Forbidden ~ after unlocked

Chapter 15 - Sophie

 Sophie wasn't expecting to land on an airplane strip.

But that's where they were.

The void shot them out in the middle of a runway, and Sophie registered what was happening just in time to pull everyone out of the way of a plane speeding towards them.

They collapsed onto a patch of grass separating the airstrips. Sophie laid on her back facing the sky, her arms and legs spread out like a starfish. She allowed herself ten seconds of catching her breath before she sat up and looked around.

Yep... they were definitely at an airport... somehow.

Sophie noted it was nighttime. The sky was nearly dark, but small peaks of reds and purples from sunset moments before still weakly lit up the sky. Fluorescent lights were on all around them, brightening runways so the airplanes could see properly. They were so blinding it almost didn't even seem like it was dark out.

They were in the center of a tarmac, huge airstrips branching out all around them. Planes were everywhere—landing, taking off, driving along the runways. Several hundred feet away Sophie could spot a rectangular building, more planes hugging the perimeter, and some gates left hanging open like accordions. A control tower loomed in the distance, standing tall and surveying the comings and goings of airplanes. It was only a matter of time before they were spotted.

A plane labeled, "British Airways," rushed by nearly fifteen feet to her right, charging along the runway, building up speed for lift-off. The roar of the engine was deafening, and even with Sophie covering her ears the noise was persistent. A huge cloud of exhaust floated in their direction like storm clouds, sending her into an awful coughing fit.

Trix was still unconscious, and unfortunately so was Biana. Hints of colour were starting to return to her cheeks, but she still didn't look too good. Sophie knew melder blasts could be deadly, even from a far distance. Biana had gotten shot twice. One of which was close range.

Luckily nobody had noticed the four of them yet. Sophie spotted someone directing plane traffic not too far away, but they were busy trying to sort out two airplanes that had ended up on the same runway.

The sound of shouting brought Sophie's attention to Ro, who was stomping back and forth, kicking tufts of grass in the air. When the ogre spotted Sophie staring at her she stormed over.

"Where are we?" Ro demanded.

Sophie shrugged. "Looks like an airport."

"An air-what?"

"An airport," Sophie repeated, not really in the mood to explain what it was. The Lost Cities must not have airplanes—someone she hadn't really realized until now—since they could just light leap everywhere.

Ro waved it off. "Doesn't matter. The point is, why are we here?"

Good question.

Sophie had been trying to figure that out herself, but with no such luck.

"Pretty sure you were supposed to take us to Havenfield, Blondie."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, just let me think." Sophie rubbed her temples, racking her brain. But no explanation came. How they ended up at a human airport was still unclear.

Off to the side, Trix started to stir. Ro knocked him on the head and he fell silent.

"Do you still have all those elixirs on you?" Sophie asked.

Ro nodded, unstrapping her belt and lying all the vials out on the grass.

"Is there anything in there that could help Biana?"