Infectious

8~The Airport

- Quenten

Present Day

I stood in line with Brendie and Peter at the airport. They were arguing about something in harsh whispers and I couldn't make out much.

"Flight 401 will be leaving momentarily. Thank you for flying with Cloud Nine Airlines." A woman's voice spoke happily over the speakers. I don't know how she can be so happy right now. As I look around, I see people crying and breaking down.

The last time I went flying I got lost. I don't think Ellie was alive yet because I was so young. We were going to visit my cousins in Colorado for Winter Break and I remember how excited I was. Everything was so big and it was hard to take it all in.

Everyone was laughing. Well, except for a couple yelling at an attendant about their luggage, but I didn't care. It seemed like it was going to be the perfect week.

"Hurry up, Quenten." Brendie said quickly. She wrapped a hand around my wrist and I stumbled to her side.

Brendie seemed really nice. I don't know if Peter likes me, but Brendie acts like a mother. I wonder why they don't have kids of their own.

"Flight 401 is now leaving. Thank you for flying with Cloud Nine Airlines." She keeps repeating the same thing in that excited voice. I would hate having that job.

We were going to board our flight soon and I was practically bouncing off the walls.

"Calm down, kiddo. Look, your father and I have to talk to the attendant quickly so stay right here." My mom said. I nodded and watched them walk away a few feet.

"Whoa, they have a giant tank of fish! It's like an aquarium!" Some kid cried. I looked over and saw two young boys staring into a glass tank. I grinned and rushed over to see, too.

There was a large clown fish by the front. It reminded me of a movie my mom would watch with me. Clown fish were awesome.

"I wonder if there's a shark in there!" One of the boys laughed. I giggled and pressed my face against the glass. The colors started to swirl together before my eyes.

BAM

I jumped back quickly as a fish smacked against the glass. The boys started laughing and I frowned. Why are they laughing at me?

I suddenly found the fish boring.

I looked back at the line expecting to see my parents but I only saw strangers.

"Why are people moving so slowly?" Peter growled. Brendie put a hand on his shoulder and he let out a frustrated sigh.

"They're scared, Peter. They don't know what's happening." She replied quietly.

"Do you think the rest of us do? It's the damn apocalypse, Brendie!" Peter yelled. Brendie's grip on my wrist tightened.

Then, someone started screaming.

"What the Hell?" Peter demanded. He pushed past a few people and looked at the crowd. A second later, he grabbed Brendie and pulled us through people in the line.

"Did they get in here?" Brendie cried. Peter simply nodded and I heard oblivious people yelling at us as we ran forward. They don't know what's coming.

"Are they going to get us?" I asked quietly. Brendie glanced down at me with worry etched in her thin face.

"No, sweetie. We'll be safe. We just have to get on a plane." She replied quickly.

"Hello everyone. I am sorry to say that flight 402 has been cancelled. We offer you our apologies and hope you enjoy the rest of your day." The woman's voice came over the speakers again. But this time, she sounded scared.