She had started out as a mere wisp of cloud—nothing, in other words—only a few days ago, floating aimlessly along whatever path the wind took her. Disappointment plagued her for the first few hours of drifting over the ocean with the other wisps, with nothing to look at but the curvature of the earth and nothing to do. Her dad had lied. Again. This was so boring.
But no, Janelle thought. She was special. And meant for something greater.
The heat from the ocean below drifted up towards her. Like the aroma of a feast. She fed on it, growing stronger and absorbing the clouds around her as the sun set. This was better. Maybe her dad hadn’t lied too bad this time.
The first night came and she started to spin as the ocean’s power coursed through her new body. On the second day she grew stronger still, until an intoxicating roar filled her being. Now on the third day, she was getting somewhere.
The ocean churned below as Janelle flew ahead. Never before had she felt so free. So able to leave behind all the crap of her other life. The memories of the past few days. But this wouldn’t last forever. She’d have to go back to that life soon.
The sun set for a third time. Janelle kept feeding off the heat of the water, gathering more and more of its moisture around herself like a cloak. She’d need it for later. She wasn’t sure why…but it was the right thing to do.
By Day Number Four, an incredible power raced through her like a million thunderstorms. Invigorating. Alive.
But land appeared on the horizon. It stretched up and down like a green and brown splatter of mud. No sparkling ocean lay beyond its borders…and no fuel. And she was getting slowly closer to it. Great. This would have to end, and soon.
She tried to stop and turn back, but no use. Something urged her on. Pushing her. She had better enjoy this while it lasted.
Three more days passed. The land got closer. And closer. So she moved forward as slowly as she could, savoring this amazing power. And every night, the stars shined overhead with nothing to ruin the spectacular view. Meteorites streaked across the sky.
As the sun peeked over the horizon on the seventh day, she took a turn to the north. It felt right to do so. Janelle flew faster, the power within her singing as she moved. Why had she ever been afraid to do this? She’d never enjoyed anything more in her life.
But the land had come closer by day number eight—much closer. Now Janelle moved alongside it, keeping a safe distance but going faster. And faster. Gray blobs—cities?—lined the distant coastline.
A distant little voice reared up in her consciousness. Show them no mercy. But it faded away like an old, moldy nightmare. It wasn’t important. Then her father’s voice replaced it. Control yourself, Janelle. You’ll spare more lives. That was better.
The coast curved up ahead…and now she was on a collision course with it. Crap. She’d nearly forgotten. She had to calm down before she got to it. Janelle urged herself to slow with all her might, but she couldn’t…the energy of the ocean kept floating up towards her, tempting her. She could savor it one more time, just one more…No, she thought over and over. The land drew closer and she didn’t have time for this.
The roar began to fade. The energy drained from Janelle as she rejected the ocean’s offer of more. Hours passed. Her body grew feebler and started to break apart. She was starving to death.
The rocky shore crept in under her now, battered by her waves. And then the ocean vanished completely. Only trees, buildings, roads, and fields stretched out under her now.
No warmth. No energy. The last of her life drained away. So tired, she was so tired. Any minute, this would end.
They were nearby. Her father, Hank, and Gary. She could sense them somewhere below, waiting. It was time to go back now.
A wobble shook her being. Janelle’s awareness dropped from the sky as if a trapdoor had opened. Wisps of cloud rushed past. An invisible box seemed to close in, squashing her down to a tiny point with a hollow whoosh that rushed in from all sides. The world went black and she spun around tighter and tighter. She was going to pass out. She was going to—
With a sloshing sound, it all stopped.
Janelle stood on a muddy road, trembling in place. Her clothes stuck to her like a second skin, soaked. She fell to her knees—she had legs again—and sank into the soft earth as a tiny peek of sunlight filtered down through the surrounding trees.
A motor grumbled behind her. Footfalls approached. But who cared? Nap. She needed a nap. It sounded good she didn’t care if she had to take it in the middle of the road.
“Janelle, it’s over. Let’s get you somewhere where you can sleep.” Her father appeared above her. “We’ll lay her out on the backseat of the van.”
Gary. Her dad. They were here. Just like they’d said they’d be.
Gary took one arm. Her father the other.
Everything blurred. Her legs dragged as they pulled her along. A van door slid open and she landed on a firm, velvety surface as hands released her. The backseat. A tickle formed in her throat and she coughed. Mr. Deville closed the door and sat in the seat right in front of her.
Gary sat beside her. “It’s okay,” he said, letting her rest her head on his shoulder.
Her father climbed into the driver’s seat. Gravel crunched as the van rolled down the deserted road.
Janelle lay against Gary and closed her eyes, listening as the rain she had brought to this place started to pummel down on the land again.