Chapter fourteen

At six am, Kneller, Yan, Daria, and Mikal started walking through the hills towards where the Messiah was, and where Freddy was apparently being held hostage.

Yan had said that it would only take about six hours, but seven hours later, they were still walking. There was no trace of the hundreds of people.

Daria was getting sick of being led by other people and having her time adjusted to other's schedules. She really just wanted to get back to searching for Jane. This was the last place she was going to look in this area. If Jane wasn't there, she was heading out the next day, with or without Eugene or Mikal.

"Hey, Yan? You sure we're going the right way?" Daria asked out of breath.

"Yes, we should be there soon," Yan said confidently, but added unsurely, "I think."

"He thinks," Daria grumbled sardonically to Mikal.

"At least he thinks," Mikal said encouragingly.

Daria smirked, "Optimist," she said.

Mikal smiled at her.

Nine hours later, Kneller decided to call it a night. He suggested that they should make camp and resume in the morning.

They built a fire, and lay down next to it. Kneller and Yan lay on one side of the fire next to each other. Daria and Mikal on the other side.

Daria lay on the hard ground, using her jacket for a pillow. She was having a hard time getting comfortable. Mikal was lying on her back, still, and just staring up at the starless sky. Daria envied her for being comfortable as she turned for the eighth time.

Daria sighed heavily, giving up. She lay on her side, just looking at Yan, wishing she had the spare energy to kill him.

"I don't know what happened. I was sure that we'd find it before dark," Yan said disappointedly to Kneller.

Kneller was quiet for a moment before he spoke, "Well, actually I thinks it's a good sign. I mean you got lost last time, right?" he said.

Daria and Yan looked at Kneller surprised.

Then Yan nodded, appreciatively, "Yeah, you're right. That's a really good sign," he said cheerily.

"Oh, god," Daria said frustrated, "I'm going for a walk," she said to nobody and stood up.

Daria started walking with no particular destination. It wouldn't matter if she got lost. They were already lost.

She was tired of this damned place. She was tired of the camp and its people. She just wanted to find Jane and get back to her town.

However, most of all, Daria just want to be alive and going home. None of this was worth it.

"Hey, Daria, slow down," Mikal called from behind her.

Daria didn't, "I want to be alone," she said.

"You are. We all are," Mikal joked.

"God, I think Eugene is rubbing off on you now, and it's not what I meant," Daria said, but slowed a bit.

Mikal caught up, "I know, but we can hang out while you be alone," she said, "Besides Yan is getting on my nerves, too."

"Yeah, well all of this is getting on my nerves," Daria said frustrated.

"I guess…but really it's not so bad anymore," Mikal said awkwardly.

Daria looked at her curiously, "You're acting weird now. Are you thinking about staying here or something?"

"No, but I guess I'm starting to see that this world doesn't have to be so horrible. True, it's not great, but it has its moment, like you and Eugene for instance," she said, looking at Daria, "I never met anyone like you two, annoying as you both are, but you're pretty cool, interesting, and fun," she said.

"You must be confusing me with someone else, because I don't think I've ever been classified as such," Daria said amused, "I'm a miserable person."

"Well, yeah. I know that. But the times that you aren't, you're all right," Mikal smiled and then sighed, "The people I knew when I was alive weren't that much different from the people here, you know. They were already dead or halfway there anyway. In here I mean," she said, placing a hand over her heart.

"Am I supposed to be one of them or…huh?" Daria asked, confused.

"No, I mean that even though you hate it here, you're still going. You're still trying to find that bit of happiness," Mikal said, "You haven't given up on life yet, or whatever."

"And I only had to die to be this way, because believe me I wasn't like that when I was alive," Daria said, "I told you; I hid in my room and did nothing. I only found Jane by luck."

"Yeah, but at least you'll be getting her back," Mikal said and looked at the ground, "I appreciate life more since being here, but I don't have much to go back to," she said dolefully.

"Well…I don't know what to say to that," Daria admitted, "I'm stuck here, so is Jane and her brother; we can't ever go back."

"I wish you could," Mikal said, "I will miss you; and Eugene."

"I'll miss you, too, but I think going home is the best because if I had the chance I'd be out of here without a second thought," Daria said, "I don't want to be here anymore."

"Yeah, I know, but I guess I started thinking that maybe I can't go back, that I'd actually be stuck here, and if so…," Mikal said looking at Daria searchingly. "What will I do? I've never thought of settling down in this world," she said sounding helpless.

Daria recognized Mikal's tone as the one she had when she first arrived. Daria had been lucky to have found Mordy then.

"You could just come back to town with me and Eugene, and Jane if we find her," Daria said, "It's not so bad there."

"At least it's a plan," Mikal said, sounding less worried, "But I still hope I find the People In Charge."

"I do, too," Daria said and yawned, "I guess we should get some sleep. We may have another day of Yan leading us nowhere."

