Read The Two Worlds for Free Online Page B

Rowena
laughed, looked around at our stunned faces, and laughed
harder.
    “ Okay, okay,” she snorted,
holding her hands up as if she was surrendering. “Let me explain.
Evrodes make great pets—”
    “ Pets?” they shouted in
unison.
    “ Um, excuse me, assistants because they represent you in more ways than one.
They love to talk, and they make great companions on
trips.”
    I felt as though my Evrode was watching
me.
    “ I like your hair,” she
said.
    “ Thanks,” I said, and
grinned. I had braided my hair in zigzags going straight back. This
was too cool.
    “ Everyone introduce yourself
to your Evrode, and then we’ll go around the group and introduce
one another out loud,” Rowena shouted over us, as we were already
eagerly conversing with our new friends.
    “ What’s your name?” I
ventured.
    “ Yolonda,” she replied.
“What’s yours?”
    “ Kathleena, but everyone
calls me Kay.”
    “ Cool,” she said, sounding
hip. We quieted down as Rowena stood at the front of the group
again.
    “ All right, guys,” she said,
“let’s hear those names. Let’s start with you, the one whose Evrode
began all of this chatter.”
    The boy with the high top fade stood
up, nervously, and said, “My name’s Antonio Mensen,
and—”
    “ My name’s Steven,” his
Evrode finished for him. Antonio gave Steven an unsure look before
taking his seat again. We went around the circle, and when it got
to my name everyone started whispering. Rena looked uncomfortable.
I finished and sat down, hoping to ask Rena what the fuss was
about. When we were finished, Rowena clapped.
    “ Wonderful,” she said. “Now
then, let’s see. Oh yeah, the assignments.” She waited for everyone
to settle down and began again. “Like I said earlier, these
assignments are handed out by the Senior Counsel. They are created
by those powers that are higher than the Counsel themselves and
become increasingly difficult as your skills grow. Because we are
in a war, we must all help out. These assignments help the Counsel
keep a watchful eye on the young Awakeners as you learn. You must
always take these assignments very, very seriously. We have lost
many Awakeners who haven’t heeded warnings in the past. Make no
mistake. You can die on these missions. Some of you, those who are
not paying attention right now, will not make it back as they
become difficult. Take a good look around you, young people. The
person sitting beside you may have to save your life one
day.”
    She paused to let her words sink in.
“Now, as I call your names I want you to open your DiGis. Inside
will be the assignment details. This will be the only time that I
actually tell you to look inside your DiGi. From now on, you will
be responsible for consulting them to see what your assignments
will be. Carrie Smith, Tabitha Rumhill, and Jonathan Johnson, open
your DiGis.” The three did as told, and the girl with hazel eyes
that had introduced herself as Carrie looked up in surprise. “It
says that my partners are these two.”
    “ How long have you know
them?” Rowena asked.
    Carrie shrugged. “Practically all my
life. We’re neighbors.”
    “ Exactly. The Counsel knows
everything about you, including relationships. They tend to pair
together people who have had previous interaction with each other.
For the most part, you’ll be doing the majority of your assignments
with each other. There’s strength in numbers, you know.” Carrie
nodded in agreement and began discussing her assignment with
Tabitha and Jonathan.
    “ Right,” Rowena started
again, “Jamie Jackson, Henry Chant, and Nickolas Terrag, open your
DiGis. Keyana Washington and Mary Beth O’Brien, open your DiGis.”
She continued down the list until she reached Rena and
me.
    “ Looks like Kathleena
McLaughlin and Rena Hall will be partners,” she said smiling. “Okay
girls, open your DiGis.”
    We did, and at once, the page began to
fill in it until it read:
     
    Assignment #1
    Location: