And It Went Up In Smoke

Chapter 15: Drop Off

Violet POV

Duncan, Sunny and I had put our bags down and were looking at the view below us, trying to spot a convenience store or even a gas station. Hector was passed out on the deck. Duncan and Klaus moved to lift him into his bed, and Isadora joined me in looking for a landing point. 

Half an hour passed as we all stood on the deck, sweating, looking for a landmark. Then Isadora saw it. "Guys, look to the left! It's some shop!" 

Duncan dug out binoculars from his bag, and said, "Yeah, it looks like a convenience store. Last Chance General Store... very fitting."

I rushed towards the steering wheel to gauge how long it would take for us to reach there. "I can get us there in 10 minutes. Then we'll need a rope to reach down. Around 50 meters at least."

"We don't have anything like that." said Klaus.

Sunny cooed. "Eer!"

I looked down at her in confusion, and saw her holding a long trail of scrap cloth behind her. 

"Oh, that's what you were chewing on!" Duncan exclaimed.

You're a lifesaver, Sunny." I said, grinning. I reached down to give her a kiss and began gathering the cloth.

"Violet, you can go set our course. Isadora, Duncan and I can gather the rope." Klaus said.

I rushed to the controls and tried steering our — Hector's — mobile home towards the general store, getting as close to the ground as I could. Gathering up my stuff and Sunny's, I went back out onto the deck and double-checked the knots tied but the scrap cloth. 

"Okay, we're all set. We should be there in around 4 minutes. After I slow down the home, Isadora and Klaus, you get off first. Then I'll hand down Sunny, then Duncan, then I'll go down. Hector can take over then. Oh, Hector!" I had completely forgotten about him. 

"I'll go wake him up." Duncan offered, and rushed to his room. He came out a minute later, supporting a very pale Hector.

"Okay, Hector, you should listen closely. First, please don't pass out again. Second, we're going to be getting off in two minutes. You need to handle the controls after that. Alright?" I said.

"You guys are...leaving? For real?" he stammered.

"Yes, Hector, we'll be leaving." said Isadora. "Thank you for your hospitality."

He looked at our faces, his gaze lingering on each one. "I'm sorry to see you go." he said, voice cracking. 

"We're sorry to be going." Klaus said.

"We'll miss you, Hector." Duncan said, patting him on the back. 

"I'll miss you all very much too." He gathered us around him and gave us a hug. 

As we drew away, I checked the clock. "We should get going now," I sniffed. "Are you all ready?" There were nods all around. I went to the controls and steadied the home. "Isadora, Klaus, you can start getting off now." I called.

I handed down Sunny after Klaus, then Duncan climbed down. After giving Hector one last smile, I got off too. Hector waved at us sadly, then began moving the mobile home away. The five of us looked at each other, and then turned to face our destination. Last Chance General Store. Duncan had been right. Very fitting.