Breakout

Chapter 3

I guide my dad through the directions I printed off last night. But I'm not sure he understands me correctly. Tracking for the location isn't hard taking the specific turns when we need to. Our way of getting around to the exact spot on the airport's boundary is what confuses him and gets me to sweat bullets. There's only little time left before I miss this flight. And if I do-even by accident-federal officers will handle me. That's automatic jail time for me or my parents. And god knows what else that could happen before they will ship me to school themselves.

When we finally find the exact place, it's on the outskirts of the airports security gate. Standing there to the right there's a guard wearing a blue suit. Exactly behind him and the gate is an exotic, private jet coated in a pearl color, gold and hint coat of crimson. Above the left wing and windows I read, Notos Air. The words are written in black.

My dad drives close enough, the guard signals us to stop the van and waves his hand to his direction. This is where I leave my family. This is my que.

All of us are outside the van. I happen to retrieve my things while everyone else are lined up for their last few hugs and wishes. A few last too long and those are the ones that are the hardest to break from. But with less than ten minutes something's got to give.

"Okay," I say. "I have to go."

"Just take care of yourself. Whatever you do be safe," cries my mother.

I nod to her and only say, "will do."

"Just don't mess up and get yourself killed moron," Ismene say.

Simply I smirk at her and go for a hug. What she doesn't know I was trying to slip a little electric shock into her without suspicion. But it doesn't work on her; though when I do it to everyone else I get their hairs to stand. So instead of the prank she takes my last embrace and takes back her insulting word, "moron."

"Don't stop calling me that now Issie," I say. Once she agrees I give them my last wave and move forward to reach the man at the gate.

Under a sorrow manner I'm endangered being soft enough to be civil with the rest of the people I would meet today. That's until I simply say hello to the guard and he interrupts.

"Name sir?" he barks.

My left eyebrow rises as I tell him my name and the man scrolls his finger onto what looks like a clear pad.

"Ah. The Aeries. Go right ahead. And have a safe flight."

"Thanks," I say. When I bypass him I roll my eyes.

I keep straight for the plane. Each step I take closer my heart beats faster. Louder.

I stop at the foot of the stairs climbing into the cabin. There another man asks for my name and bag I'm carrying. The way he's dressed in slacks, a matching coat and hat he must be the pilot. An Abecedary.

"Mr. Phillips," he smiles at me as if he has known me his entire life, "please make yourself comfortable and enjoy the ride."

He too I give my regards before I'm rolling my eyes and grunt to myself. I know this is probably their temporary job, it's the least they could do is don't talk to me.

Inside the cabin I don't take long to find a seat up front. I take the window seat to the left, but notice I'm not alone on this flight. Far back of the cabin a blond guy wearing a letterman jacket reads a magazine. Central of the cabin's right side is where she sits. Gitta lurks out the window with that prominent expression of hers. When she turns to me I hastily slid into my seat and turn my head towards my own window.

There outside my family still waits for me to take off.

Their wait doesn't last for long. The cabin door closes, the man-yes him who I guess was an Abecedary potent-tips his hat and joins another man inside the cockpit. Minutes later the revving of the plane's engines grows louder. The cabin rolls forward. And I leave the rest of my goodbyes in with my dried eyes, and my sorrows hanging from my shoulders.