𝓓𝓸 𝓸𝓻 𝓓𝓲𝓮 ❣︎ 𝓔𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 𝓐𝓭𝓭𝓪𝓶𝓼

𝓢𝓔𝓡𝓘𝓔𝓢 𝓞𝓝𝓔 ❣︎ 11

Pilgrim World covered a lot of land. It was more of a museum than anything, complete with some amateur actors that were dressed much like the three boys Ember had seen a week previously, and fought in the Weathervane.

But all she knew was that there was bound to be one or two or probably more displays on Joseph Crackstone. And she needed to see them.

"Hey Ember, wanna grab a Hummers group photo?" Eugene, who was also volunteering at Pilgrim World, asked the girl. He had just been taking a photo of Yoko and Bianca in one of the things where you stuck your head through, and was suggesting he and Ember do the same.

He was delusional.

"Guess not," he realised this as he got stared down by the girl, who was repulsed by the idea.

It appeared a lot of the Nevermore students were volunteering at Pilgrim World, because not only were Eugene, Yoko and Bianca, but so were about fifteen other students in blue and black uniforms.

"Good morrow, my young Nevermore kin," said a woman in a black dress and white bonnet, who was obviously their leader. Clearly she was part of this charade as well.  "I am Mistress Arlene. A real OC. Original colonist," she added, as many people didn't understand. "Now prithee, put your cell phones on vibrate and make haste, for you are about to travel back in time to the year of our lord, sixteen twenty five, Jericho's first Pilgrim settlement."

She turned and headed off into Pilgrim World, where many display sheds lay.

She turned around about five metres on. "Yonder, behold, the meeting house," she gestured to an old shed with a pointy roof. "Inside is a collection of artifacts related to Jericho's most beloved and pious founder, Joseph Crackstone."

Bingo.

"And beyond that is our privy, America's first gender neutral restroom," Mistress Arlene said.

"I haveth a query," Ember took her chance, stepping forward to address the woman.

"Pray, be quick, child," she said.

"In the meeting house, which of Joseph Crackstone's artifacts are on display?" Ember asked, trying to gain information

"It is truly a treasure trove," the woman told her. "Including original farm tools, tableware, even the Crackstone family chamber pot."

"Sounds fascinating. I volunteer to work there," Ember seized the opportunity, finally she was going to find out more-

"Pray, no. That exhibit is being renovated," Mistress Arlene shook her head, dashing Ember's hopes. "Today, thou will all be working at the beating heart of Pilgrim World."

She gave a smirk that sickened Ember, much like how where they were going to be working did a minute later.

𝚈𝙴 𝙾𝙻𝙳𝙴 𝙵𝚄𝙳𝙶𝙴𝚁𝚈 came into view a second later on a sign. This was clearly where they were supposed to be working.

"Ye Olde Fudgery?" Eugene asked from beside Ember.

"More like Ye Olde Get Diabetes Before Thirty," Ember said, eyes dead set on the sign, annoyed.

"Volunteers, pick up thine ears," Mistress Arlene was not holding a tray of neatly folded uniforms, identical to the one she was wearing. "Fudge is the lifeblood of our humble community. And samples equal sales, so, grab a uniform and a box and make our forefathers proud."

At least it's black, Ember thought savagely as she picked one up. Because if it wasn't, they wouldn't be leaving here with their ears.

"Are these for muzzling tourists?"