We rode my dad's trolley down to the San Francisco air port. Having a nervous stomach all the way there. Telling myself there's nothing to fear. We got to the entrance, with Lola brusting out. I grab on to her backpack's lace, so she won't crash into anyone.
"Okay, girls! Have a wonderful time! Me and your mother will be looking forward to hear about your great adventure!"
"I'm sure there'll be alot to tell. Better go or I'll explode! Love you dad!" She hug him and ran to the door.
"Layla, please smile. Have a good time." I half heartly did.
"Yeah, I'll see you later." He smiled and left down the rode. I sigh and joined Lola.
We got inside the cool airport, as I got out the tickets from the side pocket of my backpack.
"Lola, don't run!"
"I'm not! I'm fast walking" She bumped into a secretary guard, as I quickly back her up."
"Sorry, my sister is just excited for her trip. Maybe you can direct us to our airline?" I shown him the tickets. One look, and he brust out with laugher. Embarrassed, I ran off to a lone corner, with Lola following me.
"I knew something was up! That secretary guard didn't take us seriously! I'm calling mom to tell dad to pick us up!"
"Maybe he doesn't take his job seriously! Will find our airline ourselves!"
"What airline?! These stupid tickets only tells us the place! We won't even get pass the baggage check out!"
"At least they'll won't know you trying to sneak pass with a pocket knife in your backpack!"
"Layla, please! I don't need anymore headache than I need now!"
Walking a few steps away, I felt someone following me! Panic without thinking, I pulled out my pepper spray, and quickly turned to use it!
"Ow! You idiot!" It was that gloomy elf guy! Only now wearing a black long button shirt, white pants and matching shoes.
"Oh, it's you again! Your tickets are a sham! What kind of game you're playing at?!" He rubbed his eyes to clear them, only to face me with bloodshot eyes.
"That's because you're using them at the wrong place! I was sent here to guide you to the right location!"
"So, you are an task labor boy." Lola snicker.
"You little brat, I mean." He cleared his voice. "Welcome guests! Ready to take a magical trip to the wonderland of Christmas Town?! Then, follow me!" He forced that same smile from before.
"Phoning it in again, I see."
"Why are you here anyway?! I thought only children are allow to come?!" Back to his frowny face.
"But, didn't you say I can bring someone at least under 21?! Well, what's wrong with my big sister?" The elf man got annoyed, only to sigh and led the way. We followed, keeping my pepper spray on standby.
Away from the buzzing crowd of people returning from Thanksgiving reunions, we entrance to a long hallway, that led to a single door at the end.
"Kinda shady for you to lead us all the way to an empty hallway. I warn you, I'm armed!"
"Sis, you're jumping to conclusion!"
"Well, someone have to be aware!" He reach the door and faced us.
"Behind this door will lead you to a ride of your dreams! Now, step dow the sta... OW!" I pepper spray him again.
"What kind of airport is this?! Why a basement?! Is this some kind of trap?! Why should I believe you?!" He growl with anger, and left down the stairs.
"Sis, lets go!"
"Lola! This is an AIRport! Why should we followed him down a dark staircase?!"
"If anything happens, you'll protect me. And I have my slingshot!"
"And you were braging me about bringing a pocket knife! Hey, wait!"
She ran down the stairs. I sigh to go after her. When I reach the light at the end of the staircase, my eyes felt like they pop out of my skull. Somehow we weren't in an airport anymore. We were now at some kind of subway station. I was dumbfounded, looking around me. Does this airport double as a subway?! Lola eyes were glue to the tunnel, which soon train whistles were heard, After a brilliant light, it arrived. A Christmas theme train made their way on the tracks, Candy cane funnel, red and green carts and peppermint wheels. If feel like if a toy train was brought to life. Lola had a big smile on her face, while I was still dumbfounded.
The Gloomy elf stepped out one of the cart. He cleared his voice once again.
"Ladies, welcome to the Christmas express!"
"Sis! It's just like story, the Polar Express, only better than that! Oh boy, lets go in!" She rushed in. Maybe I do judge things too quickly. Snapping out of it, I gave the elf the tickets and slowly stepped inside. Me and the gloomy elf gaze at each other with cruel faces. Then I went to find Lola.
Inside was like a normal passenger cart, only to have a festive theme to it all. We got in a small booth. Lola was jumping up and down her seat, as I placed our baggage on a long tray above us.
