One Of The Shadows

Redhead

   "And then I told my brother 'hey, you can't say that to her'," Clair said loudly. "Then he was like, 'oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?' So then I punched him."

   "You punched your friends boyfriend?" I asked, trying to be interested even though she had given me a headache.

   "Yep. He left her alone after that. Then she left me alone. It sucked. I haven't had friends since then. I'm so glad that we're friends now!" She squealed.

   "Really? You think we're friends?"

   "Of course! Why wouldn't we be? I know we just met but I feel like we just have this connection. You know? I mean, you actually listen to me! It's amazing!"

   "When do you think the flight's going to end?" I asked her, looking at my nonexistent watch.

   "Oh, maybe a few more minutes? Ten? I dunno."

   I sighed and nestled into the seat. Clair continued to blabber on and I tried to pay attention but it was hard. She would change topics a lot. My thoughts were wondering. I hoped my plan would work. It would have to work i things were going to be right again.

   Sage's voice crackled over the intercom.

   "Alright ladies, we should be landing in about ten minutes so please be sure you're buckled up."

   Nancy spoke next. "We hope you had an enjoyable flight."

   I nodded and Clair called up a thanks. In my head I imagined all sorts of different ways to shut her up. Tape over her mouth. Cutting off her tongue. Killing her. Maybe I could just walk away? It was worth a try, but we were meant to be buckled, so that was a no go. Maybe I could threaten her and watch in amusement as she pleaded for her life.

   "Annora," Clair said. "Why are you coming to Australia?"

   "That's none of your business," I snapped at her.

   Her eyes filled with tears and she looked away, hurt.

   I smiled at her new silence. My headache was already fleeing from my head. The jet/plane landed and I got off with my luggage. Clair followed silently. Sage and Nancy got off after us with their arms around each other. For some reason I got mad.

   "Where are we?" I asked them.

   "Hidden airport," Nancy shrugged.

   "Magic one," Sage added.

   "Got some magic folk."

   "Safe. There's a small city hidden by magic. There's one on each continent."

   "Thank you so much," Clair said to them as I walked away.

   "Is there a forest around here?" I called back to them.

   "Yeah!" Sage called back. "Why?"

   "Just wandering."

   I entered the airport and took the stairs to the roof. When I got there I took a good look around. I spotted the forest a bits away. At least, I hoped it was the forest. The forest I was looking for.

   I saw the jet/plane take off again and I sat down and watched the clouds above me. Some guilt started to well up inside me for being so mean to Clair. What if I saw her again? What if she came here for over protective family that would come after me the moment they heard about this?

   I lay on my back and breathed deeply, thankful for the heat. I was a little disappointed. For some reason I expected Australia to be more lush. From what I could see it wasn't really. There was that forest, but on the other side of the airport it was dead, dull and dry.

    "I should start making my way to the forest," I mumbled.

   I got back up and started to make my way back to the door that led down stairs. Halfway there it opened and Clair ran out with another redhead behind her.

   "Annora! I saw you walk up here and I wanted to introduce you to my brother!" She told me excitedly.

   "Hey," her brother stuck out his hand. "I'm Shaun. Nice to meet you Annora."

   I shook his hand. His hair was the same vibrant red as Clair's and he had the same bright blue eyes that sparkled too much. Where she had a heart shaped face his was angular and gruff looking. He seemed a good five years older then me. Probably her big brother.

   We stood awkwardly.

   "I should go," I pointed at the door behind them.

   "Right," Clair laughed. "Roofs are not good."

   Shaun DeVonne nodded and was the first to walk through the door. Followed by Clair and me.

   All I wanted was alone time, and before I knew it I was being dragged to an airport cafe.