ECOMASTERS Chapter 15

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SPEAKER_01 1:05

Chapter 15 The next morning, though my heart hurts, I know it's only gonna hurt more if I sit around and think about it all alone. I can't do anything about Jasper right now, and I have no idea what to do about my dad. But there is one thing I can manage. Today I decide I am going to find a way to communicate with Hope, Fonbassat, and Angory. Each of the other girls I've been led to are actively helping in their own communities using their gifts. And now it's time for us to join together and use my own gifts to help who and what I can, which is Jasper, and the city around me. Feeling a renewed surge of energy, I smile at Peeve, feeling much older than I did yesterday, and more determined. Boy, today you're gonna have to stay here and hold down the fort, I tell him, leaning down and giving him a big hug. He huffs, obviously miffed, but lifts my hand once as if to say he understands, and I head for the door. I'm not gonna lie, it's a huge relief not to worry about my dad this morning. My guess is that he felt bad enough about our conversation to let things rest. At least, that's what I'm assuming, since I have I did hear him leave pretty early this morning and his briefcase is gone. The briefcase never leaves the house unless he's going to the office. When I get onto the elevator, I decide to use the secret dumpster exit instead of dealing with Mr. Dobbins. Who knows what my dad might have told him when he left. If I can just get out at least and do what I need to do, I'll worry about how to get back into the building later on. The building is a bit of a ghost town today, and I don't see a single person on the stairs, in the halls, or outside the building. Which feels eerie. For the moment though, it clears our way for sure. I'm relieved too, although worried, I think as I hurry through the back alley. No time to dwell on that right now. Once I hit the street, I break into a quick stride. Heck, I'm nearly running. Faster is better, especially when Jasper is in the hospital and my city is in peril. I get to the lake, sit down, and try to wrap my head around the plan for the day. No big deal, just going to wish myself to Laos, then Africa, and then to India. Then I remember the words that Fonbassat whispered in my ear, and I just knew that the two of us together will be able to connect all of our new friends, even on three different continents. Then, when we get back, I'm going to stand here and play it cool while our new friends practice their wishing. Phew. No biggie at all. I take a big breath in and let it out. I hold out the compass. I wish to find my friend Fonpasat in Laos. To my relief, everything happens just like it's supposed to. Warm compass, jumping needle, rolling water, and then I'm there, standing smack dab in the middle of the fountain again, surrounded by people gawking. I smile. By now I'm getting used to it. I walk out, still soaking, intent on finding Pon Basat as quickly as possible. I circle back through my mind, walking through the streets and noting the landmarks I remember in my mind. Right at the big Buddha shrine, left at the motorcycle shop, left again at a local restaurant with the smiling grandmother. A familiar blue door emerges from a familiar concrete wall. Finally, I have arrived at Fonbasset's house. I knock lightly at first, then harder, and finally, Phonpaset opens the door. Her face widens into a bright smile, and we hug. I can't stay long, I tell her, but I remember the word that you whispered into my ear about sound and water, and need your help. I take out the compass. I need your communication gift today, my friend. It's time for all of us to come together. I bring her up to date about meeting our fourth friend in India, angry, and according to Miriam, that makes us eco masters. Whatever that means. Now it's time for me to help my city and to help my best friend Jasper. I don't quite know how yet, but I do know that you're the right person to help. Will you assist me? Fonpasset blinks, then breaks into an uneasy smile. Of course, Coral, I'll do my very best. We need a way to communicate, all four of us, and we're on four different continents. I think the key is the compass, that it will somehow unite us. Fonpasset seems deep in thought. Coral, would you please put your hands on this with me? Fonpasset looks at me shyly, but her voice is firm. The compass turns blue and starts to vibrate. I smile back, feeling my heart expand. After the sadness of the past few days, a glimmer of hope opens in my heart and expands in my chest, and with that, streams of water appear. This time it's as if they are coming from inside of me, as if I have merged with the water itself. We are surrounded by an orb of water, though Fonbusek and I can see each other clearly like we're inside of an actual drop of water together. I have an idea, Coral. Please tap into the frequency of this droplet. It is a droplet that represents the water that is within our very bodies. I sense the key is this. All of us will be able to communicate telepathically, to transmit our thoughts to each other no matter where we are. And so I ask you to join me in this orb of water to create a frequency that you can gift to our other friends on our same mission. I'm really surprised, and I don't fully understand the frequency part, but I am a hundred percent in. Internally, I thank my lucky stars for sending me such an amazing friend. Fombasset closes her eyes and I do too. At her outbreath, the water around us starts to sing with voices. Voices, laughing, singing, as if we're inside an echo chamber, whirling the voices of all peoples from all times, and turns crystalline. The sounds become less and less recognizable until all we can hear is a high pitched frequency. Bonpaset breathes deeply and says Done in a millisecond, so quickly, I don't even have time to blink. The giant orb shrinks to the size of the compass head, looking like a holographic droplet of water. Have hope and angry place their hands on this compass, and