In My True Element

Chapter 23

After what seems like an endless flight, we finally land in Antarctica. The view outside the window is breathtaking. Everything is white, no matter where or how far you look.

"We're lucky it's summer." Simon, the soldier with the long scar across his face gets out of his seat and stretches. "I'd hate to have to be in this place when it's dark."

"I thought that was the only time of the day you are really active," says Nick, the creepiest of all soldiers.

Everyone laughs, but Ilana's stern look brings it to an end very soon.

"Get all the things here, then go to the storage area and get out the snowmobiles and provisions."

All six men turn around and walk down the aisle in a robot-like manner.

"I saw we have only four snowmobiles," I say to Ilana, putting on my woolen sweater and parka.

"Yes, we'll be travelling in twos." She's back to being bossy, like in the beginning, when we were on our way to Croatia.

"Am I to assume that we'll be travelling together?" I touch her hand that's lying on the headrest, but she quickly pulls it away.

"Air, you have to stop it. Now. It won't lead to anything good, you must know it."

"Ilana," my face loses its humor and I'm one hundred per cent serious. "For the first time in three hundred years I have a hope. I'm not stopping it, until I absolutely have to."

"Hopes are usually short-lived and are by followed by grant disappointments." The sadness in her voice tugs at my hurt.

"Don't say that, dove."

Her face falls and she takes a step away from me. "Don't forget your snow goggles." She says throwing them at me just before exiting the plane.

I want to follow her, but Amelia materializes in front of me.

"You look cool." She says in her usual cheerful voice.

"Thanks, but I feel like an elephant," I say slowly, progressing down to the exit.

She laughs, giving me a quick once-over, "Oh, you're big, but not quite that big, so you don't have to worry."

"Thanks." I nod at her again and she waves at me, wishing me good luck.

Once I'm outside, the cold becomes an inescapable reality and I have no problem believing it's the coldest place in the world. Squinting my eyes from the blazing sun, I look around. Two snowmobiles are already outside and Ilana's carrying bags to them.

"How can I help?" I say, coming closer.

"Wow, am I dead and seeing angels? He," the overly blond soldier nods in my way, "wants to help."

"You know what they say, miracles do happen," the other one answers and laughs, going back in the storage area for another snowmobile.

"You can stand over there and be quiet." Ilana points at a place a safe distance away from her.

Being difficult probably won't earn me any points, so I'd better do as I'm told. Adjusting my mittens and stepping from side to side, I wait for everyone to finish their work.

Even with an earflap hat and a hood I feel the cold getting to my brain and freezing it. Why didn't I put on the balaclava that is lying in my bag now? Apparently when the good researcher was talking on and on about all the layers of clothing necessary in Antarctica, he wasn't joking. Back then the number five-to-seven seemed excessive, now here, it seems like it's not enough. I step from side to side, trying to warm up, and not a second too soon we're ready to go.