"Where are you headed?" Tobias inquired. "Nowhere of importance." I replied putting on my socks and loafers. "Really?" He muttered, skepticism splayed on his face. "I should be the one asking where you're headed." I retorted, stopping to scan him over with my eyes. He was also dressed up, obviously prepared to go somewhere. Today was the autumn festival, it was quite a big thing in this city. It was one of the few holidays that were thoroughly celebrated, apart from Christmas and the fourth of July that is.
"Rebecca's taking you to the festival, isn't she?" I said pulling out a white button up T-shirt from the wardrobe and putting it on. I was done with my preparations, so was Tobias, he'd been done for a while now. "I must admit she truly is something. You swore of this festival years ago." I mused. "Well you're not any better, you're dressed up to attend." He answered, looking over his clothes for the nth time. "I was invited." I said, this topic had turned stale. "Who invited you, you don't attend the festival either." He inquired, standing up to run the comb through his hair again. I wondered why he even bothered, with how straight his hair was all it needed was a good shake. "Jess Mornéd." He snapped his head towards me, shock evident in his features.
"Jess, she invited you out. And you agreed?!" He mummured the last part. I took a seat on my bed, Tobias had a goofy teasing smile on his face. "Well that's certainly interesting." He said, sitting down on his bed to face me. "Is it?" There wasn't really anything noteworthy about her inviting me out. Although I did find it strange that she chose me to accompany her out her large collection of friends. I had less reason to suspect her now, but my caution was a core part of me. "When will Rebecca be here?" I asked Tobias, it would be far more easier to board her car to the festival. Tobias glanced at the alarm clock, "She'll be here in 15 minutes."
After that we sat in silence for the next fifteen minutes, patiently waiting for Miss Semorre. *Buzz* Tobias' phone buzzed, he picked it up and read the text quickly. Standing up he brushed over his clothes again and looked to the mirror for confirmation. "She here." That's all he said before breezing out the room. 'Why do I even bother.' I carried my fatigued body down.
I arrived just in time to see Tobias and Rebecca engaged in a passionate kiss. They were quite into it, neither of them had noticed my presence. Her hands were in his hair and he had her pinned to the car, too bad I had to interrupt. "Uhm hum..." I cleared my throat and Tobias stepped back like he had been burned with a hot iron. I almost felt bad about disturbing their little make out session. Tobias went a brilliant scarlet, while Rebecca the brave and sassy lady she is just smiled with mirth. "Ho..How lo..long have you been standing there." Tobias had the gall to ask me, I still don't understand why he was so embarrassed. He thought it would be a good idea to give some PDA in front of the orphanage, hopefully none of the little ones saw. "Long enough Tobias. Rebecca good to see you, but do be more careful in the future."
"How have you been Luke? To be honest I didn't think you would attend. Tobias mentioned that you usually stay in." She said while pulling a blushing Tobias into her arms. "Well we don't always behave as expected, life forces us into unforseen situations." She nodded her head in agreement. "If you don't mind I'll tag along to the festival grounds." "Be our guest. Although I'd appreciate if you don't interrupt us today, my boyfriend can be very jumpy." She smirked, then opened the door for Tobias and ushered him in. I settled myself into the back seat and the car was on it's way. The drive was uncomfortable, the tension between them did nothing to improve my mood. I was tempted to walk the rest of the way, Tobias ogling her like a lost puppy upset my stomach. 'Lovesick fool, composure Tobias, composure.'
Minutes later Rebecca parked her car at the festival grounds. The grounds themselves weren't dedicated to this one purpose. Rather it was a collection of businesses and amusement parks, and many organizations that relinquished their streets for the festive event. 'If only they were this committed during christmas.' "We'll leave you here Luke." Rebecca said after closing the door and locking the car. Tobias trudged after her, being pulled away to wherever her whims desired.
Now all that was left to do was find Jess. Miss Mornéd told me to wait for her by the Ferris wheel, she didn't specify which one though. I should have asked, now I had to make a misinformed guess. 'I'll just wait by the biggest one.' One good thing about having all the different amusement parks and rides in the same place was the added convenience. Patrons had the ability to choose the rides and food they liked best without having and problem navigating between them.
I stood under the Ferris wheel waiting patiently for my interlocutor. I stretched the veil wide, encompassing as many people as possible, scanning over their faces briefly to find her. Minutes later a familiar face stepped within the area of my perception. She was being accompanied by an equally familiar group.
The cold lifeless chill greeted me as he stepped closer. He tensed briefly, he sensed me to, that unsettling grin stretched on his face. I couldn't see him from where I stood but I felt every bit of it, the way his skin stretched out into that ghastly smile, his eyebrows furrowing and his tongue gliding on his chapped lips. I pulled back on the veil, although my senses through it transcended human limits, it had a terrible effect when it came to probing something so unsettling. His presence always sickened me and observing him with finer detail intensified the feeling.
She spotted me moments later and walked up to me smiling. I'd rather she didn't though, her group of friends stood behind her watching over her with guarded faces. Not Jonathan though, he was smiling like always. "Hey Luke, thanks for waiting for me." Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts, she was still smiling, seemingly happy to meet me. I was trying and failing to understand why she wanted me here.
I glanced at the silent group of people behind her, I'd already met most of them at the cafe months back. I watched them in school occasionally too. "Luke is there a problem?" Her face was puckered with concern now, it frustrated me a bit. "I'm not sure there is Miss Mornéd." Her brows furrowed at my reply, hints of sadness bloomed in her eyes. I was a bit more frustrated now, she didn't have a reason to be sad, did she?
"Why don't we do what we came here for." I said. She was silent for a while, then she glanced back at her friends and nodded her head. "In that case let's get going." Turning on her heels she began walking away, leaving the others behind. I looked at them, hoping they could answer some questions, I'm not sure Jess understood me. Speaking of Jess I glanced at her, she had stopped walking and was looking right at me. The silent stares got us nowhere so she gestured with her hands, signalling me to come over. '*Sigh* I'll just follow.' So I followed after her, still unsure.
I glanced at DeLark as I passed him, there was a slight pressure on the veil. He was teasing me, using me satisfying his jokes. My frustration got to me, so I pushed back, but not against his mind but his body. He fell on the floor, my psychic might knocking the wind out his lungs. I didn't have time nor the patience to stand over him with spite, so I marched on, Jess' eyes widened a bit when I reached her. Behind us his friends huddled over him, helping him up and dusting of his clothes. I didn't bother listening in or observing anymore. My frustration was mounting, I marched on with the colorful girl following closely behind.
She wrapped her hand around my wrist. I was walking fast, much faster than should be possible considering I was moving through a crowd. It would be very easy to loose her in this dense amalgamation of people, I considered it a bit. Thoughts of being in my bed felt very appealing right now. But I didn't, I let her latch on and I led her through the crowd.