A Journey To The Clouds, A Fantastical Prophecy - Book One - ✓

Chapter Twenty-eight

We follow the bird for quite a bit of time and we learn that her name is Coco, and that she is one that talks. A lot. Much more than your average parrot. Yes, plenty more than those you see on the internet who start singing at random times.

We find a great spot that has a lovely clearing and a crystal clear ocean a mile or so from the spot we snagged.

"Ally, look! It's a beach! Can we stay there? Please?" Connor begs. I roll my eyes. I can tell it's a sarcastic plea, but I can tell there is also a desperate touch in his voice. I realize how long we've been walking.

"You know we need to keep going, but I suppose, since we've been moving for hours." I announce. "Only because I feel if we keep moving, we'll pass out." I add, half joking. Connor does some victory laps around a tropical palm tree. Once he finishes, he stops and starts panting. I start to walk forward to catch him, just in case he falls on the sand. Instead, he gets back up and shouts to himself.

"Why did I do that?" He shouts. He looks at me with a sly smile on his face, panting at the same time. I smile.

"Maybe it wasn't the wisest thing to do." I tell him. I get a bottle of water out of my backpack and I throw it to him. He miraculously catches it, and he opens the bottle, chugging the water until most of it is either in his stomach, or on the sand.

"Don't waste the water on the sand!" I screech.

"Sorry." Connor gasps. My eyes soften as I look at the water dripping off of his chin.

"Your fine. Since we're here for the night, let's enjoy it while it lasts." I say. We all take off running-and flying- to the sandy shore. It seems like the beach keeps trying to run away from us, but we eventually reach the shore.

"The sand is so soft!" I holler when my toes touch the sand. When I jump towards the water I find it is not too hot but not too cold. I unfortunately decided to wear jeans, which wasn't the best decision. They had gotten soaked, and so had my T-shirt. I had little to mind though, as the water felt refreshing and relaxing for the few times I hadn't been bombarded with water in my face, credit to Connor.

We spend hours in the water, splashing each other, and racing each other. Coco sits in a nearby palm tree, taking the role of the lifeguard.

It gets dark soon and we get out of the water to pitch the tent. We take the spare towels we had purchased just a few days before, and we dry ourselves off with them. We finally get settled inside the tent, safe from the blistering winds. Coco is outside, huddled in a nearby palm tree.

"You know, i'm starting to wonder how intense this trip will be." I say to Connor. He nods. He looks at the ceiling. We are laying down in the tent, attempting to fall asleep.

"Agreed. It has already been fairly hard, keeping our eyes, minds, and ears at work. For all we know, this could be the easy part of the entire journey!" Connor says.

"Oh, and it probably is. You've read the poems and codes. All we've done is explore. Soon, our quest will be to realize how much harder it will get. Mentally, and physically. We will need to realize how much more dedication this will take." I tell him. We have already had the most passion anyone could have to save those we love most on this journey, but where we're going now is only the first part of the equation. He turns and looks at me.

"When did you become so wise?" He asks, laughing slightly. He cocks his head to one side.

"I'm remembering some of my dad's words from when me and him went rock-climbing. Literally outside on a cliff." I tell him. Connor's eyes widen.

"Wow. Your dad did the coolest things. I can't even remember the last time my dad said he loved me." Connor looks down while tears start to pool in his eyes. Gravity only let them go one direction, and they dropped onto the tent floor.

I can never remember the last time a boy as strong as him started to tear up so quickly, but I don't blame him. Tears start to fall on my cheek, and for good reason. That has to be one of the saddest things i've ever heard.

"Oh Connor, i'm sorry." I tell him in a whisper. He closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths.

"I'm fine, really. Thank you, Ally." He tells me. I give him a smile before he and I roll over to get some rest. We might have a big day tomorrow, if we just keep our eyes, minds, and ears open.