Chapter three

The next morning I made the decision not to tell Kartik yet of what I had heard the previous night. I might have been hallucinating after all. I was actually wondering if in fact he may bring it up himself. If he was concerned about it then he would tell me if he thought it could prove dangerous.

"Maybe" Kartik pondered. "Maybe we should go to the gypsy camp first. Isn't Ithal there, that boy that one of your friends liked?" He suggested.

IT took me a moment to recall exactly who Kartik was talking about. Then it came to me. "Oh yes, Ithal" I said "Do you think Felicity might've encouraged Ann to come along as well?"

At this question Kartik smirked. Of course,Ann isn't quite the kind of person to refuse when someone like Felicity takes charge." At this comment I knew that he had been watching me just a little more than I had expected. "You know her character so well." I observe. "Considering how little time you spent around them."

"Did you think I only focused on you Miss Doyle?" Kartik asked playfully. "All of that time of having to watch over you. You didn't think I actually wouldn't learn the characters of your friends in the least? Oh Gemma I thought you thought of my more capable than that." He acted disappointed. I could feel his sarcasm through every breath.

"Oh well that doesn't matter anyway" I said trying to get back to where this was going in the first place. "You're probably right. We'll check at the gypsy camp and that will our last place to look before we entered the realms."

"Should we head that way now?" I ask Kartik and he nods "I suppose so. Though do you know which way it is?" He asks testing me."

I look around acting as though I know exactly what I'm doing. Then I Put my hand over my eyes and spin around, hoping I'll simply end up in the right direction which I know is highly improbable. Suddenly I feel two hands slow me down to a stop. They grasp my wrists gently and turn me slightly to the right and stop and walk away.

Opening my eyes, I look directly forward into the trees. "This way I say with confidence. He just grins and says acting surprised "Why, Gemma I do believe that you are correct." Then he headed through the brush and stops when I don't come, still grinning slightly.

"Miss Doyle, I'm afraid there are no carriages on this occasion. You will have to travel on foot." Then he turns around and starts that way again. I finally follow him and we head to the camp.

By sundown we were able to reach the camp. Or at least I was. Kartik didn't seem at all bothered by the voyage and though it wasn't indeed that far I'm sure he wouldn't enjoy it wearing the clothes I had to endure during it all.

'I love the gypsy camp' I thought to myself. 'The dancing and everything is quite enjoyable.' But when I finally sat down I found I wasn't able to dance much at all. In fact I was hardly able to walk.

Kartik seeing my discomfort. (probably noticing it throughout the journey) brought me some water to soak my feet which were aching so. When the water reached my open flesh I was in a bit of agony but the pain gradually subsided and sat there enjoying the performers in my company.

"Here" A boy said handing me a pair of what looked like a leather heap. "They are shoes. A young lad wished me to bring some to you." I smiled at him. "And for that I am very grateful. Thank you kind sir." He nodded in accent and ran off to join the dancing.

Kartick came up to me. "We have been given one of their tents. I have spent quite a bit of effort on how we can use it to our ability and I think we are now going to be better off."

He mentioned the other world once during that night and I was really beginning to think we should start our search there. Though it seemed as though Kartik was a little afraid of going there of which I highly understand.

One other thing caused me to think that they were in the other world. Because as I was walking along, I felt like I heard a voice, every once and a while. It was faint and it seemed as though to be guiding me through to the other side.

"I think I've made my decision." I said to Kartik as we sat down for the night after a long day of search, finding nothing. "Tomorrow I feel that we should do what you suggested." I had a serious look on my face. I didn't want to go back very much. But if the clues were leading there then…..

"You agree?" He asked in a surprised manner. He was half mocking me but I could tell that he was also partially telling the truth. "And" he said in a more quiet voice looking off, "you want me to come too?"

Gemma felt bad at this moment. She knew of his brother and what had happened. She knew that he feared the other world. She evidently was afraid as well. 'Come with me' she pleaded to Kartik silently in thought. 'I don't want to go alone.'