Aloha – In the first two excerpts I shared from Demeter, we are introduced to three of the central characters: Ryder, his younger sister Debbie, and a girl on whom Ryder has a crush, Cynthia Flores. The book starts up with a real incident dramatized for the story of Ryder getting beaten up at a school dance, and Debbie and Cynthia getting into it with the school bully. All three are transferred to another school where they meet Ms. Lee, and soon to follow, Mr. Small from their previous school. There timing is great as they are invited to a year abroad in Europe. Bread crumbs along the way suggest a bit of a mystery but nothing they are concerned with. Then we get into things heating up. What’s going on?
According to the clock on the wall, they arrived at M-23 ten minutes after the flight was supposed to leave, but it was still there. They checked through the counter in a rush and ran down an empty jet bridge. Ryder caught glimpses of the plane through the porthole-type windows as they entered the plane’s threshold. It looks a little odd, he thought, then rushed in behind Debbie and bumped into Cynthia. “I’m sorry,” he said panicky.
“I’m not,” Cynthia quipped, breathing hard from the run.
The interior of the plane was different. It was black with brown leather seats. The black reminded Ryder of a Japanese jewelry box his mother owned. What was that called? Lacquer, that’s it, he thought. The aisles were wider, with only two seats on each side. The seats were even larger than first class on the previous flight. He didn’t have to bend over to walk down the aisle or even when he slid into his chair. The overhead compartments were harder to reach, but deeper than the previous plane. Along with his backpack he could have easily placed his two suitcases in the space. Ryder also noticed that he did not have to stand in a line inside the plane to get to his seat. He figured that was just because they were late. “Wow, this is the way to fly. I wonder if all international flights are like this,” he mumbled.
Rebecca Creer was sitting next to him. Debbie and Cynthia were across the aisle. Ryder knew two things about Rebecca: she would read the entire way, and she wouldn’t say a word to him. Debbie once counted, and announced to Ryder, that Rebecca had only spoken seven words all day in class.
Rebecca turned to Ryder. “Something is not right with this. I’ve traveled to Europe twice before, and this just isn’t right,” she declared.
Ryder was in shock. “What did you say?” he asked stupidly. More surprised that she had spoken to him than by what she had said.
“The planes for international flights are more crowded and uncomfortable than domestic flights. When my family and I went to Spain last year, I could barely hold my book up without having my arms go into spasms. This is bizarre,” She declared.
There was a doorbell-like ping, and the pilot announced that they would be leaving shortly, and to fasten their seatbelts.
Ryder looked for the carlike seatbelt and was immediately confused. “Miss Li, I don’t have a seatbelt,” he complained. It was at this point he noticed something else: there was no flight attendant to ask for help.
Miss Li walked to the front and immediately had everyone’s attention. “You will probably notice that this is a private plane, as opposed to a regular airliner. You’ll need to fasten your safety equipment. Sit back in your seat and press the blue button on the arm rest. But be sure you are sitting back as far as you can in your seat when you push the button.” She then sat down quietly, as if to demonstrate, and pushed the blue button on her console. There was a faint purr, and several restraining devices automatically deployed, firmly securing her to the chair. Ryder heard several other purrs and clicks. He looked at Rebecca, and then pushed the button. A moment later she did the same.