227 P.F.
Ava scanned the Festival grounds for the ideal hiding spot as Gideon talked to Kellan. Her eyes darted from the tents to the dancing crowds.
I don’t want any noise I make to give me away…
Her eyes focused on the large crowds near her father’s tent.
I could ask for father’s help, but he’ll scold me for interrupting his business talks. No, I can do this without him. I’ll just roam the crowds while keeping an eye on Gideon.
She nodded her head and gathered herself in preparation for running when she heard Gideon boast, “Don’t worry. I’ll make this fast.”
Ava grinned. He’s too cocky. I’ll show him.
Kellan had replied to Gideon eliciting another boast from the boy. “I’m the best there is at this game! I’m going to make sure she’s the first one found. I’ll save you for last so you can properly search for me next!”
What!? Why is he targeting me? Her brows knitted together as she reviewed her potential hiding spots. She checked on Gideon and saw that he was starting to sit down with his eyes closed and hands moving to cover them. No more time to think about it, just commit to your plan!
As Gideon began counting, the boys all pounded in a rush towards the darker parts of the Festival. She jogged in the opposite direction from the boys towards the dancing crowds while keeping track of Kellan. She stopped right at the edge of the dancers and noticed Kellan digging into a wood pile by some tents.
Alright, even if Gideon comes for me first, then I can try and lead him to Kellan. This way I can prove he’s a cheater!
Ava turned into the sea of dancers and weaved her way deeper into the crowd. She graced several of the revelers with a polite smile. A few more seconds wading through the crowd brought her in front of Kelly. The two girls smiled at each other before Ava spun away.
Ava chanced a glance at Gideon who appeared to have just finished counting. A spike of panic surged through her. I’m going to be found at this rate. She looked around for a different spot further from Kelly all while trying to keep Gideon in sight.
That’s when she noticed Gideon standing still moving his arm around in the air.
What’s he doing?
She paused in place trying to puzzle out his actions when he finally looked up in the distance directly towards Kellan’s hiding spot and waved.
How did he do that? Did Kellan tell him where he was going to hide before…?
Ava fumed in silence as she observed Gideon continue his strange hand waving. His hand seemed to glide against an invisible curve as his eyes locked on Joan’s hiding spot under the picnic table.
How!? How’s he doing this?
She turned away and sprinted for her father’s tent. She had to dodge a few dancers on the way but managed to make it into the tent amongst the adults with her father.
“How are the yields looking for the southern farms?” asked her father of the family aide, Mr. Thomas.
Mr. Thomas bent his lanky form over the table and set his leather satchel down on the table. He nervously brushed back his short salt and pepper hair before he reached into the satchel to withdraw several sheets. He quickly sorted them and read off a report, “Taking in past factors and recent initiatives, the current predictions for crop yields are estimated to be between an 11% to 16% increase over past years. But these estimates are based off the territory remaining secure.” He shuffled the papers around and stuffed them back into his satchel before pulling out another report. “Sightings of the-”
Her father cut off Mr. Thomas with a raised hand. His eyes held Ava firmly still as he raised an eyebrow at her recent appearance. “Ava, I thought I told you to play with the other children? I have important business to take care of tonight. I’ll be but a few more minutes.”
Ava balled her hands tightly into the fabric of her pants. “I am playing with the kids! But Gideon has been cheating all night and I just need a spot to hide that he won’t find!”
Her father quirked an eyebrow and chuckled. He glanced around the tent until his eyes fell upon the chest that carried blankets and tablecloths for the festivities. He returned his gaze to Ava with a smile. “Very well. Into the chest you go.”
Ava hesitated as she looked to the proffered chest. She looked back and forth between her father and the chest, a tinge of fear in her eyes.
Her father chuckled again. “Don’t be like that. It’s a good spot that he’s unlikely to check with all the adults here.”
She mustered her best puppy dog eyes and asked, “Do you promise you’ll get rid of him when he comes here?”
Her father’s demeanor softened as he reassured her, “I promise. Now get in before it’s too late.”
She released her grip on her pants and smoothed the fabric as she bounced forward. Gingerly, she stepped inside the chest and curled up into the fetal position. She breathed slowly as Mr. Thomas lowered the chest shut.
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The ambient noise of the festivities grew dull and distant as she was plunged into darkness. She could vaguely make out the voices of her father and his retinue continuing their conversation from before. The details were difficult to make out over her breathing that felt like a thunderous cacophony within the enclosed space.
She tried to slow her breathing so she could make out more details outside. The voices appeared to have quieted again. A sudden raucous laughter from the adults sounded out. A moment passed and Ava froze holding her breath as she heard the latch.
No! Not again! I don’t want to lose to him again!
She squeezed her eyes shut as if to will the situation away. The latch fell back into place followed by a thumping sound above her. She thought she heard her father’s voice asking a question.
“Yes, sir.” came the muffled reply from Gideon.
Another exchange followed with her father before Gideon’s muffled reply followed once more, “I’m not sure why she believes I’m a cheat.”
Because you found me right away. Again! He’s so aggravating. One day I’ll figure out your tricks, Gideon! She had missed the next exchange while being lost in her thoughts.
She strained to pick up what Gideon was saying to her father, “… made me think that the younger children and girls would attempt to hide within the crowds.”
Ava paused in consideration. That’s… He really made that judgement just because I’m a girl? She felt her temper rising from his claims. Her attention was drawn back to the conversation as her father asked Gideon something else.
