Interlude: Miles high and many milky ways

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Jared and Annie flopped down into the hard seats the airport kindly provided to its customers and sighed. They had finally finished checking in and were now beginning the greatest game on Earth; waiting to board a plane. They almost didn't make it this far after all the commotion Jared caused trying to sign Quackington in as a carry-on bag. They wouldn't let him, obviously, but he did manage to get him on a different, animal only plane heading to Australia. It was a teary good-bye, with Jared turning more than his fair share of heads when he screamed 'why, God, why?"

Paul was currently in the food court trying to scrounge up some passable food; they would only be served flash frozen mockeries on board and Jared was a monster if he went too long without food. He would cry and hold his stomach, "I'm dying, Paul. I'm starving to death and you don't even care," was just one of the complaints in his repertoire.

Annie scooped up her carry-on and rummaged through it She had bought some Dean Koontz with her and felt it would be a good way to pass the time. She found the book and had just opened to page one when Jared spoke.

"Are gingerbread houses made of skin to a gingerbread man? Or is there a special kind of non-skin gingerbread that the witches use?"

Annie nearly dropped the book in her shock. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Jared looked over, thoughtful. "I was just curious if they view gingerbread houses as some kind of twisted skin hut where we see a delicious treat house."

Annie simply stared at him. He looked quite cute with his face all scrunched up. He had slicked his hair back and it complimented his jaw nicely. He wore black tattered jeans and a custom-made t-shirt that said 'proud member of the church of Spongebob.' It was just one of the many custom shirts he had made for himself. Others included; Jesus is my homeboy, God looks like Patrick Stewart, Divine AF and Annie's favourite; Send Dudes. She couldn't help but grin at the ridiculousness of it all.

She rubbed her chin. "I think it's a skin house...that's kinda the point. It's a warning. Gingers aren't welcome here." She grinned and mentally high-fived herself.

Jared squinted, thinking hard. "I think you're right, although I can understand; THOSE SOULESS BASTARDS!"

Several people turned to stare at Jared, and Annie slumped down in her chair. Thankfully, Paul returned carrying an armful of McDonalds. Jared curled his lip up.

"Airline food would be better," He sniped.

Paul huffed and nodded. "I know, but it was either this or nothing." He reached into the bag and pulled out a Happy Meal box. Jared squealed and leapt over to him, snatching the box and hoarding it like a hungry predator. Annie giggled and took the burger Paul offered her; Big Mac...better than nothing.

They scoffed down their soggy burgers and stale chips in silence. For the next two hour, Jared and Paul argued the finer points of gingerbread skin and Annie read her book. After what seemed like an eternity, even to Jared, they boarded the plane. Jared gave Annie the window seat and settled himself in next to her.

"It's been a while since I've flown like this," Jared said, grinning like a child.

Annie smiled. "I've only ever been on a plane once and that was when my mum flew us from Alaska."

Jared frown inquisitively. "You were born in Alaska?"

"Mhm...I was born in Hope, about ninety minutes from Anchorage. It's a small fishing town. I was there with my mum and dad until I was seventeen, then mum left dad and moved us to LA, although she moved back shortly after I left home; I guess she didn't like city life."

Jared expression showed that he had been able to read between the lines based purely on tone. "What was your father like?"

Annie turned a lip up nonchalantly. "Nothing special. I'd rather not talk about him."

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