Missing in Action

Chapter 009

Brendon got out of the limo in front of Shiloh Castle, where they'd decided to spend March Break. It would allow Ryan to do some sight-seeing in Jackson and his parents to officially be introduced to Jon and Ryan. Everything around them, save for the driveway, was covered in lush green grass. The castle itself had blue and white brick walls and huge wooden doors. He smiled up at it, rolled his shoulders back, and walked forward about two steps, then turned towards the car again and watched his friends climb out. He'd never been more nervous about anything in his whole entire life. He watched the driver go to the trunk and start taking out all their suitcases, while someone exited the castle and came to help. "This is weird," Brendon muttered, half hoping his mother would come out and greet him to make everything more comfortable.

Ryan stopped short just outside the limo, looking up with wide eyes at the enormous building in front of him. The copper roof was shining with a dull gleam in the early spring sun, windows glittering beneath it, and everything fitted together perfectly to make it completely picturesque; beautiful. "What's weird?" he asked, having to keep himself nearly forcibly from squeezing or patting some part of Brendon or another to give the boy a little reassurance. It had become that natural over the past few weeks. He couldn't, though, of course. Not with so many people around. Not when his parents could easily be looking out of the windows. He quickly went to the luggage pile and retrieved the bag with his laptop, shouldering it and keeping it close, hopefully without it seeming too close.

Brendon shrugged, then turned to look at Spencer and Jon. "So?" he said, smiling. "Everything you thought it would be?" he asked. Spencer grinned and shook his head.

"No, it looks much better than in pictures," Spencer admitted, grinning. "Looks much better than what my father ever said, too." He took his suitcase from the driver, fighting with him a bit before he actually had it in hand. Jon took his suitcase as well, when Spencer stared him down long enough, and the driver was left with only Brendon's to take in. They all walked up to the front doors and stepped in as they were pushed open for them. As opposed to the cottage, the castle smelled like a sterile, instead of smelling homey or inviting. Brendon walked in further and looked around before motioning them all to go up the staircase.

"I'll show you guys to your rooms and then we can go get something to eat," he said, then turned to the driver. "Tell the cooks we would like a light snack," he said, then started up the staircase. He turned back to his friends and motioning them forward.

"That sounds great," Ryan stated with a small smile, hoisting his suitcase up in his hand. He was momentarily quite pleased that he hadn't packed too much, because otherwise carrying both computer and suitcase could've turned out to be quite a feat. He might be a better-than-decent shot, but he knew very well he was a little lacking in the muscle department. Shifting his grip a little, he followed Brendon up the wide staircase and through the large front doors, gaping slightly at the room behind. It was large and felt slightly like walking into a museum. Although surveillance cameras were visible here and there, the air and furniture and practically everything oozed of a different time period. It felt almost like stepping into the seventeenth century. Possibly Europe too, but he'd never been so he couldn't say for sure. "Are there cameras in our rooms too?" he asked, nose wrinkling slightly. Hopefully it would seem like no more than distaste at the thought of the surveillance workers seeing him in his birthday suit and thus cover the fact that cameras would make his life really difficult.

Brendon shrugged indifferently, then smirked. "Well, I destroyed the one in my own room... but, yes, I suppose the guest rooms would all be under surveillance. Why? Is that a problem?" he asked, looking over at Ryan and smirking. He walked down the hallway, passing mirrors and portraits on the wall. He led them to the very end of the hallway before opening a door. "Now, these rooms are big enough for two, but if you all each want your own room, that's fine, too," he said, opening the door to one of the many rooms and stepping aside for all to see. "These last four rooms are all up for grabs... you can each choose the one you like the most. They all have different color themes, and everything may be placed differently, as well." He smiled and stepped back, waiting for his friends to make their move.