Novels2Search

6

I've decided to save you from hearing about the argument I had with my parents about letting me leave the house - mainly because I don't want whoever ends up listening to this to go through that much frustration - and instead skip to where I was waiting outside for Arthur. I was sitting on my suitcase while he got his car and came to pick me up. He was taking longer than one would expect so Lydia and I started playing a game that we called 'Guess What Is Taking Arthur So Long This Time'.

Lydia went first. "He's lost his keys again."

"Very possible," I nodded. "He's trying to style his hair with that special gel he says he doesn't have."

She laughed at that one. "He's somehow made the car break down."

I placed a finger on my lip "He's lost his -"

"Finish that sentence and I will send you to the other side myself." Arthur was standing over me with his pissed off expression that usually meant he was about to punch somone. Luckily for me, I was special so he never punched me. Instead, he pushed me off my suitcase and rolled it to the car. "Now get your arse in here. You too, Lydia."

Lydia and I glanced at each other, trying to not laugh as we got in the car. She floated around the back seats like usual, looking like she was sitting when she really couldn't. I rode shotgun, fiddling with the radio which had nothing good playing on it, until my cousin got in the driver's seat and we started on the road. Within fifteen minutes, we were on the main road and I was already bored. I've been told on many occasions that I'm the worst person to go on long car trips with, but couldn't tell you why.

"Are we there yet?" I asked, not realising I said it out loud until my cousin replied.

"No."

"Are we there yet?" This time I said it out loud on purpose.

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

Arthur's hands tightened on the wheel until they were white-knuckled, his frustration clear. "No."

"Are we -"

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

His hands finally slammed on the wheel, barely missing the horn much to my amusement. "Dammit, Aurora, I can pull over and make you walk, you know."

I turned to face him properly fluttering my eyelashes sweetly. "But you wouldn't do that, would you?"

He decided not to answer since we both knew he would say no. [Lydia still doesn't agree with me, but I didn't ask for her opinion. Why do you keep interupting me, anyway? . . . Well, can't you go do that somewhere else and let me make this recording in peace?]

I went back to looking out the window and listening to the crappy radio before dosing off. When I came too, Arthur found somewhere to pull over for lunch and refuel. Apparently I had been asleep for three hours and the car trio had been more peaceful. Arthur's words, not mine. After another five hours of annoying my cousin, having random sing-a-longs, and the occasional food stop, we finally arrived at our destination.

Arthur drove until he spotted an off-road path, turning onto it. The ride suddenly became a lot bumpier. When the car came to a stop, we were in what looked like a campsite. I wasn't entirely sure, if I'm honest. The place looked deserted.

I was first out of the car, stretching and taking in a breath of fresh air. Being around nature always made me feel calmer than I ever was in the city. No idea why. It just did. Arthur placed a hand on my shoulder to gain my attention, pointing to one of the trees. At a closer look, I could see something dangling from it.

"Is that a wind charm?" Arthur asked.

I shook my head, getting closer to it. "Looks more like a dream catcher."

"Why would anyone have a -"

I held up a hand. "Shut up for a sec."

I could see something between the branches and ran towards it. Arthur was close behind me, Lydia following us. The three of us peaked through the branches of one of the trees. There was a small clearing with a white camper van, an awning stretching out further.

Lydia made a confused sound loud enough that I was glad only me and Arthur could hear her. "Why on earth would someone be out here?" my cousin murmured, voicing our friend's thoughts.

"Maybe they don't want to be found?" They seemed to agree with me.

I wanted to get a closer look at what was out there. There was something pulling me closer. Slowly, I made my way there. I avoided fallen branches and leaves as best I could, hiding behind each tree until I was close enough to see under the awning. My eyes widened at what I saw. "Is that the -"

My cousin clamped a hand over my mouth. I was about to bite his hand when someone came out of the trailer. Arthur dragged me behind a tree, the both of us keeping watch until the person was gone. A sigh of relief and he let go of me.

"Yes, that is the scroll that was stolen," he muttered, wiping the hand that had been over my mouth on his pant leg with a cringe. "That silver thing next to it also looks a lot like a gun."

I blinked. "Oh."

"If you're going to steal it, be careful." He looked around suddenly. "Where's Ly?"

We peaked out from behind the tree again. Lydia was hovering over the scroll. The second her hand touched it, golden light covered her and she fell to the ground. "Lydia!" I cried, running to her before Arthur had a chance to stop me. I was less than a metre away from him when something hard whacked me in the head from behind.