Chapter 1
It was a mildly cold, snowy day within the county of Carmarthen shire. The snowfall blanketing upon the buildings and covering the grass area within the of town named Carmarthen.
As the people go about their normal daily lives, and the end of normal school day for the time being. And the beginning a summer holidays for students both in school and college.
Cody Devon Was on the bus making his way back to his home, the young high-school student was sat on one of the outer middle row seats with his fellow students surrounding him in front, from the side and behind him. The bus already have had dropped off several student closest to the high-school first before proceeding to drop off those who lived on the eastern side of Carmarthen.
Sighing in boredom, the brown haired melancholy remarked to himself "I have very few friends, none of them live near me so I am probably going to bore out of my skull for THIS Summer".
The Blonde female sitting next to him simply countered with a reassuring expression "Hey, Cody look on the bright side, at least you live very close to the town" Pausing Briefly to catch her breath again she "So looking around the shops shouldn't be much of a significant issue".
Looking back at the Blonde Classmate with his cobalt blue eyes, with a light smile and simply said "That maybe the case" after the reply he went to looking back at the Snowfall. The bus stopping briefly dropping a student off at their home.
Cody Then Finished with a Mildly disappointed tone to his voice and transitioning from his moderately happy expression to one of sadness "That still doesn't change the fact that you live over thirty minutes away form me, Sarah and the fact that everyone else lives even further away" The bus stopping briefly again outside of a bungalow of another student, Cody's stop was not much longer.
With that The Young Brunette went back to looking out of the buses window. The Young Lady saddened by her friends loneliness. The bus slowly stopped next to the door to Cody's home within eastern Carmarthen. Picking up his school bag Cody then with his coat already on, got up form out of his seat and made his way past Sarah towards the door he nearly forgot to say something to her.
"See you in the spring time" Cody said with hopefulness in his voice. With his smile returning to him, as he slowly made his way towards the door to depart.
"See you in the spring to Cody!" The Blonde young lady shouted back with assurance towards him, helping him keep his hopes up.
The Boy afterwards exited from the bus's open door and proceed cautiously up the path to the entrance of the house he called home.
Devon residence, after bus ride
Cody Thought with a mixture of relief and Tiredness from the day. He thought 'As much as I would like to be a part of story of adventure and glory...I think I'm Fated for a more ordinary life' with a hint of longing within his expression as he made hie way up to the entrance of his home.
His home was a fairly simple semi-detached house. It was fairly larger than average for a house within the local county. When he arrived at the front door and opened it, upon entering the place he called home and closing the door behind him with vigour he shouted "I'm home!".
The main hallway a simple in layout and colouration, the walls and ceiling are painted in light neutral colours terracotta for the walls and light Cornflower blue for all the ceilings in the young man's home.
His mother and older brother both replied with a Mixture of enthusiastic tone for the latter and Querying tone originating from the former from within the rooms they were residing in "Welcome home!" Spoke the Cody's older brother from the kitchen while he was doing supper for the night.
Slightly afterwards from "How was you're last school day for this year?" His mother then later Inquired from the living room.
The light beige skinned boy replied to both of them, Closing the door behind him just before doing so.
"I had a fairly decent today" He Spoke to them both. With a hint of sincerity towards both members of his family. Not wanting to bring their spirits down. He thought it was better to tell them a sweet lie rather than the harsh truth in this case.
After Cody shut the door behind him, Yawning slightly as he went towards the doorway of the living room.
The Living room was fairly large and had a basic layout, with the TV and main electrical such as the home consoles and the digital television box on the eastern wall. A Window within the southern wall and the doorway embedded in the southern portion of the western wall. The walls of the living room were a light lilac colour.
His Mother was sitting upon the couch set against the western wall. Watching a TV show on one of the channels. Upon hearing Cody coming into the living room to speak to her, she looked towards the doorway of the living room with her hazel eyes.
She simply said to the blonde boy, with a minor furrowed brow "Is something wrong Cody?" his mother questioned her youngest son. She thought that something was on her youngest sons mind.
The Cobalt blue eyed Devon Replied to his mothers question "Hello there mother, there was a couple of things I almost forgot to ask you".
After a brief pause Cody then queried "How was your day today?" and a pregnant pause before he asked his second question "Also how is Father doing in the hospital?" As he stepped into the living room further and sat down upon the red chair behind him.
The Red Haired Woman simply smiled to the first question and simply answered "Well, I had decent day".
