Louisiana

We had all taken our wings out, deciding we blended better with them. People all over had fake ones on. Strap on, tie on, Velcro- but not real wings that could hold them up. Not genetically implanted wings; fake wings with plastic feathers. I felt sorry for them and jealous at the same time. Those two feelings aren't the greatest mix, I could do without the jealousy....
This place was crazy. No offense to anyone who lived there, but it kinda was..... hectic and crowded streets. Someone always looking at someone else. That humid air filled with smoke, in this area at least. Coming down I had seen some pretty cute places, but this was not one of them. Music filled the air, seeming to come from every house or so. And yes, the feeling of claustrophobia was veiling over us all like a thick fog. We all tried to stay close, away from the tons of other people trying to rush past us. It was like a river, and we were rocks being pushed and shoved against by the water. Or the people..... but not many people noticed us. If they did, they didn't try and come any closer or assault us.But we sure didn't know as to if they were following us. For all we knew, they could be stalking us through the city! I thought that was highly unlikely though, the people was a strong current to swim against and they never go easy on you. If we weren't genetically 'improved', I'm sure that we would be swept away by now.

Jim lead the way through the crowd, trying to get us out of it. I jumped as I felt Max grab my hand. I looked to see everyone holding hands. So we wouldn't get lost, I realized. Well, that was smart! 

Jim lead us out at last, off a road that forked off. He took us down a couple blocks that were scarcely populated. Then out into a place with cute shops and friendly people walking around, talking and going into the tiny shops. We pulled our wings in, now we stood out like a sore thumb. There were normal people here. We all disconnected hands and moved on. Simone said excitedly, "Ooh! Jim- can we get some?" She pointed to a stand where kettle corn was being sold. "Kettle corn! Come get your fresh kettle corn!!!" The man was shouting, more like shrieking at the top of his lungs. "Let's spare him the yelling...." Jim said and we all stride over. The man waved us over, smiling. "So, you wanted kettle corn? We have three kinds. Regular, chocolate covered, and caramel coated!" He exclaimed and I concluded that, he must have hearing problems. That or he just really wanted to be heard. Jim looked around nervously to see if people were staring at us. They were. Jim turned back to the man and said quickly ,"6 medium bags of caramel coated."

"Oh, but sir-" The man shouted and Wendy cut in this time.
"Just get the popcorn, dude!" She shouted. The man scurried away, starting to fill bags. Wendy crossed her arms over her chest. "That's better...." She mumbles and Jim nudges her. "What?! He was getting on my nerves...."
"So you yell at him and make the police over there look at us?" Jim said in hushed tones. We all looked over to where he was glancing and sure enough- two police officers staring at us over the rims of their coffee. Great, just what we needed. To be criminals watched closely by the police.
"Great...." said Carter, saying my thoughts for me.
"Well..... he was asking for it..... " Wendy said as the man came back with the kettle corn. Jim gave him the money to pay for it and we all walked away. Eating kettle corn. There weren't many people out now, since it was night now. Why was that guy shouting about kettle corn this late? I shook my head, someone must be wondering why us kids were out this late, getting kettle corn from a strange shouting guy. I would be too, if I were normal people in general. I'd ask, 'why the heck are these kids alone on the streets with no parents?' But, since I'm not normal, I guess there was no point in even thinking about it.

Jim led us around and I wondered how he knew where he was going.... did he even know where he was going? I hope he did....
He led us down a couple streets filled with music, but the music was far off in the distance. But, if we could hear it from here.... it was loud. We walked down more avenues and streets and the music faded out. But there was no escaping it. It was everywhere.
Jim took us to a tall building with a fancy sign reading
                '25% off'
What was that about?
Wendy rolled her eyes, looking at the sign. "There is no discount, their just trying to get people to come in and buy a room...." She whispered to me and I raised my eyebrows. Huh? She cocked her head at me, obviously understanding that I had no idea what she was talking about. "This is a hotel, here you rent rooms. They want people to rent more rooms so they say there's a sale. When it's really the original price with the fake original price being more than the room is actually worth." she explained and i nodded, somewhat more informed. Well, if they were not telling the truth then.... they were lying to these good people. That's a little.... mean. I shook my head, still following after the Winged. Jim went to the front counter and waited in line with Wendy while the rest of us went to sit down. I sat next to Max, since he was quiet. Simone and Carter were talking away. Like they weren't tired from that trip at all. I sighed. How could they be so cheerful and lively? while Max and I were sitting here like the walking dead? Oh well.....at least we weren't zombies and the Stencils weren't here. That's a plus.