09 Fly Away Home

Chapter 09 Fly Away Home The white horse stopped at the low wall by the edge of the track. “ He’s come for us! ” cried Annie. The guards stared in awe at the horse. Annie broke free and dashed over to Jack. He grabbed her hand and they ran to the horse. The guards shouted and started after them. But they were too late. Jack and Annie had already climbed over the wall and into the waiting chariot.

“ Go! Go! Go! ” Annie cried to the huge white horse. The horse reared and pawed the air. The crowd stepped back from the wall. The guards froze.

Jack looked up to where Plato was now standing. Plato smiled and waved at him. Then the white horse leaped forward, pulling the chariot behind him. Jack couldn’t even wave back at Plato. All he could do was hold on tight as the horse galloped beside the Olympic racers. Jack bounced up and down. Dust and sand got in his eyes. He squeezed them shut and crouched down in the chariot. He didn’t know where they were going. But it didn’t matter. The white horse was in charge. Jack heard the thundering noise of the racing horses and chariots. He heard the screaming crowd. He felt sand blowing in his face and the hard bumping and rattling of the chariot.

Suddenly, he was thrown backward. He heard a swoosh of wind, then … Silence. “ Oh, wow! ” cried Annie. Jack opened his eyes. All he saw was blue sky. He pushed his glasses into place and looked around. “ Help! ” he cried. The white horse had grown giant feathery wings and was pulling their chariot into the sky. Jack gripped the railing of the chariot and held on for his life. “ To the tree house! ” shouted Annie. Below, the Olympic crowd watched in stunned silence. The winged horse left the games behind and flew over the temple of Zeus, over the statue of Nike, over the sacred olive tree and the gymnasium.

On they went: over the poet’s house, the Greek theater, and the field of white tents. Finally, the winged horse coasted to the ground near the olive grove.