“What is going on?” Dante jogged toward me, throwing his arms out.
“The fucking fire department wanted confirmation the flames were out. Will went up in the chopper.” From where we stood, the swirl of smoke spiraling toward the sky was blacker than before. “The fire’s not done yet. He’s going to clog the filters.”
Another rumble of thunder. A single lightning bolt.
And a blast of wind.
“Ah, hell,” Dante hissed.
“Will. Come back. Come on, buddy,” I said as I moved to a clearing, trying and hopeful to catch sight of him. I shielded my eyes, ignoring all sounds while the wind picked up in intensity.
“Headed… back.”
Still on edge, I rushed closer to a drop-off, holding my breath until I caught sight of the propellers.
At least the goddamn storm was lingering in the distance. A line of garbled hisses hit the communication system. “Will. What are you trying to say?”
“Just… and then…”Buzz.Ditzch!
A shrill sound caught everyone’s attention.
I moved toward the path, never blinking as I watched the flight pattern. He was coming in strong, no sign of distress. “Come on, Will. Come on. Head home.”
“He’ll be alright.” Suddenly, Denver was beside me, staring up at the sky.
An entirely different sound could be heard in the distance.
“What the fuck was that?” I asked of no one. When Will’s helicopter veered slightly, heading toward the trees, every muscle in my body tensed. “Will. What is happening? Talk to me.”
Seconds ticked by. Another sound. Another crackle of the communications system.
“Ah, fuck,” Denver hissed. “He’s losing control.”
The helicopter veered toward the trees, narrowly avoiding slamming into them, but the propeller must have caught a line of foliage.
My brother tried to regain control, almost managing to do so. He dropped in altitude as he prepared to land.
“Here he comes,” Dante said, even trying to laugh, but the sound was hollow. “That man can fly.”
“Yeah, he can.”
I turned my attention away, jogging down the pathway to meet him when he arrived. The whirring sound was jarring. Turning abruptly, I watched in horror as he tumbled to the side, the bank too hard. He narrowly missed hitting the side of the mountain.
Will righted the helicopter. He was headed straight for me.
He dropped several feet, slowing. Still slowing.
Another shear and the bird almost slammed into the area where I was standing.
“Fuck.” I hit the ground, taking gasping breaths before pushing up. Will had managed to turn, slowing his speed once again.
Just as I jerked to my feet, the helicopter dropped and I caught sight of Will’s face.
Then the bird lurched forward.
“Come on, Will. Come on. You can do it.”
I watched in horror as the aircraft smashed against the side only yards from where I was standing, the hull still intact until it jumped to the surface, smashing down sideways and skidding toward me.
