Beyond the Storm: Odyssey of the Lost

Chapter 1: Taking flight

"34E, sir," she said, pointing with an open palm towards an aisle. Webb looked at her and then at the aisle she was pointing to. "Thank you," he replied. The hostess looked at him with a tired, almost curious smile.

Webb walked down a tight space, his eyes shifting from his feet to the path ahead. He held his bag tightly to himself, partly to keep it close and partly so it wouldn't hit others. Silence lingered in parts of the plane, nestling close to those with their eyes already closed, trying to fall asleep. However, the rest of the plane was full of noise—excitement, fear, joy—all faintly audible throughout. Murmurs of people talking and children playing swept down the aisle. Air hostesses were moving with swift efficiency, breaking up arguments over seats and baggage space, while others prepared the plane for its long flight.

A child, running away from his mother and laughing, ran right into Webb and fell. Webb lifted himself off his leg to see the child look at him. The child lay still, like a deer in headlights, for a moment until Webb extended his hand. "Are you okay?" Webb asked. The child didn't say anything and began to cry. Not sure what to do, Webb looked around to find his mother. Before he knew it, she came, dragging the child away, half apologizing to Webb and half whispering in anger to the child.

Webb carried on until he accidentally stepped on someone's foot this time.

"Watch where you're going, twinkle toes," Brook said with a strong American accent.

Webb looked at him for a moment before replying, "My bad," said Webb.

"Damn straight, it's your bad," replied Brook.

Both men stared at each other for a moment, irritation now clear on both their faces, but Webb decided to carry on as he had already drawn enough attention to himself.

Webb continued until he was near his seat, which was right at the end of the plane. He started to breathe deeper and deeper, sweat beginning to show on his forehead as he struggled to put his bag underneath the seat.

"I can do this," he said, taking a deep breath.

"First time flying?" the woman next to him asked.

"Something like that," Webb said, his eyes still closed.

"Don't think about it too much," she said gently. Webb opened his eyes to look at her, as if noticing her for the first time. 

"My name's Julia," she said, smiling at him.

"Webb," he replied, flushing slightly red as he realized he had been staring at her for longer than a moment.