The Return of the Neotastic 5, Part 2
Aizii
The next morning, I awoke feeling refreshed. And then I remembered the night before. I was still sore, my neck painful and felt swollen. Slowly, I went downstairs to hear a heated row already in progress. Danielle and Kate were arguing, about what I couldn't catch. Both were standing in the middle of the room, yelling at each other. Sam was standing to one side, trying desperately to butt in, whilst Lindz was sitting with her head in her hands.
"You should have checked!" Danielle was yelling.
"I didn't see you check!" Kate replied.
"It wasn't my job!"
"Who said it was mine?"
"Sara could have been killed. We all could have been!"
"But we didn't!"
I watched my two best friends argue in a way I'd never seen before. Sure, we'd argued, but never like this. I watched, gob smacked, until my mouth worked again.
"What the." I yelled. That got their attention. Danielle and Kate looked at me, and then my neck, but didn't comment. Instead, Sam cut in.
"Danielle's blamed Kate for the . problems last night." Sam explained quickly. "But Kate says it isn't her fault, she's just blaming the nearest person." Both arguers looked at Sam and then at me.
"Well, Lindz, didn't you check what Kate said?" I asked, looking at the quiet onlooker. Lindz stood up, her face red.
"NO, I didn't. I mucked up." Lindz yelled. "Happy?"
"No." I replied in frustration. "You're meant to double check. All of you should have. I should have to. We could have been killed last night. Hell, I nearly was!" The grisly bruises on my neck proved a gruesome point - things could have gone a lot worse.
"Don't blame me." Sam said quickly. "I didn't have anything to do with it."
"You never do." Danielle replied cattishly. Sam glared at Danielle.
"And what does that mean?"
"Well," Danielle replied, choosing her words carefully. "You never help, until something goes wrong. Then take the credit for fast thinking."
"Something always goes wrong." Sam pointed out. "And I deserve the credit. Go crying to Mummy if you don't like it."
"Shut up the pair of you." I snapped.
"Why don't you?" Kate replied angrily.
"Why don't all four of you?" Lindz asked tiredly. Kate glared at her.
"Oh, so now you have a plan. How quaint."
"Shut up Kate." I said quietly. "Leave Lindz out of it."
"Yeah, Leave Lindz out of it until she gets someone killed!" Sam cried dramatically. Things rose quickly from there, and soon we were all yelling at everyone. Then something was said that changed everything.
"It's people like you," Kate said, pointing a finger at me, "That make people like Yanik leave!"
I sucked in a breath. "That was low Kate, real low."
"Yeah well," Kate replied with a shrug. "I've had enough. I'm out of this." With that, she picked up her coat and walked out.
Yanik had been the old member of our group. He was part Scorchio, with a pair of perfect Golden Wings and a fiery temper. An argument caused a rift so large between Yanik and the group that Yanik had left. Soon after, we found Kate and invited her into the gang, thus attempting to fill the void Yanik left. None of us had truly gotten over his departure, myself especially. We had avoided talking about that day, and for Kate to have brought it up in that context was low.
For a moment, no one spoke, until suddenly, Sam stood up.
"Look what we've become." She said, and walked out. It was now just Danielle Lindz and I. Danielle and I stood up together, glared at one another and left without a word. As Lindz watched our retreating backs, she slumped back onto the sofa and sunk her hands into her head. And so the Neotastic 5 departed.
---
That day had been almost a year ago, and since then, I had moved as far away as possible. I now lived in the Lost Desert, and owned a small shop for weary travellers to rest for the night and replenish stocks, as well as buy the coolest smoothie in the entire lost Desert! I had quickly built up a reputation as being a friendly shop owner, willing to give the poorest of travellers a decent meal and a place to spend the night.
I had only one pet, a small Faerie Poogle named Aidhru, or Ade. Hyperactive, full of ideas and a little on the wild side, she reminded me of my once friends. Ade was well known around the small village too, as an adventurous and knowledgeable Poogle. She could give travellers directions better than many other shop owners and many shops would send travellers to us for directions.
