A/N: oh my god, people, you must hate me. I am exactly….five hours late. I know, I hate myself too. But I was held up by SO many things and I'm just EXHAUSTED.
Since I hadn't done this in the past three chapters, this is a warm thanks to all the wonderful people who supported me by reading, favouriting, following or reviewing this story. You're the best.
I would especially like to thank the reviewers: Goode-Lover, , Bloodlines Fan, Guest [please leave a name next time :D], spaztronaut, Artemisia Selene, 88cupcakes, sksai, Guest (pixie's) and Guest (Me). Thank you all for your amazing feedback and responses. I hope you know I REALLY, REALLY appreciate them.
I would like to send an even-more-special-thanks to the reviewers spaztronaut, Goode-Lover and pixie's for your wishes regarding my college and/or sharing your personal experiences with me. It made me feel like I actually know you, which makes me want to write more and better chapters for your satisfaction. If it wasn't for you guys, I may not have updated tonight at all. So thanks again!
Without any further delay…..
"And while you're waiting for my order, try to keep out of trouble, will you? I have enough on my plate without you disgracing me," said Jared.
It took all Sydney's willpower not to respond to the jibe. She knew that the situation would only become worse if she tried to speak out.
Because Alchemists did not encourage free thinking.
"Yes, sir"
"And keep good company. That Ian boy seems to be responsible enough."
"I- yes sir," Sydney refrained from saying what she felt, or rather knew, that Ian was just a spoilt brat with no value for life.
"This mission is crucial for both our careers, Sydney, especially yours. So try not to mess up," was Jared's last comment before he left, driving their family's car, a brown Subaru Outback which Sydney had lovingly named Latte.
It was Sydney's secret habit to occasionally check on the location of the car through its GPS tracker, and she watched the little dot representing Latte move at a typically practical speed towards the forest on located just before Palm Springs. Her father had to drive through the wild and dangerous forest with no proper roads or signboards to follow in order to reach Palm Springs.
One evening, as she switched on the tracker she saw the dot suddenly slow down and stall in one spot before turning to the right and changing direction. Sydney assumed that he had to take a detour because the forest was too thick to continue in the same direction. She watched, worried, as the movement of the car turned erratic. It sometimes sped up and sometimes slowed down dramatically. Suddenly, it came to a screeching stop and the dot disappeared from the screen.
Yes, you guessed it right, Sydney freaked out.
The next three days were the most stressful three days of Sydney's life as she awaited any news from the Alchemists or her father.
Sydney was ashamed to admit to herself that she was frankly more worried about Latte than her father. Her father could take care of himself, which was more than she could say for her poor car.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Jared Sage was hopelessly lost. His GPS had suddenly flashed and the display had gone blank. His instinct told him to follow a shadowy path and he did so.
Things got even worse when he didn't take a turn properly and the car skidded to a stop and got stuck in the wet mud. When he got out of the car to inspect the damage, he heard some distinct howling sounds a few metres behind him.
He turned slowly and could gradually make out a few pairs of glowing eyes close to the ground at the top of a small hill. The wolves of the forest had caught his scent. Jared just stopped thinking and blindly ran into the forest. Pushing stray branches out of his way, tripping over roots in the ground and running across chasms, he suddenly spotted a huge iron-wrought gate in the forest which might once have been beautiful. He rattled the gate, calling for help as the wolves neared him.
The gate swung open and Jared fell inside. He stumbled upright and hastily closed the gate in the nick of time. As the wolves snapped and howled outside the gate, Jared decided to go inside the estate so he could be far from the gate just in case a thin wolf slipped through the iron bars. In his haste, he did not notice his ring slip off his finger and fall to ground. When Jared's eyes adjusted to the dark-somehow the area inside the gate was even darker than the forest- he gasped in horror.
A terrifying, dark and foreboding mansion, no, castle loomed before him. Stormy clouds surrounded its turrets and lightning began to flash. Rain began pouring and Jared had no choice but to rush towards the castle in the downpour.
His fear of the wolves over-rode his fear of the castle and he banged on the wooden doors, one of which reluctantly creaked open.
He hesitantly walked inside, dripping all over the carpet and called, "hello? Hello?"
The sound of his voice echoed around the grand entry hall of the castle.
On receiving no response he made the Alchemist sign against evil on his left shoulder and tried again, "Hello? Is someone there?"
Meanwhile, on a table nearby, a candelabra and a table clock were having a furious discussion on whether to kick out this strange man or not. While the clock wanted to keep quiet and wait for him to go away, the candelabra felt sorry for him.
Not one to give up, Jared called, "Er… I don't mean to intrude but I lost my car and I just need a place to stay for the night."
The candelabra pleaded, "Dimitri, come on."
The clock, whose name was apparently Dimitri, replied, "Shh, Abe! Keep quiet!" and closed Abe's mouth with his hand.
With an annoyed expression, Abe lifted one of his arms and burnt Dimitri's hand-the one closing Abe's mouth.
Dimitri panicked and jumped around in pain as Abe put on his most charming smile and said, "Why, of course, dear sir. You are most welcome."
A/N: I hope you were satisfied my choice and portrayal of the characters. I chose Dimitri for Cogsworth because they are both extremely loyal though they like to have fun, and don't generally disobey orders. I chose Abe for Lumiere because they're both charmers and ladies' men. They like to bend the rules and interpret them in their own fun way.
So leave me some feedback about what you think, like or don't like, any suggestions, or just say hi! I would love anything and everything.
And some bad news too. I visited the college and the daily timings are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., six days a week, plus tests every Saturday and Monday, plus homework, plus daily studies etc. so my updates, after a few more chapters, may be few and far spaced but please keep your faith in me and encourage me, because I have to try to juggle everything. College starts in three days so I have to prepare and everything so I don't really know how much time I can find for this story. But I love this site, I love this story and I love you guys so I'm going to try my best.
Dang, I just realised I ramble a LOT. So bye. Quickly.