AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Additional thuds.
Sweat trickling down both sides of my face.
He was closer.
Closer.
A male grumbled. In Russian.
Then… Silence.
And a single sharp cry.
“What a fucking asshole,” a female voice finally said.
“Yeah, well, he’s gone.”
I leaned against the panel, ready to slide to the floor. I wouldn’t be able to wait much longer. Five minutes must have passed.
After counting to ten, I pressed my fingers against the latch, taking another ten seconds before opening it. As I swung the door, I have expected the assailant would be standing in front of me. There were only two women, one darting a look in my direction.
Swallowing, I willed my legs to move, finally able to round the corner, then finding the courage to continue to the exit.
None of the men were in my line of sight. I glanced at the monitor then toward the line. There were seven or eight people waiting to board. So I waited, counting the seconds.
Four people in line.
When there were two, I moved directly toward the boarding area, struggling to get my ticket into my hand, almost laughing at the realization I still had the makeshift weapon in my fingers. After managing to slide it into my pocket, I took the last few steps. I was almost there. I could make it.
Without Cobra.
More tears, angry ones this time. How could this happen?
When I handed the girl the ticket, she eyed me carefully.
Then the first monster appeared out of the corner of my eye. He noticed me. He knew who I was. As she waved me through, he advanced, taking long strides. I rushed down the gangway, twisting my head around several times. The attendant had stopped him. They were arguing. I raced toward the plane, finally reaching the door. Then I looked back one more time.
The man wasn’t following.
Everything moved into slow motion as I entered the plane, the hollow sound of the woman guiding me to my seat muffled. I was numb, barely moving, finding my seat. I managed to toss my bag into the overhead compartment. Then I remained standing, still hopeful. Still praying.
Seconds turned into minutes. I was close enough to watch as the flight attendant began to shut the door. All was hopeless. They’d won. I was alone.
As I slunk into my seat, I was no longer able to stop the tears, sobbing silently, the salty beads stinging my skin. I wasn’t certain how I could go on without him. He was everything. He was…
A sound drew my attention, a flurry of activity. A deep, unrecognizable voice. Still shaking, I stood, realizing the door was being opened again. My heart thudded. I counted the beats.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
A smile on the woman’s face.
Someone boarding.
I couldn’t see the person.
Please, God. Please don’t take him away from me.
Then he appeared, his eyes sweeping the plane, his jaw clenched tightly.