"Sis, You thought that this was dangerous or a knock-off! It seems high quality to me!"
"Okay, It's seems charming enough but, I'll still keep an eye out." How is this all real. "While we wait for the arrival, lets do our school homework." I handed her the school's assignments.
"Aww, Sis! We're on vacation!"
"You're also forgetting that we're missing a whole month of school. You don't what to fall behind!"
"We are on a magical train and you're making me do homework, You're no fun!" She gave me a pouty face.
"Now, don't give me that look! Now, lets first handle math. Lola, are you listening?!" Her eyes were on the food cart lady. She wore a bright pink dress, a pointed hat with a white puff ball on top. Pointed ears like if she was an elf too, and white curly hair. Pushing a cart of sweets, she appears to us.
"My, such sweet children. Would you like a treat?" She offer. Candy canes, lollipops, sweet bake goods. Lola's month water, as I sigh.
"Oh, that's okay. We brought our own food."
"My dear, there's on the house."
"Yes but, we'll still pass."
"That's alright." She pass by, as Lola pout.
"Sis, how can you pass up on FREE sugarly sweet?!"
"You're all ready too hyperactive as you are now! Remember the last time you went on a sugar rush?!"
"Oh," She cross her arms.
After a while of working on homework, Lola lost attention.
"Lola, pay attention."
"Sis, I gotta go use the bathroom!"
"That's random. Fine, I help you find one."
"Na, I'll find one myself!" She got up and ran off, before I could react. I sigh and continued my work. 10 minutes pass, and not return. I guess I got to look for her. I head to the next cart and there were small children with pointed ears, happily enjoying the ride. They look too elf like. Kind of creepy. One cart had a storage of big candy canes and another had a stall of deers, make that reindeers! This trip doesn't seems so low budget than I thought. Perhaps a bit too real. I finally founded her in a cart with a light grey finish, couches and a single table where she was, staring at a gingerbread man.
"Lola! This is not our place to be! Lets leave!"
"But, this gingerbread man look so delicious!" Couldn't help herself, she bite it's leg. That when a small scream was heard.
Suddeny, the gingerbread man came to life! I scream!
"How dare you eat me, little girl!" It began to punch Lola's nose, which she acted like she didn't felt a thing! I quickly pulled out the pepper spray, and hit that thing! It fell to the ground, twisting all around. Suddenly, that gloomy elf came in!
"Hey, you brats arn't suppose to be in here! Wait, my gingerbread man! Why, you!" I pepper spray his face and ran out, dragging Lola by the arm.
"Lola, don't run off again!" I scold her back in our cart.
"Sorry, I got hungry and those big candy canes back there were to hard to eat and I couldn't find the sweet lady!"
"Well, good thing that mouth wash came in handy! I don't know how that thing came to life or don't want to know what weird science that gloomy elf did to that gingerbread!"
"Sis, maybe this is all real, real elves, real reindeers!"
"No, it's just realistic! Not real! It's only a silly amusement park. Now, lets have salad and continued our homework!"
"I think I lost my appetite!" I sigh.
Night has fallen, or I think it has. Travelling in a tunnel, hard to tell. Lola was sleeping, as I stare at the window. Could she be right? I don't know. This train ride sure is long. Southern California shouldn't take long to arrival. Or maybe it's not there. Then, where can this Christmas Town be? I rested my eyes for a bit. When, my face was hit with a blue light. I quickly looked out the window and saw the tunnel's walls has turned into blue which light swirls and white snowflakes. The light woke Lola up and she too stared at the visuals.
"Wow, so pretty!"
"Yeah, nice special affects, I guess." Soon everything I thought before flew out the window when we reach the end of the tunnel.
Christmas Town look a lot more than a mere cheap amusement park. Blue sky, snow everywhere! Elf children skate near a big Christmas tree with penguins, a merry-go-round with winter animals, Christmas color cottages, elves all shapes and sizes were all around! It certainly looks too real for an amusement park, like as this could be an actual town! I was amazed how warm and cuddly it looks, Lola loved it all!
We arrive at a big colorful factory. Gloomy elf forcefuly guide us outside, still angry at the gingerbread situation.
"So, Sis? What did you say about this being cheap?"
"Okay, I was wrong. Don't rub it in." Suddenly, someone laughed a jolly laugh. He came out of the double doors, red suit, bread and all.
"Ho, Ho, Ho! My great guests, welcome to Christmas Town!"
