Hey, I'm back with Chapter 1 already. So, let's get this show on the road.
The shadows wrapped around her, twisting and pulling.
No.
She was pulled in every which way, despite her attepmts to break free of their hold.
No!
A bone chilling laugh echoed throughout the dark as all the light was blocked out.
A train whistle woke up the dark-skinned young girl from her dream. She wore a green short sleve shirt with worker's jeans and blue, worn down tennis shoes. She wiped the cold sweat from her brow, reassuring herself that it had only been a dream. Looking up she saw the train whistle had been the one she had been trying to catch, and she ran for it, stepping onto it with her bag just as it began to pull off.
"Good thing to," She muttred to herself.
"Been plannin' this trip for years, can't waste it now." As she looked around to find a coach to sit in, a trumpet started to play. She recognized the solo instantly and ran off to find the source. The source was coming from one of two boys. He had black floppy hair and light caramel skin. He stopped and turned to the other boy, a somewhat pale blond one.
"No, I just don't know."
"Aw, c'mon man, it's easy."
"Louis Armstrong: West End Blues." The girl spoke, catching the attention of both boys.
"See? Easy!" The black-haird boy yelled, flashing a smile to her.
"That was some nice playin'." She complimented.
"Thanks..." He trailed off, waiting for her name.
"Kaylee, but people call me Kay."
"I'm Ken, and this is John" The blond announced.
"Nice to meet ya." Kaylee said smiling.
"You got a coach yet?" John asked.
"Nope."
"Come sit with us." Ken invitied, gesturing for her to follow them.
"So, Kay, what are you going to New Orleans for?" John asked, looking at her curiously. At her surprised gaze, he put up his arms in defense.
"I mean, it's not every day you see a girl your age- what are ya, eighteen?"
"Seventeen." She coreected, "But close enough. You two can't be far off."
"I'll hit nineteen in a month, and Ken'll be eighteen in three." He said as they entered the coach.
"but, still, you don't usually see girls seventeen years old traveling on a train by themselves."
"I'm going to try to find my parents." This statement brought Ken back into the conversation.
"Find?"
"Yeah. I had parents. At least, I'm pretty sure, but something happened and we were separated when I was younger than three."
"How do you know they're in New Orleans?" Ken questioned, seeming really interested in her story.
"Because..." Kaylee began, fishing in her pocket.
"I have this." She pulled out a ripped piece of paper and showed it to them, proving it to be a birth certificate.
"How do you know it's yours?" Kaylee shrugged.
"You know those things you just know?" She asked, and both boys nodded.
"This is one of them." She pointed to things as she began to list them off.
"My birthdate, The City I was born in, and my name. Well, part of it." Where here middle name was undoubtebtly supposed to be listed, there was a tear, leaving her with only the first initial- E.
"So, do you have a plan?" John asked, leaning towards her.
"Somewhat. I'm gonna check Tiana's palace first. No doubt she's got records for everyone born in New Orleans."
"Why would she have those?" Ken asked.
"She's a princess, even if it's not of Louisiana, there are certain protocols...you know?" Ken and John looked at each other.
"You sure did your research." John said admirably, making Kaylee laugh a little.
"What about you guys?"
"I want to be a famous Jazz trumpet player." John stated proudly, leaning back in his chair.
"John's amazing." Ken said quietly, nudging Kaylee.
"He knows how to play anything and everything." Kaylee's brow arched before she reached for her bag.
"Is that so?" Smirking, she pulled out a ukulele.
"Well, let's test it then."
After a solid hour of trying to trip up the trumpet player, Kaylee found herself defeated.
"Alright, alright, you are extremely good." John then stood up and gave fake bown in all directions.
"Thank you, thank you." The other two residents of the coach laughed quietly.
"What made you want to learn ukulele?" Kaylee just shrugged.
"It looked fun."
"You know, John," Ken started, "I kinda want to help Kay." Kaylee looked surprised.
"I know. So do I." John admitted, sitting back down.
"I-I don't want to destract you guys from your goal or anything." Her plea was simply brushed away.
"If it makes you feel any better, going to Tiana's Palace would help a lot. I mean, everyone goes there for the best Jazz music. Louis the Gator is the best trumpeter around!" John exclaimed.
"Why do they call him a gator?" Ken asked quietly. At John's shrug, Kaylee laughed.
"You really don't know?" They shook their heads.
"I'll show you when we get there." She promised, making Ken smile.
"So, we're sticking together?" he asked.
"You know it." John and Kaylee answered together, making them both laugh. They agreed on getting some rest for the remainder of the fifteen hour ride.
So? Better? Some people might be confused, and I was hoping for that. Anyway, review please. Let me know how I'm doing! Till next time!
Kairi