However, she became perplexed for a few moments at his second question, neither of the boys initially bothered to ask her about how their father was doing after his accident. She had a vague idea that one or the other of the two siblings would ask sooner or later.
Adjusting her posture where she was sitting on the sofa, as she was doing so Cody also changed his sitting posture to be more comfortable and was waiting intently for the news on his father.
Sighing, The Young looking mother of Cody's Prepared her words carefully. Having a vague idea that he would have also asked about his younger sister as well.
Upon mentally preparing her words she spoke "Well, About that there is good news and bad news" taking a breather she then proceeded to explain the former individuals' situation "The good news is that your father is going to be fine and is going to be discharged from the hospital in the next few months".
Cody Smiled and was relieved to hear that he then spoke "Better late than never as they say" In an upbeat voice. The Blonde's face turning into one of optimism for now. Leaning slightly on the edge of his seat waiting for the bad news.
His mother was also happy to see her second youngest child happy, however she thought that it was best to tell him the situation of his sisters condition as well. Her facial features darkened into a saddened state "the bad news, well unfortunately".
Taking a deep breath she explained "about your sister, the doctors do not know what's wrong with her or if she will ever fully recover from it at the moment".
The beige skinned male sighed at that stating "Hopefully they'll figure what's causing her illness" though he had to think on bright side of things at least she is still alive. Calmly Cody Began to get out of his own seat saying to his mother "I'm going to check on my older brother in the kitchen, okay Martha?" Stopping at the door momenta rally for her swift response.
His Mother, Martha gave a quick non-verbal wave and nod. The Blonde boy simply smiled and then proceeded out the doorway towards the kitchen, dropping his gym bag on a coat hook next to his older brothers own gym bag.
Upon entering the kitchen. Although standard in layout the colour's chosen for the kitchen were black marble worktops, with red tiles on the wall where the worktops were.
A large black gas oven to the left wall and silver painted walls where the red tiles didn't cover the walls. Wooden cupboards occupied the area's that were above and below the worktops.
Cody's own nose was hit by the scent of beef lasagne. His older brother, with a lighter shade of his own complexion. The Black Haired Sibling was in the middle of making coffee for himself, as the households main meal for that night was being slow cooked over the course of the day within the left oven.
The Cobalt blue eyed teen spoke up to his older, male sibling "Yo Colin!" with a moderately loud volume. Initially startling Colin, causing him to spill some the water he was pouring out of the kettle. The scolding hot water barely missing his other hand, that was stirring the tea spoon within the brown eyed brothers mug.
The Coffee-making Brother exclaimed "Ah!", at being caught off guard by his younger siblings sudden appearance. Stabilizing the kettle in his right hand, pouring until the mug was filled half-way. Orienting his face towards the direction that Cody's voice came from, with a look of tranquil annoyance in his eyes yet with a light scowl on his lips. Calming down after three minutes of silence, the medium length punch cut bloke broke the silence. "Anyway, Cody How was Today overall?" He Inquired, not expecting the answer that would come next.
The Blonde Feather cut haired male replied "Well...to be honest". Taking a Deep Breath before continuing with the first part of his answer "School-life's got boring as of late". With a minutes pause he spoke one last time "Quite Frankly, I sometimes feel like I could do greater things with my life".
The Black Haired College Student's eyes and body language turned from annoyance to initially confusion and then after a while to that of curiosity. Cutting the silence short he then replied "really, how so?". Colin then had finished making his mug and made Cody a mug of coffee from what hot water was left in the kettle.
After making his and Cody's mugs of coffee, carefully picking them up as he went over towards the southern doorway to hand the shorter blonde his mug. The cobalt irises teen simply nodded slightly before taking his mug of coffee out of his brothers left hand.
Turning around and grabbing a pair of padded bar stools, Colin put his mug onto the work surface next to him. Placing another padded bar stool for Cody next to the corner of the work surface not far from his own one. The Brown Eyed male, non-verbally and politely gestured to his brother to take a seat next to him.
Cody made his way over to the unoccupied bar stool, after taking a sip of the hot coffee from his mug. Sitting down on the stool, he took a light gulp from his mug. After thinking a while, He replied to his brother "Well, honestly Nothing much interesting happens to me any more".
The Older man chuckled at Cody, not out of mockery but out of sympathy. Colin Spoke back to him, in a more optimistic tone "To be honest I was very similar to you when I was much younger". Taking a pause he Continued "I never expected to even get into college, but due to my sheer desire and perseverance to get in I pushed myself to do well in my Exams".
