Several hours later, the crew returned. They helped mend the balloon and they were off again! Ty and Marianna rolled around the deck. They had forgotten how it felt to be sailing on the skyship again. Captain O’shea took the wheel and drifted round the fluffy clouds whilst Ty and Marianna were doing their homework in the light of a candle-lit lamp, still rolling round the room. There was something above them, a pitter-patter of..Feet! Ty’s goosebumps tingled and Marianna’s eyes widened. They were petrified. Ty went to check if anything was there. Marianna watched as Ty tip-toed down the corridor, knocking over everything in his path. “Mother always used to say he was a walking accident waiting to happen!” thought Marianna. Ty came back, stumbling over his laces. “I..It’s ok” he said trying to get his breath back from all the running. “It’s nothing to worry about, it’s only the rest of the crewmembers!” Marianna didn’t believe Ty at first and hesitated at the doorway. “A..are you sure?” Marianna stammered. “Just..Just go see for yourself!” exclaimed Ty in the most excited voice. Ty was right. They were all there….Including their father! Marianna slapped her face. “wake up” she said “Wake up from your dream Marianna!” Ty ran to greet him but Marianna hesitated. Marianna stared at her father. He had a deep laceration down his face, his dusty, grey hair rode down his neck and his emerald eyes were glinting. It had been the first time Marianna had been frightened of her own father. She stepped back…Slowly….trying not to lose her balance.  Her father strode forward with outstretched arms; this is when she realized, they had been tricked!

A talon punctured the balloon, it fell low, the Captain yelled and fled, but she couldn’t go anywhere; she just couldn’t. The Stargrazer dropped to the ground with a huge THUMP! causing a relentless echo. A market square surrounded them, abandoned and empty. They gazed to the horizon; no one was there. They couldn’t stand the silence. The moonlight slanted down onto their faces; it was blinding. The rain trickled down; it was drenching. Not even Ty could see shelter, but Mariana could. An amber light shone from a doorway, they were desperate to stay dry. They observed the room, a map lay stretched on a wooden table, a rusted suit of armor clattered from the stand and a silver chest opened to reveal two ruby  eyes…

I would take an amethyst to solve all dreams,

I would take a fine, leather belt for strangling my enemies.

I would take a rainbow for a cheery expression,

I would take a rope to pull the islands from the sea.

I would take a chisel to retrieve the fossils beneath the slate.

(I was the girl who wrote the ‘table laden with exotic foods’ jotcast)