The Duskwood Mysteries

Part 3

"Passengers, we are now going to begin our descent into Gramsby Town Airport, please fasten your seat belts and ensure all blinds are raised. Thank you."

I fastened my seatbelt with shaking hands, as the air hostess took her seat and led by example.

I couldn't pinpoint what I was most nervous about.
There was the possibility that they would hate me in person. Then there was the reality of the situation; in that I had just packed up and moved hundreds of miles away on a whim. What would I do for work? Were there places to rent in Duskwood?
I was beginning to have a full blown panic attack now, oh God what had I done?

"Have a paper bag sweetie," the woman in the seat beside me said, handing me one "I get so nervous on flights, I always bring a few. The descent will be over before you know it." She smiled sweetly at me and I took the bag, attempting to smile back, but I had to assume that it looked more like a grimace.

In through the nose.
Out through the mouth.
Count to 10.

A mantra I had perfected over the years, anxiety was a bitch, but I had many coping mechanisms.

I leaned my head back against my seat and closed my eyes. As they usually did, my thoughts drifted to Jake, treating me to that sinking feeling in my stomach.

I hoped with all of my heart that he was safe and that the FBI hadn't locked him up, but his chances seemed so slim. It had been 2 months since I last spoke to him, and I truly believed that, if he had been locked up, he'd of at least attempted to reach me.

Right?

Thinking about my hacker made my heart ache. I didn't know him for very long, I had never even seen his face, but he owned a piece of me that I couldn't seem to get back.

God I missed him. He seemed to be really opening up to me. Seemed to care for me too. But I suppose you can never tell through a phone screen.

I must have drifted off to sleep, as the kind woman beside me woke me, shaking my shoulder gently.

"Time to depart sweetie, I thought I'd let you sleep as long as possible, even if it wasn't very long." She had a kind smile, it made me smile too.

"Thank you. I needed it."

---------

I walked through the airport, completely baffled on what to do next. I could have called Lilly or Jessy, but I didn't want to disrupt their day.

I decided to go outside and jump in a taxi. I'd go to the garage and surprise Jessy at work. God knows how much it would cost to get to Duskwood, but I was out of options.

I suddenly felt a hard body smack against me, engulfing me in their arms. The smell of strawberries and chocolate came over me and I was momentarily taken aback.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE HERE!" I heard a familiar voice scream down my ear as red hair wrapped around my face.

"Jessica, get off of her before you suffocate the poor girl." Another familiar voice came from behind the red mass of hair.

I beamed and lifted my arms, wrapping them around Jessy's waist.

"I can't believe you're here." I laughed "I was going to come to the garage and see you." 

My friend pushed me back, holding on to my shoulders as her eyes examined every inch of me. I realised my eyes were doing the same, as if I believed I had to remember every detail before she disappeared into thin air.
My friend. My Jessy.

"Well, detective, you're a lot hotter in person, and I didn't think it got better than your Instagram." Dan was smirking at me from behind Jessy and I couldn't help but laugh. He'd taken to calling me Detective Tammy since we found Hannah.

"I'd have to be, to fit in with the smoking hot group of friends that I have." I winked and was pretty sure I saw Dan blush.
He was always so forward and opinionated, that I couldn't believe there was a shy guy inside all of that leather. I grinned and ran over, wrapping my arms around his neck and squeezing, tight. Dan laughed and lifted me into the air, spinning me before setting me back on to my feet.

I took them both in, standing there, smiling at me like I'm the biggest present under the tree on Christmas morning.

Dan was huge. Literally like 6'5 and broad af. Just so you know, the actors that were based on them in the game, do not do my friends justice. Take Dan for example.
He was gorgeous, as they all were, but in his own way.
He had muscles on muscles and tattoos ontop of the muscles, but usually wore a leather jacket everywhere he went.
On that day, he wore a Guns'n'Roses shirt, ripped black skinny jeans, red Vans and, true to character, a black leather jacket.
His dark brown hair was long ontop and shaved on the sides, with a fringe that went across his forehead just above his big, blue eyes that were lined with black kohl underneath
Every emo girls wet dream.

I looked to Jessy. If you weren't in to the fact that this girl had a heart of gold, you'd fall in love with her for her beauty. She was about 5'3, so about my height, with a slender build and shocking, long red hair.
Her green eyes were lit up with excitement and freckles were spattered across her nose and cheeks, which had a red tinge to them, assumedly because she was so happy.
She wore an oversized grey hoodie that went down to her thighs, black leggings and grey trainers. Even casual, she looked stunning.
She grabbed my hand and pulled me beside her, walking me out of the airport doors.

"I can't believe you thought we'd leave you to make your way on your own!" She admonished "We figured out which flight you were on and made sure we'd be here by the doors to bring you home."

Home. I liked the sound of that.