Firebird

Chapter 14- Our Reasons Why

Chapter 14- Our Reasons Why

   I slung my bag over my shoulder and stood at the edge of the dock. The river stretched for miles on either side of me. Ahead, the land was only a thin black line against the darkened sky. The water glittered in the moonlight. The sereneness beside it was beautiful. I wanted to sit on the dock and let my toes dip into the water but the ferry was already making it’s way over. Two other were in the distance, readying to take the first’s excess passengers.

    It was sluggish on its coming. The giant wheel that propelled it slapped against the water, carried it up and threw it back down with every spin. I’d never seen one before and was enthralled.

   It came close to the dock and the wheel stopped. The ferry lazily bobbed on the slight waves it previously created. A man slid out a boarding platform and gestured for us to come aboard.

   I wasn’t first but was close to the front of the line. I was hesitant to get on. I’d not only never been on a ferry but I haven’t been on a boat at all. I’ve rarely even gone swimming.

   It didn’t sway much but it was enough to cause me to stumble a bit as I went through to the large cabin. There was a wrap around deck outside of the cabin. A long staircase led up to another deck with an equally sized cabin and identical layout. There was a separate, but smaller, cabin where the captain steered.

   I stayed on the first floor. The cabin was long but the only furniture was dining tables with four chairs each. At the back were two bathrooms complete with two showers each, and a food bar similar to that of the bus’s.

   I stared out at the river wondering when we’d get off. My stomach knotted with either excitement or nervousness. I couldn’t really distinguish which.

   A random image flashed through my mind.

   It was Astley and the Fireflower standing together by the railing of the ferry. He looked a bit younger, and if possible, happier. The night was almost the same as it was now, warm, starry and pensive.

   Her laugh was clear in my mind though everything else was blurred. Astley’s laugh blended with hers but I couldn’t hear what was previously said…

   “Bella!”

   I jumped, pulled away from the memory. Or was it that? It couldn’t be. I wasn’t there. I’d never been on this ferry… What else could it be though? I decided to ask Astley later. He wasn’t even on the same ferry as me as far as I knew.

   Fa and Sy sat down at my table in the back corner of the cabin. Fa waved a hand in front of my face. “You okay? You were zoned out.”

   “Yeah. Sorry. Just thinking.”

   She rolled her eyes though I’m not really sure why. She just wasn’t the nicest girl in the circus. And she wasn’t a huge fan of me since I’d gotten chosen to perform with Hyun.

   Sy looked past me to see out the window. She squealed with her usual excitement. The ferry was pulling away from the dock. I held on to my seat that was bolted into the floor. I wasn’t sure what to expect with being on the unpredictable river.

   Sy tugged on my arm. “Come! Top deck much more fun.”

   “No. I’m fine-“

    She dragged me out and we climbed the steep set of metal steps. The wind picked up and whipped my hair in my face. I pulled it back into a loose bun and adjusted my jacket around me.

   There were lanterns hanging around the cabin’s exterior. A few people were outside, chatting or simply staring out into the waves. The river smelled the way everything else did after a rainstorm. Fresh and new.