Chapter 9: Leaving Tazmania

Some hours went by and by this point, it was the late afternoon, going on to the evening. Taz, Molly, and Jake took all the snacks and drinks they could from the fridge and cabinets. Any pockets they had (mostly Jake and Molly), filled it with whatever they could. It was better to bring food and drinks in case California ended up expensive as it would be better in the long run. Plus, the flight there would probably take a while.

Taz was making a passport out of paper that was clearly fake. "Taz, this isn't gonna pass," said Molly. Taz spoke in his gibberish, in a way of saying how it's better than nothing. "And if it doesn't work?" asked Molly. Taz just raspberried in response.

Just then, someone began knocking on the door. Jake looked to see who it was, it was a motel employee outside. "It's the staff!" said Jake. "Shhh! Don't be too loud," said Molly. The 3 looked around to see what they could do. They then saw a coat and hat, hanging on a rack. The businessman probably forgot it on his way out. This gave the 3 an idea.

"Mr. Riverton, you said you'd be leaving by 7:00am but now it's 7:00pm," said the employee from outside, "Is everything alright in there?" The door opened and a tall figure wearing a trenchcoat and hat came out. In reality, it was Taz, Molly, and Jake within there. Taz was on the bottom walking, Molly was in the middle using her arms while also seeing things through a hole, and Jake was up top overseeing everything. "I'm perfectly fine ma'am," said Jake trying to make his voice sound deep, "Just slept in was all." The employee looked a little unsure about Jake's statement. "Right..." she replied. "Must be going now," Jake said as he gave the room keys to the employee, before he and his siblings walked off.

They walked for what felt like miles, trying to navigate where the airport might be. If not an airport, than at least a coach bus service. "At least with these pockets we can bring more with us," said Jake. "You said it," replied Molly, "However, let's just hope Taz' body odor doesn't kill me before we get to our destination." Taz replied yelling in his usual gibberish. Regardless of the situation, they continued walking. That is until two kids playing with an RC car outside their home got in the way of their progress. They made the car drive wrecklessly, nearly hitting into Taz, Molly, and Jake. "Will you excuse me?" said Jake, "We- I mean, I am trying to walk my way to my destination!" This gave them an idea. "Let's bring up the ramp," whispered one of them. "He'll have no idea what hit him!" whispered the other.

As the 3 continued forward, one of the kids put the ramp in front of them. Then came the RC car which came from behind but then took a U turn towards the ramp. It flew up in the air and hit Taz, right in the crotch. Taz groaned in pain, although he tried not to be too loud. "Gee, I hope my legs are okay," said Jake. "Ugh...Taz...is...okay!" Taz said from below. They just continued walking and right when they thought their luck was going dry, there was a bus stop ahead! "It's about time we reached one!" said Molly.

They arrived just in time too, as a bus with the number 7 pulled up that said: Tazmania International Airport. The doors opened up and the driver said, "This bus is to Tazmania Airport, 50 cents please." "Oh yeah, I'll get that," replied Jake. Molly's arms went inside the jacket as the bus driver gave Jake a look. Taz quickly handed Molly 50 cents before her arms went back out. The bus driver took the 50 cents and seemed pretty weirded out by this point. "Very convenient place to put your change," he said, "You may take your seat." The bus continued forward on it's way to it's destination.

In no time, the bus pulled up to the bustling airport. The 3 got off still in their disguise, as they saw how busy it was. Taxis and buses were everywhere taking folks where they needed to go. From tourists, to businessman, there was just about an even amount of both. Despite the sunset and it getting dark, it didn't change the activity. "Now we just get to our flight, right?" asked Jake. "Well, we gotta purchase our ticket first," Molly replied.

They entered through the front entrance of the airport. It was a big lobby with a time and departure board, food stalls, seats, and a view of the planes at the gates as well as some landing and taking off. Many people came and went, some either rushing to their flights or rushing to the cabs or buses. An announcer came onto the speaker. "Washington Airways Flight 442 to Queensland is now ready for boarding," he announced, "All passengers for this flight proceed to gate 32." Taz spoke in his gibberish to ask about their flight. Jake looked at the time and departure board. Their flight to California was the next one to be called in 5 minutes. "5 minutes until our flight is called," said Jake. "Maybe we should take off our disguise now?" suggested Molly. "I don't think we should sis," said Jake. "Why not?" asked Molly. "There's some guys over there that look like the ones we saw before." Molly looked through the hole and saw what Jake was talking about. There was some spies talking with airport personnel while showing off pictures of Taz, Molly, and Jake. "Let's buy our ticket now while we have the chance," Jake suggested. Taz and Molly agreed with Jake's decision.

They went up the front desk where a Tasmanian Devil who looked and talked much like Taz was. "Hello there," said Jake, "One ticket to California please." She spoke in gibberish, as a way of asking for cash and passport first before she could give out the ticket. Molly put her arms in while Taz handed her his wallet, before she put it on the desk. The Tasmanian Devil looked at the clearly fake passport, but she didn't think much of it. She took the right amount of cash before she handed out the ticket. "Thanks ma'am," said Jake, as Molly got back the wallet and gave it back to Taz. They walked off back to see the departure board. They couldn't have purchased their tickets at a better time, because their flight was called just as they came back.

"West Airlines Flight 443 to California is now ready for boarding," said the announcer, "All passengers for this flight proceed to gate 4." "Let's go!" said Taz, as they quickly went for the gate. They arrived at the gate before anyone else surprisingly, but it wasn't a bad thing either. They gave the ticket to the collector up by the gate. "Enjoy your flight sir," she said. "Thanks," said Jake. The 3 made their way down the gate and were soon in the plane. Once they found a seat, they took off their disguise.

"Sheesh, glad to have that off," said Molly. "At least we're on the plane now," said Jake. Taz was honestly pretty happy to be on the plane. He may have been devastated at first by the fact that the island of Tazmania hates him and his family and the fact of his parents being captured, but the thoughts of starting a new life in a place he wanted to go for so long made him feel better. Perhaps though, he was too happy for his own good.

After the other passengers boarded, the door closed and the plane was soon on it's way to the runway. Taz spoke in his usual gibberish to Jake about the stuff they could do when they first got there. Jake being the one to look up to his big brother, agreed with Taz. "Yeah! We'll see places, we'll see city life, we'll see stuff we never see, it'll be fun!" said Jake, "Wouldn't you say this is gonna be fun sis? Molly? You okay?" Molly was looking out the window where the airport and the rest of what could be seen of Tazmania. She didn't say a word for those few moments. She then let out a sigh, "How can we leave our life behind us? Our friends and family we may never see again." "Things might look bad, but I'm sure good will come our way," said Jake. "Molly trust Taz," said Taz.

The plane was on the runway and was taking off by this point. "I hope this is the right decision," said Molly. Once the plane lifted off the ground, them going to California became inevitable. Out the plane window, Tazmania became smaller and smaller until there was only the ocean, clouds, and night sky to be seen.

As for Hugh and Jean, they were having their own situations.

Hugh and the cage he was in was put in the center of the tribe, while Francis, his father, and everyone else were partying. They were having a good time, all except for Hugh. He couldn't sleep not particularly from the loud partying, but rather the thoughts of hoping his wife, kids, and pet were ok.

Jean and the cage she was in was still in the same spot within the wearhouse as it was before. She was all alone in the mostly unlit wearhouse, besides the occasional port workers bringing in stuff. She was having the same thoughts as her husband and couldn't sleep herself.

To be continued in the next chapter...

(Chapter 9 published 8/9/22)