Chapter 1
Today was the day we all dreaded, despite our hearts skipping a beat each time we think of it. Today we must spread our wings and fly, literally. There are few adults in our town on the edge of the White Desert, these adults are rounding up those of us who are 15, undoing the clasps that have held our wings for years. Several people are already attempting to fly, several are crashing into the roofs of our log cabins, a small handful race the gray smoke twisting from the chimneys towards the gathering clouds.
I tap my foot impatiently, “I’m almost done Kara, just hold still!” Jade comments as she wrestles with the clasps on my wings. I simply nod my head in response, all at once the weight that had held me earthbound fell away, I arched my back, causing my wings to snap open.
“Hey!” Jade yelled, “Watch it, you almost hit me!”
I push my shoulders down and accidentally launch into the air, “Sorry!” I call as Jade almost falls onto her butt, “I’m not sure how these work yet.”
“You do Kara, don’t kid yourself.” Skylar interjected, gliding over, her wings almost matching the little blue left in the sky.
Jade gracefully rise into the air to join us, her gray wings hardly moving, “So, you guys start your journey across the White Dessert today. Are you ready?”
“Ha! Can anyone be ready?” Skylar shouts, almost falling onto a roof.
“That’s fair...” Jade meditated, despite having never crossed the Desert herself.
“Hey, what time do we need to be at the Gate by?” Skylar asked Jade.
“Around one pm. Why?”
“This is the one thing I won’t be late for is why.” Skylar replied with a grin.
“Today you all begin your journey across the White Desert, to the lands beyond. Take with you these remainders of a place you once called home.” The Leader of our small town paused as we accepted the various items from the young children, “Take also with you these bags, containing much of what you will need for your journey. Now,” he paused fading on the twenty of us lined up before him, “The Gate opens, go forth to the world, and see who shall survive...”
The end of his speech didn’t phase me to much, they say that the White Desert isn’t as bad as everyone tries to make it seem like it is. We all know that reality not Crossing is a bigger risk than moving forward. The girl in line next to me sets her wings with a sigh, “Ready, three, two,” the countdown starts, “one. Now go! May you have luck in all your endeavours!” We all launch into the sky as those who would remain applauded below, the adults of the village shifted uneasily at their posts. I ignored the unease in the air and swooped over the Gate, leaving everything I had known behind, leaving only the world before us.
