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Abigail rested her head in her hand and yawned. The teacher's voice droned like a bunch of bees, blabbering repetitively about the Civil War... She shut her eyes. I'll just rest for a second... She told herself, and drifted off as the teacher began a lecture on Abraham Lincoln.
A few minutes later, Abigail awoke with a start, worried that the instructor had caught her dozing. She blinked against the sunlight. Wait...something was strange. Instead of the smooth plastic of her seat she felt green grass tickling the exposed legs beneath her shorts. Reaching up, she felt rough wood... a tree? How did she get outside? She noticed for the first time, voices! Men's, yelling and chanting, and growing steadliy louder.
She jumped up and hid behind the tree, hoping to discover a clue about her location. Her nails dug into the bark and her breath came in quick, nervous breaths.
A group of men walked by. They were wearing odd clothing, like Abigail had never seen before, at least not in person. They seemed familier, somehow. Dark blue coats with golden buttons and a leather belt... They walked briskly, in even, syncronyzed marching, a musket over each one of their shoulders.
Abigail realized with a gasp where she had seen their clothes before. Fumbling, she grabbed her history textbook out of her knapsack, which, she realized, she had been wearing when she fell asleep. She flipped to the page she was supposed to have read for homework... And there. A diagram, matching exactly the men's outfits—
The Union Army uniform.
Hi guys! This is a single-author story, not a RP. If you want to be in it, post your request along with your gender and a brief outline of your personality. The genre is historical fantasy. Above is a kind of introduction\beginning. Thanks!
*First Inkwell Post*
—Abigail 
submitted by Abigail S., age 11, Nose in a Book
(September 9, 2015 - 11:10 am)
(September 9, 2015 - 11:10 am)
Your personalities will be exaggerated a bit for the sake of the plot. If you don't like it, let me know.
(September 11, 2015 - 6:21 pm)
Abigail raised her voice slightly. "I really want to get back to my city. Does ANYONE have any idea how?"
"Er, not really." Brookeria admitted. "How far away is it anyway?"
"I don't know exactly how far..." Abigail sighed, while in her head a little vocie squeaked, One hundred and fifty years, that's how far! She pushed that discouraging thought away. Oh, what would she give for a time machine!
"Are you from the United States?" St. Owl asked. She had seemed quite shy earlier, but she had perked up considerably once Abigail had introduced herself. "Or are with the Confederates? Are you from Europe or somewhere else entirely?"
"Um, I'm from the U.S." Abigail tried to process each of those questions. "This is really getting me nowhere!" She griped. None of them knew fudge about how to get into the future. Heck, Abigail didn't know how she had gotten into the past! Or maybe this was all a dream! Hopeful, she pinched herself hard. A red welt appeared, but she remained awake.
"Wait," Katydid interuppted. "Where are you staying, anyway?"
"Oh..." Abigail hadn't considered that. "Er..."
"Well, there's a little inn down the road," Danie offered.
"Yes, and their food's fair," Brookeria nodded.
"Plus, the innowner's daughter might be able to help us," St. Owl pointed out. "Booksy's very smart. She can probably think of some things we can't."
"Let's go!" Katydid cried, clapping her hands. The four other girls rushed out of the barn.
Abigail was astonished at how quickly a desicion concerning her life had been made with almost no consent from her. Oh well. It wasn't like she had a better idea anyway.
She began to step out of the barn when an earsplitting, terrified shriek rang out. It sounded familier... "That was Katydid's voice!" Abigail realized in a panic, and took off running toward the sound.
(September 11, 2015 - 11:21 pm)
Sorry about the cliffhanger....
(September 12, 2015 - 1:20 pm)
It's fine!! I absolutely love the story! How you've written me is....adorable XD. I just LOVE IT!!
(September 12, 2015 - 4:45 pm)
I like the story. Very well composed. Can I join?
If so;
Personality; Happy, confused, serious
Appearance: Black hair with purple streaks, hazel eyes
(September 12, 2015 - 4:57 pm)
Wait, Broken, are you a girl or boy? (I've read my share of stories on CB when someone messes it up, so I don't want to make that mistake!!!)
(September 13, 2015 - 11:18 pm)
All right, Broken, but YOU ARE THE LAST ONE!!!! Remind me if I forget to put anyone in the story (after a while, when the plot gets going. It's still intro time now.) See, I'm kind of easily distracte- Oh look! A muffin!!!
*munch munch* What was I saying again?
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Abigail's feet thundered down the dirt path. Oh, she would've given anything for her tennis shoes. Curse these soft leather boots! Dust kicked up behind her and stung her eyes, but she didn't care.
Katydid was her friend. Even if she did want to get back to 2015, these Civil War era girls were being really nice, helping her out. She heard a voice, and leapt behind a tree to assess the situation. There didn't seem to be any danger now— All she heard were heated voices, raised in argument.
Her new friends and a stranger were gathered in a clump. The new person was female, and with a start Abigail noticed a shining silver sword in her hand. She held it protectively in front of her, and the other four girls kept a safe distance back. Abigail strained her ears to hear the conversation.
"Honestly," Brookeria was saying, arms crossed. "I really don't understand what's so hard about this."
"Neither do I!" the stranger snapped. "This path is MINE. Stay off." Abigail saw a little dirt path snaking off into the forest. She assumed the girls had simply begun walking on it. Curious, she inched forward. Why wouldn't the stranger let them on it?
"It's a PATH!" St. Owl sighed. "Can't we just forget about it?"
"I just want to know what the big idea is," Katydid snapped, her eyes narrowing at the girl. "What's so special about a little dirt road that you try to chop whoever walks on it into teeny, tiny pieces?"