they will become one with this drop. Repeat the words Water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. I nod, looking at Thonbasset. So, I say, cracking a wide smile, shall we try it? Our voices start out soft, but gain power quickly. Water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. The compass turns a rosy shade, then a metallic silver, and then a gold, and a crystalline water droplet appears on the face of the compass and dances in the hot sun. A moment later, the water droplet disperses and travels into our hands. And our hands look nearly see-through, as if they've turned into ether or water or both. Whoosh! As suddenly as it began, the process is complete. Wow. Now that was really cool, I think. Yeah, it was, I grin, looking at Phone Pacet, realizing that I had just heard Phone Pacet and her lips hadn't moved. We look at each other and burst into giggles. Thank Water one thousand times over for its gift, and I look over to see Phone Passet closing her eyes in gratitude. As much as I'd love to say, I've gotta hit the road er water. I think looking at phone passat. I understand, Coral. Go ahead, we will connect again soon. Yes, we will, and I'll formally introduce you to our other friends so we can all communicate with each other. Anytime you want to connect with me, Coral, simply repeat, water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. Then picture me in your mind's eye and transmit your thoughts my way. You can instruct the others to do the same. I nod, satisfied and look to a fountain inside of Fonbassat's courtyard, filled with greenery and moss and water that more looks more like a mud puddle than anything else, but I'm pretty sure that will do. I wish to see angry, I announced with the cup compass. The fountain churns and splashes, and I hurry to shut my eyes and clamp my mouth shut before the muddy water gets head high. For a second or two, it feels like I'm caught in the washing machine or a wave pool, but as soon as I have that thought, the water stops and we tumble into what feels like a swamp. The water isn't deep, but it's everywhere, and plants are growing all around me. I open my eyes to see that I'm in the very same stream as last time. Instead of hiding in the bushes like last time, Angry kneels at its bank, washing what looks like turquoise bed sheets. Coral, she squeals and tosses the fabric aside. I struggle to my feet. Hello, Angory. It's so good to see you again. For me as well, what a surprise. Well, I told you I would find a way for us to stay in touch, I tell her, and I take the compass out of my backpack. All right, I say. Put your hands on the compass, please. Angory places her hands on the compass, touching mine, and we smile at each other. I'm going to show versus tell, so bear with me, Angory. Please repeat these words. Water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. She nods. Okay, let's go on the count of three. One, two, and water is what connects us, and water is how we will communicate. Our voices unite surprisingly strongly, and as before, a small droplet appears on the face of the compass, whirring and reflecting back a crystalline frequency that is nearly audible, and then as before, poof! The droplet travels back down to both of our hands, turning them transparent and then evaporating down the rest of our body so quickly that my eyes can't follow. Coral, that was so so cool. Angry breaks out into a giant smile. Her lips don't move. I grin right back. Totally so cool. I'm happy we'll be able to talk, I transmit to her. It makes the world seem smaller. Angry laughs and nods. That's exactly right, girl. You're closer to me now. It's like you're in my heart as much as in my mind. Anytime you want to contact me, simply repeat, water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. Then picture me in your mind's eye and transmit your thoughts my way. I smile at her. I'm going to contact you this way so you can meet hope and phone passette too. If I contact you this way, you can practice wishing with the Bindy. I want to see if it works like my compass. And if you can travel that way too. She keeps nodding, clearly thrilled. It's time for me to go and connect hope. I think, looking at Angry, she nods again. I will contact you soon, I say. Angry smiles and nods. I put my hands on the compass and say out loud, I wish to see hope and picture her in my mind's eye. The stream opens and whirrs, a water scooping me up without much fuss. Is it just me or is this getting easier? Easier is good, considering how many times I have to travel this way, and before I know it, I'm right on my bum in the middle of a field of cracked earth. Hope's familiar voice rings in my ears. Quirl, you never fail to make an entrance, my dear. I laugh. We embrace and I take out my compass. I'm afraid my visit will be short this time. I've come to connect you with me and two others like us that I've met. They have abilities too, and a deep connection to water and their communities. It's a long story, but I've met two other amazing girls, Angry in India and Phonpasat in Laos. I know our destinies are tied together, and so I've come up with a way for us to stay in touch no matter how far away we are. I have a plan to help my community, just like you're helping yours. Part of me is in awe. How do I know how to do this? You just know, a small voice answers me from within. Hope raises an eyebrow and then smiles. Alright, Coral. You know how much I love my community and planet. And I love you. And I can understand you wanting to help your community too. So let's get to it. I grin. Okay, Hope. Please place your hands on this compass and repeat with me on the count of three. Water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. One, two, water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. Once again, the water drop appears above the compass and our hands, whirling and swirling for a moment before becoming one with our hands and then our body in one whoosh. Beautiful Hope thinks, and I affirm. It's like water is joining us and joining with