Annaka opened her eyes for the second time in 2 hours that day. She looked around above her was clear, blue sky and trees all around her. She was definitely out of that Castle with Alwin and Banan so for now she was save. She stood up and looked around, there were many people about. Mostly in couples, smiling at her freedom she turned to find her friends.
"Danny? Kyle?" She asked shouting, "Zsa-Zsa? Jack? Where are you guys, this is no time for hide and seek."
She walked along the path until she saw a child's play area. She headed towards that. Danny always loved childish things so hopefully he would be there.
She entered and looked for a person in a green JCD suit. JCD, she was in uniform at the Castle, she quickly looked down and realised that she had powered down somehow. She was back wearing her red hoodie which was dirty and her jeans along with red converse trainers. She scanned the area. No Danny. Annaka sat down next to a woman, clearly watching her child.
"Hi." Annaka greeted, "Have you seen a teenager wearing lots of green?"
The woman stared at her blankly and blinked then spoke, "Your English?"
"Yes." Annaka smiled then stopped, "What language do you speak then?"
"French." The woman replied, "The language of the country."
"Language of the country?" Annaka asked, "Sorry, I must be in the French part of Canada."
"No, you not in Canada, you in Paris, France." The women told her before watching her child.
Annaka stood up and left the children's play area. She was in Paris? Paris? That's nowhere near Canada? That teleportation beam had messed up badly. Annaka reached down her pocket to get her mobile, out of service. Typical.
"You should walk around, you mind find some service if you look hard enough." Someone from behind her advised.
Annaka turned around confused. Surely she wouldn't be here? This was Paris and she lived in Scotland. Okay Paris was nearer Scotland then Canada but still.
"Aunty Minnie." Annaka asked shocked but still went over to hug her Aunt, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm not really here." Her aunt replied, "This is a side effect from the teleportation beam. I'm in your mind."
"Okay slightly strange." Annaka muttered, "Have you seen my mum."
"I haven't seen my sister in years." Aunt Minnie replied, "She hasn't visited in 15 years."
Annaka smiled; there was a reason behind that. She decided to take her aunts advice and walk until she got some service. She looked around. She had always wanted to come to Paris, for a holiday, not some teleportation accident.
In the distance, Annaka could see the Eiffel Tower. It looked amazing. She reached into her pocket. She had 10 dollars and a few cents. She needed to convert that into Euros somehow. At least it would be enough for a snack.
"You never visited either." Her Aunt said, "I did offer once to pay for you to stay with me for a bit but you declined. Why?"
"Well, I was busy, you know, defending the Castle and keeping Danny out of mischief." Annaka said, "You know same old."
"Charles said you didn't want to come." Aunt Minnie said, "I'm not that horrible."
"I know." Annaka said, she then looked around and people were giving her strange looks, "No one else can see you can they?"
"No and you still haven't answered my question." Her aunt replied.
"There must be service somewhere." Annaka muttered continuing walking.
Her Aunt stayed back. She was avoiding the question but why?
In the forest:
"Gildar, unless that mirror has a map, stop looking at it!" Ballista exclaimed, "We have already lost the others, I don't want to lose you to bears or something."
"Bears?" Gildar questioned putting his mirror away, "I don't think there are bears in this forest."
"You know what I'm trying to say." Ballista replied, "I need to get out of here."
Gildar rolled his eyes as he indicated that Ballista should lead them through the forest. The couple had no idea of they were any closer the exit or any further. Ballista tried to look at the positives. Ivar had gone, her daughter had disappeared out of his clutches so she was safe to a degree and she no longer had to listen to Faetal moan and groan through the forest.
"Where do you think Ivar has been hiding this whole time?" She asked. Ballista had tried to avoid the whole topic of Ivar but it was hard due to everything that had happened. She looked over to Gildar who shrugged.
"I don't know." Gildar replied, "I don't know him that well. Not anymore."
Ballista sighed and grabbed Gildar's hand and held it tightly. He put his free arm around her and they continued walking.
"Well at least we have some time to ourselves." Gildar said, "We never get that anymore."
Ballista nodded, "We should go to Paris sometime, just the two of us. Maybe Annaka could come, she's always wanted to go to Paris, said it looks like a beautiful place."
In Paris:
"I hate Paris." Annaka exclaimed walking through the streets, "It's really busy, no service and full of smug couples."
"Calm down." Her Aunt told her, "You're only mad because you're not here with-"
"Shut up." Annaka said aggressively while turning to face her Aunt, "I am in a bad mood, it is raining and I am very wet. I have nowhere to stay and I am thousands of miles away from home."
"And you still haven't answered my question." Her Aunt reminded her.
Annaka found some shelter down an alley way. The buildings were blocking the route of the rain. Her hair was ruined and her clothes were soaked straight through to her skin.
"Okay, I'll answer your question." Annaka said giving in.
Her Aunt looked happy and waited for Annaka to give her answer.
"You never visited me." Annaka replied, "When my Mum and Dad disappeared, you never once came to see if I was alright. My Dad's brothers still came and saw me even my granddad and step- grandmother as it turns out that's what she really is but that doesn't matter. I wanted to see you and I asked to see you but you never came, not even for my birthdays. So when you asked, for me there was only one answer."
Her Aunt looked at her. Despite how much she would hate to admit it, it was all true. She had no reason to not visit unlike Annaka. She just never knew her that well and didn't think that she would need her.
"I'm sorry." Her Aunt apologised, "I never meant to hurt you. I know it was hypercritical of me to ask for you to come round and for me to expect a yes."
Annaka sighed and looked at her Aunt, "It doesn't matter. I wasn't alone, I had Zsa-Zsa, Jack and I have Kyle now. Danny was always there for me."
"Ahhh yes Danny." Her Aunt smiled making Annaka smile. Suddenly she started to fade; Annaka knew the effects were wearing off.
"Bye Aunt Minnie." Annaka said thankful at whatever sent that teleportation beam gave her time to talk to her Aunt. Even of it wasn't really her Aunt.
The rain had stopped and Annaka walked back onto the streets of Paris once again. She looked at her phone. She finally had service. She figured the other Jr defenders wouldn't pick up from where ever they were, so she decided to call in a favour that a bunch of people owned her.
In the forest:
"I can't wait to have a hot chocolate." Ballista said, "I'm fed up of water."
"So am I." Gildar said, "I need something sweet and sugary."
"Speaking of food." Ballista said, "Isn't that Vane I can hear."
Gildar listened carefully; he could make out Vane and Faetal celebrating something.
"Come on, they can't be far." Gildar said pulling Ballista in the right direction.
Ballista wasn't too happy about it being Vane and Faetal but at least they wouldn't be alone anymore. Gildar had upped the pace which was making her jog slightly. The jog turned into a run and the voices became louder and louder. Gildar and Ballista found themselves running along a path with sunlight directly in their eyes. They were both smiling as they ran into Vane and Faetal.
"Dwane! Faetal!" Gildar exclaimed, "Your out."
"It's Vane." Vane told him, "And we've been out ages."
"Yeah, we were waiting for you and the others." Faetal said.
"I'm so glad I'm out of that forest." Ballista said smiling; I've missed towns and cities."