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Shit, I'm gaping. I slam my mouth shut as he stalks past me.

"Idiot kid," he mumbles.

Oh my God. I was so rude, staring like that.

Also... he was right.

There's a freakin' elevator just hanging out in the middle of the woods. How'd I miss that? It's almost entirely made of transparent glass, and it's parked beneath a tree, crushing a bunch of ferns.

Elf guy stops at the doors, hands crossed behind his back, and then whirls to face me with a snarl.

My cheeks go fiery hot, and I avert my eyes, trying to figure out where the elevator even goes. It doesn't look like it's attached to anything...

I look up, and I'm gaping again.

Wow.

Just wow.

There are cabins in the treetops!

Each one is built around a massive Redwood tree on a circular platform. There are lots of big windows, and I can see the tree trunks through them. Redwood trunks, inside the cabins. Just another part of the decor.

How cool!

Which one's mine?

I can see a whole long row of cabins from down here, all connected by flimsy bridges that are gently swaying in the breeze.

Gently swaying two hundred feet in the air.

My smile fades, and I take an involuntary step back. They're cool to look at, but, uh, me and heights? We don't get along.

 They're cool to look at, but, uh, me and heights? We don't get along

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Mr. Elf clears his throat, and I glance over at him. He's tapping his brown boot impatiently, and when he sees me looking, he sticks out his tongue.

It's so absurd, I have to slap a hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing.

So far, Sequoia Aegis Base has some strong fantasy theme park vibes, except they've got the rudest park attendants ever. Not that I've ever been to a theme park, but still... I imagine the people working there wouldn't act like FAE and this guy.

I shake my head and force myself to walk up to the elevator, trying to ignore the man's surly presence.

This is so awkward, but I don't know how to fix it. I shouldn't have gaped at him when I met him... That's probably why he's being so mean.

Oh well.

At least he's not trying to make small talk.

Why not? I bet he'd be good at it. Har har.

Shut up, brain. Not nice!

I let out a snort anyway at the thought.

"Moronic child," Elfhole mumbles from under his bushy beard, shooting me another dirty look.

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