by Unknown
Mini-Chapter 59
It was so tired that it only had strength to attack them all together. The crew did not have the energy to defend themselves. However, just before the snake could bite them, something extraordinary happened.
Mini-Chapter 60
A Golden Eagle launched itself against the snake and took it with its sharp claws. The reptile tried to fight back in vain, since the claws of the majestic animal held it like great iron pincers. Then, the eagle soared above the skies and took it away. They never knew about that dangerous animal again. Seeing the situation, Captain Ernest said: “Do you remember that chick I rescued?” They all answered positively “I think that was its mom!”
Despite all this, the problems for the brave ones were not over yet.
Mini-Chapter 61
Rock was still unconscious due to the accidental impact with the Jeep. The physicians checked him and realized he did not have any serious injury. However, they would take care of him until he fully recovered. The rest, especially Captain Ernest and Johnny Dash, went to rest first, since they needed to regain energy urgently. This time, no one kept watch, since they were all equally tired. At least, they could rest easy because the snake would not bother them again for a good while. Meanwhile, Captain Ernest watched the eagle’s son quietly sleeping in the arms of Taylor in silence. Would he see the majestic eagle again? Would it be angry because they had its small baby?
Mini-Chapter 62
A new day emerged, and with it, new joys emerged as well; when he woke up, Johnny realized that Rock had fully recovered; Captain Ernest, who was still sleeping, only had a scar on his face; and, most importantly, the innocent chick was calmly resting on Pricilla's lap. Seeing her like that, so mother-like, made her even more beautiful to him than she was before. He liked the fact that she cared so much for such a defenseless being like the small eagle’s son. “She has a great heart, which complements the beauty of her face,” he thought while contemplating her. It was Johnny Dash who admired her now, especially, for her abnegation.
Mini-Chapter 63
They were still there, stuck in the middle of a deserted area. From afar, they contemplated the electric fence which separated them from their goal. Johnny Dash remembered a thought he once had heard Freeman Wise say: “Do not ask for a life without obstacles, ask for the necessary strength to overcome them.” Now, that metal net rose above them, and they could do nothing to take it down. Even when it was true that they had made a promise, and all Happy Town depended on the results, they were not sure they could acquire the much desired Flower. They sat down, without motivation to say a single word. The afternoon came by. The heat was increasing and they were thirsty. They knew that if they stayed there longer, they would run out of supplies, especially water. Besides, the tourist camp was miles away, so they could not return to it. On the other hand, they were not sure they would find it again. It was very likely they had already left. Besides, even if they hadn't, they would probably be alert, so they discarded the possibility. Suddenly, something distracted them from their thoughts.
Mini-Chapter 64
Swift as a bullet, the Eagle landed in front of them. In the beginning, the members of the crew were afraid, since it was a really big bird. They contemplated it for a moment: it had golden feathers that covered its body uniformly; its claws were huge and even sharper than its beak, it had honey eyes, and its gaze was challenging and proud. For a moment, it was all silence. Captain Ernest though the Eagle may be mad at them for having taken its chick, so he was afraid. Being a bird of such dimensions and with such natural weapons, it would represent a serious problem for them. However, he was relieved when he heard it say this: “Thank you!” Had it really said that? The Captain just could not believe it. Then, the noble bird added: “Last night you saved my little one! I saw how you protected it from that snake.” Captain Ernest replied: “No, we are the ones to thank you. You saved us from that snake, since it planned to eat us too. Although, it is true that I risked my life to save your baby, I was just doing my duty.” When he saw his mother, the little one jumped from Tech Pricilla's lap and ran to the eagle who received him with great love. “My child! How happy I am too see you again! Seeing you alive for another day!” After a tender show of affection between mother and son, the majestic bird told them: “You, noble ones, have risked your lives to protect my child. If there is anything I can do for you, just ask and I promise I will do my best to get it.” In the beginning, the crew thought about asking the Eagle to help them get over the fence, but they lost the motivation to do it. Even if the incredible bird could easily lift them, even Rock and Olympus, since it was tremendously big and had colossal strength, they were sure it would not be able to lift the Jeep, because if was made of pure steel and it was a lot heavier than the bird. Besides, in the complicated maneuver, the car could fall and all would be lost. So, after thinking about it, they said: “Esteemed Eagle...” “Olivia, my name is Olivia”, she intervened. “Esteemed Olivia, there is something we want to ask from you.”
