In My True Element

Chapter 14

Several times during the flight I try talking to Amelia, but she always dodges my questions. There are always some urgent duties that need her immediate attention, or Josh, the other flight attendant, requires her presence, even though Josh is sitting quietly in his seat.

When we land and Ilana leaves the jet, I approach Amelia.

"What happened to you?" I ask her bluntly. She's my only friend right now, and I don't want to lose that.

"I'm sorry for avoiding you; I just think that Ilana doesn't like me talking to you."

"Who cares?" I shrug my shoulders, failing to understand her reasoning.

"Well, she's my boss, and I really believe it'll be better if we don't talk." She smiles at me apologetically and walks away. Frustrated with Ilana, I pick up my backpack and go outside where I join the rest of our team.

As promised, the cars are already waiting for us. Just like last time, the soldiers help us load more equipment than we'll probably need. Ilana, who seems to have calmed down by now, tells them what to take and where to take it. Just as always, she is in control of the situation.

When the two of us get into the car, we still have nothing to say to each other, so the ride is very quiet and uneventful. From time to time I look back at the two other cars that are following us. This time, with the cave, we will need their help to ensure our safety. And I seriously hope these men know what they're doing.

Trying not to dwell too much on the idea of going down into a place where air is scarce, I look at the road, surprised by its good quality. However, when we leave the motorway and get on one of the rural roads, I notice a few potholes. This road is surfaced quite poorly, and we have to drive carefully to avoid getting in an accident.

Finally we get to the Quang Binh province. Ilana brings the car to a stop and gets out the directions Fire has provided us with.

Her phone is ringing, and before answering it, she exhales rather loudly.

"Yes, Brat." I don't hear what he says but whatever it is, it makes her look quite annoyed and she puffs her lips. "No... looking for it... of course, I'll call.... Yes." A longer pause. "...yes....I love you too."

She hangs up the phone and returns her undivided attention to the map. I, on the other hand, seem to be incapable of moving or saying anything. I hear the heart in my chest beating violently and I feel like my head is about to explode. And what is this squeezing pain in my chest? Why does it suddenly feel like someone's put a really heavy weight on it?

Count; you need to count before you do something you might regret. I hear my mother's words in my head and start counting to ten, then twenty, then thirty. It seems to calm me down and I can finally take a deep breath. This is when I realize how much my lungs hurt... I haven't been breathing all this time. The worst thing is that I know I shouldn't care, but I can't seem to help it.

"Looks like we'll soon be there." Ilana folds up the map and puts it in her pocket.

We drive for thirty more minutes through the city but all too soon leave it behind. I've lost track of time and have no idea where we are or what we're doing here for that matter. All I can think about is that simple 'I love you too' she said to Brat, and it makes my whole body ache. And just like that, for the first time in almost three hundred years, my eyes sting and I fear I won't be able to hold back the tear. I squeeze my eyes shut wishing I could forget she said these words.

Suddenly the car stops and Ilana turns her long-lashed brown eyes to me.

"Do you recognize the place?"