Justin and Molly stood at the edge of the road. The trees that had given them shelter and protected them from view now stood at a halt behind their backs. They had three options: 1. Risk walking under the 2 o’clock sun towards the private airport that was about mile down the road 2. Run back into the woods and wait the five or so hours until it got dark to risk the walk at night 3. Carjack someone, preferably without any weapons. The only logical solution was 1. They knew that, and yet neither one could bring themselves to move forward. The trees that were once their shield would be gone and the two Taylors would be left vulnerable to attack. Biting his lip, Justin slowly speaks, “We should start walking.” Molly nods, yet neither one of them moves. Closing his eyes, Justin tries to imagine his mother waiting for him in the lounge. “We have to,” he states and forces himself to take a step forward. Molly takes the next step with him. Breathing a little easier, Justin announces, “It’s just a mile. We can do it. We can be there in no time.” They continue to walk at a quicker speed, neither one speaking. They just had to walk and hope that no one tried to stop them. Cars slowly began making their trek up the highway, but no one stopped. Justin held onto his sister tighter. This was the right decision. This was the only decision. The open space made Justin feel claustrophobic, if that made any sense. It was as if all the openness was crashing down against his body. Instead of panicking, Justin decided to focus on his breathing. After several minutes, Molly finally spoke, “What do we say when we get there?” Thank God someone here is positive “We’ll tell the receptionist who we are. There should be a pilot waiting for us.” Unless he’s dead. Or unless he’s not really a pilot and just some guy who was hired to kill us. But who knows, we might be shot before we even get to the airport in Latrobe. Justin wished he could stay positive, but he was becoming cynical. He knew their chances were slim and felt as if he’d let his sister down. They walk in silence for another twenty minutes until the airport can be seen in the distance. The road was becoming busier now and Justin wondered how easy it would be for someone to hit them with their car. “I’ve never been in a private jet before,” Molly states, trying to make conversation. Justin nods. Their father often would take a private jet with clients to different destinations. He had accompanied his mother dropping Craig off a few times at this very same airport. The reason he would always choose this one was because they offered a jet service that functioned 24/7 and could take off at a moment’s notice to anywhere around the world. They enter the airport realm and walk through the parking lot. Justin’s heart was beating so loudly he thought he would lose his own hearing. He told himself to stop shaking, but his body had other plans. Just walk…just walk…. His mother had to be there. She had to. Please…. Quickening their pace, he pushes the glass door open and enters the Hangar lounge. They both quickly begin to look around the room. He could feel the tears threatening to spill as he comes to the realization that their mother is no where to be seen. “You must be the Taylor children,” the woman behind the counter calls out to them. They both freeze, and Justin wonders if they should turn around and run back out the doors. “Do you have your passports?” She asks, still smiling and speaking loudly enough for them to hear since neither Taylor made any indication that they would be moving from their spot in front of the doors. Passports? Justin feels faint. Oh God, no… “Pardon?” he asks, losing his breath. “Of course they do,” a man suddenly says as he appears out of seemingly no where. “Their mother dropped their papers off to me hours ago,” he continues to say as he takes the two stunned Taylors by their arms and led them quickly out the door. He calls back, “We’ll be leaving now!” Stumbling as he tried to keep up with the older man’s pace, Justin tries to make sense of what had taken place. “You saw my mother?” “Of course not,” the man stated, dragging them up the steps and practically shoving them into the leer jet, “Your mother is dead.” Shutting the door, he locks it and quickly maneuvers to the cockpit. Molly grabs Justin’s arm, her eyes wide. What the fuck? What the fuck?! Justin’s entire body is screaming but nothing is coming out of his mouth. Turning around, he pulls at the door. It doesn’t budge, “Oh God!” Molly cries, trying to help her brother open the door, “Justin! Justin! Oh God, Justin, I think we’re moving!!!” No! It can’t be. This can’t be… Running to the cockpit, Justin pushes open the curtain to see the man sitting in the command & control center. “I’d suggest you sit down. Jets this size don’t need much take-off time.” He renders off, pushing some buttons and keeping his back to the frantic nineteen year old behind him. Justin stares at the window in front of him as the world starts to race past his eyes and suddenly his feet shuffle back as the change in gravity takes hold. Grabbing the wall, Justin tries to steady himself. What is happening? Turning back to Molly, he sees her sitting on one of the plush chairs, her face wet from the continuous flow of tears sliding down her cheeks. Swallowing hard, he shifts his balance and staggers towards inside the cockpit, falling into the seat beside the pilot. The man looked to be in his early forties and had a serious expression on his face, which didn’t help ease Justin’s anxiety. “Sir?” He begins slowly. The man doesn’t answer. Clearing his throat, he tries again, “Sir?” Again, he doesn’t reply. “How did you know that my mom was dead?” Justin asks, trying to sound calm, but knowing he wasn’t. He snorts, but again says nothing. Justin looks down at his hands for a moment, trying to find that calm place that had to be somewhere in his body. Glancing back up, Justin knows what he has to do. “If you’re going to kill me, then do it. But please don’t hurt Molly. She’s just a kid. I’ll give you whatever you want… just let my sister live.” The moment of silence seems to stretch on for hours, but in reality it’s only a few seconds before the pilot begins to laugh. Justin isn’t sure how he should be feeling right now. ************************************