The Blonde boy's eye widened slightly with his mouth agape in shock. Quickly coming out of his shocked stupor, Began to speak again with surprised voice "What, Really!?". His Brother simply chuckled again for a moment before looking at the egg timer he set up when he put the lasagne in the oven.
Seeing that he only had a minute left, before dishing the families' meal for the evening up. Quickly thinking of something to say, he spoke "well let's save that story for another time, now before I do anything else let me give some advice". Cody remaining silent simply perked up, curious about what advice the older of the two had to say.
Taking a breath Colin spoke "Well sometimes waiting for something good is not always the correct answer" a slight pause followed, he Continued with the final words "But sometimes, you have to take the helm in life and chart your own course".
Cody Listened carefully to Collins words, His face turning from a glum expression to an expression that had mixture of gratitude and respect. Taking a good few seconds to take in, He then spoke "yeah I suppose you're right bro".
He took another five seconds to form an opinion on what he said. The Egg Timer, In Front of them went off. The bell within unleashing a small swift pinging sound that could be heard from within the room. Sighing "Well, Looks like times up for talking". Colin Nodded, Sighing in reply. Although the two of them would have loved to continue, reality and their stomachs had other plans.
The Lasagne then was dished up and eaten over the course of an hour. The three occupants sat down in the living room watching films and playing video games and card games on the console and the table for the last two hours before heading off upstairs to go to bed.
After Dinner, Three hours Later
It was nine o'clock in the evening. Cody, his Brother Colin and Their Mother Martha had proceeded upstairs to the landing. Colin was the first to arrive up top and went to his bedroom, which was located at the front of upper floor. Followed by His Mother Martha, Who went to the Master bedroom the was located in the rear left corner of the households upstairs floor. Both of them up on entering their rooms Closed their doors and proceed to go to sleep on their beds. The Two of them worn out from their ordinary adventure's during the day.
Cody was the last but not least to come up to the top floors landing. Yawning to himself, he proceeds into the bath room in front of him, turning on the light by the switch on his left side. Looking around at the plain bath room, it had a shower, sink and a toilet. The Cobalt eyed male focused on the sink, determined to get his end of day teeth brushing in.
Picking up both the toothpaste and his personal red tooth brush. His right hand which had his toothbrush in, he turned the cold water tap on. With his left hand he instinctively flicked the toothpaste tube open with is thumb.
Taking the toothpaste tube and squeezing some white paste out onto the bristles of the tooth brush. Bringing the toothbrush up and into his mouth he then spent five minutes lazily brushing not only his teeth but also his gums, tongue and upper palette. After he was done with brushing he spat out the white foam, as well as the brushed off debris within his mouth into the sink. Flicking the lid of the toothpaste shut again, he placed his toothbrush and the toothpaste back into their previous places. With his now free left hand into the top shelf. The shelving unit between the shower and the sink, picking out for a purple bottle of mouthwash.
He took the mouthwash off the shelf and held it in mid air in front of his torso, unscrewing the top cap and filling the large cap to halfway with the anaesthetic infused contents of the bottle. Taking the contents of the cap into his mouth, he shuffled it around and gargled the liquid in his mouth from time to time. One hundred and twenty seconds later he then spat the mouthwash out of his mouth and into the sink. Turning of the tap, he turned around and exited the bath room, turning the light off as he went out.
Making his way across the lit landing to his room in the front eastern section of the house. Also, Switching off the landing light subconsciously as he walked across the clean landing.
Turning left into the dark room, turning the main light on to see the room within. The room was laid out similarity to a one person student dorm.
Minus the kitchen and bath room within. With a look that was mixture of both disappointment and hopefulness he walked over towards his bedside cabinet next to the window and turned it on, going back over to turn off his main light after he switched the lamp on. Taking his Shoes off and placing them on a Shoe Rack the was not too far away from the door.
Walking over to the basket half a meter further away from the door, he stripped down to his boxers. Placing the now dirty clothing into the basket quietly with the other dirty clothes. Casually Cody Muttered to himself "Good thing I had a shower this morning". Finishing up with putting his dirty clothes into the basket, he put the lid over the now full basket.
Yawning again and rubbing his eyes for moment. Turning around the bed, that was in the front left corner of the room. He Walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. Looking down, upon the top of the bedside cabinet. Looking at the book that sat on the wooden surface. That he was reading over the past few nights. Both his face with an expression of indecisiveness, squinting his eyes at the book there for a moment. Ultimately he came to a conclusion, inside his mind he thought 'Well, there's always the morning'.
