Kryptos Academy- Chapter Four

Instructions

Chapter Four Nessie “Of unreasoning summer that by responding ways cloaked with renewal my body turns toward thee again for the stars have been finished in the nobler trees and the language of leaves repeats.” -e. e. cummings “I don’t want to leave my friends, the elephants.” I fidgeted with my hands. “Oh, so staying in the elephant exhibit in the zoo is much better?” My adopted sister, Serra, scoffed from below me. “People are starting to wonder why the zoo has a giant child in tow.” “You know I couldn’t fit in the house.” I shrugged. “…Fair. You excited to go to the academy?” “What… what if I can’t fit in the school? What if I can’t even fit in the plane?” I asked. “Listen, just because you’re as big as my ego and almost hit the ceiling of my room when I tried to adopt you, and you don’t have legs, doesn’t mean you won’t fit in.” She told me. I gave her a look. “Hey, listen, I know you’re shy, but it’ll all be okay. The school’s probably used to kids like you. There’ll be plenty of accommodations. Don’t be scared.” Serra assured. I stared at my hands. “What… what if the words don’t come?” “Then just do the next right thing.” I nodded. She always knew how to make me feel better, but this time I wondered if it was even enough. I was so nervous this morning, I didn’t even eat my breakfast. My stomach was shaking so much, I would’ve thrown up from the nerves anyway. I looked up into the sky, searching for the plane. I thought it would’ve been easier to find because of my size, but the whirring noise of a jet came out of my blind spot. I winced. “Go on. They won’t bite.” Serra smiled to me. I took a deep breath and stepped up to the man at the front of the plane. He just stared at me for a bit, eyes wide. I looked up at the plane and its tiny door. A heavy feeling built onto my eyelids. “I… I won’t have to ride in the cargo hold… will I?” I whispered. The pale man in front of me smiled. “No, of course not. Come on, we’ll show you where to enter. There’s no need to worry.” I look back at Serra, who gives me a confident thumbs-up. The man motions me to follow him to the behind of the plane, which does seem a little bit bulkier than the rest of the plane. I hear a harsh creaking sound and this huge hatch opens. The whole plane has a gaping door just for me. That’s when I see it. It’s big. It’s big enough for me! I practically run onto the plane, as much as I can with my huge tail trailing behind me instead of legs. The back of the plane is way bigger inside than it looks, almost big enough to carry three elephants. As the hatch closes, I settle in on the soft carpet. And finally, for the first time in my life, I fall asleep right away.