For four nights and four days I ate, drank, and slept inside the basket, the clouds drifting past but the view below never clearing. Growing concerned, I began rationing out the remainder of my food and water and wondered if I’d ever return home. I’d been so selfish, so naïve, when I’d gone in search of a way to make William love me. I shook my head. So stupid. He would be happily married living in his mansion never thinking about me and I was alone in a hot air balloon floating through a never-ending sky.
Six more nights and six more days and my food and water were gone. My stomach ached with hunger and I lay in the foetal position on the floor of the basket, tears falling over my cheeks. I’d rescued Nova from savages, saved an entire race of elves, and now I was going to die alone in a world where no one knew me.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d slept when a crack and rumble woke me. Blinking my eyes open, the world was dark around me until a bright light surrounded the basket and another loud grumbled filled the air. I pulled myself up using the side of the basket and my heart sunk into my stomach. Dark clouds had closed in around the balloon and I squeezed my eyes shut as rain thrashed at my face, stinging my cheeks. Lightning stung the sky and a boom of thunder rattled my bones. My brain was foggy, like I knew what to do but couldn’t find the answer. The balloon lurched sideways, sending me hurtling towards the centre of the basket into the ropes that ignited its flame. That was it!
I pulled on one of the ropes, a flame shooting up with a roar to fill the balloon. As it expanded, it rose higher and higher until I was no longer getting wet and the storm was flashing below me.
“Yes.” I punched the air, proud of my achievement, but realising I was still alone, my celebrations were short lived.
Peering over the basket’s edge, the dark clouds ignited in bright light and thunder grumbled beneath me.
Exhausted, I slumped to the basket floor, leaning against its side. When had I last eaten? I scrounged through my bag and found one last piece of dried fruit. I sucked on it, trying to savour its taste and make it last as long as possible to convince my body it’d had more than I’d given it. I had to land soon, or I wasn’t going to make it much longer. A shiver wracked my body and I pulled off my cape, laying it out as best as I could and changed into the dry set of clothes Tora had put in my bag.
Clothing laid out beside the cape, I peered up at the stars. Closing my eyes, I hoped when I opened them I’d be on land once again.
A throbbing headache woke me and I pulled myself up onto the side of the basket as my stomach clenched and I vomited over the ledge. Heaving until there was nothing more to vomit, I slid down on to my bottom and clutched at my tight chest, my breath shallow and rapid. My heart beat fast behind my hand and my headache grew stronger. Using my foot to bring my backpack closer, I fumbled inside, eyes growing heavy, until I found the small bundle of elixirs Tora had packed for me. I unravelled it and pulled out the Valger, placing a drop on my tongue silently thanking Tora. Not only would it invite sleep, but I hoped it would ease my excruciating headache. A shiver wracked my body and I reached for my cape, fingers outstretched, as a gust of wind lifted it from the basket. With a blur of green and gold, it was gone.
Tears ran down my cheeks and my body shook. Why hadn’t I stayed with the fae? My vision blurred and my limbs grew heavy as the Valger drew me into sleep. As I blinked my eyes shut, I heard the sound of canvas whipping in the air and forced my eyes open to spot a large sail rising over the side of the basket. My body screamed at me to move, to do something, but the Valger won and I disappeared into darkness.
Lucy
Bilstone, Australia
Saying goodbye to Dad and Olivia, I jogged over to join the rest of my touch football team on the sidelines. Mike spotted me first, his eyes softening as he smiled.
“Nice of you to join us,” he said.
“Sorry, a cow busted through the fence so we had to get it back in and fix the wire before we came,” I said.
“Only you have stories like that,” he teased.
A hand gripped my shoulder and I turned to find Suzan. “It’s okay, you’re not the last one to arrive. We’re still waiting on Mike’s new girlfriend.”
Mike looked at me as though trying to gauge my reaction, and I swallowed hard.