Mikal nodded, "I hope not. I want to find the Messiah, maybe he knows of the People In Change or how to find them," she said as she and Daria headed back over to the camp.

"Hopefully. If not, I still want to see that miracle," Daria said, "It could end up being an interesting show."

"Yan!?"

Daria stirred a bit.

"Yaaaaan!?"

Daria groaned.

"Yaaaaan!?"

"Oh, dammit," Daria said annoyed, sitting up with her eyes closed.

"Yaaaaaaaaan?!"

"Here," Mikal said, placing Daria's glasses on her face.

Daria opened her eyes, "Why the hell is Kneller yelling for Yan?" she said grumpily.

"Yan apparently woke up earlier and started looking without us," Mikal said, "We don't know where he is," she said.

Daria yawned, "I should have killed him last night. At least we'd know where he was," she grumbled.

Mikal smiled, "It probably would have helped. Come on," she said helping Daria up.

Daria put on her jacket. Kneller came back.

"I see some footprints heading up the hill," Kneller said, "We should follow," he said and started walking with Mikal.

Daria looked around the field, "Which way did we come from? Are we sure they're not our footprints?" she said following them.

Kneller and Mikal kept calling for Yan. Daria didn't really care; she was still tired.

They walked for about an hour before they saw someone running towards them.

"It's Yan!" Kneller said, picking up his pace to meet him.

"I found it!" Yan said out of breath.

"Where?" Kneller asked.

"It's over the hill; its real close," Yan said.

Daria smirked, "Didn't he say that all day, yesterday?" she said to Mikal, although, she was hoping he was correct this time.

"Come on, there's music and cold drinks and dancing girls!" Yan said excitedly, and took off running.

Kneller hurried after him.

"Well, he has details," Mikal said excitedly, "Come on, he has to be right this time," she said, pulling Daria and running after Kneller and Yan.

They ran a quarter of a mile to the top of the hill and looked down. Below, was a small castle-like structure and there were many people outside dancing to live music.

Daria, Mikal, Kneller, and Yan ran down to join the crowd. Kneller and Yan went into the building. Daria and Mikal stayed outside. There were tables setup and lots of food and drinks around.

Daria and Mikal found a table and started eating. They watched the people.

"What do you think is going to happen?" Daria asked.

"A miracle," Mikal said shrugging, "I don't know. You think our people are here?" she asked.

"I don't know; ask," Daria said looking at the crowd of people.

Mikal turned to a couple of older women behind them.

"Excuse me, who's in charge here?" Mikal asked.

"Well, the King of course," said the woman with long curly brown hair.

"Can you believe how privileged we are," the woman's friend said delighted.

"Why is that?" Mikal asked.

"Because of the miracle," the woman with long curly brown hair said, "He will actually separate his body from his soul," she explained.

Mikal shared a look with Daria. Daria shook her head, thinking that that was insane even for this world, "Actually, we're just looking for our dog," she said tersely to the woman and led Mikal away.

Mikal laughed.

They were met by Yan.

"Guys, I think you should come with me," he said, grabbing them by their arms and leading them from the direction he just came from.

"Why? What's going on?" Daria asked.

"Kneller's with the king and he's raising hell," Yan said elated.

"Raising hell?" Mikal asked, lightly amused at Yan's behavior, "What do you mean?"

"Just come on," Yan said insistently, pulling them to move faster.

The three entered into the lobby of the would-be castle. The lobby was fairly large and there were many couches and chairs spread around. Some people were sleeping or sitting and talking in groups. Daria and Mikal followed Yan as he walked up to a huge guy that looked like he was supposed to be a guard.

The guard stood in front of an alcove; behind him were Kneller and the Messiah.

"We need to speak to the Messiah," Yan said.

"He's in a meeting," said the guard, blocking them from passing.

"He's with my friend," Yan tried, moving to pass the guard.

The guard blocked him, shoving him roughly. Mikal pulled Yan back, trying to prevent a fight.

Yan and the guard started to argue.

Daria ignored them and looked at Kneller and the Messiah.

The Messiah was sitting in an elegant looking chair with Freddy, on a leash, sitting beside him.

Kneller was livid. The Messiah was simply calm, almost condescending like.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? That dog's never been on a leash," Kneller snapped, throwing dirt at the dog and man.

"The dog wanted to be on that leash," the Messiah argued, dusting himself off coolly and stood up.

The two men stood nose to nose now, trying to intimidate the other. Kneller was still arguing that the dog had been brainwashed and that he knew what Freddy was supposed to need and be like.

Daria didn't understand what was so special about the dog. She still watched them entertained though.

Daria felt someone grasp her arm. She thought it was Mikal.

"I think they might actually kill one another," Daria said amused, watching as the two men tried shouting over one another now.

"You've become an optimist since being here, huh?" teased an amused, familiar, and longed for voice.