Chapter 12 the big jump

The gang explored the fort in silence while the kids looked slightly depressed. After they climbed down they drove to a nearby air field and geared up for their skydiving. Each individual was teamed up with an instructor and before long it was time to go. The group climbed into the back of a small plane and before long they were up in the air. The adults sat in the back while the kids sat beside each other in the front still feeling a little sad. Shortly before the jump was due Ben extended his hand and grabbed Gwen's and gave it a little squeeze to which she smiled. At precisely 10:04 AM the group walked to the edge of the ramp and looked at the deep fall below. Gwen gulped and looked nervously at her cousin

"You'll be fine!" he yelled trying to get his voice heard over the loud wind that was hollowing in their ears. Gwen nodded nervously as she and her instructor leaned forward and fell into the sky…

"Telihoo…" he muttered nervously as his guide did the same with him and before he knew it he was free falling soon to be joined by his grandfather and Michael…

"This feels so good…" said Ben, enjoying the wind blow in his face. After a few seconds he caught up with his cousin who had her eyes closed tightly in fear

"Is it over yet?" she asked

"Naw it's just beginning. Come on Gwen open your eyes. You're missing a great view…"

Gwen whimpered slightly in fear and gradually opened her eyes only to witness a beautiful sight. Before here was a wide landscape of desert and mountain terrain and she could see the blueness of the dead sea in the distances. Above her was nothing else than a big blue and clear sky…

"Wow…" she whispered

Ben chuckled at his cousin's reaction but his laugh was interrupted by a big tug that he felt which pulled him upwards slightly as his parachute opened. Soon the other parachutes followed and the gang was slowly drifting earthward as the ground grew nearer and bigger. When it was almost time to land they braced for impact and hit the ground was a thud as their shoots collapsed on their heads…

"That was absolutely awesome!" yelled Ben, pumped with adrenaline and exhilaration

Unlike her cousin Gwen was terrified

"I don't want to go through that again! I think I have a fear of heights…"

"I thought you liked it. You seemed to enjoy the view…" said Ben as he unbuckled his harness

"I did but I still found the falling part scary especially the free fall part…" said Gwen who looked slightly queasy

"The main thing is that you're fine Gwen. We all are" he reassured her and she smiled weakly at him.

Several hours later…

Michael and the Tennysons pulled up outside a hotel in Jerusalem and were about to say goodbye

"It's been a pleasure Michael" said Max as he shook his hand

"The pleasure's all mine" said the man as he smiled

"So long kids"

"Goodbye Michael. Thanks for everything. We really enjoyed the trip" said Gwen

"Yeah it was fun" said Ben as Michael smiled at him as he gave Ben a fist bump and patted Gwen on the head. Before they parted he walked towards Max and whispered something in his ear

"I know it's not my place to say so forgive me for budding in but I think you might want to go easy on them regarding what happened earlier. I know they're cousins but they would make a great couple…"

Max simply sighed and said

"I know. Thank you Michael" he shook his hand again as the family walked into the hotel to spend the next few hours in the lobby until it was time to fly home…

To be continued…

Thus concludes the history lesson. (At least for now. There might be a little more later). I hope you're enjoying it so far. Don't forget to review…