Chapter six

I set the last of my belongings in the trunk, closing it with a loud, solid thunk.

My plain white sheets sat on my bed, folded neatly, along with the toiletries bag, and my dark blue pillowcase.

I stashed the bag underneath the barking small bed and proceeded to place the bed in order. Alek stood off to the side, watching, his eyes boring into my back. It made me uncomfortable.

"Why in blazes are you staring, Alek?" I demanded, standing to my full height.

"Are you hungry?"

I stared, wondering at his random subject. Just who was this Alek boy? What was he really up to?

I was interrupted by the grumbling of my stomach. It was loud, and if the stuck-up teachers had heard it at Queens, I would have gone without dinner that night, as it wasn't 'proper.' Gah, would I ever escape that word?

But Alek just smiled a gentle smile, gesturing that I should follow him.

Pushing up from my squatting position on the ground, I cut my eyes towards the window, and was shocked at how low the sun had gotten. Judging at the angle of the sun, I guessed it was about six, give or take a few minutes.

"Dinner begins promptly at six fifteen. That gives us exactly ten minutes to get to the mess hall." Alek explained, taking on a quick role of tour guide.

He spoke quickly and efficiently, pointing out main things like bathrooms (note to self: don't forget that bathroom!), and classrooms.

"The gym, pool, and church are all over there." he said, pointing out of the window next to us at a large, red brick building.

"And this," he said, coming to a halt just outside two large, mahogany doors. They were high, reaching to the vaulted ceiling of this part of Leviathan. "Is the Mess Hall."

Giving a great heave, he managed to fling the doors open grandly.

An immediate smell overwhelmed my nose. It was sweet and sour, making my mouth water instantly.

Alek laughed, but was interrupted when a boy about our age popped up from nowhere.

"So, Prince-y, where'd you find this maggot?" the new boy asked, his tone screaming arrogant.

"Newkirk." Alek greeted, not losing an ounce of his composure. "This is Dylan. He's my new roommate."

The boy called Newkirk stared at me blankly, before understanding lit in his stupid eyes.

"So, you're the replacement for Fitzgerald? You seem scrawny, and ugly." He said, looking me over. His slimy eyes made me want to sock him right then and there, but remembered I couldn't because of the mission. I made a mental reminder to be sure to prank him as soon as possible.

"Well, Newkirk, you barking ninny. I'd say it's been a pleasure, and for you, I'm sure it has been, but I have better things to do with my time than talk to people with clart for brains." I replied, coolly, although on the inside, I seethed and fumed. Turning to Alek, I said, as if nothing had happened, "I'm starved. What would you recommend?"

Alek stared at me as if I'd just sprouted another head and it was screaming that I was a girl, then seemed to mentally shake himself and said, "The mashed potatoes are unmatched this year..."

Welcome to Leviathan, Deryn. Happy Pranking! I thought.

So, I realized that I forgot to announce the fact that I don't own anything excpet this stroy plot. None of the characters, or the Leviathan. The only things I do own is My own computer, and even it doesn't agree with me sometimes... Oh, well. Review? Thanks!