Endless Wonder

Laura’s jaw hit the floor. “Are...are you Carmilla?” Laura managed to splutter out.

“Yes, how do you know my name?” Carmilla asked defensively, looking Laura up and down.

“You’re even more beautiful than I even imagined” Laura blurted.

Carmilla just looked at her dumfounded.

“I said that out loud didn’t I?” Laura said sheepishly.

“Yes you did Miss Hollis.” The voice came from the shadows startling both Carmilla and Laura. They turned to see two women standing there. The elder one well dressed in a skirt suit and stern look on her face like she always meant business. The second looked much younger, not much older than Laura and as if she would be more at home in an indie bar in the coolest parts of LA or anywhere really other than here in Styria. “Miss Donovan, I think we should be heading back now, and bring these two with us.” The elder one said to the girl now known to be Miss Donovan.

“How in the frak do you expect me to do that Mrs F?” Claudia exclaimed

“Claudia, you are a genius with technology. Book tickets.”

Claudia pulls out a laptop that she was carrying in her backpack, opens up the internet browser and starts searching for business class tickets from Styria to South Dakota. After all this was Warehouse business. Carmilla and Laura stood there with matching confused expressions as they looked at each other, and then to the Warehouse representatives, trying to figure what was going on.

Laura finally picked up the courage to speak “Umm...does someone want to tell me what the hell in Hogwarts is going on here?” Looking between Claudia and Mrs F.

“A situation that will be clearly explained to both you and Miss Karnstein when we get back to the Warehouse.” Mrs F looked from the two girls back to Claudia “How are we getting along Miss Donovan?”

“Yup, 4 tickets all booked and ready to take us back home as soon as we get to the airport.” Claudia smiled as she put her laptop back into her backpack.

Carmilla, still stood in the same spot, completely bemused by what is going on around her. Out of time and out of place. She looked around the room at firstly to the woman who appeared to have all the authority of her mamma yet none of the anger. Then you the young red head with the streak of green, which looked to be wearing so, little clothing. Finally to the blonde one, who looked just as confused as she was, but oh so beautiful. “Where are Mamma and Matska?” Carmilla asked again as she looked around the room.

Mrs Frederick was the first to answer “Miss Karnstein, this is going to be a lot to take in, but they are still in the book.” She walked over to the young woman, Carmilla started to cower slightly.

“In the book. What book?”

“The one Miss Hollis has in her bag. You are now in a completely different world and we must try to get you back there. “ Laura looked to her bag, slowly starting to piece everything together. This really was Carmilla Karnstein standing in front of her. “Now we have to take you both to the Warehouse.”

“Can’t we just goo the book here?” Claudia piped up. Mrs Frederick looked to her over the top of her glasses “Or maybe not.”

“If it was going to be that simple Miss Donovan, would I have asked you to come with me and book 4 tickets back to the Warehouse?” Mrs Frederick stated.

“Good point Mrs F,” She looked at the floor sheepishly as she realised that she still had much to learn before she became the new caretaker.

“Umm, I don’t mean to interrupt whatever is going on here but, what exactly is the Warehouse and why are we going there?” Laura interjected.

“The Warehouse, Miss Hollis, is full of endless wonder.” Mrs Frederick smiled.

“What kind of endless wonder?” Laura questioned straight away.

“One that has to be seen to be believed,” Mrs Frederick knew this would be enough to make Laura want to come along and make sure no-one else came out of the book.

Laura wanted to know now, if there was anything she didn’t like doing it was waiting around to find an answer. But if a plane back to South Dakota is what it took, this time she would have to wait.

Claudia and Mrs Frederick started to escort Laura and Carmilla out of the schloss. Outside a black limousine was awaiting them.  Laura gasped when she saw it; Carmilla was confused as to what this contraption was. Their attention was soon drawn to a rather large, bald, muscular man stepping out and walking round the vehicle to open the door for them. Mrs Frederick gestured to Carmilla and Laura to step in first, then Claudia and finally herself.

Carmilla looked around looking very bemused, it was a lot comfier than the carriages she was used to, and where were the horse? How was it to move anywhere? As the engine started up it made her jump “What is this beast?” she questioned.

“It’s Ok Carmilla,” Laura grabbed hold her hand to reassure her, “it’s only the engine starting up” Laura smiled to her.

“What is an engine?”

“Ummm...instead of horses being used to move it, it is moved by an....” Laura started,

“It’s a mechanical device that internally combusts gasoline in order to create movement.” Claudia finished.

This information didn’t seem to ease Carmilla’s mind as much as Claudia had hoped, in fact it confused her more. If she was having issues now with the car she would surely have issues with the 20 hour plane journey back to the Warehouse.