, Aiden.”
                “Oh, guess who’s pissed now. What’s wrong, your highness? Have you fallen off of your horse?” Felix teases.
                “Really, Felix, if you’re not shutting up you’ll find yourself in the stocks when we’re arrived in Taykon.” Cade looks angry at Felix before turning back to Aiden. “What are you trying to say? That we suddenly moved from Fertroué to a magical world?”
                “Err, if you say it like that it really sounds unbelievable.”
                “Exactly. Then why should I believe it?”
                Aiden raises his shoulders. “I don’t know. Sire.”
                “Of course you don’t know. It’s all nonsense! The sun probably made you a bit dazed, that’s all. Now, Felix, how many times do I need to ask you to get back on your horse? It’s not like...” Cade’s voice gets drowned out by a weird, almost  roaring sound. Felix’s horse prances when he grabs the reins, and Cade, Aiden and Valora try hard to calm down their horses. The next moment, something appears out of the bushes, crushing them at the same time. The thing looks like a big machine, one the four strangers have never seen before. It must need a lot of manpower to get one of these moving. But then, what’s that noise?
                As Cade rides towards Felix and helps him to calm his horse, the noise stops and the machine stands still.
                “Shouldn’t we...”
                “No.” Cade says determined, not waiting for Felix to finish his sentence.
                Something looking like a door opens and a man shows his unshaved face right above. “Oi! Move away, mate! We’re trying to work here! If you wanna play hide and seek you better go to a playground or something.”
                “Excuse me, but who are you calling mate, mate? Do you even know who I am?” Cade asks.
                “I don’t care who you are, even if you were the prince of England. I’m trying to do a job over here, and I can’t do that if there are four teenagers blocking my path playing King Arthur.”
                “We’re not playing King Arthur. Really, why on Earth would I pretend to be one of my ancestors?”
                “Your ancestor? Ha, now you got me! I must say you’re almost convincing, with those horses and those weird clothes. But really, mate,” the man says, spitting out the word ‘mate’, “move out of my way and go buy some new clothes or something. You’re in twenty-first century England, not in Runescape.” Without waiting for Cade’s comeback, the man goes back in the machine and the thing starts making the roaring noise again. Another noise sounds for a second, like someone blew a horn, and Cade turns his horse and rides away.
                “Cade, wait!” Valora yells. Cade lets his horse slow down a bit until Valora and the two men catch up. “What do you think he meant? Are we really in... in the future?” She asks carefully.
                “I don’t know. Maybe it’s a set up of a nemesis. But what I do know is that we should move away quick and find out what’s going on.”

Writer's note: Funny, when I read this over I kinda read Cade's sentences in the voice of Bradley James (Arthur Pendragon in the BBC series Merlin), Felix sentences in the voice of Colin Morgan (Merlin in the series), and funny enough, the voice of the 21st century man in the voice of Kai Owen (Rhys Williams in Torchwood). I must say this is all pure coincedence. 

Info

Hello!

On this blog I'm posting my new story "The Time Task" (I'm not sure about the title though). It kind of started with this very weird dream I had in which people from ancient times landed in the 21st century and me and my best friend tried to let them fit in and then suddenly we were in, what, 1800? Anyway, it was really strange, but it also gave me the idea for this story. So, yeah, I hope you like it.

Please note: That I'm writing this new story doesn't mean I'll stop writing Magical Mischief. I really love that story and I love all of your comments. I'm working on new chapters, so you'll hear of it again very soon. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check it here.

Small summary: Four people suddenly land in the 21st century. Only one girl can help them win the game.