Chapter 16
Central Plaza, Cornell Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, Year 2050, Planet: Grimoire
Although the weather had turned downright chilly, the night clouded over with dark clouds. The road was clearly light with lamps along their chosen route. Sherpa shivered because he hadn't brought a coat with him. "I wish we'd taken the time to change to fresh clothing again." He muttered disgruntled.
"You might've had extra changes of clothing somewhere on your person," Anara grumbled at him. "However, the rest of us don't have that luxury."
"Be glad that you were able to even get changed earlier." Sapphire snapped.
Oh, that's right. Neither Anara nor Sapphire had gotten cleaned up. They'd actually done the most labor-intensive work that day. Sherpa grimaced. "Sorry, I can't believe I'd forgotten about that." He shook his head in aggravation.
"Well, it wasn't as if we could leave that warehouse in that precarious state," Ambrose commented dourly. "I was hopeful that they'd let us get changed there."
Jennifer sighed. "I was also hopeful, but I think that was cut short when Leroy showed up."
Now that Sherpa thought about it. It had happened quite conveniently in stopping them from remaining there.
"I think some other news will come out about the events that happened today." Holly sighed wearily. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I just want to get home and rest for a little while before we regroup with our brothers."
Even as she spoke there was a sharp crack of lighting. Heavy thunder rumbled. No rain fell yet, but there was heightened moisture in the sky.
"Hmm, we should save the conversation for later, then," Sherpa muttered as he paused beneath an overhanging shade and stared up at the sky.
As he observed, the cloud-covered sky was continuously brightened by purplish-white thunder strikes.
"That doesn't look safe at all." Ambrose followed his gaze. "I think we should continue on our way with no further delays."
For once, Sherpa was in agreement. None of the girls argued with that statement.
They were all relieved, especially, Ambrose, when all his siblings reached Lamberton House dormitory safely. Now they could definitely all go clean up and rest for a while.
However, their exhaustion wasn't relieved an iota when they found the rooms they'd been assigned.
"Huh, we're going to be sharing a total of three rooms?" Jennifer frowned. "Just how is that going to work out?"
Sherpa shrugged. "I guess we'll find out once we go inside." What a cramped and awkward situation this was going to become. They'd all been spoiled with having small suites all to themselves for almost ten years.
"I think this is only temporary," Anara told them bluntly. "I'm sure we'll find out the permanent assignments once everything settles down."
Well, if this was temporary that was good news. Sherpa wasn't holding his breath though.
"Has anyone heard from Daryl or Harper, yet?" Sapphire glanced at them. "Let me know. For now, I'm going to change and rest." She pulled Anara with her. "You do whatever you have to do while we get cleaned up." Sapphire's cool eyes glinted at them. "We'll discuss everything that happened later and more thoroughly then."
Ambrose and the others winced. A sure sign that Sapphire figured something was going on. Sherpa didn't know what to think about this latest growl from her. Of late, she'd become more temperamental and grouchier than normal. Very unlike his sweet younger sister.
Sherpa sighed because now he was worried. Hmm, she was angry about something, and he didn't care to be on the sharp end of her tongue. Now to get to the bottom of whatever made the others antsy after her sharp snap just now.
Sherpa didn't say anything as he watched them disappear into a bathroom. Well, that settled that. He surveyed the others. "So, what did you find out that you didn't want to mention while they were in here?" He was no dummy. They'd been hiding something this entire time.
As soon as the door slammed behind the two empaths, Jennifer grimaced. "It seems like all the items for the juniors and seniors projects were saved." She shrugged with a sigh. "However, anyone who is still of the sophomore and freshman ranks...all of their work was destroyed." She made a sour face.
Oh my, that was disturbing indeed. Sherpa frowned because none of them were of the freshmen or sophomore rank. However, that was carefully created through the thrifty saving of time and receiving good counseling. "I think we were very lucky in that case."
Truly they had been very fortunate this entire time after having managed to maintain a steady schedule of regular classes and work credits combined. "Yes, this also means we won't have to worry about finding replacement materials." Holly agreed solemnly.
"So why haven't anyone bothered to reassure Anara and Sapphire about this?" Ambrose wanted to know.
Sherpa shook his head. "It was more like I didn't find out until now." He folded his arms and stared at Jennifer. "So, what else do you know?" Somehow, he didn't think this was common knowledge. So how had she discovered it? Then another thought struck him. Had they been blackmailed into doing this?
Jennifer and Holly glanced at each other in discomfort.
Ah hah, someone tried recruiting only one of them, and hadn't realized there was another one lurking nearby, Sherpa guessed.
"No one is supposed to know about the arrangement," Holly admitted. "I found out through sheer dumb luck." She sighed. "Not to mention that Jennifer was roped into assisting with the actual lifting and carrying." She shook her head.
Oh, for goodness sake, who actually thought that Jennifer would work alone? Neither Sherpa nor Ambrose could believe what they were hearing.
Jennifer scowled. "Not something I wanted to do on my own. For some reason, they thought I was the one with an actual teleportation ability." She shrugged.
Ambrose could only think of one explanation for that. "Uh huh, I suppose they really thought you were that gullible. Were they strangers?"
Sherpa had to agree with Ambrose on that assumption.