Chapter 6: New Crew Friend

The figure dropped like a box of gold and diamonds. Amira, who shrieked in panic, rushed to hide behind the valuables, while Toby stood there tilting his head in confusion. The shadow started breathing heavily like the Minotaur. Not long after, it was crying as if it lost its soulmate. Toby started approaching it slowly but bravely, knowing he wouldn’t get hurt. Amira peeped from the treasures, cautious for her brother. Immediately the true form of the silhouette was revealed. It was a young child their age, but in a very poor and horrible condition. There were cuts all over his face, blood stains all over his clothes and he was missing an arm! Toby, who felt horrible for not noticing, kneeled down to be at his height and asked him, smiling, “What’s your name?” The kid opened his ocean blue eyes and replied,

“Carl,” taking deep breaths. His skin was pale, his hair was disheveled and Carl could barely move. With a slight frown, the generous boy requested,

“Do you want to be friends?” Carl looked at Toby as if he’d just stabbed him. With tears of joy filling his eyes, he squeezed Toby so hard it nearly cracked his back. Amira, no longer worried, came out grinning.

“Looks like you’ve made a new friend,” came a familiar voice.

Chapter 7: The Crew Is Officially Complete

They turned round to see who had spoken to them. Immediately, their pupils narrowed, their mouths opened wide and they were gasping for breath. ‘They were shocked’ was an understatement. They couldn’t believe their eyes, Sir Chantle was standing right before them. Petrified, they stood still like stone, not doing anything or saying a word. Sir Chantle waited. After a while, reality brought them back and they hugged him like their dad. After letting go, the pair questioned, “It’s good to see you again, but how? Didn’t you die?” After he explained he spilt his pack of thick cranberry juice and lost the dummy he used that looked like him to pretend to have a friend, a laughing stock was made. They laughed, chuckled and giggled. Well, most of them. After a bit of confusion from Carl, the trio told him everything and he started getting very emotional. Suddenly, they realised something. They were stranded in this forest. Gone far from their family. They’ll never get back home. However, Carl tisked doubtfully. He wasn’t surprised after the number of people he helped get back home. People had landed in this forest before.

“Where do you live? I can help,” stated Carl. They paused for a moment. They pulled blank faces. “I’m serious! I have an airship of my own somewhere! We can all be one giant crew, called The Friendly Bunch!” exclaimed Carl, though not knowing why he said the last few words. (They did seem quite awkward. Everyone there thought the same.) After a bit of discussion, they agreed on the journey and the team name; The TACC Troublemakers. (Toby, Amira, Carl, Chantle. Combine the first letters.) They climbed aboard and set off. It was their new favourite, and the best, journey ever. Once they reached their destination, Carl said something before leaving, and he said it quickly; “WAIT! We haven’t agreed on the airship’s name!” The trio had an idea they knew would be marked down in history. Altogether, they pronounced it as;

“Reenorama 2.0!”