Infection - Part I

Chapter 20.

Valerie pulled out her phone before ringing her mother to tell her she went through security. "They took my pistol..." Valerie told her mother. "If I don't have a good reason to board a plane with a weapon, it'll be confiscated.". 

"But you're a detective, goddammit..." Valerie heard her mother reply.

"Seems like that isn't enough for them..." Valerie replied, chucking.

They spoke for a few more minutes before Valerie hung up the call, her final words being that she would send her mother a message when she was onboard the plane.

 With that, all alone, Valerie walked through the airport. Around her, she was surrounded by shops upon shops, the duty-free section, all of which were closed.

Ensuring she was going the right way, she glanced at her ticket, which she extracted from her pocket. D11. She was close.

Reaching her gate, she saw people all swarmed in a group. Outside the jetway was a big plane. It had one deck but was prolonged, stretching back for metres upon metres. Its wings were lengthy and broad, with a big engine on each wing. The fan blades gently rotated in the mere breeze.

Looking around, she tried to see if she saw any familiar faces in the fast crowd of people ahead. However, she recognised no one.

It wasn't long until an announcement was made that their flight to Veursau would begin boarding very soon.

A long line was already made and Valerie took her place in the queue before it got any longer. Soon enough, the people were allowed to board the plane, one by one.

When Valerie reached the front, she handed her boarding pass to the gate attendant. Writing some sort of a signature on the page, she handed it back to Valerie. "Have a safe trip.". And with that, Valerie walked off.

She headed into the jetway and soon she reached the open door of the plane. Entering the cabin, she was greeted by a flight attendant who showed Valerie her seat. A window seat, just behind the wing. 

Just as promised, she sent her mother a message before turning off her phone.

Slowly, the plane got more and more filled as more of the survivors entered the cabin and took their seats.

It wasn't long before the doors of the plane were closed and the flight attendant wished everyone a warm welcome. "Our flight, from Li­­ß to Verusau will be approximately 6 hours and 14 minutes.".

The warm voice of the flight attendant made her mind wander away from reality as she was talking. It made her feel as though it was just another, early morning flight out of Liß. It made her feel as though the world hadn't gone to shit... 

Not long after, the plane was pushed back from the gate as its first engine was powered up to life. With a low rumble, Valerie felt the soles of her feet vibrate at the sheer power of the engines. Soon after, the 2nd engine was also powered to life.

Another slight sound caught Valerie's attention. The flaps on the wings began to lower ever so slightly. The airliner was being configured for departure.

Not long passed before the plane began rolling, slowly taxiing toward the active runway of the big airport.

In the back, Valerie saw the Liß skyline once more. A hue of orange. Thanks to the reflection of the snow-filled clouds, it served as an illumination for Valerie to further see the state of the city. Towers of smoke rose from the burning buildings.

Not long passed before the big plane reached the runway. The lights in the cabin dimmed as the voice of the flight attendant was heard again. "Passengers, please be seated for departure.".