“Last boarding call for flight 327 to Richard’s Bay Airport, South Africa, boarding at gate 29.” the loud speaker calls. I sprint towards the gate. 25...26...27...28

...29. I make it just in time. I hand the lady my passport. She looks at it confused.

“I turned 18 last month.” I explain. The lady nods.

“You’re just in time. We’re closing up.” she says. I dash onto the plane just as the flight attendants close the doors. I find my seat and put my headphones on. I don’t have music, it just blocks out the sound of the turbulence. I’m lucky there’s no one sitting next to me. While we’re taking off, I imagine to look on Ms Renbar’s face when she discovers I’m gone. After 16 long years at the orphanage, I’m not going back. I still can’t believe I managed to escape. I was one of the unlucky ones who didn’t get adopted. Whenever people showed up, they always said I was too noisy, too unpredictable. Ms Renbar said I was ‘wild’ and it was my own fault I didn’t get adopted. I was always a fast packer. Procrastinating helped me. When we went on the yearly summer trip, I always packed the night before. I managed to stuff everything in my dorm into a backpack and suitcase. I booked the flight under Ms Renbar. I’ve had enough of the orphanage. Countess newbies crying for nights on end. The lucky ones who get adopted smirking smugly to the rest of us. I guess 16 long years at a gloomy orphanage takes its toll.I don’t get why I couldn’t have gone to live with my family when Mum and Dad died while on Safari. They were always away anyway, as tour guides. It was their own fault they didn’t check the weather. But with my Mum’s sister having 5 kids of her own, has no room in her house for more. She was the one who told me my parents died, and for a few months, I was wondering whether that story was true. Whether my parents would show up to surprise me and I’d have a family again. But it never happened. A week ago, Aunty told me of a place I could go if I wanted freedom. An island off the coast of Africa. With it’s lush rainforests, Ms Renbar couldn’t find me there.

~*~

We glide over Europe.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking, we will be landing in Rome for a fuel stop. Thank you.” the loudspeaker echoes overhead. Fuel stop? In Rome? For how long? Is it possible for me to stay on the plane? I really don’t want to get up. My thoughts are distracted by a flight attendant.

“Excuse me sir, could you please put your chair into the upright position for landing?” she asks. I nod and retract my chair. I should have booked business class.

~*~

The hours tick by. How long does it take to load up fuel? Apparently 2 and a half hours. After what seems like 10, a voice comes up on the loudspeaker again

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to embark on the second part of our journey to South Africa International Airport. Please fasten your seat-belts. My eyelids get heavy and begin to drop. I’m soon out like a light.

~*~

I jerk awake as the plane touches the ground. We grind along the runaway and brake with a jerk. People start standing up and start

collecting their luggage. I collect my suitcase from the overhead locker. I decide to use the stairs that go out onto the runway, instead of the on that trails into the airport. The first thing I do is exchange my pounds for South African rands. I summon a taxi.

“To the nearest boat rental, please.” I tell. the driver

“Sure.” the driver replies in a South African accent. I watch the scenery as we drive along. Vast landscapes rush by. We arrive at the docks and I pay him 10 rands. There are boats everywhere. From small canoes to huge motor boats. I rent a sailboat and am ready in no time. All those holidays paid off. I’m just about to set off when I hear someone shout.

“OI!”

I turn and see Ms Renbar and three policemen. They don’t look happy. Have they been following me all the way from London? They run towards me and my instincts kick in. I start the boat up and am sent flying to the back of the boat. It’s all I can do from falling into the sea. Behind me, I can see the boat-keeper flirting with Ms Renbar while she tries to get a boat, and I can’t help but laugh. One of the policemen summon more officers, and soon, there’s five police boats chasing me. I frantically pull the engine to its full speed, while I start rowing with all my might. The roar of the police boats’ engines gets fainter, but very gradually. I can hear the whistling from the police and I row faster and harder. I’m about to pass out, when I see an island com into view. A mist forms and I can just make out some trees. I paddle faster towards the island as the screeching sirens wail though my ears and I fall into the ocean, passing out.