“Hey, it’s all right,” Reuben told her, reaching over to take hold of her hand. “You’re okay. It’s just a bit of turbulence.”
Faith shook her head.
Nope. She didn’t like it. Not one bit.
Put me down.
Get me out!
“Okay, folks, we’re heading into a bit of rough weather,” Alfie said cheerfully as he walked over to them. “Seatbelts need to stay on. There’s a storm that’s hit a bit earlier than we thought it would, unfortunately. But we’re all going to be a-okay. All right, Faith?”
Uh-huh.
Sure they were.
As soon as she overpowered Ralph, tied him up, and took control of the plane so they could freaking . . . well . . . land!
Her breathing came in short pants.
“Faith, shit. We should have driven!” Reuben said.
They could have driven, but she’d been doing better at flying. It was just this stupid storm! She squeezed Courageous Camel and felt a little better.
Then the plane dropped and she let out a cry. “I want out, Daddy!”
“It’s okay, Faith. I’m here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” Reuben wrapped his arm around her and she buried her face into his chest as the plane continued to rattle and move around.
“Mr. Jones, just letting you know that we’re going to have to land the plane,” Ralph said through the intercom. “The storm is getting too intense. My apologies, it’s hit earlier than it was meant to and we’re having some issues.”
Some issues? What were some issues?
The world around her spun and she felt ill. Was she going to pass out?
Don’t pass out.
Reuben yelled something at her, but she couldn’t understand what he was saying.
This was it.
The reason why she didn’t fly.
Because now she was about to die.
And just two days before Christmas? That was so unfair.
8
CAT AND ALEJANDRO
23rd December
“Ican’t believe you’re all here!” Cat cried as she hugged her friends again.
Immy yawned tiredly but gave her a happy smile. They’d gotten here late last night.
“We’re glad we’re here too,” Maeve told her. “But I have a question.”
“Yes?” she asked as she sat on the floor. At least she was sitting okay today.