“Girlfriend? Who’s crazy enough to date you?” I hoped he couldn’t sense the disappointment in my voice. I would’ve been lying to myself if I didn’t say I’d hoped he’d said no to Charity when she asked him out. I was right in thinking a guy couldn’t refuse a blue-eyed blonde.
Mike opened his mouth to say something, but Orson clapped him on the back.
“No smooching on the field,” said Orson.
My stomach ached.
“Oh, and look who decided to turn up,” announced Tilly.
Charity pulled her long, blonde hair into a ponytail as she approached us. Mike turned towards her and his face lit up at the sight. My throat tightened and I wished the earth would swallow me whole.
I had no right to feel like I did. Betrayed. Hurt. He owed me nothing. I was nothing more than his sister’s friend and to think otherwise was crazy. I squared my shoulders and forced my lips into something that resembled a smile.
“I guess you all know by now.” She slid her hand into Mikes.
“As long as you don’t distract each other from the game, I couldn’t care less,” said Donnie.
“Who’s ready to play?” asked Orson. “I’m going to leave the lovebirds out along with Ben and Ebony. The rest of you better get on the field.”
Ignoring Mike and Charity’s existence, I jogged onto the field forming a line of orange and black shirts with the rest of my team. The opposing team jogged on wearing white and blue and with a blow of the referee’s whistle, the game began.
A player raced past me, Suzan managing to catch her before she could make a try. When it was our turn Donnie passed me the ball but I fumbled and it fell to the ground making it the opposing team’s turn to have it.
“What’s up with you?” Donnie shook his head as he pulled back into line.
The other team touched the ball, a boy running towards me. I reached out my hand but he sidestepped and took off toward the try line, an angry Donnie at his heals. I couldn’t help but sneak looks towards the sideline where Charity giggled and flicked her ponytail over her shoulder. The way she touched Mike’s arm and the way he looked at her.
“Lucy!”
I turned to see the ball hurtling towards me from a pass from Orson, and as I reached out it slipped through my fingers and I fumbled as it fell to the grass.
The referee blew her whistle.
“Sub out, Lucy, I don’t know where your heads at tonight but take a break,” barked Orson.
“Sorry,” I said, running to the sideline.
“I’ll go,” called Charity. “You okay, Lucy?” she asked as I jogged past her.
“I’m not in the right headspace today,” I replied.
I found my drink bottle and took a sip, trying to shake off the clenching of my stomach. Orson was right. My head wasn’t in the game.
“You okay?” Mike stood beside me.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
“Is it about tomorrow? I know you’re nervous about spending time with Catherine,” he said.
“Yeah, I think it’s distracting me,” I lied again.
“I’m sorry about springing the whole ‘me and Charity’ thing on you like that. I wanted to tell you she’d asked me out at the library the other day but everyone else was there and it would’ve been awkward.”
So, she’d already asked him by the time Suzan had told me and the girls. Thank goodness I hadn’t followed Olivia’s advice and told him I had a stupid crush on him. I would’ve been too late and looked like a moron.
“You can do whatever you like. You didn’t need to say anything to me,” I said.
“I know, I… I don’t know… we’re friends and…”
“Mike.” Donnie ran towards us to sub off the fi
eld.
“Better go,” he said. “We’ll talk after the game.”
I smiled, but it faded away as he jogged off.
“Do you find that weird?” puffed Donnie.
“What?” I asked.
“Him and Charity? I’ve seen him spend more time talking to you than her.”
We both watched as Charity shot Mike a wink.
I shrugged. “They seem happy.”
“Still weird, though,” he said.
At the end of the game I made my way over to Dad and Olivia, not wanting to stick around and witness any PDA between Mike and Charity.
“Rough game,” said Dad.
“You could say that.”
We’d lost by three tries.
“You were off tonight,” he said.
Olivia and I exchanged a glance.
“It’s been a big week,” I said.