Mini-Chapter 65
Meanwhile, in Happy Town, Johnny Dash's parents were searching for something healthy to eat amidst the industrial quantities of fast food there was everywhere. Unlike the rest of the citizens, they still appreciated the nutritional value of food and knew, especially Laura, who thought that even when fast food was delicious; it only meant health complications on the long term. It is because of this that they looked for fruits and vegetables; however, they managed to find little or nothing at all. Apparently, nutritious food was in risk of extinction. They had seen the need of leaving Happy Town and, after walking for hours, they finally found some tomatoes, lettuce and carrots which came from people who lived in the country. Jared and Laura picked all the vegetables that felt from the farmers’ baskets while they weren't paying attention. They tried to be stealthy and, after taking all they could, they went back to the village. They had to repeat this trip twice of thrice per week. Although it was a tiring task, it was the only way of getting healthy food. When they went back home, they could only think of their son. Would he manage to find the Doral Flower?
Mini-Chapter 66
After Olivia Eagle heard their problem, she said: “I'll tell you all I know: the guard who watches the fence is called Roberto, he is a human, but different from you, because he can't understand me. I don't know much about him, just his name, since I read it before in the nameplate he has on his table on. Also, I have seen he has the keys to the fence and that, inside his booth, there is a panel which turns off the electricity of the fence. Of course, he almost never does it, since the fence is electrified most of the time. The only thing I can do is to deactivate the electricity and bring the keys. But we have to wait for him to leave. Normally, he goes to the Human City at four in the afternoon, every day.”
The brave ones were very happy to hear these words from the noble Golden Eagle. Undoubtedly, she had given them the will to continue their mission; there was still a little hope for Happy Town.
Mini-Chapter 67
Time passed by faster than they thought and before they realized the sun was about to set. The security guard came out and, after yawning, he climbed on a car that read “Border Control Police.” After the car got lost at the end of the road, Olivia Eagle took off and, like a golden rocket, managed to overcome the fence in a few seconds. Once she had done this, she descended. This time, very carefully, since she knew how dangerous the electrified fence was. Then, she flew again —much lower— and got into the booth. Apparently, the officer had forgotten to lock the door, which was not surprising, since he always left it open. Once inside, she realized how truly small that room was. How could someone live in such a place? For a moment, she felt sorry, and thought: “Normal humans are so different from us, birds. They could live in the fields, but prefer such limited spaces. We, on the other hand, have the endless sky as our only home. We find freedom in its endlessness and beauty. Even though they are free, they live as prisoners at their own will. Aft
er all, they’re strange beings we will never manage to understand.” Then, she searched for something on the table, being careful not to spill the cup of coffee. After some moments, she found what she was looking for.
Mini-Chapter 68
The Eagle found the main panel, which was full of cables and buttons with complicated instructions. She had seen Roberto the Security Guard press just one button to deactivate the electricity of the fence. Which one would that be? She was afraid of pressing buttons without knowing what they did. However, she found a button located in a special and marked place. It was very different from the others, especially, because it was big and red. Above the button, near an ever-flashing red light, it read: “Electricity.” The Golden Eagle pressed the button very carefully, since her claws were enormous. She had to press the button softly to avoid ruining everything. And so she did, after pressing it, the light changed to green. She was certain she had managed to deactivate the electricity. Before leaving, she searched for the keys everywhere. In a first instance, she thought Roberto had taken them, so all the effort she had made was for nothing; nevertheless, she realized that wasn’t the case.
Mini-Chapter 69
The keys were hanging from the wall, next to a worn-out police uniform. The Eagle took them quickly with her pointy beak, and flied out of there. Once she was in front of the brave ones, she left the keys on the sand and told them: “Esteemed friends, I have done what I could. I have deactivated the electricity of the fence and I have found the keys thereof.” Johnny Dash added: “It is more than enough. Thank you very much for everything Olivia Eagle!” The Captain picked up the keys, and made a military salute as he said: “Thanks for everything Golden Eagle! I promise that if we manage to save Happy Town, everyone will know that you helped us and you will be remembered for all eternity.” The noble Eagle replied: “It is not necessary. Knowing that I have helped is more than enough for me. I don't need recognition. I only know that I have done some good to other living beings, and that is the best reward for me. I only know I wish you the best. And, again, thanks for saving my small child! I hope to see you all again. See you soon, friends!” Then, the Eagle went back to its nest.
On his part, the Captain gave the keys to Johnny and told him: “Soldier Dash, you know what you have to do.” The young brave man blinked his eye and quickly climbed the fence, which was not much of an obstacle for him without electricity. Once he had reached the lock, he introduced the key. Then, using all his weight, he made it turn and heard a click: the lock had been opened. After that, the young man climbed down the fence and got on the Jeep where all his friends were already waiting for him, except Rock and Olympus, who were on both sides of the metallic gate of the fence. Captain Ernes gave the command, with an extraordinarily solemn tone: “Soldiers, open the gate.” The Warriors had to make a great effort, but in the end they managed to open the immense gate. Then, they climbed on the back of the Jeep, and left. They had finally managed to cross that fence which had caused them so many problems. Finally, they could see, in front of them, the plains of the immense desert and, farther away, the steep mountains which seemed to want to touch the serenity of the sky. What dangers awaited them in that desert?