On this particular day, the sun glared down on our town with considerable heat. Whilst unbearable outside, inside my shop it was quite cool. We had several fans blasting cold air inside and with the slats closed, the room was quite comfortable. It was also good for business - a hot day sells more smoothies.
I hadn't spoken to the Neotastic 5 members since that fateful day, even if I hadn't forgotten them. I had seen only Sam once, bumping into her in the street. Avoiding eye contact, I quickly walked off in the opposite direction, never once speaking. I had regretted not saying something since then, but stubborn pride wouldn't allow me to make the call.
"One Strawberry Smoothie Please." A voice pulled me out of my muses. A rough shaven man with pale green eyes was glancing at me in a funny way, as if he recognised me. "You're Sara, right?"
"Yes." I replied sharply, filling the cup up to the brim with the slushy ice.
"Part of the Neotastic 5?"
I inhaled sharply. "Used to be. Haven't been for several months now. 250 nps please."
"I have a letter for you," He said, delving deep into a pocket. He pulled out a torn, emerald green envelope, with gold calligraphy writing spelling out "Sara." He handed it to me, along with a 10,000np note and started to walk out, taking his smoothie as an afterthought.
"HEY MISTER!" I yelled, "You forgot your smoothie!"
"Leave it."
With that, the man walked out and into the blaring heat. Perhaps it was the sun, or maybe I just wasn't watching properly, but the man seemed to just . disappear. Squinting, I turned to look at Ade, who looked equally mystified.
I shrugged and turned back to the envelope. Emerald green, it had my name printed in neat calligraphy. I slowly slit open the envelope and pulled out an emerald green letter, printed with the same neat, gold writing.
"Dear Sara," It read. "You have been selected to enjoy a week long holiday in the newly created Bongo Hotel, a 5 star hotel for the richest neopians. Your holiday is for humans only, but your pets shall receive a complimentary week at the AstroVilla hotel curtsey of Bongo Hotel. Please find inclosed plane tickets and holiday information. Yours Sincerely." An intelligible signature and a name followed. I checked the envelope and found a plane ticket and a second note. It turned out the holiday was scheduled for the 14th Day of Eating to the 21st Day of Eating.
"Well Ade," I smiled. "Looks like we're going on holiday."
---
The Holiday was only 3 days off, and soon Ade was checking into the AstroVilla hotel for the week, excited and anxious. A list of numbers and address accompanied her from the hotel I was staying at and I couldn't say I was glad to leave her. I wasn't sure it was a good idea, but I hadn't had a holiday in over 5 years, and was looking forward to relaxing for once.
So with a heavy heart, I parted from Ade and rushed off to the airport, anxious I hadn't missed my flight.
---
"So I said, 'you're so lying,' and she was like 'Sweetheart, would I lie to you?' and I was all like 'you have before'." A teenager girl with short, bobbed brown hair and baby blue eyes sat next to me, prattling on about some stupid subject. She seemed to get the impression I wanted to talk, which threw me as I spent the entire time scowling. Either way, the girl could talk for hours. And I had heard each and every minute.
"Don't you talk about anything else?" I asked eventually. The girl blinked a few times, as though surprised someone interrupted her.
"When the time calls." The girl said airily. "Anyway, I was all like 'Don't you sweetie me' and she said, 'Why shouldn't I?' and I was all like."
With a sigh, I settled back into my seat and looked out of the window. This was going to be a long plane trip.
---
Dragging the suitcase behind me, I glanced out at the merging crowd, trying desperately to spot the assigned taxi. At the very back was a young Gelert, wearing a overly large Red Blazer, a perfectly ironed white shirt, a dark grey tie and a peaked black cap, holding a sloppy sign.
"Miss Sara?" He said as I struggled over. I nodded at him, brushing hair from my eyes. "I've been instructed to take you to the Bongo Hotel Ma'am. I hope your trip was pleasant."
"Er. Yeah." I said, watching the Gelert walk off out of the door. I groaned and started to drag my suitcase across the hall, murmuring an annoyed, "Fine then, don't help."
---
We arrived at the hotel quite late, around 8pm and I could see the hotel was barely full, in fact, there were no cars outside. If I hadn't have seen the sign, I would have assumed it was just another regular house. I could see several people in one room, a large light.