“I’m staying with Luke tonight.” Olivia changed the subject and I wanted to hug her for it. “He feels bad about being distant the past week so we’re going to order take away and watch a movie. Your dad said you can stay with us for the night if you like.”
“I don’t know, I didn’t bring pyjamas or a change of clothes and I don’t want to crash your night together.”
“I’m sure I’ll have something you can wear and you won’t be crashing. Please, it’ll be fun,” she begged.
“Don’t you and Luke want some alone time?” I asked.
“You’re both important people in my life and it’d be good for you to get to know each other better.”
“I can bring you clothes in the morning so you can go straight from Luke’s to the spa with Catherine,” offered Dad.
The reminder of my spa date with Catherine twisted my insides.
“Hey Luce.” Suzan jogged over to us. “You coming to grab a milkshake and a burger?”
“I can’t tonight,” I said.
“Yes, you can,” said Dad. “I’m sure Mike can drop you at Luke’s, it’s on his way home.”
“I can’t ask…”
“Mike,” bellowed Suzan.
Mike turned from his conversation with the boys, Charity at his side, and jogged our way.
“Can you take Lucy to Big City Burgers and drop her at Luke’s after?” asked Suzan.
“Of course, I have one seat left in the car with your name on it,” said Mike with a grin.
I looked to Olivia so she might save me, but she didn’t say a word.
“That’s settled then.” Dad kissed me on the forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning. Text me with what clothes you want me to bring in.”
“See you in the morning,” I replied.
Dad and Olivia picked up their gear and started heading to the car.
“See you later.” Olivia gave me a wink.
Had she not seen how close Charity and Mike were?
I shot her a look but she just shrugged as they left. Yup, sisters were a pain in the butt.
Suzan and Tilly talked so fast I couldn’t work out what they were talking about as we made our way to the carpark. At Mike’s small black car Charity climbed into the front and Tilly, Suzan, and I crammed into the back. Somehow I ended up stuck in the middle between them.
“Did you see the tall, dark-haired guy on the other team? He was freaking cute,” said Tilly.
“Really? I thought the blonde guy was cute,” replied Suzan.
“Is that because he looks like Sam,” teased Charity from the front.
“Maybe?” said Suzan.
“I should’ve asked for his number,” said Tilly.
“As if you would,” replied Suzan.
My head turned left to right as they went back and forth until my stomach grew queasy and I decided to focus on the road ahead of us through the two front seats, catching sight of Charity’s hand on Mike’s leg. Jerking my gaze up, I met Mike’s blue stare in the review mirror. Why had I said I’d go with them?
“You okay stuck between those two, Lucy?” he asked, looking back to the road.
I shifted in my seat.
“She loves us, don’t you, Lucy?” asked Suzan.
“Of course she does.” Tilly lay her head on my shoulder.
We pulled into the Big City Burger carpark and Mike parked. “Lucky for Lucy we’re here.”
Piling out of the car, Tilly and Suzan linked arms skipping into the shop to meet the others. Charity slid her hand into Mike’s and they started walking with me trailing behind.
Mike pulled his hand from Charity’s, turning to me. “Catch up slow poke.”
I quickened my step and we made our way to the tables our teammates sat around.
After ordering a round of hot chips and milkshakes, we settled in and I found a seat beside Suzan, away from Mike and Charity.
“We should stay up late and eat junk food tonight,” suggested Tilly.
“You two don’t need sugar,” said Ebony. “I don’t think I could handle a Tilly and Suzan sleep over. How about you Lucy?”
As I drank my chocolate milkshake, I watched Charity wipe something off Mike’s face and plant a kiss on his cheek.
“Lucy?” she repeated.
I removed my lips from my straw. “Sorry, what did you say again?”
“Where are you tonight? Dropped balls, missed tags...” she said.
“I’ve got heaps on my mind. I’ll be better next week,” I told her.
