Chapter 21 - Page 293 - Lost In The Woods

   Simbatu went back to his seat. Jackie saw that Jim was okay, so he sat down also. Jim still had his arms around Rhasha and Shanha. "Girls," he said, "I'm sorry I scared you."

   Rhasha laid her head on Jim's shoulder, content. Shanha laid her head against Jim's arm. "Papa," Shanha said, "did you dream about a big scary monster, trying to eat you?"

   Jim raised her head with his fingers and kissed her on the cheek. "No." He smiled. "It was much worse than that."

   Shanha looked into Jim's eyes. "If it was worse than a monster trying to eat you, then I don't want to hear about it."

   "Then I won't tell you that the monster was trying to eat you, too." Jim smiled as Shanha's eyes grew big. She knew Jim was teasing her. Jim winked, then looked at Rhasha and kissed her tenderly.

   The jet continued its flight toward Africa. One by one, they each fell asleep. Rhasha, holding one of Jim's hands between both of hers, slept with her head on Jim's shoulder. He rested his head on hers. Shanha's head still lay on Jim's arm. She held his other hand.

   As Jim slept, a foggy picture began to focus into a vision. The picture began to roll like an old movie projector. Many images began to come together. Jim felt as though he were watching a movie in a theater.

   An old, worn out locomotive was parked at a railway station. Jim recognized the scenery of Africa. Black African people were gathered all around the train. Most of them carried bags; others carried small children. Smoke billowed from the engine, and it released a hiss of built-up pressure. The train whistle sounded, announcing the train's impending departure.

   People were climbing onto the train. A conductor checked their tickets. Everyone was in a hurry. The train was getting ready to leave. The conductor had a problem with one of the passenger's tickets, and people waiting to get on the train began to panic. Jim could see the wheels on the train slowly start to turn, but several people still hadn't boarded.