Pulling the quilt of the bed from the wall edge over, he crawled into the bed. Covering himself up with his quilt, he turned the lamp next to him off. Turning his head to face the wall, he pulled his quilt over his ear and closed his eyes. Two minutes later he was fully asleep.
Within the Darkest corner of the room, a mysterious female figure began to emerge from the shadows. Her Clothing was a simple black dress with a matching black cloak. Her skin was a white as ivory, with pitch black hair.
She walked over to the bed that Cody was sleeping in, he footsteps deathly silent. Her Crimson Eyed gaze looking down upon the boy's slumbering form. With a devilish grin upon her face, her fingertips on her left hand produced a faint purple glow. She pulled the quilt with her right hand slightly, enough to expose the top of Cody's head.
With a light touch from her glowing left hands fingertips, the young blonde male started to slowly vanish. Within seconds of being touched, Cody's body had completely vanished. The Young lady discretely released her grip upon the quilt.
Turning towards the corner form whence she came. She quietly giggled to herself, the index finger of her right hand coming up to her lips in a pondering posture. Before she returned to the shadows, she Rhetorically questioned "I wonder how you will change that world?". With another Chuckle she skulked back into the shadows and vanished in the same manner as she appeared.
The Next Morning
The Next Morning, Cody was still asleep. He was in an unfamiliar bed, within an equally unfamiliar bedroom. The Room's overall aesthetic appearance was akin to a fantasy version of twelfth century earl's manor guest bedroom. All was peaceful and quiet, with the sun beaming through the multi-coloured tinted window. Currently, the room was quiet.
Five Minutes later, the sound of footsteps had begun to be heard. From Below him at first, initially getting more distant as the individual below moved further away. In the distance, the sound of a person stepping up along a staircase further down the hall. The Unfamiliar and loud noises startled Cody, his eyes swiftly shot open and got himself instinctively into a sitting position. Muttering in confused tone he said to himself "Where the fuck am I?".
The Noise of the footsteps coming from down the hallway. Listening in one the footsteps, the sound getting closer and louder. Cody looked in the direction of the wooden door, patiently waiting for whomever was going to greet him. Then the wooden doorknob began to turn, the person on the other side opening the door. Entering to greet him.
The Person Cody saw, was a woman around his age group. With Fair skin and Hazel hair tied up into twin tails. He also mentally noted that She wore a maid outfit. With a Polite voice and cheery expression on her face. She closed her hazel eyes and Said, "Good Morning!".
Cody however looked at her with a glint of shock in his eye's. First he had to confirm he wasn't dead or dreaming. He Then took his left hand to the top of his right, and pinched himself. Feeling the pain from the self-pinching. He nonchalantly Remarked "OK, not dead nor dreaming". Calming himself down, he asked "On a more serious note, Where Am I?".
The Maid was caught off guard by the young man's reaction, Noticing that he consciously pinched himself. She took two steps towards him, "Hey, don't hurt yourself!" She exclaimed. Hearing the boy say, that he found out that he was not dreaming nor dead. That he stopped pinching himself after a minute.
The look on her turning from concern to one of surprise. Due to her duty to her master and lord, she had to answer his question. With her right index brought up to her chin, smile and in a thoughtful tone she replied "Well, Your in the Provence of Alsace, in the kingdom of Brune".
The Blonde man in front of her, had furrowed his left brow. Not knowing why she would be concerned over something as simple as pinch to the hand. He could only assume her boss must have something to do with it. Not wanting to press the issue, he shrugged. His face showing an innocent smile, trying to assure her that he did not hurt himself for amusement. Things could not have turned for the worst for him right?
That all changed when she answered his question. A Look of confusion began to emerge on his face. His eyes betraying the confusion that he had bottled up inside. He had no idea what she meant by the Country of Brune. Inspecting the basket of Clothes, He said to her "I'll be down in a minute, Just leave the clothes on the bottom of the bed for now".
Without saying a word the young maid complied, deciding to let him change on his own at his request. With diligence, she went over to the bottom of the bed placing the basket of clothes prepared for him upon the cotton quilt. After a minute of silence, she left the room with grace through the door she came in.
With pure curtsey, Cody simply smiled at her. Waving her off with his right hand as she left the room. Waiting for the door to close fully, when it did his face reverted back to the expression of genuine confusion. Groaning, He brought his right hand up towards his face in sheer confusion and disbelief. One thing in his mind was certain.
The youth's life was only going to get crazier from here.