“I hope so, you’re the fastest on our team. We need you chasing those suckers down.” She followed my gaze, which had drifted back to where Mike said something that made Charity giggle.
“Weird, isn’t it?” she said.
“What?”
“Those two.” She nodded towards them. “But, if Charity wants something she gets it.”
“I think they’re cute,” said Tilly.
“You think every thing’s cute,” said Suzan. “I think it’s gross and I have no idea what she sees in him but better her than someone I don’t like.”
When we’d finished talking, drinking and eating, we filed out of the shop and made our way to the carpark.
Charity climbed into the front, and this time I made sure I wasn’t stuck between Suzan and Tilly. Mike dropped them off first, Suzan and Tilly both giving me a tight squeeze before Suzan grabbed her overnight bag from the trunk and we waved goodbye.
“I’d swear those two were related,” said Charity. “They’re so similar.”
“It’s creepy, isn’t it?” said Mike. “Thank goodness they aren’t. I think I’d go insane if I had them both in my house.”
They spoke between themselves and I sank down in my chair, hoping they’d remember I was there and wouldn’t do anything I didn’t want to see or hear.
“I’ll drop you off first,” Mike told Charity. “Lucy’s drop off is closer to my place.”
Charity pouted. “You’re so lucky, Lucy. You get to see this one every day.”
“I only see him on the bus and we don’t even sit near each other,” I said.
“Is that all I am to you?” Mike asked as he pulled up in front of Charity’s house. “A random guy on the bus.”
“Pretty much.” I shrugged.
Charity leaned forward and I averted my eyes as they kissed goodbye.
“See you next week, Lucy,” she said as she climbed out of the car.
“You going to sit in the front?” Mike asked.
“I’m good back here,” I told him.
“Great, now I’ll feel like a taxi driver.” He gave Charity one last wave and pulled away from the curb. “Where am I taking you? I know it’s near my place.”
“Six Campbell Street.”
“Yup, I know that one.”
There was a moment of silence and I stared out the window at the lights rushing past.
“So, what do you think about Charity and me?” he asked.
I hate that you said yes because I want you to like me. “I don’t know? You seem happy.”
“Donnie keeps telling me it’s weird. I admit
I didn’t see it coming. It kind of came out of nowhere. I was shocked when she messaged me.”
I did not want to be having that conversation.
“Yeah, Suzan’s happy about it,” I said.
“I guess. She still gives me heaps of crap,” he replied.
“Isn’t that what sisters are for?”
Silence again.
We pulled into Luke’s driveway and Mike turned around.
“Are things going to be weird between us now?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” I knew what he meant.
“We usually laugh and talk about everything, but you can barely look at me. I might have a girlfriend but it doesn’t mean I can’t talk to other girls.”
I looked up and met his gaze, my shoulders relaxing. “Sorry, I’ve been in my head the past few days. I promise I won’t be weird from now on.”
“It’s not because I’m with Charity?” he asked.
“Of course not. I’m glad you’re happy.” I forced a smile.
“Okay, well, good luck with Catherine tomorrow. Call me if you need to bail.”
“Thanks and thanks for the lift.” I climbed out of the car.
“Anytime,” he said.
The porch light turned on and Olivia appeared in the doorway. “You’re here.”
I didn’t turn back as Mike pulled away.
“How was that?” she asked.
“Horrible and awkward.” I fought back the tears in my eyes.
“Oh, Luce.” She wrapped me in a tight hug. “Come in for ice-cream, a rom-com and I might tell you more of my story.”
Olivia
The Flying Phoenix
Running through the Lambsby's wheat field, I chased a figure weaving through the gold stalks, whipping and blurring past me until I burst into a grass clearing. Looking around, I spotted the figure standing atop a cliff’s edge and I ran towards it until its silhouette sharpened and I could see it was a boy with his back to me. I walked over to stand beside him and he turned to face me. William.
Circus in the Clouds (The Balloonist Chronicles Book 3) Page 3