Maddie and Sarah nervously sat in the back of the coach, each thinking their own thoughts, wondering what they had gotten themselves into.
"You really think we did the right thing? With the escaping and all?" Maddie asked fretfully fidgeting with the white ribbons, on her turquoise gown.
"What I'm wondering is if the ladies room window was the right window to escape from. But then again, we couldn't just waltz out the front door." Sarah said uncertain of what they had done.
"Remind me why we did this again." Maddie asked.
"To achieve our goals and dreams, get out of this misery, and get away from RALPH EVERETT!" Sarah replied shocked that Maddie would even think twice about their decision, after going this far.
"I suppose your right." Maddie mumbled.
"You suppose!" Sarah shouted. "We've been wanting to do this our whole lives and you suppose?" Sarah replied raising her voice, with a mixture of annoyance, and disbelief.
Maddie glanced at Sarah and turned her gaze to the window, unsure of how to respond.
"Think of how happy we'll be, and if we really hate it over there, we can always leave." Sarah replied softening her voice.
"I guess." Maddie said shrugging her right shoulder.
"This is going to be a great adventure!" Sarah replied excitedly, thinking about the unexpected journey to come. "I wonder what father's doing right now…"
"They did what!" Sarah's foster father Mr. Dawson exclaimed followed by a thump as Maddie's mom Mrs. Johnsons fainted to the floor. Both Sarah's and Maddie's parents were sitting together.
"They did indeed Mr. Dawson, I saw them escape myself." Priscilla replied innocently, while Mrs. Dawson proceeded to help Mrs. Johnsons, and began to fan her rapidly.
"Thank you Priscilla, you may leave." Mr. Dawson replied.
Satisfied with her given information, Priscilla turned smirking wickedly, and left.
"We're going to look for them!" Mr. Johnsons replied, the two fathers attempted to start searching.
"No we can't just get up and leave! It's the Queen's ball, it would be disgraceful, and ruin our reputation!" Mrs. Dawson hissed, pulling her husband back down.
"The're our daughters!" Mr. Johnsons replied slamming his hand on the table, causing the wine filled glasses to shake.
"No, sit down dear, we'll send the guards to fetch the police." Mrs. Johnsons replied, wearily, getting up from the floor, as Mrs Dawson continued to fan her.
"Thank you Trudy, I'll be fine." Mrs Johnson replied sitting back in her seat, motioning for Mrs. Dawson to stop, fanning her.
"Alright, I'll tell the guards, and then I'll be back." Mr.Dawson crossly replied, and the searching began.
Maddie and Sarah finally arrived at the port, and said their thank-you and goodbye's to their faithful coachman. Then the two companions boarded the ship, and cautiously made their way onto the deck. They could slightly feel it sway under their feet. On the ship they saw many people who seemed more like strangers to them. On each face of the eager traveler's was an expression of glee.
They all some how knew, that this ship would take them to the land of freedom and opportunity, where anything was possible.
Sarah handed a ticket vendor their tickets and then he warily glanced at them and said, "Head up these steps turn left, keep walking straight and you should see room 141'
The middle class level of the ship. It was the level they wanted. Not too extravagant, but still in very good condition to temporarily settle in.
Thanking the merchant, the two girls hurried up the large steps, Maddie suddenly tripped over the hem of her dress, stunned she sat on the slippery step.
"Excuse me, but do you need assistance, Miss?' the speaker held out his hand.
Maddie looked up to see a boy about the age of seventeen, he had a muscular, wiry build, dark black hair that was tied in a loose horsetail, understanding deep brown eyes, a round nose, thin mouth and a tanned complexion, around his neck was a thin leather necklace string. A single smooth animal tooth hung from it. His voice was deep but with a soft ring to it. Maddie guessed him to be 'First Nation'
"Thank- you' Maddie said uncertain of his name.
"Takoda" "The names Takoda Kajika" he said gently pulling her up "And who might you be?" he asked.
"My name is Maddie… Madelaine Johnsons" she stammered.
"Well…see you girls later I guess?' Takoda said.
There was an awkward silence as Maddie gazed curiously at the forthcoming young man.
" Ooooo look like somebody's got a boyfriend!" Sarah teased breaking the silence.
"Hey!' Maddie exclaimed flustered. "Though he does have an interesting name and kind nature' she thought "he's pretty handsome too" she added
Then Maddie whirled around unexpectedly and began chasing Sarah up the stairs. The girls mirthfully shouted goodbye to the young man, and continued on running.
Takoda rolled his eyes, laughing to himself about the girl's playfulness, but then he realized he might even begin to like Maddie, she had an unusual beauty, and an innocent nature, he had recognized when he looked into the orbs of her sea green eyes. He decided to ask them to the party, that was tomorrow night, and see how it would go.
