Cаnnibal ~ Рhan

Eріlougє

~Phil's POV

"All passengers please take your seats, take off is in approximately 10 minutes.."

I tugged roughly on my dark hoodie, shielding the entirety of my face. I swiftly shuffled down the aisle, dragging my bag behind me. I blinked rapidly, trying to avoid the hair sneaking into my eyes. I hated my new haircut, it made me look like a douche. Although I guess that was the point of my disguise.

It was short and spiked and I asked the hairdresser to dye it blue. I needed to look like a brand new person. When she spun me around and I gazed at myself I knew I'd be fine since I couldn't recognize the person staring back at me in the chair. She dyed Dan's jet black. It made his brown eyes look like dark floating orbs against his nearly white skin.

My plan was all going accordingly. New appearance. New identity. We changed our names after that. I gripped my new passport in my hands. It said I was Henry Johnston. Dan was Michael Grant.

"This is too much," Dan admitted while we were stuffing our bags with anything we thought we needed. Clothes, Food, Money. I hunted for the stack of bills I'd stashed in my room. I'd kept it for an emergency. I guessed it was appropriate to use it now.

"Dan we have no other choice. I don't wan't to leave either, I'm gonna miss this place just as much as you," I exclaimed, shuffling through my top drawer for socks. "But this is the best thing we can do to keep you safe. I already have two tickets booked for the quickest flight out of here, which is tomorrow morning."

He asked me millions of questions. How we'll live, what we'll do. I knew he was panicked. I could relate. "Hong Kong is busy and very far away for here. No one will know us. We can hit the reset button so to speak."

I tried to offer him comfort, but that seemed impossible. It wasn't easy to sooth a person who was not only a fugitive, but also dropping everything to flee the only life they've known. It was hard to remember that I was doing the same thing. I still had Dan. In a way it didn't feel as though I was losing my home. Since that's what he was for me.

"Sir, may I help you with that?"

I snapped my head up to see a stewardess smiling brightly at me with unnaturally white teeth. She gestured towards my bag. I simply shook my head and mumbled a "no thank-you," not wanting to speak with anyone unless necessary. I located my seat and shoved the bag in the compartment above me. I felt the graze of someone against my back.

"All set?" Dan's deep voice slightly startled me.

"Yeah, I'm good. Let's sit." I placed my hand on his shoulder briefly before sliding in and sitting on the uncomfortable chair that I would have to tolerate for the next 12 hours.

"Get your seatbelt on Henry," Dan mumbled lightly. I didn't respond at first, then registering he was talking to me. Getting used to my new name would definitely be an adjustment.

I strapped myself in as I said, "You to Michael." In spite of the situation, he flashed me a glimpse of a smile.

I breathed in deeply, feeling anxious about our future and the voice announcing our take off. Families and couples milled around me but I couldn't help but tune them out. The plane jittered and roared to life. I could feel my stomach lurch. Nausea hit me like a brick wall.

"Relax," Dan whispered as he grabbed my hand and rubbed it softly. My flying fear was a regular routine. He was familiar with what helped. My heartbeat was still rapid, but slowing as we started stabilizing. A few moments later the plane was cruising and I closed my eyes, the stress only slightly melting away.

Dan still gripped my hand tight in his. We were traveling to a whole new life. I had no idea what would become of it.
I glance out the window for a brief second before closing the blind. It offered some comfort.

Dan placed his hand on my arm, the other still laced in between my fingers. I craned my neck to face him. His new appearance was still strange to me. I watched as his mouth fell open and then closed again. He tried to muster something to say, probably about how this was all a mess, but it would be over soon.

He just stared at me with some sort of sadness. I couldn't pin it down. Dan had apologized and pried and worn guilt like a second skin though all this. I didn't want him doing that anymore. He knew that.

This time he was saying sorry without words.

I really was happy. It seemed like a lie, but it was the honest truth. He was here next to me. Touching me. Holding me. That's all I needed. We weren't separated, we had the chance to be together. We'd taken it. I didn't have any regrets.

I leaned back in my chair, reclining it as far it would go before deciding to reply to his silent plea. I squeezed his hand gently, but for a long time. I hoped he got my message. It was as if he did when he released me and sat peacefully. Eyes shut, seeming calm.

I could feel the sides of my mouth turn up. He'd heard me. He knew I meant it when I said it. And I really did.

I forgive you...

~~~~~~~~

I had no idea how to end this story so I chose to make it open ended. Thank you again for sticking around and taking time to read my writing. It really does mean a lot.

Oh and I have more stories coming soon. Just in case you were wondering :)