Hey guys, I'm back! It was a great trip! Don't worry, Vesuvius didn't erupt! So sorry for the long wait but I had SERIOUS writer's block and just didn't wanna do this for simply AGES.

"Time for us to go!" announced Keith.

"Ohh," complained Jasmine. "But I love surfing!"

"Me too!" agreed Nisha.

"Not only that, but me and Drakes here found LOVE," added Cassie. She and Draco quickly nuzzled, making Zara mime being sick behind them.

"Look guys," began Iago, "I want to stay here as much as you do, but we can't. Our family needs us. The world needs us."

The others looked at each other.

"He's right," said Nisha.

The others reluctantly agreed.

So they all clambered onboard The Amun-Ra as Keith had named it, launched and set off.

For the first two hours, apart from a few arguments and pukings, everything just about went swimmingly, but then . . .

"Stop hogging!"

"I am not hogging!"

"Are so!"

"Am not!"

"Are so!"

"SHUT UP!"

Zara and Nisha glanced at Keith.

"Listen everyone! This is getting stupid now! It's hard to stay cool and calm when you're all trapped on a boat with the risk of us sinking or falling in or going in the wrong direction. But still, we have to pull ourselves together if we are going to get through this punishing ordeal."

"He's right guys," added Matthew. "This isn't easy for any of us. But we can't give up now. Not with the whole world and the Heavens on the bottom line here."

"It's hard though!" wailed Nisha. "Why didn't we make some entertainment while we were in the mountains or in Hawaii?"

"I'd like to recite a poem," said Jasmine. "It's called 'Painful Red Weals'. It might sort everything out."

The others all glanced at one another, murmuring as if deciding. At last, Cassie answered.

"Let's hear it then Jazz."

Jasmine took a deep breath and, slowly and rather nervously, recited her poem.

The weals on my skin,

They stick out very well

But they are very painful

Like I've just gone to Hell

I am constantly beaten

Yet I try to stand tall

There's a red circle on my forearm

Like I've been struck by a ball

Still, I clench my battered fists

I hold my chin in the air

For I will not show weakness

At the paws of any bear

Raised red marks across my arms

Are out for all to see

Many people hate them,

But they look OK on me

For I am not prone to breakdowns

No matter how hard the strike

Those painful, painful red weals

Won't keep me from my bike.

Jasmine finished and the others clapped.

"Jasmine, you have dignity," complimented Draco, patting her on the back.

Jasmine smiled. "Thanks."

Jasmine's poem just then was based on a poem I made up a few days ago. I know it's not the best, but hey, I'm just a beginner. I've written another one, but I don't really feel like putting it down here. Maybe I'll put it into a later chapter, but not this one.

Review!