us. Hope's mouth opens, realizing that neither one of us have opened our mouths once. Amazing, right? I grin. Beyond amazing transmits hope. Anytime you want to contact me, simply repeat, water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. Then picture me in your mind's eye and transmit your thoughts my way. Satisfied, I hug her, and then go back to the middle of the stream and wish us to the lake. When we arrive, I climb out of the water, sit down on the bank, and then lean down and kiss the grass. That could have gone so wrong, but here we are, just like it was all supposed to go this way. I sit down, rest and have a snack, and catch my breath, knowing that time is of the essence. I don't wait long before I make my first transmission. Hope answers with a chirpy hi, which makes me chuckle a little. I tell her to wait two minutes, then wrap her hand around her pendant and wish to see me. I contact Phone Passit and then Angry, giving them both the same instructions with their unique gifts to wish their way here to me in the city. Just as I'm done with Angry, I can hear a low rumbling. Seconds later, the water rises, looking like a stubby waterspout. Before I can even blink, Hope rolls out of the water and lands at my feet. She looks up at me with such a mix of shock and relief that I can't help giggling. Weird, huh? I say. So strange. Hope grins and rises to her feet, then turns her head in every possible direction. Her eyes get rounder and rounder by the second. But it worked. I'm here. I cannot believe I am standing in the middle of New York City in the United States of America. And you are correct, my dear. It is much hotter here than in my village. Yep, this is it. And before I could say anything else, the water chur again. Hope and I peer together at the water's edge, and we are shocked out of our amazement by Phone Passat scooting back to get out of her way. Stat as she glides onto the shore toward us in a giant wave. Hope's mouth falls all the way to her chest. Who is that? I run to Fon Passat and help her to her feet. I'll do the introductions in a minute, I tell them both. We should have one more in just a second. Right then water heard me and swells this time. It rushes at us, sounding like a fully heated tea kettle. The sound makes me nervous at first, but then I realize I'm hearing angry shriek as she rides the wave. She rolls across the grass, sorry, twisting and fluttering around her. When she stops, she looks up at me with the widest eyes I've ever seen. That was unbelievable, she cries. We all burst out giggling. As we gather in a circle, I look at my new friends and take a minute, a minute, to soak in the image of the four of us magically gathered from all across the world. Right here in Central Park. Though I didn't still don't know how it's all possible. I do know that I'm already a different person and we've barely even gotten started. So here we are, I say, smiling at each of them. May I present hope from Malawi? Fonpusit from Laos, and angry from India. They nod and smile at each other, all managing to look both thrilled and shell shocked. For a second a flash of worry washes over me. I know I could speak with each of them, but can they speak to each other? That could make things really complicated. Alright everyone, I say, taking out my compass. Now I want to make sure that we can all speak to each other. Let's all put our hands on the compass and say together Water is what unites us and water is how we will communicate. All four of us gather around the compass and place our hands on each other in a happy pile. Alright, crew, I say, smiling, on the count of three. One, two, three. Water is what unites us, and water is how we will communicate. Once again, the drop of water appears above our hands on the face of the compass, vibrating at near crystalline speed, and then pop traveling down all of our hands, turning them clear, right before the now familiar whoosh. The drop flashes down our bodies, integrating into our forms once again. That never gets old. I think, smiling. Miracles never do, transmits angry, and I hear her distinct voice surrounding, sounding through my mind. Angry? Could you please tell us something about yourself? I want to make sure we can all understand. She nods. I am more than a little scared of water, she shares, without moving her lips. Topped off with a sheepish grin. I chuckle, because that's just funny. And before I can check in with the others, Hope and Fonbassad have burst out laughing. That is unfortunate, my new friend, Hope transmits. I have a feeling we will be eternally damp in the days to come. We will be with you, Fonbasset reaches out and squeezes Angri's hand. The way her face shines makes my already happy heart even happier. This is most wonderful, Angri transmits. I'm guessing I won't be afraid much longer. Phew. We can all talk to each other. Thank you, Compass. Okay, friends, I tell them. I don't want any of you to get into trouble at home by staying here too long. There will be other trips to New York City, of that I am sure. The girls nod their agreement and I send them on their way. Here's hoping whatever waits for us in the water isn't more than we can handle.

SPEAKER_00 26:07

Hi everyone, this is Lucy, and just to recap this past chapter, it starts off with Coral um wanting to make change. She's so she she just um dealt with her father, and she's dealing with this issue with Jasper, and she wants things to change, and so she starts to take action. She um goes to all the different EcoMaster locations, so she visits Phone Passette and Hope and Angory, and she tells them all to come to New York because she wants to unite all of them, and so they're able to connect um over water, and so they all use their powers to connect to each other and they're able to speak across continents and across even when they're at their like homes and things like that. So I thought that was really cool, and I'm excited to see how they use this connection that they now have in the future in the rest of the book. So I'm excited to get into that. But yes.