Canto IX: The Next Adventure The best adventures are the ones that never end ~The Door Within   “And so, in conclusion, we must have the courage to fight for the people we love and the dreams we pursue”   The auditorium fills with applause I nearly trip off the stage as I sit back down with my class in sacks of orange and black   I look up at my mom Arkn sits on her left smiling at me   After the recessional I stand by the parking lot waiting Arkn comes out and hugs me   “So, you came to see your giant carrot?” I tease   “Who’s this?” a peer asks   “A teacher, a friend,” I turn back to Arkn “I’m so glad you came.”   “I wouldn’t miss it,” More people stream out “I should go.”   “But you’ll come to my party right?”   “Just try to keep me away”   The next afternoon I fiddle with a dripping fondue fountain for my party when Arkn walks up the driveway   “That’s some driveway,” He wipes his brow in mock exhaustion   “Why do you think I don’t ride the bus home?” I reply “I don’t suppose your mystery skills extend to fondue?”   Arkn flipped the switch off on Chocolate falls like silk and water   “Thanks.” He hands me a creamy cloth I unfold it “A cloak!” I squeal   “That’s not all” He picks up a small lump that fell out “Here,”   “A journal?”   “It’s my letters to you”   I clutch it tightly “Don’t pull a Mary Poppins on me please”   “No,” He smiles “In fact I have another party planned for you tomorrow”   “In the memory room?” I ask   “Wherever you want” He agrees   I take a marshmallow dip it into the fountain “I’ll go wherever you take me After all, we have more missions right?” He winks and steps into the memory room