"Welcome to Bongo Hotel Ma'am." The Gelert said, bowing deeply. I smiled slightly and pulled my suitcase towards the door. One week of luxury.I could get used to it.
I struggled into the hallway to see a flustered looking Shadow Lenny standing there. With a twitter, it took my suitcase and handed it to a nearby Quiggle.
"Ah, I hope you had a nice trip." It twitted. "I am Miss Mop. I will change your room and such. You must try our cooking. The other guests are already there. Ah, such a surly group ma'am, if you pardon my saying."
With that Miss Mop opened a door and indicated for me to enter the room. Walking inside, I looked round at the other guests and stopped in shock. For sitting around the table were no less than Sam, Kate, Lindz and Danielle.
"Well, as if the day couldn't get any better." Kate said sarcastically, rolling her eyes at me. I glared in return.
"You weren't exactly high on my 'people I'd love to run into list' either." I replied bitterly, walking over to the empty seat. Sitting at the table was the other Members of the Neotastic five, or the ex-Neotastic 5, and an old gentleman with a dark suit on. He sniffed as I sat down.
"I have been warned there was unresolved issues with you." He sniffed again. "I take it you are Sara."
"Yeah," I replied, looking wearily at the others. To be honest, none of us had changed. My hair was shorter now, coming to just below my chin and bleached blonde from the sun. I was also darker than I used to be, my once pale skin now a healthy brown from all the time in the desert.
Lindz now wore glasses, and her long brown hair was tied loose. Her brown eyes seemed more educated and she was paler. I guessed she was working in a library somewhere. Sam hadn't changed, except her face was thinner and hair longer than I remembered. Danielle and Kate could have walked from that day to this and not have changed. Neither of them were different, except perhaps a little taller.
"I assume you are all wondering why you were summoned." The man continued. Without a pause, he continued, "I have summoned you because I have been told you are the best. And I need only the best to solve my problem."
"What problem?" Danielle asked.
"My son was kidnapped approximately 2 weeks ago." The man said. "And I want you five to find him."
To be continued.
Aizii
The next morning, I awoke feeling refreshed. And then I remembered the night before. I was still sore, my neck painful and felt swollen. Slowly, I went downstairs to hear a heated row already in progress. Danielle and Kate were arguing, about what I couldn't catch. Both were standing in the middle of the room, yelling at each other. Sam was standing to one side, trying desperately to butt in, whilst Lindz was sitting with her head in her hands.
"You should have checked!" Danielle was yelling.
"I didn't see you check!" Kate replied.
"It wasn't my job!"
"Who said it was mine?"
"Sara could have been killed. We all could have been!"
"But we didn't!"
I watched my two best friends argue in a way I'd never seen before. Sure, we'd argued, but never like this. I watched, gob smacked, until my mouth worked again.
"What the." I yelled. That got their attention. Danielle and Kate looked at me, and then my neck, but didn't comment. Instead, Sam cut in.
"Danielle's blamed Kate for the . problems last night." Sam explained quickly. "But Kate says it isn't her fault, she's just blaming the nearest person." Both arguers looked at Sam and then at me.
"Well, Lindz, didn't you check what Kate said?" I asked, looking at the quiet onlooker. Lindz stood up, her face red.
"NO, I didn't. I mucked up." Lindz yelled. "Happy?"
"No." I replied in frustration. "You're meant to double check. All of you should have. I should have to. We could have been killed last night. Hell, I nearly was!" The grisly bruises on my neck proved a gruesome point - things could have gone a lot worse.
"Don't blame me." Sam said quickly. "I didn't have anything to do with it."
"You never do." Danielle replied cattishly. Sam glared at Danielle.
"And what does that mean?"
"Well," Danielle replied, choosing her words carefully. "You never help, until something goes wrong. Then take the credit for fast thinking."
"Something always goes wrong." Sam pointed out. "And I deserve the credit. Go crying to Mummy if you don't like it."
"Shut up the pair of you." I snapped.
"Why don't you?" Kate replied angrily.
"Why don't all four of you?" Lindz asked tiredly. Kate glared at her.
