In the Airplane
The young artist, Mr. Frederick, gazed out the airplane window, unable to contain his excitement. His love for painting fueled a deep anticipation as he embarked on a journey to find the legendary brush. A notification interrupted his thoughts.
—Ding—
It was a message from Ormella: "How do you feel?" He replied with a simple smiling emoji, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath."
Dear passengers, please fasten your seatbelts and switch your phones to airplane mode. Flight 1453 will be taking off shortly," the pilot’s voice echoed through the cabin.
Frederick tightened his seatbelt as the plane roared to life. As it ascended, he looked out the window, mesmerized by the vast expanse of clouds gliding by. The serene blue sky stretched endlessly, and a mischievous, childish urge to open the window danced in his mind. He chuckled at the thought and shook it off, focusing on the adventure ahead.
His mind soon drifted back to the legendary brush. Unable to resist, he turned on his phone and browsed through his research. Disappointment washed over him as he read the skeptical comments on his latest post:
"That brush doesn’t exist …"
"No one can find it…"
"This man is crazy …"
"It’s probably been destroyed by time …"
“Enough!” Frederick muttered, disgusted by the negativity. He turned off his phone and clenched his fists. Determination flared within him, his resolve burning brighter than ever. As the plane cut through Africa's skies, Frederick looked out the window with renewed purpose.
Finally, the plane touched down smoothly. Frederick stepped out of the cabin, taking in the dry, sweltering heat. He adjusted a brown hat from his backpack, shielding his sunlit brown hair, and made his way to the parking lot.
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His friends were waiting for him. “Get the car and take us to the hotel before flashing us that smile,” Ryan teased, patting Frederick on the shoulder. With a dimpled grin, Frederick rented a car, and the group piled in. Ormella leaned forward to switch on the air conditioner, beads of sweat tracing her flushed cheeks. They drove to the hotel, eager to freshen up before their adventure.
At the hotel, Frederick’s friends chose rooms close to his. After collecting their keys, they headed to the elevator. Frederick, lost in thought about the legendary brush, didn’t notice Ormella sneaking glances at him. On the fourth floor, they parted ways, and Frederick stepped into his room.
The sunset view from his balcony was breathtaking. The twilight painted the horizon in hues of orange and pink. Brushing his hand along the metallic railing, Frederick let the beauty sink in before taking a quick shower.
He couldn’t resist diving into his art. Unpacking his supplies, he began painting. The symphony of colors on his canvas filled him with euphoria. A sudden knock on the door broke his flow.
“Excuse me, sir,” said a hotel employee as Frederick opened the door. “I saw your post and know you’re searching for the legendary brush.” He handed Frederick a necklace shaped like a radiant sun. “The sun shines at the center of all. Use its rays wisely, and you’ll never fall into darkness.”
The man’s voice softened as he added, “I’ve been waiting for you. Good luck.” Before Frederick could question him, the man disappeared, leaving Frederick bewildered.
Frederick examined the necklace closely. It had four triangular edges, each etched with ancient Egyptian symbols. On the back were the words: “Follow your heart.” He immediately contacted Ormella, an expert in Egyptian hieroglyphs.
“I found something you’ll love. Come to my room,” he texted. Ormella’s face lit up as she read the message. Pulling her cascading black hair into a ponytail, she headed to his room.
Their eyes met, and they exchanged warm smiles. “Where is it?” she asked, sitting beside him. Frederick handed her the necklace, watching her reaction intently. As she studied it through her glasses, she asked how he got it. Frederick explained the strange encounter.
“Why didn’t you ask him more?” Ormella scolded gently. Frederick bit his lip, embarrassed. “Let me find him,” he mumbled, rushing out.
Ormella sighed, knowing he was too flustered to ask the right questions. She called their friends and began analyzing the necklace. As she translated the symbols, the necklace levitated, breaking into four fragments. Each fragment formed a necklace around their necks, except for one, which hovered in the air. Ormella realized it belonged to Frederick.
Suddenly, portals opened behind them, pulling each into a different part of Egypt. Before being transported, Ormella managed to text Frederick: “The daughter of the earth, the son of lightning, the son of the trees, and the son of the sun…” Her message cut off abruptly as she disappeared.
Frederick returned to his room to find it in disarray. His friends were gone, and documents scattered everywhere. Grabbing Ormella’s notebook on Egyptian symbols, he whispered, “The adventure begins sooner than expected,” brushing his hair back with a grin.