Graham got off of the plane in a hurry. People were giving him weird stares
everywhere he went. But he couldn't blame them. After all, what would you think if a
15-year-old kid wearing a bowler hat and a trench coat with something hidden
underneath on his back was sitting next to you in the first class cabin? Normally,
Graham would have been thrilled to fly first class. He would have ordered off the
expensive menu if it had been paid for. But, as it was, he was leery about attracting
any more attention than his tail and ears already were. But this was the only way to
hide them. He may look like a lonney now, but at least he wasn't a freak. Not yet at
least. Looking around, he saw a sign with his name on it being held by an Arabic
choufer. Dragging his luggage to the man, he asked in a whisper, "Is this for Danton
Academy?"
"Yes, Mr. Pancahm, the cab is outside."
/Cab?/ Graham thought, /After first class airline, I'm going to ride in a cab? These
people are weird./
But when Graham saw the "cab" he was shocked. It was a sportscar with tinted
windows painted taxi yellow with a single black stripe across the side. On the stripe, in
white, the words "Danton Academy Transportation Services" were written in bold
lettering.
"DATS?" asked Graham, ammused.
"As in, 'Dat's a sweet ride, dude," replied the choufer. "Please allow me to be
introducing myself. I am Habib Kabrac, and I will be providing your transportation to
and from the school."
"But I thought Dr. Sleece said that we wouldn't be allowed to leave the school?"
"In most cases, no," Habib answered, "But there are certain times during your training
that you must leave the Academy to fulfill an assignment. And then of course, there's
the day you graduate. So, you won't see me often, but you will see me. Now if you
would be so kind, please sit in the back seat and relax."
In the car, Habib noticed that Graham did not seem very happy.
"What is wrong Mr. Pancahm? You do not like this station?"
"No, it's not that, it just that...I won't see my family in a long time and--"
"You are scared?"
"Yeah."
"Do not worry. I was afraid, too, when I first came here. I was a student at Danton and
I had never been more than a few miles away from my parents. You can imagine the
fear when I was told I would be coming alone to a different country. But in the end, it
was worth it. I now have complete control over my powers, I love my job, my pay is
high and I have many holidays to visit my family in Pakistan."
"You're a shape-shifter, too?!"
"Yes," and with that, he flipped a switch on the dashboard. Suddenly, his seat turned
around and the car began to drive itself. Then, Graham watched as Habib shape-
shifted into a copy of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"You must be strong," he said with the signature Austrian accent of the former actor,
"You must put aside your doubts and face your fears."
Then he shifted again, this time into George W. Bush. With his Texas accent, Habib
said, "Whatcha gotta do, is ya gotta fight yer way through this, this complicatory
problamation here. Hell, I didn't get ta serve two terms as president by sittin' on my
ass! Ya gotta get out there and push yerself to yer limitations!"
Next, he became a real life imitation of Bugs Bunny. In a high, rabbit-like voice he
said, "Now Doc I'm gonna tell ya straight up, there ain't no way you're gonna get
anywhere by moping--" here Habib turned back into himself, "so lighten up kid! Or I
will turn back into the rabbit and smack you with my glove!" From there, Graham and
Habib spent the rest of the trip talking like old friends. Before he knew it, Graham was
stepping out of the cab with a smile.
But how long would it last?
*Oh, the suspense!*