Chapter Eight
WHEN KENNETH ENTERED Savannah's room, he found her still sleeping.
The door, made of green energy, hadn't made any noise when it turned off to let him through. Nor did it make any noise once it came back on. With both himself and Unquill in the room with Savannah, Kenneth had the distinct impression that the room was a holding cell, rather than a guest suite.
He turned to Unquill, who raised his shoulders in a shrug. Unquill then clapped his hands. So big were his hands that the clap resounded through the room.
Savannah started awake. She rubbed at her eyes. Both her pigtails had come undone. Her brown hair lay about her shoulders in a tangled, knotted mass. Circles had developed under her eyes. Someone had replaced her buttoned shirt with a plain, loose white t-shirt. A yellow and pink friendship bracelet lay around her left wrist.
Kenneth hadn't noticed that before.
She blinked a few times before recognizing him.
"Good morning," she said, yawning. "What's for breakfast?"
Kenneth had a moment to wonder whether she really was awake, or if her brain had stopped somewhere along the way to unconsciousness. He had expected her first question to be about where she was, who the giant standing before her might be.
Instead, she had thought with her stomach.
Kenneth found that idea amusing.
Unquill seemed ready to burst with anticipation. "Once again? May I?"
"Wha...?" Savannah rubbed the back of her neck.
Kenneth said, "Old man, get some food, will you?"
"I'm not old," Unquill said. "I'll have you know I'm a stately three hundred twenty-seven this year. But I will comply with your request nonetheless. Such a joy it is to see antiquated rituals in person."
Once Unquill left, Savannah sat up in her bed. She looked at Kenneth for answers.
Kenneth shook his head, smiling. "I don't understand half of what he told me. You can ask him to explain, I guess. You might have better luck than I did. Basically, we've got to find this dude called Hinjo."
"Hinjo," Savannah repeated.
She stretched her arms out in front of her.
One of her elbows cracked.
They waited in silence until Unquill returned. Once he did, they both felt relieved at having someone else in the room. He brought with him a bowl full of cauliflower. Savannah made a face at the bowl. She took a tentative bite, then, just as Kenneth had, ate as though she hadn't eaten anything in years. She handed an empty bowl back to Unquill.
She said, "Why can't they make vegetables like that at home?"
"I am told they use a process called-"
"Hey, old man, come on, we're short on time or whatever. Let's get started," Kenneth said, poking Unquill in the wrist with one finger.
Savannah furrowed her eyebrows. She licked her fingers clean, then said, "What am I doing here?"
"Ah yes, let me explain," Unquill said. Then, he said to Kenneth, "Please do not interrupt me, significant citizen. I will accord her the same courtesy I have accorded you. Now then, to answer your question..."
Journey Through Time (A Time Travel Adventure Collection Part 1) Page 8