Introvspect

Chapter 21 (Mystery Hole)

Cheers and yells jammed with the vibrancy of the enchanted playground as Clyde along with his friends wanted to go there in its grand opening.

Clyde had to take his time to formulate a devious plan in order to infiltrate Jasie’s circle of friends. He could gather useful ideas and even de-stress while he was at it.

The amusement park was their very own Disneyland but its magical theme disembarked a whole new brand of spectacle. The logo design stamped on the back of their hands was full of colourful sparkles with a silhouetted crest of a noble realm.

When they entered through those entrancing castle steel gates, a huge map was plastered on a wide ragged wall like it was a wanted poster. A straight path from the starting point connected to interwoven paths that symbolized their unique destinations for their beguiling quest.

Organized like a web of mazes, amidst the usual thrill of its purpose, they had to search for a minimum number of clues or treasures in several spots they were recommended to visit. The staff would hand them out to those individuals who triumphantly completed a puzzling task or survived an exhilarating ride.

These would serve as their passes when they had already reached the exit. If ever they would fail to collect enough of the requisites, they had to be arrested in an artificial dungeon momentarily as their penalty for not obeying the esteemed command.

Afterwards, someone would pretend to bail them out while supposedly battling those royal guards. This simulation would be a full gripping experience.

The park was divided into kingdoms from the medieval times along with visions of fantasy. Different dimensions everywhere they went with those enormous backdrops which complemented the extravagance of the rides and the attractions.

People in costumes roamed around entertaining their guests and they also posed for pictures. A royal entourage surrounded by townsmen and in another section, all those mystical creatures that could have ever existed.

It was also like travelling into the unknown past with those life-sized statues of grandeur and those outlandish building structures straight out from a large budget film set.

A tribute to the Vikings series perhaps?

Anyone would feel like authentic movie actors or actresses about to wield swords or foresee events in that domain.

“Where should we go first?”

Aeddie had been the one to suggest that they all went there for a late after exams treat. They were still in the dark about Clyde though.

In truth, when they had graduated from elementary school, it was the only time that he was actually present. He did not anticipate that his recorded scores were so average but at least he passed. Ironically, the first semester that literally went by in a flash gave his grades some more justice.

His parents were cool about it since primarily excelling in academics did not define the limitless potentials of a person. Anyone could be the best, not only one among the rest. If people focused on the things they loved and were good at, nobody could beat them at their own game.

It was passion that would endure more than determination, a personal competition that deserved no comparison.

Clyde thought that others who were able to challenge themselves to improve were privileged while he had that dishonourable gift of taking things for granted. He was at a disadvantage since he would fail when left with nothing.

Especially fail to get the girl he liked though an easy success would not be for the long term.

Yet as he already began 7th grade, he chose to remain the same, an unintentional cheater.