Into Ruin

Chapter 29 Keys

The walk toward the airport seemed to double in length since last time. Mischa tried to stay vigilant, but the hangar containing their potential escape kept pulling her focus. The airport terminal had so many windows overlooking the runway that it would impossible for any squatters to miss them anyway. While regular survivors would likely leave them be as they walked by, once they saw a functioning aircraft, it would be another story.

But if a seventeen-year-old guy had enough flight experience to feel confident stealing a plane, who was to say that other pilots hadn't already done the same. Her heart sunk as she glanced back at her father hobbling with an arm around Quinton. Her father was right: Quinton was a really good guy. Given how quickly things could turn, she should probably tell him that sooner than later. She flashed them both a smile that they returned without hesitation.

Once they reached the hanger, Vita and Mischa supported Nate while Quinton checked the doors. With a frown, Quinton pushed open the smashed door beside the fallen barbed-wire-topped fences. Mischa's palms sweated more than normal in the heat.

"I'm going to go help him. Please stay outside."

"Mischa, wait." Vita extended the handle of one of her knives. Mischa took the weapon in hopes that she really wouldn't have to use it.

She padded toward Quinton and caught the door he held open for her. After shutting it quietly, she placed her hand in his, and he gave it a gentle squeeze. Three airplanes sat in the hangar, smaller than the jets she was used to seeing at the airport. The closest one had four tightly squished seats. One of the aircraft had comfy looking seats and a lot of fancy controls. Quinton shook his head and walked toward one of the older, simpler white planes with a blue stripe. He let go of her hand and walked around to inspect the plane.

Mischa took inventory of the back of the hangar, looking for any signs of habitation or potential intruders. Their luck seemed to be alright so far. Quinton grabbed a stool to look at the top of the wings and unscrew some kind of cap to look inside.

"Mischa, could you go into the office and get me the keys? They should match the aircraft number on the side of the plane, but if you're not sure, bring them all."

Without hesitation, she took off. Getting closer to the office door, a few blankets were nestled up together near the wall with some food wrappers. Sweeping the area again, she found no other traces of people. Maybe they'd moved one.

Just get the keys, she coached herself, quick and easy. She went behind a couple of official-looking counters and rummaged through the drawers and cupboards until she found them. Not wanting to have to return, she grabbed them all and ran back out to Quinton who played with the flaps on the wings.

"We're really lucky. The fuel isn't compromised, and we have almost three-quarters of a tank. Someone must have been planning on using this when the storms hit if it's been stored inside and is ready to use."

"So we can fly this thing?"

"As long as we can figure out how to get those hangar doors open, and I can remember how to take-off."

With his arms manipulating the ailerons, his muscles flexed and his shirt lifted enough to expose his stomach. He lowered his arms and took a few steps in her direction, only to stop and check the edge of the wing. Something about his meticulous nature made her want to reach out and hold him. She tried to convince her mind that she'd had a whole uneventful week to be close to him, yet her body only responded at this moment, when every minute counted.

"Could you check the landing gear for me? Just make sure nothing looks compromised, rusted or missing?"

Mischa set Vita's knife on the seat of the plane and squatted down to look at the bolts and metal around the wheels. Quinton took off to another corner of the shop. She let out a slow breath as she inspected, but thankfully things didn't look too damaged, not that she really knew what to look for. His footsteps grew closer again.