"It's none of your buisness!" the stranger hissed, swinging her sword in an arc in front of her, nearly hitting Danie, who jumped back with a little shriek.
"Why is it any of yours?" Katydid retorted. "It was one foot! I want to know why!" She took a step toward the path, daring the sword-wielding stranger to stop her.
"Look." The girl's tone was suddenly pleading. "Just don't. Please."
Katydid placed another step, angling toward the trail.
"NO!" All of a sudden, the girl had sword-point at Abigail's friend's chest. "I won't let you through! Never will I betray—" She stopped suddenly, as if realizing somthing, and winced.
Abigail slid out from behind the tree and pulled Katydid back. "We'll go now. Sorry to bother you."
"Thank goodness," she heard St. Owl mutter in her ear as Abigail and Brookeria dragged Katydid toward the inn. "I thought she was going to be crow food."
"What is with that, anyway?" Danie speculated. "I must agree with Katydid. It is slightly suspicious..." The swordgirl had pulled back into the bushes and was watching them as they walked.
"I'd like to..." Katydid muttered, her eyes on the mysterious path guardian.
"Oh, Katydid." St. Owl rolled her eyes. "Grow up. There are some battles you just can't win."
"Like fighting a swordswoman unarmed." Danie put in, with a slight grin. She seemed to be more curious than upset by the whole experience. "You were in WAY over your head there. St. Owl's right."
"Maturity? Pfft." Katydid straightened up out of Abigail and Brookeria's grasp. "This has nothing to do with maturity, St. I just need to know."
She got a strange, wild gleam in her eyes. "I'm going back there. Tonight."
"Oh no, you're not!" Danie and Brookeria said at the same time.
"I AM." Katydid insisted. "Anyway, let's get quickly to the inn. I need a brainstorming session with you guys— And some supper. I'm hungry."
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Whoa! That was a long post. I've got so many ideas now!!! THE BALL IS ROLLING!!! For those of you who couldn't tell, Joan B. is the swordsgirl. BYYYEEE!
Now... Back to my muffin...
(September 12, 2015 - 9:45 pm)
Top— TO THE TOP!
(September 13, 2015 - 10:18 pm)
(September 13, 2015 - 11:34 pm)
You can make these as long as you want! I love them!!
(September 14, 2015 - 11:47 pm)
Top!
(September 17, 2015 - 8:19 pm)
Brookeria and Katydid returned with the food. Abigail's stomach grumbled hungrily at the sight of it. It looked quite tasty. As the girls divided it up between them, Danie spoke up.
"Katydid, we decided to come with you tonight."
"Yeah, if you're going to do something stupid we might as well come with you!" St. Owl cracked.
"It's not half bad, actually," Brookeria agreed.
"The idea or the food?" Booksy asked, slamming her notebook shut. "Even though I'm coming, I don't think it's such a good desicion. There must be something odd or dangerous about the path, if she got so worked up about it!" A few of the other girls looked uneasy.
"It's decided," Katydid replied as if Booksy hadn't spoken. "We're going. Meet me in my barn at ten pm. Try to steal some overalls from your brothers. And don't get caught!"
"This is a really bad idea," Booksy whispered in Abigail's ear.
"I know, right?" Danie answered cheerfully, her mouth full of cornbread. "That's why I thought of it. It's not AS bad an idea if Katydid went alone, though..."
"That's true," Brookeria commented. "If we all go, we can at least look out for each other."
"I'm going no matter what!" Abigail decided. Maybe it'll have a clue to how I can get home, she thought grimly. I only hope I won't be stuck here forever.
"It's okay," Danie comforted, as if she had read her thoughts. "You'll be home in no time. This is just a... quick minor delay."
"I sure hope so!" Booksy gulped. "What if it's dangerous? We might not come back..."
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Sorry I haven't posted recently. I just started 6th grade and things are hectic. I'll post more frequently from now on! Hopefully.
(September 18, 2015 - 7:02 pm)
I love it!!!!!! And it's fine! We're all busy!
(September 19, 2015 - 4:48 pm)
Please post, Abigail...
(September 27, 2015 - 2:02 pm)
I am SO SORRY, guys! I have not abandoned you!
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Abigail sat nervously on the bale of hay in Katydid's barn. How long had it been? It had to be at least ten by now. Katydid walked in.
"The others should be here by now..." She sighed, settling herself next to Abigail. Almost instantly, Danie and Brookeria entered, followed shortly after by St. Owl and Booksy.
"Are we ready?" St. Owl asked excitedly.
"Yes, let's go!" Katydid said. The girls slipped out of the barn and crept down the road. The night was dark, and only a thin sliver of a moon peeked out from amongst the blackness. Abigail sucked in her breath.
"There are a lot of stars!" She gasped.
"Well, yes." Booksy looked at her strangely.
"Where I come from, there aren't as many... There are too many lights on at night."
"Oh..." Booksy looked puzzled. "How do you have so many lights? Kerosene is expensive."
Before Abigail had to answer this awkward question, Brookeria nudged Booksy. "Shh! Do you want to get caught?"
Katydid led the group to the path. It looked unusually spooky in the night, the tree branches making sort of a passageway of long, crooked fingers. She heard Booksy gulp.
Even Katydid was hesitating, but she soon stepped on and beckoned the others to follow. No one spoke. Danie's eyes glanced around as if looking for the swordsgirl they had met earlier. But nobody showed, and soon the path ended up in a clearing.
They all stopped and stared.
"Whoa!" St. Owl breathed.
(October 2, 2015 - 7:42 pm)