Crash Landing [✓]

10

Chapter Ten | DID YOU JUST GRAB MY ASS?

The wing engine appeared to be partially illuminated from the aircraft's windshield, with the lower half gleaming around the rim and the top half being several shades darker. I intently listened to the buzz of the rotors as the plane descended, seeing how the boundary between shade and light changed.

Meanwhile, Zachari and Milo were discussing things which I was apparently not allowed to be a part of, because knowing too much had already landed me in a plethora of potential threats.

At the back of my skull, a gnawing voice was urging me to simply enjoy the few moments of peace that I had left, since a shit storm was on its way. Up above in the sky, right in this moment, I was invincible, after-all. No harm could get me from here.

"Hey, we're landing soon." Milo's voice called out to me.

I exhaled, and opened my eyes, turning my head to the side, to see him staring at me, brown gaze boring into my soul — a crestfallen expression upon his face.

"What's wrong?" I questioned.

"Nothing," Milo blankly responded, "When we land we'll have to go the Agency, because everything is a mess as is, you know that right? Then we can go straight to the hotel, the crazy lady should still be there with your cat."

"Sure." I laconically replied, breaking my gaze with him reluctantly, unable to understand why he was closing himself off all of a sudden.

Instead I focused on the view outside the window to my right, as the flight attendants voices dissipated around us, ordering that people should prepare for landing and remain seated.

Below, the lake was glistening, mirroring the dazzling assemblage of glittering stars. The strong wind was brushing against the water's surface the lower we got, the ripples ruffling the stillness of the surface, and shattering the reflection of the harbour.

The ground below me was alive with lights, like someone had taken a handful of pixie dust and thrown it as far as the eye could see, dotting over large groups of buildings. It was too dark to make out individual buildings, but the lights were enough for me. I sighed, amazed at the view laid out before me.

As we neared the ground, small cars heading down long highways of black ribbon came into view, as well as various coloured homes of different sizes and shapes, including Jersey's skyscrapers.

I knew the landing gear had been released when I felt a sudden bump. After making its last turn onto the runway, the plane touched down on the ground with a light rumble. The airliner reached a steady speed thanks to a loud burst of air applying pressure to the brakes, which terminated in the last act of peacefully taxiing into the arrival gate.

"Home sweet home," Milo muttered almost incoherently, "Great."

We all unbuckled our seat-belts one by one, and waited till the aisles were clear to make our exits, our minimal baggage in hand.