I set the case down delicately on the counter and gave the attendant a warning glare, my hand still resting on the handle. "If you hurt my baby, I swear you will never see the light of day."
The man, well, he was more of a kid, he hardly looked older than me, raised his eyebrows, "Don't ya' worry, miss, we know how to take care of instruments, that's part of the job."
I sighed and pulled my hand away reluctantly, as a hand was placed on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw Dio smiling down on me. "Are you excited?" I nodded, hugging my big brother tightly, realizing this was the last time I'd be seeing him for a month. "Are you sure you have everything? Did you pack your inhaler?"
I rolled my eyes and gestured to the drawstring bag I clutched in my hand. "I'm going to miss you." I sniffed. This was going to be the longest I ever had been away from home.
"Text me before the plane departs, and call me when you land, before you leave the airport. I love you, okay?" He stared at me awaiting a response, but before I could answer, a voice on the intercom called for those on flight 316 to London to start boarding the aircraft now.
"I love you too, and will do!" After he released me from his hug I started towards the terminal gate, ticket in hand. Staring back at Dio's retreating form I sighed. After I landed, I would be picked up and would proceed to have two weeks of rehearsals, two weeks of concerts all over the United Kingdom, and a final concert for Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.
Closing my eyes I could still remember when I got the letter that told me I had gotten in to the Queen's Youth Orchestra. I was so stoked, so excited, so proud, and so honored. Thousands of kids from all over the world auditioned for one of two french horn spots, and the honor had been given to me.
"Ticket please?" A lady with bright red hair and glasses interrupted me from my thoughts. She took my ticket and passport and analyzed it, before ripping of the stub and handing it to me. "You may board the plane, Miss Bradley."
I gulped and stepped through the terminal and on to the plane. I took my seat, which was thankfully next to a window. Feeling my eyelids grow heavy, I stifled a yawn. The long morning of packing and driving to the airport in Memphis was finally starting to take its toll. The general safety procedure talk merely was a faint buzz in my head as the plane took off.
"Hey," I felt something prod my arm, "Hey, girl, it's time to get off the plane." Another prod. Opening my eyes, I stretched and realized where I was.
"Holy hell!" I gasped. Several pairs of eyes looked questioningly at me and quite a few moms covered their children's ears. I sheepishly mumbled an apology, and grabbed my bag from off the floor. I was in England! I waited for the crowd to thin before I got off. Stepping into the airport, I widened my eyes at how modern it was. The wall was lined with advertisements, and several convenience stores and a Starbucks were in my vicinity.
Looking at the time, I realized we had landed early and I still had an hour before I got picked up. Making my way to the conveyer belt to pick up my bags, I made a mental note to get some coffee as soon as I found my luggage.
Twenty minutes later, accompanied by my thankfully unscathed horn and rolling suitcase, I walked to the café, and ordered my trademark drink, an iced white mocha.
The sweet and frothy caffeinated drink woke me up a bit more, and I sat down to call my brother. Clicking my phone on and switching it off of airplane mode, I scrolled through my contacts until I found what I was looking for.
"Emma! You landed early!" I smiled at the sound of his voice.
"Well we landed twenty minutes ago," I corrected. "But I can't leave the airport until we get picked up by the counselors."
"Are you there all alone?" His voice switched to worry and I hurried to reassure him.
"Yeah, but I'm safe. I'm almost 15 and I know what I'm doing." He sighed and I could almost see him pacing and running a hand through his hair.
"You still have 7 months until you're 15." I started to interrupt but he continued, "But I trust you. Stay in areas with lots of people, and call me when you're in the hotel. Is that clear?"
"Crystal." I affirmed. There was a pause, "Hey Dio, I love you, thanks for letting me do this."
"Love you too, Emma. If mom and dad could see you now they'd be so proud." I could feel my eyes welling up and I gulped.
"You think so?" I twisted my charm bracelet to the cross charm my mom had given me a month before she passed.
"I know so." His voice was strong and comforting. Pressing the red button, I hung up, and placed my hand over my wrist, covering the bracelet. Looking at the glowing numbers, I realized an hour had passed, and rushed to where I was supposed to meet the counselor at the gate.
A man with long red hair, glasses of the same color, and teeth that reminded me of a shark, held a sign that said "QYO campers". I smiled and walked over.
"Hi!" I said enthusiastically, and reached out. Returning the handshake he gave a surprisingly welcoming, albeit slightly scary smile.
"You must be Emma Bradley!" He said staring into a journal he seemed to have pulled from nowhere. "I'm Grell Sutcliffe, though you can just call me Grell. You're the only one I'm picking up for right now, so if you'll follow me." He motioned forward.
"Congratulations, by the way," he said cheerfully as we exited the airport. "You're one of very few."
"Thanks!" I returned the smile, and entered the blue car, as he held the door for me.
"We have a long ride to go, especially with rush hour traffic. Why don't you go to sleep?" The air coming out of the vent was sickeningly sweet, and vaguely bitter. Even though I was awake before, his proposition suddenly became very appealing as I felt myself succumb to slumber.
Something wet pressed against my forehead. I reached up to investigate what it was, but a hand pressed my arm back down.
"She's awake, young master." A deep voice registered in my mind, and my heavy eyelids fluttered open. I was in a bed. A really freaking comfortable one, at that.
A wave of realization hit me, and I opened my mouth to speak, finding my words croaked and my throat throbbing. "Where am I?"