Don't Leave Me

Chapter 16

Cade grabbed my bag from me and set it into the back of the car. I looked at Daniel who was staring off into the distance. I looked over and saw Moira talking to Apa. I looked back at Daniel who was still looking in their direction.

"She will do anything to help if you ask her." I say nudging him in the shoulder.

He snapped his attention to me. "What?" He glanced back at her. "Oh...yeah I know." 

"Call if anything develops." Cade says walking up to us.

"I know." Daniel says letting out a sigh.

"We should only be gone for two days...three at the most." Cade says looking at his watch. "We better get going though...it's an hour drive to the airport."

I grit my teeth thinking of the flight.

"We will let you know if anything happens." Daniel says. 

Apa and Moira walk over to us.

"Are you ready?" Apa asks.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I say forcing a smile. 

Daniel tenses and shuffles his feet a little to angle himself towards everyone.

"Well, we best be off." Elder Knight says walking up. "We will contact you when we arrive and when he begin our journey back."

Daniel nods in response and clenched his teeth.

"Everything will work out." I say hoping it isn't a lie.

"I hope so." He smiles sadly. "Have a safe trip."

"Stay safe." 

We finish our goodbyes and climb into the car. Cade drives while I'm in the front seat and Apa and Knight ride in the back seat. Cade's hand squeezes mine and I look over.

"Are you nervous?" He asks and glances at me.

"Yes."

"Don't worry...they hardly ever fall out of the sky." He smirks and I hit his arm.

"That's not funny."

"What's not funny?" Apa asks joining our conversation.

"She's a little nervous about her first flight." Cade answers.

"But you can fly." Knight chirps from the backseat. "Just think of it as an extension of your wings."

"Yeah...a big, heavy, metal extension." Cade scoffs.

The rest of the ride was full of small talk. It was a breath of fresh air when we were able to get out of the car. I stared at the jet and frowned. Big metal wings...that's all they are. Cade put his arm around me and kissed the side of my head.

"Just don't think about it." He says and I begin to relax. He grabs my hand and pulls me to the giant machine. "Come on."

We climb the stairs and enter the plane. The chairs are nice and spaced out...it is a private jet after all. We take a seat in the middle. There is a table and adjacent chairs facing us. He lets me sit next to the window and settles in next to me. I can't even remember waiting for the plane to take off but as soon as we moved, my body tensed. Cade was talking to someone but as soon as I tensed, he turned to me and took my hand. I glanced at him before looking back out the window. We pulled away from the hangar and geared up for takeoff. My seatbelt had already been fastened but it didn't make me feel any safer. This measly thin strap couldn't possibly save my life if this thing fell out of the air...only trap me in a metal coffin. Yes Aiyana...think about death...that will make things better. I let out a sigh of frustration at my own thoughts. Cade squeezed my hand as the engine roared and we sped off down the runway. I tore my eyes away from the window and closed my eyes while sitting back in the chair.