Soaring Over The World (Soaring Saga #2)

**Chapter Five~A Giant Sea Shapeshifter Plays Violin**

     We left the little cramped hideout in the wall, and Ari scrambled out as fast as he could, probably bumping himself on the way. He ran over to a stack of boxes and leaned on it, gasping for breath slowly stopping. Seriously, was he okay? I decided to ask.

"Uh, dude, you don't look so hot. What was up with that little hideout? Why were you so nervous?"

     He looked up at me, calming down.

"I-I'm a bit claustrophobic. It-it's okay now though," he stammered, trying to look fine. 

"Hm," I replied, pursing my lips. He sighed.

"Okay, fine, majorly claustrophobic." 

      I put my hand on his shoulder, helping him up. We survived the sea of boxes yet again (jeez, that could be like, one of those American I Survived books or something), went upstairs, and just had a little fun here at the twins' place before we left. 

     We started brainstorming over the phone, out and about, on free time, and whenever we could grab each other over the next week. We quickly developed more of a plan: we'd go to the closest location first, which would be Woodleif, and it happened to be the time around the full moon when we planned to get there, so we might be able to help the fight in secret. 

     Then we would go to the next closest, Cambridge in England, where we'd do whatever was needed there. I felt like something important would happen there. The next would be Memphis, Egypt, where we could do what we also see fit. But then we'd have to go back up to Argentum, but only so we could stop on our way to Halifax, Canada.

      Then we'd slip on down to the middle of nowhere in Peru, but would probably have to make a stop in Aurum. Maybe we could do some sight-seeing while we were at it, the whole flying-around-the-world thing. And above all: make it back before Tithalios morning.

      River and Audra still didn't like the idea, and I could tell were scared. Honestly, who wouldn't be? Not gonna lie, even though I made the plan, I was horribly nervous myself. But I just knew deep in my gut that we needed to do this, and it would lead to much more important things in the future. This was the road we chose, and we were gonna ride down it with full speed.

     Eventually, the time came. When we'd decided to leave, when we'd take off and soar through the clouds of the globe.

      It was two minutes to school's end, and I slammed my locker closed, only to find Neil and Ari standing right there.

"You ready, Rocko?" Neil asked, "Everything in your bag?" We had secretly shoved a bunch of extra supplies in them for the trip. With money this time. 

"Yup, you good?" I smirked. Neil nodded, and Ari smirked back with a thumbs-up. Audra came around the corner nervously, then smiled sadly.

"If we're going into anything dangerous in this world tour, I'm glad it's with you people," she said quietly.

      Raina came dashing over, smiling widely with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"What are we waiting for, let's get outta town and go!" She exclaimed.

"Uh, we're waiting for your brother," I replied.

"Oh," she caught up to us, and made what was supposed to be her thoughtful face. A sigh came from behind us, and we turned to it.

"I wish I could make you not wait for me," River thought aloud, "But this is my quest too. We all got our stuff? Clothes? Food? Water? First-Aid kits? Money?"

"Check, check, check, I thought you had number four, and check," Ari listed.

"Yeah, I do," River shrugged, "Just wanting to see if anyone was extra prepared."