Many dream of being the one to find La ville de l'eau qui coule (The City of Flowing Water) but never can.
That’s why when 4 delusional teenage siblings set off to find it, they were laughed at.
Industrial Revolution 1786.
Charles, Liana, Callum and Stacy were sat in the horse-drawn cart, taking them across the country towards the sea. They were indeed stowaways.
Callum was the most responsible, as he was the oldest- 18, then Charles, 16, then Liana, 14 and finally Stacy, 2.
“Where’s this stupid city again?” Charles whispered, brushing soot from his blonde hair and readjusting his tunic, “I’m not staying in here for ages!”
“Charles do calm down!” Liana shout-whispered at her brother, “We need to not be found!”
“She’s right you know,” Callum agreed with his sister, “You need to stay calm brother, we won’t be here for days.”
Stacy nodded in agreement with her siblings despite not being able to speak yet, “Cha-Cha!”
“Stacy shhhh!” The other three said in unison, “We need to be quiet!”
Soon, the rushing sea could be heard and they all silently jumped off the carriage, Callum with Stacy in his arms.
“So, where too next oh great adventurers?” Charles mocked his siblings, but was genuinely intruiged.
Callum grabbed the map from his back pocket, “A ship should be leaving the dock soon, towards North Atlanta, so we better be quick.”
“Ugh! More stupid boats?” Charles huffed as the 4 siblings ran towards the docks, “You guys know I get seasick!”
“Oh quite whining Charles!” Liana lectured as they headed towards the boats.
“Cha-cha!” Stacy giggled as she sat in her older brothers arms, curled against his strong chest.
Charles just grumbled in response.
The four reached the docks and boarded the boat just in time, sitting in between barrels full of beer and wine, along with the occasional cheese one.
It wasn’t a nice smell, the scent of maturing cheddar and beer didn’t mix well.