As Cody bought his ticket, he learned he wouldn't actually get to choose what magical creature he'd become. It'd be a slow process and a complete surprise. But it's something entirely different from the norm, for someone who got an entire room to himself once he turned twenty. Feeling a bit dizzy form the ride, Cody stumbled out of the train station. A taller boy smiled and held out his hand to help Cody upright. As they shook hands, Cody realized the stranger was already three inches taller than he was.
"Great place isn't it, no?" The teen asked.
"Yea it's beautiful," Cody agreed, rubbing his eyes to clear the fuzz from his vision, "but where are we?"
They were standing in front of a field dotted with trees, with deep forest a few yards away. Looks to be no signs of civilization at all, besides a makeshift camp with some other students sitting around it.
"This is north entrance to our project. You'll be wanting to spend the night here before heading deeper into the woods tomorrow. My name's Wade by the way," he said, extending his hand again.
Cody couldn't help but notice that as well as tall, Wade was bulky and very strong. He took his offering hand, and shook it firmly.
"Cody."
The two spent the night chatting over a campfire and joked with their new competitors. Although there wasn't any direct answer on what type of magical being they will become in the morning, today was the best day of Cody's life.
A confident smile cracked Cody's face as he waited for sunrise. But after only a three hour sleep, the dawn started to dawn upon them. And soon enough, the gang was woken up by some strained grunts and stretching sounds coming from a shy girl that was staying at camp. Cody rubbed his eyes and gave his campmate a closer look. She was starting to grow insect wings- big ones! Her skin shone blue as her body became more translucent. The wings tore through the back of her sundress, thankfully not destroying it completely. And she somehow slept through it all.
"Good morning Starlight. Do you feel any different this morning?" Cody asked gently. The girl stirred as the huge dragonfly wings buzzed gently.
Starlight squinted in the light, "What? Oh hi. Umm..Is everyone ready for the journey ahead?" she asked uncertainly.
Wade draped an arm across her shoulders to reassure her, "You're going to do great sweetheart."
One by one the students went forward in the forest, each girl taking hold of a guys hand or shoulders. Suddenly dizzy, Cody wobbled and nearly fell onto Wade had it not been for Starlight catching him. She looked down nervously yet fondly at the human boy.