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He glanced over the view, taking in the city from such a height. He looked back at Fred, who clutched his seat as if his life depended on it. Fred never flew well to begin with.
"You, okay?" he asked, watching Fred pale even more.
"I'm fine!" he said, his voice higher pitched than usual. Fred swallowed, and Mason could see sweat beading on his forehead.
"We’ll be landing soon," he offered. They were just heading to land at the Whispering Winds Country Club, one of Mason’s many clubs. It had been a while since he had been there.
He didn't like to stay in the same place for long. He was only going to be in town for a short while, but even that seemed too long. He had the urge to be on the move.
He had the urge to run free through the jungle. It was one of his favorite things to do. But his strict, rigorous schedule didn't allow him the time to do so. He didn't even know when he would be given a chance now that he was in town. It dampened his mood even further.
The helicopter suddenly jerked. Fred yelled, fear twisting his face. The helicopter swayed, and the pilot spoke over the intercom. "We are encountering some turbulence. Sit tight, guys."
"Like we have an option," he barked back, glancing at Fred, who looked like he was about to vomit. He watched Fred’s teeth clench down tight enough to crack a tooth.
"You okay?" he asked again.
Fred nodded, and he could tell he was biting his tongue. He frowned, looking at the pilot.
"Land sometime soon," he barked, hating how long it was taking. "It shouldn't take this long to land a damn helicopter."
Fred frowned at him. "It's fine, Mason. I'm fine. It's just a little turbulence. It happens."
He could tell Fred wasn't okay. He glared at the pilot. "Are you a complete idiot or just half?"
"Mason, it's fine."
The helicopter bobbed as the pilot landed roughly, forcing both of them to jerk around for several seconds. Fred threw a hand up, holding onto a handle, and Mason steadied himself against the window.
"Idiot," he grumbled, unbuckling himself. "A complete idiot. What the hell are you doing up there?"
"Mason, it's fine." Fred unbuckled quickly, trying to calm him. "We are here."
The pilot turned, looking at them. "Sorry for the rough landing, guys. The wind caught us."
He scowled. "What's the difference between a reason and an excuse? Hmm? Care to share? Couldn't figure out that the wind was there?"
Fred grabbed Mason, half shoving him out of the helicopter. He gave the pilot a sympathetic frown before he got out himself, slamming the door behind him.
They headed into the club, where Fred held the door open for him. He stepped through and got body slammed by the smell of the scorched hibachi grill.
He was suddenly back in his past life, standing in front of his home, watching it all burn down. He watched the fire lick up the wood, eating away at everything in the house that held so many of his memories. They hadn't lived there long, but long enough.
He remembered everyone yelling and sirens blaring around him. He had been crying for hours, it seemed, angry that no one was going after his father. He was too young to understand there was nothing they could do.
Mason could feel his mother clutching onto him, saying something, but he couldn't remember. He wished he could because those were her last words, being she was claimed by smoke inhalation in the ambulance.
But his eyes were glued on the house, watching it burn.
The shouts of the firefighters working hard to handle the fire filled his ears, but it was already too late. It had devoured everything, including his father. He still remembered talking to his father that morning about moving. His dad talked about wanting to finally set down roots. His mother wasn't sure.
He'd been excited, but by nightfall, everything was ripped apart. The house went up in smoke, reminding him that nothing lasted forever. No matter what you did, bad things would follow.
He shook his head, forcing himself back to the present. He didn't like to think about that day. The way his world flipped upside down and never recovered.
Fred snapped his fingers, waving a hand in front of his face. "Hey? You there? You zoned out for a moment, boss."
He was embarrassed. No one caught him off guard. He always made sure to be in the moment at all times. So, he just shook his head and waved a hand over the space. "I'm just taking it all in. It's been a while since I've been here. The place still looks good."
