A large transit glided to a halt in front of the crowd of people waiting. Most of the people in the crowd were parents with their children, waiting in anticipation for the transit to arrive. Many of the parents looked proud and hopeful, albeit slightly nervous. Most of the children looked excited yet scared, unsure of the journey they were about to embark on.
"Momma?" I looked up and tugged on my momma's shirt. She looked down at me and smiled, giving me a light pat on the head.
"It's okay dear. I went through the same thing when I was your age. You have nothing to fear," she said soothingly, crouching down to give me a hug. "You don't need to worry. Just follow the Rashan's instructions and you will be just fine."
Many parents were now hugging their children, giving them words of encouragement as the doors to the transit slid open.
"Alright, Alina, it's time for you to go. Try and make a new friend while you're there, okay?" My mother hugged me one last time before standing up.
I hesitated, watching in fear as other children slowly made their way onto the transit, their parents waving goodbye. I looked up at momma.
"Why can't you come with me? I would feel much better with you near me," I asked.
"I've told you this before, my angel, it's law. Only those invited in are allowed, and parents are never allowed in. The Rashavan is sacred, and for it to give you it's blessing, you must enter alone. You'll be fine, my dear. I went through it too, and it's nothing to be scared of. Now go! The transit is leaving soon, you don't want to miss it!" My mother gently pushed me towards the open doors where the last of the children were filing in.
I took in a deep breath before setting my foot down into the vehicle. I looked behind me as the glass doors slid shut behind me, sealing my fate. I pressed my body up against the glass as my momma waved at me, giving me a bright smile. Her orange eyes shone, sending me a warmth that set my nerves at ease, for now at least.
I braced myself as the transit began to move. I waved as I watched my mother slowly fade into the distance, until she was just a speck, and then gone entirely.
I stepped back and glanced around the area, looking for an open seat. Other children, all the tender age of seven, were scattered around, some huddled in small groups while others sat alone or in pairs.
I noticed an empty seat next to a golden haired boy staring out the window and made my way to it. I took my small backpack off my shoulders and took out my Reader, a portable device that let me read any book I wanted with a touch of the screen. I stored my backpack in the cubbie beneath the chair and sat down, ready to let the next few hours slip by as we made our way to the Rashavan, our holy temple.
The boy next to me looked over at my Reader curiously. "Woah! That's cool! I've never seen one of those before!" He said excitedly, his eyes glued on my Reader.
"Yeah, my momma got it for me for this trip! Isn't it cool? I can read anything on it!" I showed him the device and his eyes lit up.
"Wow! What are you gonna read first? Can I read with you? I promise I'm a fast reader!"
I smiled and beamed at him. "My name is Alina. What's yours?"
He grinned back. "My name is Kraxon, it's great to meet you!"
He leaned over and stared at my Reader curiously. I showed him the screen and said, "Why don't you pick a book? I haven't started any yet so it'll be new for both of us!"
He scanned the titles for a few seconds before pointing at one named The Famous Four. "That one? The description sounds really cool and action is the best!"