Mini-Chapter 70
While they left behind that fence which, for a long time, had prevented them from following their dreams, Johnny Dash thought of another phrase of Freeman Wise: “Some day you will learn that everything in this life can be solved, it is only a matter of trying. One has to persevere; but, especially, one has to be patient.”
It was night already and the Jeep kept moving forward. The techs had greatly improved the head lights, which is why the light projected by them was much more potent than before and it allowed them to see in the distance, even things that would normally go unnoticed. Meanwhile, Johnny and the rest of the crew slept in the inside of the vehicle. The Captain, on his part, remained thoughtful: he was intrigued by the way Jeff and Taylor used technology he had never understood to solve everything. He felt fortunate to be able to count on them, and he realized that it was not necessary to be the strongest one to be able to help in the mission. Now, despite being older, he was learning such valuable lessons from those so young brave ones. He thought for a moment. Then, as a reflection, he said: “One is never too old to learn something new.” While the stars shone on the eternally beautiful firmament, he repeated: “It is never too late to fight for our dreams.”
It was the beginning of the ninth day of the journey. Jeff was very tired, since he had been driving all night, and he needed a replacement. However, no one knew how to drive the vehicle like he did. “I'll do it!” The crew was surprised when they saw who had spoken up.
Mini-Chapter 71
Captain Ernest sat on the driver’s seat. While he drove, the old man thought: “I may know nothing about technology, because no one ever showed me, but I do know how to drive a car. And it is time to show these brave ones that I can stand out on something apart from commanding others! It is time to be an example, and it is time that they started admiring me as I admire them.” The Jeep entered the middle of the desert. This time, it could see how the sand, much denser, became an obstacle and prevented them from advancing with ease. Fortunately, the tires of the vehicle had been specially created for difficult terrain, so they kept moving forward. Also, they could see that there were no more electricity or phone poles; nor roads or trucks, which made them think that normal humans had not reached this area, or if they had, they had not wanted to live there, since the conditions were very difficult. They had to be careful, because they did not want to get a flat tire for they only had one replacement, so the Captain had to slow down and avoid the rocks that appeared in the middle of the desert.
Meanwhile, Johnny Dash thought on how difficult life was. For a long time, he had had everything in Happy Town; food, education, clothing and —most importantly— parents who only knew how to love him and who always wanted the best for him. Even when it is true that the job in the factory was really cruel, he had never had to face such a hostile landscape like the one he was contemplating amidst the silence that surrounded him. There was no doubt, everything was more difficult than he had thought, life was very difficult, and surviving for another day, far away from home, was the most difficult of it all. He had faced many dangerous animals, and on top of that, face nature itself. He thought of a phrase he had heard from Freeman Wise and that, according to the venerable elder, was one of the best teachings he had learned from the books of the most educated normal humans: “To live is to fight!” “It is true, the only way of surviving in this world is fighting, be it against animals or against nature itself,” he repeated for himself while falling asleep. He did not know the news he would receive the next day.
Mini-Chapter 72
Captain Ernest drove for hours and, once the blue afternoon fell on the world, tech Jeff replaced him, since he had been the one to drive the vehicle since the beginning. Now he was much more rested and could drive again.
The tenth day of the trip had come, and the crew was tired and bored of traversing the apparently never-ending desert. Many of the supplies were running out, and they had had to look for water and eat plants they had never thought they would eat. The only important thing now was to survive the harshness of the desert. On the other hand, they were not as happy as at the beginning of the journey, the only thing they wanted to do was to leave that dangerous place and the mountains, and go back to their home. As if this was not enough, they had to withstand the cruelty of a scorching sun. Despite of all this, they had a duty to carry out and they would fight until the end to do so. After looking at the real and precise graphics of the Amazon Maps app, Tech Taylor said, visibly worried: “Captain Ernest, according to the data in my tablet, the strong winds in the desert have formed a tornado, which is coming at great speed toward us.”
Mini-Chapter 73
The Captain grunted: as if the desert was not enough, they had an incoming tornado. Definitively, the situation could
not be worse. Meanwhile, Jeff did his best to keep driving; he was so thirsty and tired that he was afraid of losing consciousness while driving. The hours passed, and the brave ones looked for some water. They looked into everyone's flasks; there wasn't a single drop of water. Above them, the sun kept throwing off its burning rays.
They kept driving. The crew was too thirsty to talk. Suddenly, something appeared in the middle of the desert: something absolutely wonderful which gave them their joy back.
Mini-Chapter 74