Page 6 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

God went through the scanner again with no issue.

When he came out, the woman stepped a little closer, tilting her face up at him. “Don’t forget your, um… your—”

“My wallet, boots, belt, phone, and badge?” God said smoothly. He winked and pushed one side of his thick tresses behind his ear as he collected his things. “I remember, honey.”

The woman flushed so hard Green thought steam might come off her. “Have a good flight.”

“You’re shameless,” Day gritted after God took his hand.

God scoffed. “What did I do?”

Green didn’t care. His brain had already moved on.

By the time they got to the gate, boarding had started. People were filing down the jet bridge, smiling and laughing, oblivious, as if they’d never seen one of the Final Destination movies.

A flight agent at the counter was calling the group numbers in an irritatingly cheerful voice, while the other scanned the boarding passes.

Green slowed.

Then stopped.

He went to the window and stared at the plane.

It was enormous, its white body stretched long and wide, the wings jutting out like blades. It looked too big to leave the ground and too heavy not to fall out of the sky.

Every time he’d seen one flying overhead, he had the same thought—that should not be up there, and I’ll be damned if I ever get on one.

It was too much metal. Too many parts. Too many opportunities for something to snap, fail, combust, depressurize, or explode. And the countless windows down the side were too small for him to climb out of in case of an emergency.

“I’m not getting on that casket with refreshments. That’s how they lure you in…with those fuckin’ honey roasted peanuts.”

“Hey.” Ruxs came up behind him. “Let’s go.”

Green shook his head.

A thin sheen of sweat had broken out on his forehead. He could feel it easing under his collar and down the back of his neck. His hands were damp, clenched around the handle of his carry-on.

His heartbeat was too fast, too hard, thumping in ugly, shallow bursts as if it were trying to warn him.

“I’ve got a bad feeling,” he said.

Ruxs frowned. “What kind of feelin’?”

Like if he got on that thing, the door would seal and there’d be nowhere to go, nowhere to run or hide if there was danger. He couldn’t handle not being in control of his life. Green shook his head again, faster. He started pacing because standing still felt worse.

“I’m not going.”

“The hell you’re not,” God said from the gate door.

Green didn’t turn around. He didn’t want to see God’s face or the command in it.

“I need both of you there,” God said. “Now untuck your fuckin’ balls and get on the plane.”

“Steele is more than capable to back Ruxs if he—”

“Steele is my brother, not my partner,” Ruxs cut in. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”

Green swallowed, shame and anger warring in his chest.