Double Or Nothing // C.T.H

Calum ~ 39

The next few hours were a blur.

A blur of people and suitcases, jostling past us at an almost frantic pace.

The airport was incredibly loud which was annoying, my head buzzed with a dull ache.

And of course I was stuck behind someone who must've yet to discover the wonders of deodorant. My nose crinkled as a fresh wave of their odor hit me.

Valerie turned toward me, taking a sip of a coffee she'd bought, as if trying to block out the smell.

"Well this is fun," She smirked at the unamused look I sent her.

"If this is your definition of fun, then i'd hate to see what you call boring," I groaned, security taking their sweet time up head. Do they seriously not understand we have places to be?

"It's fun because you're here," She said with a cheesy smile as she intertwined our fingers.

"Oh dear God help me," I muttered with a playful mock of a prayer. Valerie hit my shoulder lightly before resting her head on it. A fresh wave of exhaustion washed over me and a hid a yawn behind my hand.

After a few more minutes of small talk and impatient murmurs, we were finally next.

"Take off all metal belongings and place them in that bucket, put your shoes next to it," A man in a black jacket with SECURITY printed in bold white letters across the back, barked. His eyes lingered on me for a moment, a judgmental frown on his face.

As Val and I stepped out of our shoes, he turned from us slightly and pulled his radio from his waist band. I continued to put my wallet and keys into the gray bin that moved slowly along a conveyer belt.

Valerie went through the metal detector first, the light glowed a vibrant green and they handed her all her belongings back.

Just as I stepped up to the metal walkway, a arm shot out in front of my chest, stopping me.

Valerie's face showed obvious confusion as the guard who saw us earlier hooked a strong hold on my upper arm.

"Woah- wait, what's going on?" I stamper, panic sweeping over me. My mind swirled, sluggish with lack of sleep.

Was it my dad? I knew he had connections, but I didn't know they reached this far!

"Just come with me," The guard said with cold eyes. I sent Valerie one last look before I was dragged out of line.

"I haven't done anything!" My voice was shrill and my eyes wide.

"Hush, boy. We're just doing a thorough security procedure," His eyes ran over my face once again, and I suddenly felt self conscious.

We entered a white room that had a table, some chairs and long horizontal mirror opposite of the door.

I almost let out a gasp at the sight of myself, it's no wonder why they thought I'd need to be searched.

Pain suddenly thumped back in beat with my heart, as it was temporarily suppressed. With all my adrenaline and the rush of leaving, I'd forgotten how  excruciating my body currently felt.

My upper lip was pale with a undertone of blue, a gash running right down the middle. I run my tongue over it instinctively. Dry blood flaked into my mouth.