Room 9 by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 4

Arriving at their destination, Elaine coordinated the groggy teens together and prompted them toward the front of the plane, where they disembarked. The gangway was loud with the sound of engines winding down, but warm with the fresh Virginia air. Arriving at the luggage carousel, she noticed a man standing near the hallway with a sign that read ‘Nasa Tour Group’. It was only now that she realized that they had been assigned a driver and that she would not have to rent a car, as she had planned. With the group in tow, Elaine walked quickly to the well-dressed man and inquired as to his assignment.

“Are you here for the kids from Portland?”

The man nodded and answered promptly.

“Yes, ma’am, right this way”. Elaine turned to the group, their minds still lost in the haze of well-needed sleep.

“C’mon guys,” she began. “Our ride is here.”

The driver's hurried pace forced the group from a trudging walk to a stiff jog until finally leaving the terminal. Not far away was a gray van with the word 'NASA' boldly stenciled on its side. The driver was good enough to help put their luggage in the rear of the van as the group filed in. Once again, they dozed off as soon as they sat down, All but Elaine, who sat in the front still nursing her coffee, her eyes wide with the rush of caffeine.