Taking Flight

The wind ruffled softly through Kanen’s hair as he burst through the screen door of his grandmother's seaside cottage. It had been raining for days and the sun was finally peeking out from behind a light grey cloud. His red rubber boots squish-squashed loudly across the muddy yard as he dashed toward his target. Grandma Maggie had given Kanen a brand-new trampoline last week as a birthday gift. After one good day of bouncing the raging storm had moved in, cooping the family up inside as rain poured down and lightning crashed over the sea. He had waited, less than patiently, all week for the tumultuous storms to cease their battering of the shoreline. Each night, before falling asleep, Kanen wished for a sunny day. He wished for clear skies so he could fly higher than ever before. Finally, his wish was being granted. He could take flight once again!

Tossing his boots aside, Kanen launched himself onto the trampoline with a loud “whoop!” It was slick with rain making it difficult to control his movements. He slipped around the surface with each bounce, nearly tumbling off the side more than once.

A warm ray of sunshine slowly enveloped the yard, drying the surface and warming his skin. As Kanen regained his footing he flew higher with each bounce. I'm going to do it, he thought, I’ll jump higher than anyone has before!

With a final launch, he knew this was the one. He flew higher than the house and continued blasting upward. This has to be a record, he thought, cramming his eyes shut in anticipation of the long fall ahead.

A moment later he peeked open one eye, then the other, blinking in confusion. He was still floating upward, like a wayward balloon. He felt weightless, as though the sky were pushing him towards the endless sea of clouds overhead.

As he neared the edge of the cloud sea, Kanens ascent slowed to a halt. He hovered there beneath the cloud line, close enough to touch them, pondering his strange predicament. Reaching out toward the clouds he brushed his fingers through the closest wisp and began to rise. He scooped the clouds aside, the way he learned in swimming class. Each stroke brought him deeper into the shimmering white sea until he was enveloped by the slowly drifting tides. Swimming with all his might into the unknown, Kanen began to notice shapes forming nearby. Two fish appeared in the mist and began to follow him, enthralled by the mystery of this strange foreign creature. “So there really are animals in the clouds!” he chuckled with glee. His sudden outburst spooked the stalking fish, sending them fluttering into the distance.

The clouds began to thin and Kanen suddenly burst into the open air, landing on a downy white beach. He lay there for a moment, catching his breath and marvelling that this incredible world had always been just out of reach. The clouds felt sturdy yet soft between his toes as he wobbled to his feet, surveying the mysterious world around him. I'm going to be so late for dinner, he thought, taking in the jungle of clouds before him. It stretched out for miles away from the beach. Palm trees and tall wispy grass swayed in the breeze, like fog reaching toward the sun above.

Luminous white birds swooped out of the tree line, dancing around Kanen before flitting back toward the trees as though beckoning him forward. Straightening his back, he walked into the hazy jungle. “Everything here is made of clouds, they can’t hurt me,” he chanted quietly as he traipsed deeper into the jungle. Animals began to form around him, studying his movements through the jungle fog.

A small monkey suddenly fell from above, landing on Kanens head. He jumped, startled by the monkey's surprise entrance, and was thrilled to find himself bouncing back into the air. As Kanen landed softly back on the forest floor he chuckled to himself. It’s like a giant trampoline, he thought with a grin. The monkey scuttled down from his head as Kanen began to bounce softly on the forest floor. He had almost forgotten the creature was there, it was as light and fluffy as a cotton ball.

With renewed bravery, Kanen began bouncing his way through the hazy jungle. He flew forward with reckless abandon and soon found himself atop a hill, deep in the center. Choosing a cozy spot to rest, he flopped down on a bed of giant mushrooms to catch his breath. As he lay perfectly still, basking in the serene silence of this floating paradise, his eyelids began to flutter. While the mid-afternoon sun warmed his body, Kanen drifted into a soothing dream.

The sun was already setting when a low rumble in the distance woke Kanen from his peaceful slumber. The forest around him shimmered with a peach glow, but in the distance, the once shining forest became a dim grey. Something big was moving through the forest, spreading darkness in its wake.

Kanen sprung to his feet trying to remember which way led back to the beach. Where do I go?! From the darkness a crack of lightning split the sky, shaking the forest with a thunderous boom.

An idea popped into Kanens mind. He remembered swim class and the high diving lesson he had waited so long for. It was a thrill to jump from the tallest platform, but this would be something very different.

My only chance is to reach the far side of this jungle and hope there will be another beach. If I swim back down through the sea of clouds and fall out over the ocean I might survive.

“Looks like I’m heading into the eye of the storm”

Clenching his fists, Kanen pushed off toward the ominous rolling darkness. Something huge was jutting out from the stormfront ahead. He steered closer to get a better look at the strange object causing this infectious storm. By the time he realized what was lurking ahead, it was too late to turn back. A pair of blazing blue eyes were locked on him.

Two giant wings sprung forth from the rumbling clouds as a scaly head let loose a massive bolt of lighting, narrowly missing Kanens path. The monster released a piercing cry that rivalled the harshest storm. Kanen raced away from the creature toward the edge of the jungle. He felt the heat on his face as another blast of lighting chased him deeper into the tumultuous storm. Darkness swirled around him as he bound through the heart of the storm. The monster was coming after him now, trying to rid its home of this uninvited guest. Finally, Kanen spotted a break in the trees ahead. He put all his power into one last jump and hoped for a miracle.

The world went dark around him as he sunk into the clouds. The storm above had infected the sea, leaving it dim and lifeless. As he swam, a patch of light slowly formed in the distance. Kanen raced toward it and found his head popping out the side of the floating sea. Looking down at the ocean below the fall seemed perilous at best. He gathered his strength, preparing to dive into a free fall that would determine his fate.

That’s when he spotted it. Salvation. A massive ship on the horizon, heading toward the docks for shelter from the incoming storm. It should be passing by soon. If I can grab onto the mast and climb down I'll have a ride home!

Kanen got into position and waited for his opportunity to grasp freedom. All traces of sunlight were nearly gone when the ship finally reached him. The mast was just out of Kanens reach as it approached the edge of the cloud sea where he waited with outstretched arms. I have to jump for it. I only have one chance he thought, preparing to pounce as the mast reached its closest proximity. This is it, he dove out of the floating sea and wrapped his arms tightly around the ship's mast. “HAHA! I did it!” he bellowed toward the sky.

Very carefully, he made his way down to the main deck. The crew was nowhere in sight. “I guess I’m the captain now then” Kanen chuckled, strutting to the front of the ship, pointing and passing out orders to invisible crewmen.

“Swab the deck ya mangy dogs. Prepare to drop anchor Mr. Smee” he chortled as he came to a stop at the front of the ship.

Kanen stared over the bow of the ship toward home, breathing deeply of the cool salty air. A contented smile spread across his face as he leaned against the rail, finally relaxing his muscles. The journey was over, but he would never forget his greatest adventure. The day he faced the guardian dragon of the sky.

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