Man in black - sequel

12. Orange ball

My eyes were wide open, my mouth agape taking in the huge yellow and orange colored balloon attached to it was a suspended basket that was too huge to be true. " Hello, Madam, "  a sturdy confident masculine voice greeted me from inside the hot air balloon, " Hello " I replied back watching him move back and forth picking up something and placing it on the other side, and doing vice versa. He stood just above five feet with an olive complexion and binoculars dangling around his neck, his hair a little unkempt but I would like to say it was the wind and not him. Overall he gave me a feeling that he knew what he was doing.

" you can ask me any questions before our flight....hopefully, it won't be our last one " he slowly added in the last sentence, in a slightly worrisome tone.

My eyes widened, my body stiff I slowly moved my head looking at Duncan, signaling to him lets run " I am just kidding, " the pilot added laughing, waving his hands.

" See he's just kidding, " Duncan said patting my head, chuckling, he was trying to pacify me but it was too late the fear was already instilled deep in my soul. " Ask him questions... you'll feel much at ease " Duncan insisted being all poise and calm. Isn't he scared what am I even expecting, this man would stand inside a burning lava yet he'll be all calm and composed.

" hmm.." I started looking at the man, who immediately looked at me, with a smile"So how much weight could it hold ?", "Well to be precise..." he said getting thinking " I would say about the size of an elephant," he said his eyes twinkling, I looked at Duncan giving him a side eye "Yeah Sure I don't even believe it could hold my weight.... elephant is far too much faith " I said clicking my tongue crossing my hands against my chest. Duncan smiled "Don't worry I tested it, it sure can hold an elephant " He assured " Really ?" " yup".

"Are there any more questions ma'am ?" the pilot asked in a chirpy excited tone. I nodded my head  "Hope on aboard, let's fly " he said excitedly, leaning forward " I always wanted to say that...and here I am on my first flight, with my first passengers" he said, that was the last straw I fake smiled turning on my heels ready to run, Duncan held my shoulders keeping me in place"let's get out of here, I forgive you " I said hastily.

" Come on love, it's going to be fun I promise " he insisted his hands sliding down to mine holding my wrist.

" That's a literal death machine, getting on it is like literally calling death and my life is not up for debate and neither is yours so let's go..." I said holding his hand and dragging him but it was a futile attempt he did not even budge. Instead, he pulled me closer carried me placed me inside the basket hopping in himself, while I yelled and shouted hands thumping over his back, but he did not even flinch which concluded I had no strength or he was made of steel I would go with the latter.

" I apologize for my rudeness let me introduce myself, I am Senderferd....like Rutherford, you know you can call me Sen..." he chuckled at himself adjusting his brown beanie that I did not remember seeing before.

I was literally a foot away from death and he cared for introductions. " hmm Hi Ben I am Alicia..." I said in the most unconfident tone ever making me doubt my own identity but I couldn't care less if this thing started flying I wouldn't need an identity.

" umm no...my name is not Ben, it's Sen, Sen for Senderferd..." he said spacing out.

" umm, I apologize for my rudeness, Ben.... I mean Sen," I said like a final statement not wanting to continue the conversation as I had bigger issues to deal with.

" Duncan let me go, I forgive you.... I don't want to die this young, there are so many flavors of ice cream that I haven't eaten yet.... Duncan please...listen to me....." I stopped pleading as my body jerked further into Duncan, his hold getting tighter on me, I had this weird feeling of something tucking at my heart, still keeping my hold on him slowly pushing my head slightly away so I could see around and not just his chiseled chest, I cocked my head with my one eye closed while the other played detective, my heart sank as I watched the ground getting further and further away things getting tiny, we were lingering above the huge ocean which for some reason didn't seem to get small.