"Oh, so now you have a plan. How quaint."
"Shut up Kate." I said quietly. "Leave Lindz out of it."
"Yeah, Leave Lindz out of it until she gets someone killed!" Sam cried dramatically. Things rose quickly from there, and soon we were all yelling at everyone. Then something was said that changed everything.
"It's people like you," Kate said, pointing a finger at me, "That make people like Yanik leave!"
I sucked in a breath. "That was low Kate, real low."
"Yeah well," Kate replied with a shrug. "I've had enough. I'm out of this." With that, she picked up her coat and walked out.
Yanik had been the old member of our group. He was part Scorchio, with a pair of perfect Golden Wings and a fiery temper. An argument caused a rift so large between Yanik and the group that Yanik had left. Soon after, we found Kate and invited her into the gang, thus attempting to fill the void Yanik left. None of us had truly gotten over his departure, myself especially. We had avoided talking about that day, and for Kate to have brought it up in that context was low.
For a moment, no one spoke, until suddenly, Sam stood up.
"Look what we've become." She said, and walked out. It was now just Danielle Lindz and I. Danielle and I stood up together, glared at one another and left without a word. As Lindz watched our retreating backs, she slumped back onto the sofa and sunk her hands into her head. And so the Neotastic 5 departed.
---
That day had been almost a year ago, and since then, I had moved as far away as possible. I now lived in the Lost Desert, and owned a small shop for weary travellers to rest for the night and replenish stocks, as well as buy the coolest smoothie in the entire lost Desert! I had quickly built up a reputation as being a friendly shop owner, willing to give the poorest of travellers a decent meal and a place to spend the night.
I had only one pet, a small Faerie Poogle named Aidhru, or Ade. Hyperactive, full of ideas and a little on the wild side, she reminded me of my once friends. Ade was well known around the small village too, as an adventurous and knowledgeable Poogle. She could give travellers directions better than many other shop owners and many shops would send travellers to us for directions.
On this particular day, the sun glared down on our town with considerable heat. Whilst unbearable outside, inside my shop it was quite cool. We had several fans blasting cold air inside and with the slats closed, the room was quite comfortable. It was also good for business - a hot day sells more smoothies.
I hadn't spoken to the Neotastic 5 members since that fateful day, even if I hadn't forgotten them. I had seen only Sam once, bumping into her in the street. Avoiding eye contact, I quickly walked off in the opposite direction, never once speaking. I had regretted not saying something since then, but stubborn pride wouldn't allow me to make the call.
"One Strawberry Smoothie Please." A voice pulled me out of my muses. A rough shaven man with pale green eyes was glancing at me in a funny way, as if he recognised me. "You're Sara, right?"
"Yes." I replied sharply, filling the cup up to the brim with the slushy ice.
"Part of the Neotastic 5?"
I inhaled sharply. "Used to be. Haven't been for several months now. 250 nps please."
"I have a letter for you," He said, delving deep into a pocket. He pulled out a torn, emerald green envelope, with gold calligraphy writing spelling out "Sara." He handed it to me, along with a 10,000np note and started to walk out, taking his smoothie as an afterthought.
"HEY MISTER!" I yelled, "You forgot your smoothie!"
"Leave it."
With that, the man walked out and into the blaring heat. Perhaps it was the sun, or maybe I just wasn't watching properly, but the man seemed to just . disappear. Squinting, I turned to look at Ade, who looked equally mystified.
I shrugged and turned back to the envelope. Emerald green, it had my name printed in neat calligraphy. I slowly slit open the envelope and pulled out an emerald green letter, printed with the same neat, gold writing.
"Dear Sara," It read. "You have been selected to enjoy a week long holiday in the newly created Bongo Hotel, a 5 star hotel for the richest neopians. Your holiday is for humans only, but your pets shall receive a complimentary week at the AstroVilla hotel curtsey of Bongo Hotel. Please find inclosed plane tickets and holiday information. Yours Sincerely." An intelligible signature and a name followed. I checked the envelope and found a plane ticket and a second note. It turned out the holiday was scheduled for the 14th Day of Eating to the 21st Day of Eating.
