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Grasshopperboy packed his bag and opened the door . “ Make quick ! We have to move . They are coming closer .” He seated her behind him on the stool . Her legs were swinging . He rubbed the horn and lifted it a bit . The stool rose and flew through the door over the grass and the bushes . “ The area is not familiar to me !” whispered he . He opened the bag and drew out the ball . He swiped up the crystal thing and focused on the screen that showed him the area . Guided by the ball as a navigator , he tried to avoid their pursuers . “ Up ! Over there .” cried the crowd from underneath . “ They have noticed us .” exploded Grasshopperboy on the flying stool , “ We have to advance them .”
He pushed the horn a bit forth while not moving his eyes from the navigator . His spacecraft picked up speed . “ Fire !” roared the officer . The two young riders heard a burst of fire . Fortunately , they were farther than the rifles could reach . “ Call the helicopter !” ordered the officer . It was the first light of dawn . “ We ’ re going to be discernible and visible . We have to hide .” said Grasshopperboy . He patted the ball and looked at the scene on that the screen broadcast . -What a beautiful trip ! He felt it . The stool was flying faster and farther . He swiped the screen up and down and inspected every inch of the area . The magic ball showed a thick wood . He lowered the horn and the spacecraft started to go down . It entered the wood . It had taken him only a couple of hours to be a selfconfident pilot . He lowered the speed , handled the control carefully and concentrated on the navigator trying to avoid the trees and bushes .
“ There !” yelled he . He had seen a cave . He pulled the horn and the stool landed . “ Get off , baby !” he asked her softly . She didn ’ t respond . He untied her arms and caught her carefully for fear she would fall . She was sleeping . He shook his head : “ Don ’ t trouble yourself , girl !” He carried her into the cave then went back to collect his equipment . He heard the distant and faint roar of the helicopter . He rushed in . “ Wake up girl .” He shook her . “ I am tired . I want to sleep .” answered she . “ What ’ s your name , girl ?” asked Grasshopperboy . “ I won ’ t tell you ! My dad told me not to give information to strangers .” said she with a sleepy voice . “ Good girl !” whispered the green creature .
" Grasshopperboy " By Ezzeddine Cherni
To be continued
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