The Enchantments: Book 3 - The Key of Sorcen

Chapter 5: Airport Woes

Simeneon was the first to feel the anticipation of the trip before the others. But something underlying filled her full of dread as well, she felt something in the pit of her stomach, not so much an ache but a sense that things were not right. The closer they drove to the airport, the deeper the trepidation.

The City of Great Steel's Airport stood like a monolith at the edges of the big city. A huge metallic pyramid skeleton welcomed visitors to the metropolis in an awe-inspiring sight. Below the large structure stood the main terminal building, which to many travels seemed more like a maze than a portal to the world.

Simeneon looked up as they passed under a huge sign telling cars the terminal for international flights was approaching. She faced the front of the car and remembered what Dr. Miller had told her about the insides of the great airport, 'Whatever you do, remember the path you took. There have been many a traveler has found him or herself lost in the maze known as the City of Great Steel's International Airport.'

She had laughed at the man but soon realized he was serious and took his warning to heart. The car pulled up beside the yellow painted curb and Simeneon, Fin, Dr. Miller, and John stepped from the car and walked to the back where a gangly looking steward was now taking out their luggage from the trunk. Simeneon thanked the man and as she was picking up her suitcase she saw the darkness in the man's eyes stare back at her. She followed the man until he came back with a cart in which to lug the cases to their perspective flights.

"Something the matter?" Fin asked with concern. He'd seen that look on her face before and had come to heed its warning. But as she came to face him he saw the warmness in them again.

"I'm fine." She said shakily.

He knew she was lying but he had also come to understand she wouldn't tell him what the problem was until she wanted to. He turned from her and followed the doctor into the terminal building.

The huge interior was a mass of people rushing around checking their tickets and staring at the complicated mass of signs that seemed to point in every possible direction. As Simeneon gaped large men wearing immaculate suits and carrying Billy sticks sauntered around as if they owned the place.

"Those are the Airport Safe-Keepers," Dr. Miller said as he saw Simeneon staring at the enormous men. "I'd be careful of them, they say there here to keep the peace, but in my experience, they cause more problems then they stop."

She got her first taste of what the doctor meant as an unsuspecting tourist came over to one of the men mountains and asked him for directions. The creature picked up the man as if he were a rag doll and sent him smashing into a large group of waiting for bystanders. "Do I look like a tour guide?" The creature bellowed then stepped on the man's hand as he walked on to continue his duties.

"That was the meanest thing I've ever seen," Simeneon said in shock.

"Juts remember my dear, they are the airport and the airport is them. They're intertwined in some way and if you get on their bad side you'll never hear the end of it."

Simeneon watched the man as he continued walking slowly down the hall with its massive hands behind it's back. The feeling in her stomach seemed to get worse as she stared at the lumbering Safe Keeper. 'Please don't let me get involved with that!' She said to herself, but deep down she knew eventually she would.

Dr. Miller had sent John back to the car and he waited in line with the two youngsters as they checked in. Fin was the first to check in and they pulled up to the ticket counter to the smiling face of the woman behind it.