It didn't take long for the group to find a table outside a tiny restaurant for them to sit down and talk this through. Everyone was reeling at the onslaught of information they had just become privy to. Not only are they in a different world, but this world has no technology. This world has magic. This world has a magical plague. No one seemed to know what to do - not yet.

"Okay, so what in the world is happening here?" Sebastian started, brows furrowed. For once, he wasn't being a jerk or being manipulative. He was too shocked.

"I think...we're here for a reason." Kyle nearly whispered. He was staring at Sebastian, thinking hard. "I think we need to find out more about this world, about this plague. I think we need to find out what's going on."

Maria nodded, looking over to Hailey. "I agree. However, you're the expert on research here. How do you suggest we go about this?"

Hailey smiled at being looked to for information. Finally, something she could do with confidence. Research. "I think we start by asking around, to find out who knows about it. Then was should head to this...Mage's College and find out what they've been doing to try and cure it."

Alex was writing furiously in his notebook, ripping out the pages about his fantasy character and instead using it to gather information about this new world. "So what do we know so far? This world seems to be in medieval or renaissance era technology, and definitely has magic. We also know that this "Insanity Plague" is being caused by magic. So what else can we find?"

Hailey paused. "Well, we need to know who the plague targets, and what's being done as a solution."

Sebastian scoffed, back to his normal self, the shock having worn off from their conversations. "Why is this OUR problem, anyway?"

Alex sighed, looking at Sebastian in frustration. "Well, for one, do you have anything better to do, with no way home? Besides, our way back might be through this Mage's College anyway."

Sebastian groaned. "Fine! But if you have to talk to people to find the answers, let me do the talking. It's the one thing I'm good at."

Hailey smiles, glad Sebastian was finally offering to contribute something to the group. Maria started to stand, and the rest of the group followed suit. 

"Ready to hit the street and knock on some doors?" She said, grinning. The rest of the group nodded, although a few did so begrudgingly.

...

Sebastian proved to be wonderful at getting people to tell him what they knew. A smile here, a tilt of his head there, and they were spilling everything they had heard about the plague, rumor or otherwise. Kyle followed him around, sketching various things as he did. Alex also followed Sebastian, if only for the purpose of writing down the answers they got. Maria and Hailey decided to start strategizing while the boys were out gathering information.

Alex wrote down a number of things, information about the world they had been transported to as well as information about the plague. Rumor has it that the insanity plague is from the Cortex being poisoned - and when they asked what the Cortex was, they found that this world, all of its magic, and all life on it, are powered by the Cortex, a large core of Magic at the center of the world. Who's poisoning the Cortex? No one knows the answer to that question, but everyone says that it's the work of dark magic; that is, poisonous, unnatural magic that is the inversion of life drawn from a pact with the dark god, the Hooded One - as opposed to light magic, which shapes the natural magic of this world into the form the wielder wants.

While Alex writes, Kyle sketches. People, places, plants, animals...he pays particular attention to one person, a man who gives the most information about dark magic and its usage. Kyle quietly sketches the man while standing back from the group, focused on particular details that would identify the man for someone else looking at the picture. No one notices Kyle, as usual, and he's able to sketch in peace.

Soon, the boys come back to Maria and Hailey, to share their findings and new understandings of how this strange new world functions.

...

Hailey and Maria watched the boys leave, sitting at the table in silence for a moment. Maria stared quietly at Hailey, admiring the way the sun caught her eyes and shone on her hair. "You know..." Maria started, looking away, "I didn't actually want us to stay behind to strategize. I mean, that's important too, but...I've never had a chance to talk to you one on one."

Hailey's brows furrowed in confusion, and she cocked her head to the side as she spoke. "I never thought you'd want to talk to me one on one. What is it you wanted to talk about, anyway? It must be something important if you were willing to lie to the boys. You've...never been the type to lie like that."

Maria shook her head, smiling softly. "No, I haven't, though I don't know how you'd know that. But the truth is, I've always admired you. Your grades, your looks, the way you're so effortless in how you manage all the tasks you put on your plate..."

Hailey's expression softened, becoming warmer. "I...I watch you. You say you admire me, but I admire you too. Your strength, your athleticism, the way you work so hard to become captain of the football team even though girls aren't usually even allowed to play football..."

For a long moment, they just look at each other with softness and longing in their eyes. Then, finally, Maria speaks, eyes moving to stare at the ground. "I just...I don't know how you do it. My parents are always fighting, and I never have enough time to do everything I'm supposed to do. I'm going to be honest, I've only been here a few hours, but...I don't miss the real world. Or, our world, I guess. I'm not one to say this world isn't real."

Maria continues, Hailey looking at her with sympathy and listening quietly. "Quite honestly, I've been one F away from losing my position on the football team, and that chemistry test would kill my chances at staying on. But...I guess I don't have to worry about that right now, do I? Not being in another world with magic and medieval weaponry."

Hailey smiles, taking Maria's hand. "It's okay to struggle, Maria. None of us are without problems. In all reality, I was struggling in a different way. I...I never had any friends. Just rivals. People I competed with for prestige. It all seems so...silly, looking back at it, now. In a place that has a real problem with people going rabid for no reason...grades don't seem important right now."

Maria nods, squeezing Hailey's hand in response. "Yeah...I agree. It only makes sense to worry about the problem at hand, not...silly things like grades. I just hope we're doing something here, not just...uprooted for a fluke. You know?"

Hailey looks back at Maria, kindness shining in her eyes. "I understand what you mean. I like to think we have a purpose here too. I don't want to believe we're just here because of some cosmic mistake, either. I mean...there has to be a reason, right?"

...