"Well Ade," I smiled. "Looks like we're going on holiday."
---
The Holiday was only 3 days off, and soon Ade was checking into the AstroVilla hotel for the week, excited and anxious. A list of numbers and address accompanied her from the hotel I was staying at and I couldn't say I was glad to leave her. I wasn't sure it was a good idea, but I hadn't had a holiday in over 5 years, and was looking forward to relaxing for once.
So with a heavy heart, I parted from Ade and rushed off to the airport, anxious I hadn't missed my flight.
---
"So I said, 'you're so lying,' and she was like 'Sweetheart, would I lie to you?' and I was all like 'you have before'." A teenager girl with short, bobbed brown hair and baby blue eyes sat next to me, prattling on about some stupid subject. She seemed to get the impression I wanted to talk, which threw me as I spent the entire time scowling. Either way, the girl could talk for hours. And I had heard each and every minute.
"Don't you talk about anything else?" I asked eventually. The girl blinked a few times, as though surprised someone interrupted her.
"When the time calls." The girl said airily. "Anyway, I was all like 'Don't you sweetie me' and she said, 'Why shouldn't I?' and I was all like."
With a sigh, I settled back into my seat and looked out of the window. This was going to be a long plane trip.
---
Dragging the suitcase behind me, I glanced out at the merging crowd, trying desperately to spot the assigned taxi. At the very back was a young Gelert, wearing a overly large Red Blazer, a perfectly ironed white shirt, a dark grey tie and a peaked black cap, holding a sloppy sign.
"Miss Sara?" He said as I struggled over. I nodded at him, brushing hair from my eyes. "I've been instructed to take you to the Bongo Hotel Ma'am. I hope your trip was pleasant."
"Er. Yeah." I said, watching the Gelert walk off out of the door. I groaned and started to drag my suitcase across the hall, murmuring an annoyed, "Fine then, don't help."
---
We arrived at the hotel quite late, around 8pm and I could see the hotel was barely full, in fact, there were no cars outside. If I hadn't have seen the sign, I would have assumed it was just another regular house. I could see several people in one room, a large light.
"Welcome to Bongo Hotel Ma'am." The Gelert said, bowing deeply. I smiled slightly and pulled my suitcase towards the door. One week of luxury.I could get used to it.
I struggled into the hallway to see a flustered looking Shadow Lenny standing there. With a twitter, it took my suitcase and handed it to a nearby Quiggle.
"Ah, I hope you had a nice trip." It twitted. "I am Miss Mop. I will change your room and such. You must try our cooking. The other guests are already there. Ah, such a surly group ma'am, if you pardon my saying."
With that Miss Mop opened a door and indicated for me to enter the room. Walking inside, I looked round at the other guests and stopped in shock. For sitting around the table were no less than Sam, Kate, Lindz and Danielle.
"Well, as if the day couldn't get any better." Kate said sarcastically, rolling her eyes at me. I glared in return.
"You weren't exactly high on my 'people I'd love to run into list' either." I replied bitterly, walking over to the empty seat. Sitting at the table was the other Members of the Neotastic five, or the ex-Neotastic 5, and an old gentleman with a dark suit on. He sniffed as I sat down.
"I have been warned there was unresolved issues with you." He sniffed again. "I take it you are Sara."
"Yeah," I replied, looking wearily at the others. To be honest, none of us had changed. My hair was shorter now, coming to just below my chin and bleached blonde from the sun. I was also darker than I used to be, my once pale skin now a healthy brown from all the time in the desert.
Lindz now wore glasses, and her long brown hair was tied loose. Her brown eyes seemed more educated and she was paler. I guessed she was working in a library somewhere. Sam hadn't changed, except her face was thinner and hair longer than I remembered. Danielle and Kate could have walked from that day to this and not have changed. Neither of them were different, except perhaps a little taller.
"I assume you are all wondering why you were summoned." The man continued. Without a pause, he continued, "I have summoned you because I have been told you are the best. And I need only the best to solve my problem."
"What problem?" Danielle asked.
"My son was kidnapped approximately 2 weeks ago." The man said. "And I want you five to find him."
To be continued.