Zane-Ashburn twiddled his thumbs. Everyone had decided to play a warm-up game today before anyone made any decisions. Zane-Ashburn was not only tired from a night of restless tossing and turning in his sheets, but he was also tired of looking out for all these kids. This was a big choice, and he could feel all the weight resting upon his slim shoulders.
His anxiety didn't escape him as he listened to the other kids play duck, duck, goose. Considering Margarie almost ate him last time he played it, it made him nervous to see her be it again. She still had the steps of a clumsy 6-year-old and he just couldn't deal with a malformed member of the group.
His thoughts went deeper and deeper. He lost track of his senses as his sank into the choices. What were the benefits of going with goose-head and Lukas? Well, he assured himself, it would be a plethora of knowledge about this strange magic, and I wouldn't have to keep figuring it out by myself with no resources. But then he thought about the issues. First, we don't know these boys or their intent. What if we look like a month's worth of dinner to them? What if they—no. That was too dark of a thought, even for Zane-Ashburn.
It simply seemed dangerous to Zane-Ashburn. However, the knowledge and eradicated question marks called out to him. It was such an attractive idea to know what was going on and chances are the boys are nice enough. Besides, at least Gill and Anabelle were fast enough to outrun any possible foes. He had no qualms about them, which was probably why he felt this was a safe choice. As for the other children... Well... They simply weren't his problem.
Zane-Ashburn grew a large grin as he realized that everyone he needed alive could survive extreme conditions. He could have his questions answered and Gill could even learn to be more efficient with his magic! Anabelle could even possibly be of use! She was very smart and mechanically inclined, so he doubted she would have a hard time finding something to do.
He stood up in a sudden whoosh, excited for the first time in quite a while. He then proceeded to lose his balance considering he was tired, but he fought through the dizzy spell nonetheless.
"Guys! And ladies," Zane-Ashburn added on after Margarie gave him a hearty glare.
"We're kinda in the middle of something, but if you insist upon interrupting us; what?" Gill protested as a small chick.
"We should do it. Besides our parents, I see nothing holding us back from going with Goose-Head and Lukas."
"Did anyone see where they went...?" Squawked Tuscon.
"I--," Zane-Ashburn's features dropped. "I didn't think about that..."
"Well then! It seems we have a mighty quest afront of us!" Small Gill puffed his chest out, trying to seem more manly, but the image really wasn't working for him considering his chick-state.
"I'm pretty sure Lukas said he would find us, right?" Milieta squeaked.
"Okay, it seems you guys have been chicks for far too long. You all have the memory of chicks now. Let's just wait and see if they come back," Zane-Ashburn suggested.
Everyone nodded and their game resumed. Zane-Ashburn sat back in the place in the seat that had sunk due to his weight never leaving it. Zane-Ashburn avoided most games. He continued thinking.
A couple of games had passed, and the sun began to set. Zane-Ashburn was completely happy in his decisions and just kept planning.
"Did you see that one episode where Dylan and Mary forgot to pack for their vacation and so they had to run back to the house? Tom was so mad, it was hilarious," Arizona kept the small talk going between him and Gill going throughout the game of Uno they were playing. This time to Zane-Ashburn's surprise, it was actually just the card game.
"Ha. Packing," Zane-Ashburn murmured. Packing. Packing.
"PACKING," Zane-Ashburn cried out in dismay. The children were minorly confused for a few seconds before they came to the realization of Zane-Ashburn's panic.
"PACKING," They all yelled as they scattered into the forest, leaving Gill, Anabelle, and Zane-Ashburn alone.
Zane-Ashburn ran as if his pants were on fire and began to pack a bag full of granola bars, underwear (and some clothes to his defense, just mainly underwear), and books.
Gill had emptied his school backpack and filled it with cliff bars, gatorade, and cards. Gill failed to put any clothes at all in his bag, which Zane-Ashburn noticed and mentally lectured him, but he had no time to fix it.
Anabelle had filled a duffel bag she hid under her bed with gears and dresses and nothing else. Zane-Ashburn however fixed her bag and included more clothing and her own variant of food that still included granola bars.
"We're going to the triplet's house, okay? Bye, mom!" Gill yelled as they rushed out the door.
About an hour had elapsed and the sun had completely set. The children came back to the circle, all packed up, awaiting their guests to take them to their home. Only Zane-Ashburn and his siblings had thought of food and water, or Gatorade, he supposed. Everyone else had brought clothes and entertaining items.
Milly and Mira had brought practically nothing, only proving Zane-Ashburn's theory of their poverty. He held no judgement, only sympathy.
Gill collapsed onto the floor and gave out a cry of frustration.
"WHERE IS GOOSE-HEAD AND LUKAS?" He hollered to the forest.
"Ah, I see you guys have been awaiting our glorious presence," Greyden flipped his hair as him and Lukas popped out behind a bush.
"AGCK, what's with you guys and bushes?!" Zane-Ashburn jumped in surprise.
"What? It's good cover. We were only there for a couple of minutes," Lukas smiled at them. Mira seemed to have a blush spread across her cheeks. Milly whispered something in her ear, and Mira buried her head in her sister's hoodie. Zane-Ashburn thought about how he simply didn't understand the other gender as he watched the girls quietly squeal.
"That's totally not stalker-ish. My bad; continue on with your NOT stalking, gentlemen," Zane-Ashburn remarked. Gill suppressed a laugh, but nearly died trying.
"So where are you taking us?" Anabelle asked, her arms crossed, and hip pushed out. Lukas and Goose-Head looked at each other.
"Well, we would tell you, but it's kind of a secret place," Greyden nervously scratched the back of his head. Lukas slapped his arm and whispered something indistinctly.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, what—what was that?" Zane-Ashburn started pointing at them.
"Wha?" Everyone asked in unison. No one was quite sure what he was pointing at.
"Uh, Zaney, you okay?" Gill asked quietly.
Zane-Ashburn was positive he saw Lukas do something with his other hand. It had glowed a non-distinct color that lit his hand up ever-so-slightly. Now, how did he explain this information to Gill when he himself didn't understand what he saw?
"I--, yeah, I guess so..."
"Have you all decided if you're going or not?" Lukas asked, a large charismatic smile growing.
"We are," the triplets declared. Mira and Milly nodded with them. They both seemed to be rather silent, but Milly was most likely forced silent by her sister.
"Us too," Gill and Zane-Ashburn said together. Margarie and Anabelle held hands denoting their willingness to tag along despite their age.
"Alright then ladies and boys. Let's go," Greyden smiled.
"Dude, you totally stole my line. Right this way kids," Lukas elbowed him in the side.
Zane-Ashburn had an unsettling feeling that this was a terrible idea.