Small as an Elephant

Jack finds bike riding difficult at first because it isn’t something he does often, and he doesn’t know the traffic rules in Maine. He must navigate several steep hills and bridges, which is scary, but eventually finds a rhythm. As the day goes on, the heat presses down on him, and he gets sunburned. He stops to swim in a river to cool off and then eat, and stops at a restroom, but doesn’t stop for long until he comes to Fort Knox Park. To him, the fort looks like a castle, and he sneaks in to explore it top to bottom after leaving his bike and backpack behind some bushes. While exploring the fort, Jack feels lighthearted and doesn’t think about his problems for once. However, when Jack leaves to go get his belongings, everything is gone.

Jack breaks down into heaving sobs. Suddenly, he no longer cares about what happens to him, whether someone finds him, or whether he makes it home at all. He doesn’t even care if his mother ever comes back. He’s exhausted and feels like the burden has been too great; he wants someone to take care of him for once.