II
The week went by much faster then that Fordge would have liked. He really didn't want to go to some stupid castle anyway. All he would be doing there was learning to unleash his magical talents so entirely, that not only would he be able to mess up peoples hair, he would be able to tie their shoestrings together at the same time.
Darlah didn't see this view. She told this to Fordge, but being only eight, he didn't take her opinions to heart. Instead he would just look at her and smile a smile that said; "Maybe when you're older I'll allow you to talk seriously to me."
She didn't like this too much, but as they boarded the train to leave, something happened that she didn't think would: Fordge listened to her.
"I don't think we should sit here in this car." She whispered to him, as they looked around at all of the unfamiliar faces.
"Nor do I." he said. "Darlah, come quickly. I want you to stay very close to me. I have a bad feeling about these people." He then led her through the long car, trying to ignore the many people who concealed lumpy objects under their coats. He soon led her to the end of the car and opened the door to the next, as soon as the train began moving.
They walked into a car filled with three people. All of them were in rather nice clothes, and looking happy to see them for some reason. There were two men and one lady.
"Hello," the younger man said. He was maybe five years older then Fordge was himself, and had loose blonde hair.
"Uh, hello." Fordge said uneasily. "My name is Fordge Mackeely, who, may I ask are you?" he wanted to make a good impression of himself, for these were obviously very important people.
"My friends call me Cat." The boy said.
"I'm Gabriel." The girl said a little shyly. "And this here is our Uncle, Chrestomanci." She said indicating the third and most dashing of them all.
"Ohhhh! The real Chrestomanci?" Darlah squealed.
Chrestomanci looked a bit annoyed, and it was apparent by the smiles on Cat and Gabriel's faces, that they enjoyed putting him in these situations.
"You must be excited to come and stay with us at my castle." He said polietly. "I do suppose that you are Darlah?" he asked.
"Oh yes! I am!" she said feeling light headed that the Chrestomanci would know her name.
"I was happy to receive your letter Miss." He said kindly.
"Letter?" Fordge asked curiously, eyeing his sister maliciously.
"Uh, Mr. Chrestomanci, what will we be doing in our stay at your estate?" Darlah asked suddenly, happy to change the subject.
"What letter?" Fordge repeated again, trying to sound patient.
"You know, your sister telegraphed me. It was about you." Chrestomanci said.
"And?" Fordge asked evilly.
"Uh, are you feeling quite up to some tea Mr. Mackeely?" Cat asked, seeing that no one would remain in one piece if they lingered on the subject.
Fordge soon found that no matter how much he tried to, he just couldn't seem to get anything else from the others of the small party on the letter about him.
"How did you manage to send him a letter?" Fordge asked Darlah pulling aside for a moment.
"I just used my magic." She shrugged. That wasn't what he meant, but after that, he was left in the dark.
They talked and laughed, and Fordge noticed they all (except Darlah) gave him sad looks, that seemed to say they were wondering why he was so calm and uninterested in magic…
…Unless they knew the truth.
No! They could never know the truth.
Fordge slipped slowly from his seat and onto the floor, where he curled up into a little ball and started to cry.
Chrestomanci had been interrupted by a sharp cry from Fordge. They stopped and watched dead silent as he turned ghost white and fell into a heap on the car floor.
Chrestomanci was immediately at his side as he started to become glazed eyed with trauma.
"Fordge, it's okay, you don't have to worry, it's okay, we're here to protect you." He tried to soothe him.
"I don't want to go back." Fordge barely whispered. "I can't go back there, don't let them take me back there…." He was ridged with terror.
"Where? Where do they want to take you?" he asked the shaking boy. The others stood by helpless except Darlah, who had managed to place his head on her lap and stroke his hair.
"I don't want to go back there."
"We won't let them take you there, but first we need to know where that is." Chrestomanci said sternly.
"The Woods. Please, stop them! PLEASE!" Fordge started screaming.
"What's wrong with the Woods?" Chrestomanci asked Darlah.
"They're the Haunted Woods of Ireland." She said sadly. "He goes into these sprees of fear often." Her hand still ran through Fordge's dark hair.
"And has he been there before?" he pressed.
"Yes, but the funny thing is he came out."
"What's so funny about coming out of a forest?"
"No one comes back out after they enter that Wood."
"Never?"
"Never…"
So, it's a little dramatic for the second chapter, but it's really important. Oh, great, I'll have to do Chapter Three soon, because I forgot the people in the car before, but then again, I thought this was a good place to end. It should be done by Friday, so keep checking. Please, R/R. Whoo hoo! Thanks! :O~ that's me barfing, it may not have anything to do with anything, but hey, if you're officially creeped out, this should at least lift your spirits a little!
"A"