He turned to leave but stopped to ponder over his thoughts of the girls…
They finally entered their room after five to ten minutes of searching in the dark. Thankfully their coachman had given them a lantern.
It was comfy, cozy, and absolutely delightful: The whole room was painted a pale buttery yellow, and simple inexpensive paintings of a variety of flowers hung from various walls to give the room some color. The furniture and floors were built from plain oak; they opened the wooden doors that separated the living room from the bedroom, and placed their luggage's down. The bedroom had a double bed covered with a crisp white sheet. The backsplash of the bedspread was white, and had mixture of pastel designs, that decorated the comforter. The small window on the other side of the room was slightly covered with sheer light pink draperies, it let in the light of the moon, bathing everything with a soft glow. Left to the window, in a corner of the wall stood a polished white stand with a blue-flowered washbasin and mirror. Beside it lay a door that led to the bathroom.
"I like this room a lot, I'm glad we chose this level." Sarah replied impressed at the results.
"Definitely not to shabby, it's fine for a temporary stay."
"It sure is" Sarah said, skipping over to the bed, taking a leap, and bouncing right into the sheets.
Maddie burst into a fit of giggles, then perched herself calmly on the edge of the bed.
"I'm so tired." Sarah replied yawning while kicking her heels off. "Heads up!" she called.
"What?" Maddie turned to look at her friend and suddenly ducked as a heel narrowly missed her head.
"That was close," mumbled Maddie, one hand on her head.
"Sorry" Sarah managed to say while laughing hysterically, causing Maddie to giggle as well.
Out of breath from laughing so much Maddie replied 'Let's go to bed, it's been a long day."
The next morning the sunlight flooded through the window offering the cheery yellow room it's brightness and warmth, causing Sarah to be awoken. As the morning light shone on the small oak nightstand the freshly picked daises, blue bells, violets and pansies, were engaging with a bright burst of color.
"Maddie wake up. It's are first morning on the ship that will lead us to everything we ever wanted and more!" Sarah replied excited, gently shaking Maddie awake. Sarah barely ever woke up this happy, but because she knew they were on an adventure, she was overwhelmed with joy.
"What? I'm not a morning person you know." Maddie grumbled, turning over in the opposite direction
"I'm not either! But look! Sarah replied pointing to the sun, ocean, and clear blue skies that were visible through the window. "Fine I'll get up, but I'm warning you now, you're gonna regret it later." Maddie growled
"Blow it up your old wazoo" Sarah replied and playfully swatted Maddie with the pillow, finally getting her friend out of bed. The two washed up got dressed and went down for breakfast.
When they were finished eating, Sarah decided to explore the ship, while Maddie decided to go back up to their room and finish her latest book.
Sarah inquisitively walked along the winding halls each one lead to another, exquisite French doors opening to an appealing area waiting to be discovered. The floors were made of polished oak and the walls were painted off-white and were finely garnished with extravagant pictures; each one had its own story to tell. Sarah climbed a few stairs, and found herself open to the morning air. She walked toward the railing of the ship, enjoying the feeling of the cool ocean breeze, as she gazed at the endless sea. The sun shone over it like, a big bright ball of everlasting light that sparkled across the ocean, like tiny diamonds. She pondered about all the incredible creatures, and plants in it. She always thought it was like another world waiting to be fully discovered.
Suddenly three dolphins broke the surface of the sea, and began to jump, enthusiastically in and out of the water.
"Wow! That's the most amazing thing I've ever seen!" Sarah voiced aloud, amazed at what she saw. She was then interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Enjoying the scenery are we?"
Startled she whirled around and then recognized the 'First Nation' boy that they had met earlier that day.
"Oh, hi--" Sarah said, a tad embarrassed, about the fact that he probably heard her yelling to herself about the dolphins.
"Takoda." The boy replied chuckling at her bewildered reaction. Leaning against the rail, he looked out to the ocean. "You like the ocean?"
"Yes, it's quite a magical place" Sarah replied.
Takoda then looked at the clear blue sky and his expression saddened for a moment, before he turned back to Sarah. "Listen, I was wondering if you and your friend Madelaine Johnsons would like to accompany me to a party tonight?"
"Sure, I'll bet Maddie would like to. I'll tell her for you" Sarah said.
"Thanks" Takoda replied, before turning to leave.
Sarah then watched Takoda pace back to the lower levels for a minute before walking back to room 141; she couldn't wait to tell her friend the news.
She opened the door and quickly shut it, and ran to the bedroom. Maddie looked up from her book, and Sarah replied excitedly "We are going to a party tonight! Takoda wants you to be there!"
"What significance does Takoda have to do with this?" Maddie asked puzzled.
"You'll see." Sarah replied grinning mischievously.
"I hate surprises." Maddie mumbled.