Beyond our Earth

34: Airplane

~~~~BRADEN'S POV~~~~

We arrived at the airport just in time to see the Cessna landing. Pointing it out to Elizabeth made her squeamish, which I quite enjoyed. It was somewhat of a compensation for what she had put me through the day before. I was looking forward to our flight.

We went out to the tarmac on foot. The pilot greeted us there and promptly opened the door of to the plane.

It really was small. So small that it required no ladder or steps to get up and in. It's door opened just like a car's and it was about the same size on the inside.

"Go on in." The pilot said to Elizabeth, who was lucky enough to be standing in front of me.

She looked back over her shoulder willing me to change my mind.

"You heard him, get in." I smirked.  

Muttering something I'm probably glad I couldn't hear under her breath, she stepped into the small plane.

She shuffled to the seat on the far left corner, pulling her purse in close to her body.

Next I shoved the big suitcase in next to her and climbed into the front section, the seat next to the pilot.

"You're not sitting with me?" Elizabeth asked.

"Na, I think I'll stay out of the splash zone." I chuckled.

"I'm not airsick. I'm claustrophobic." She stated.

I turned around to face the front window. The pilot had come around the plane and opened to door to his side. He got in and showed us both how to buckle up. Then he turned on the motor and started cruising towards the runway.

"That's it?" Elizabeth asked. "Aren't you going to tell us what to do in an emergency?"

"There's a first aid kit under your seat." The pilot responded.

"Are you sure the doors are closed properly? There's a space there. I can see it." She said pointing.

"I'm sure mam." The pilot said.

We turned onto the runway and I glanced back at Elizabeth to get a look at her face.

She looked different. She was petrified, but seeing her this way wasn't as rewarding as I'd tought it would be. I could see her shaking. There was nothing but fear in her eyes.

"Hey, can I switch seats?" I asked the pilot.

He let out a cross between a growl and a sigh, slowing the plane to a stop.

"Thank you so much. We won't be any more trouble." I said, getting out and joining Elizabeth in the back.

The oversized suitcase took my place in the front. The pilot returning to his seat and started up the plane again.

I took Elizabeth's hand.

"It's gonna be okay." I said.

She stared out the window as the plane began to gain speed.

"You know how to land a plane?" She whispered.

"No. Why?" I responded.

"If he blacks out in the air we're screwed." She said.

And with those words of optimism, we took off.  

Both Elizabeth and I stared intently out the window. Her out of fear. Me out of fascination.

I watched the world shrink beneath us. Streets flowing like veins, out in all directions from the heart of the pulsing city.

The desert soil sparkled with a yellow-orange glow that could only really be apreceated from up here.