Dead Air (Book 1 of the Biohazard Saga)

Chapter 2: The New Arrivals

With five minutes left till boarding time, I had started preparing for the eventuality of explaining to Dean Malik why only half the group was boarding the flight. Just as I was about usher the ladies to the boarding gate, the door to the waiting room swung open with such force that everyone in the room jumped.

Standing within its frame, a look of bravado plastered on his face was Brandon. James was right behind him, panting from the weight of two duffel bags, one of which I suspected was Brandon's.

Tension easing slightly, I made my way over to my two best mates. From the corner of my eye, I could see Isabella roll her eyes and whisper something to Olivia, who giggled. I would have bet my PS4 that she was making some crude remark about my friends, but figured it was not worth my head-space.

It was mind-boggling how I could like her and hate her at the same time. Gosh, Cupid was rough when he fired those arrows.

'You guys are killing me you know!' I said, giving Brandon a fist-bump which he ignored and lifted me off the ground in a bear hug.

'OKAYY, OKAYY...I miss you too, you giant lump. Now put me down! This is freaking embarrassing. Dude, the girls are watching.'

'Worry not friend, hugs for everyone I have, embarrassed you should not be,' said Brandon, in a mock-philosophical tone.

'Please tell me...he didn't just do a Yoda,' I spluttered, trying to catch my breath, as I managed to wriggle free from Brandon's grasp.

'fraid so mate. Count yourself lucky...he nearly knocked me off my front porch when he came by to pick me up,' muttered James, with a sigh.

Towering at nearly six feet tall, calling Brandon tall was an understatement. Our university's "Golden Ace" in rugby, watching him smash through players and teammates alike on the field would make anyone reconsider messing with him.

'So, what was the bet?' I asked, grinning at James, who gave me a fist-bump.

Perspiration dripping down his tanned skin, James' blue Captain America jacket was soaked and his maple brown hair was plastered to his face.

'Brandon says that there was some high-tech pharmaceutical company that burnt down last night and that they had to quarantine the area because of some mega-virus,' said James mockingly. 'Please tell him that he needs to lay off the zombie movies.'

'Dude! It's true man. I heard my dad talking about it on his phone this morning. There was some big crisis at that company on the edge of the city. It sounded serious man! My dad was calling other members of the force after that... and he only does that if there's trouble,' said Brandon, lines of worry beginning to form on his face.

Brandon's dad was a member of the special forces here in Malaysia and from what Brandon has told us during the 15 years we have been best friends, his dad was only called into active duty when things went really bad.

Other times, however, Mr Riker was a great guy and made a mean apple strudel. I hoped that he was alright... I mean, this wasn't the first time he was called to report in.

'It's alright man... your dad is great at what he does. He's like the Arnold Swatse-whatshisname of these parts!' I reassured Brandon. 'In any case, you still haven't explained how James ended up playing bellboy.'

Like a switch, Brandon regained his brilliant smile and laughed. 'Oh, that?... well he bet that I couldn't run through three red lights under a minute.'

'Maniac... he is a freaking lunatic! Screw carpooling... I'm never getting in a vehicle with this nut-job again,' muttered James. 'Somehow the bugger has the luck of the devil. Either that or the coppers are blind as bats.'

'So in summary, he is a nut-job,' I said.

'Absolutely freaking nuts.'

Wrapping an arm around each of us, and grinning, Brandon whispered, 'Well, this supposing nut-job brought half a carton of beers, but maybe it's better off spent with those lovely ladies over there.'

I chuckled. 'Yeah, I can definitely imagine you sitting around a campfire with Isabella and Olivia on either side singing kumbaya to the tune of six cans of beer.'

James snorted. 'It's more like Isabella's foot planted on one cheek and Olivia's on the other.'

We burst out laughing.

If there were any friends I would trust with my life, it would have been these two. Despite each of us looking polar opposites, the three of us became the best of friends.

Wiping a tear from my eye, the repeat of the 'Boarding' message on the intercom brought me back to reality.

'Oh crap! We gotta gather the rest and meet at the boarding gate... ASAP!'

'Well, I don't think you have to worry bout that,' said James. 'I saw Carlos heading for the boarding gate on the way here. Don't tell me you messed up his details as well?'

'DUDE...It wasn't me. Does the whole damn class think it's my fault?' I sighed in frustration. 'Of all the people that had to get their flight plans messed up... it just had to be Carlos Santino.'

What was wrong with Carlos Santino? Well for starters, he is mainly a royal jerk that often picks on the juniors. You know the kid your mom would tell you to stay the hell away from at school? Bingo! He is also the guy I brawled with at the cafeteria. Needless to say, I came out on the losing end of that, though I did trip him up back into an open garbage can. 

I think that was the day I picked up the habit of constantly looking over my shoulder. He still hasn't forgiven me (not that I need his forgiveness anyways) and the irony that I was to board the same plane with him was a cruel one.

'Alright guys,' I called out, 'Let's get moving before we miss our flight altogether. Carlos has supposedly boarded. So we gotta get our butts there too.'

'It's about damn time,' said Isabella, taking the lead, her rucksack nearly hitting my head whilst she passed me, which felt kinda on purpose.

'After you milady,' said Brandon, doing an exaggerated half bow.

Rolling her eyes, Isabella plainly ignored him, muttering something about 'boys'.

Liv bounded up and gave Brandon a playful punch on the arm.

'Allow me to carry your bag Olivia?,' said Liv, 'Oh why of course Brandon, how gentlemanly of you to ask.'

With that, she shoved her bag into Brandon's arms, his mouth agape, and followed behind Isabella.

'Keith's sister just owned you man!! She's literally the only girl I know that can shut you up,' said James, guffawing.

'Alright boys, let's not fall behind yeah!' I said smiling.

Turning to talk to Brandon, I couldn't help but notice the way James and Liv exchanged looks. Maybe it was my imagination. Gosh, I was becoming more and more like mom. 

Shaking all these thoughts out of my head, our group made their way to the board the flight that would change our lives forever.