“I promised Kellan that I would catch your daughter first!” shouted Gideon. Laughter followed his proclamation along with Gideon’s denial, “That’s not what I meant!”
Oh, father’s really riling him up. Thought Ava with a wide grin to herself. That’s what you get for being a cheater!
“I simply thought, ‘What would Ava do?’” muttered Gideon.
So now you’re supposed to know me so well that you’re predicting what I would do!? Ava almost pushed out of the box to yell at Gideon and give him a piece of her mind. She stopped as Gideon continued.
“Use her connections for the best hiding spot. To use adults as guards in a children’s game so that the seeker wouldn’t find her…”
Ava shrunk in on herself and felt the blood rush to her face. Lucky guess…
A few more replies followed the exchange with her father. Something about a bet was agreed upon. The sound of the latch being lifted caused her to hold her breath. Not again!
She breathed out in frustration as she imagined Gideon’s gloating face looking down on her. That was when she felt sparking sensation of life flow into her and pull her away. Her eyes were momentarily blinded by the change in lighting from the dark chest to the flickering fire light and gas lamps. A hand rested on her back providing support.
Ava smiled widely as she saw the bewilderment on Gideon’s face. His confused, “How-?” was music to her ears that elicited a high pitch laugh from her. Her laughter continued as her father pressured Gideon into some sort of deal about seeking out the other children first.
Her eyes settled on Gideon’s sulking form as he left the tent. A victorious smile plastered upon her face.
I won this time, Gideon! That’s what you get for being a cheater!
She turned from Gideon’s fading form and met her father’s disappointed face. He let out a sigh and massaged his temple. She felt reality lurch as she was plunged back into darkness. Back into the confines of the chest.
“Father!” screamed Ava. “Why? I did nothing wrong!”
The latch was opened once more as Mr. Thomas towered over the chest and proffered his hand to her. She blinked at his hand before accepting it and yanking herself up.
“Why-” began Ava before being cut off by her father’s raised hand.
“Silence, Ava.” Proclaimed her father as he dropped his hand. “William, take note of that boy. I want him investigated as a potential summoner candidate.”
“You’re going to recruit him into my class!?” screamed Ava. “He’s a cheater!”
“Ava.” Said her father with a raised voice. “I humored you this evening and excused your interruptions from before. I even found myself pleasantly surprised with a potential diamond in the rough with that child.”
He leveled his gaze at her and gave her his ‘no more nonsense, I’m warning you’ voice. “If you continue being a disruption, then you will spend the rest of the festival at home alone!”
She shrunk back from his declaration and meekly replied, “Yes, father. I understand. You will have no further disruptions from me.”
She stood there in silence and shame as he stared her down. Ten seconds of isolation and scrutiny followed. Ten seconds that felt like an eternity under her father’s icy gaze. Ten seconds that finally ended as he turned his back on her, a clear dismissal.
Ava took a calming breath and breathed out slowly as she too turned away from her father. She focused on the melody and lazily joined the flow of dancers around the bonfire. The tension from the scolding bled away into the dance. A smile creeped upon her face as she spun on the tips of her toes and laughed as she stumbled at the end.
“I see you’re happy with your victory.”
The smile on her face dropped at hearing Gideon’s pouty voice. She straightened her back and turned around to look up into face. “Yes, I won, and you lost.”
He glanced away from her look, settling upon the dancing flames of the bonfire. He muttered under his breath, “At least I didn’t get help from my family.”
Ava’s anger flared up as she poked a finger at Gideon. “I wouldn’t have to if you weren’t cheating all night!”
“I’m telling you that I didn’t cheat!”
“Oh yeah? Then how did you know where everyone was all night if you weren’t cheating?”
Gideon paused before turning away and lamely said, “My senses are just better than everyone else.”
Ava scoffed, “Your senses? That’s what you’re going with now? What, your hearing is so incredible that you found us through sound alone?”
Gideon chuckled and replied, “Nah, I followed everyone based off their smell. Smelly children all around here!”
Ava quivered in barely contained rage. She ground her teeth as she growled out, “You’re saying a smell!?”
Gideon’s laughter stopped as he finally seemed to notice the nerve he had struck. He lifted his arms up placatingly and said, “Peace! Peace. I thought we were joking around.”
Ava recalled her father’s promise from the tent and let out a loud sigh of frustration.
“You’re a real idiot, Gideon.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and hunched his shoulders. “Yeah, I don’t always know what to say.”
His hazel eyes met hers as he said, “I’m sorry.”
Ava grumbled and huffed as she marched away from the dancers back towards the other kids. Gideon followed after a few strides.
“You know.” Gideon said. “You do have a certain smell to you.”
Ava whirled on him, fist flying for his face. He jumped back, arms raised again in peace.
“It’s a good smell!” Gideon promised. “You have this faint flowery smell. You’re one of the only ones that smell that nicely. Everyone else just has this sweaty smell.”
Ava let out a frustrated sigh. This imbecile will be the death of me.
She opened her eyes and leveled them with Gideon. “That’s the perfume my father gave me.”
“Ah.”
“Let’s just get back to the game.” Ava declared as she continued onward. She glanced over her shoulder at Gideon. “And no cheating in this last round!”
He grinned and followed her, “I told you. I don’t cheat. I’m just that good through my own natural abilities.”