I took the bag and cupped it around my mouth, trying to slow my breath.
“In and out, that’s it.”
The second I felt more in control I removed the bag. “Land the plane.”
“We still have an hour before we get there.”
“Land the goddamn plane,” I growled.
“You’re scared of flying?” he asked, a concerned frown marring his face.
“Get us on the ground and I won’t even press charges for kidnapping me. Just get us down in one piece.”
“Nina…” he said, reaching for my hand, and I scooted farther out of reach. He stepped back and held up his hands. “Okay. We’ll land at the nearest airport and drive the rest of the way.”
He hurried out of the plane’s tiny bedroom.
I shook my head and lifted the bag to my lips again, continuing to breathe in and out with my eyes closed, clutching the sheet until the wheels touched down and the plane started to slow.
What seemed like a lifetime was in reality, only about thirty minutes. Lightning cracked; the sound vibrated through the plane as it hit on the other side of the runway. As soon as the plane stopped, I jumped from the bed and hurried down the aisle, where the pilot was lowering the steps.
I jogged down the steps, ignoring the pelting rain. My clothes were even wetter than when he’d dropped me in his shower.
Resting my hands on my head, I glanced around the little airfield. There were no other planes, just two small hangers in the distance. The sign on the shed read, crop-dusting.
Where the hell were we?
“Nina,” Harlon said, stepping forward.
I held up my hand. “Don’t touch me. Don’t you dare touch me.” All I needed was a freaky vision from his touch to make this day one-hundred percent craptastic.
“At least get back on the plane and out of the rain. We won’t leave. We won’t go anywhere unless you say it’s okay. I promise.”
“Like you asked to bring me here,” I asked, throwing my hands up before I dropped them back to my sides. “I don’t even know where here is.”
“We’re in Tennessee,” he said.
I dropped to a squat, holding my head. “Oh no, no, no, no, I have to think. I have to go home.”
“I’m sorry, Nina. I need you in a way I’ve never needed anyone in my life. I’m sorry I didn’t wait for you to wake up to ask. But I’m not sorry you’re with me. Lives are in danger, and there’s no one in the world that can help me the same way you can. Please.”
His voice cracked at the admission. Please. The one word guaranteed to make me crumble. The one word that would make me care, and the one word that had me needing to know more.
I clasped my fingers and rested them on my head. “Whose life are you talking about?”
Harlon ran his hand over his face. “My sister, Suzie. Her life, are you happy? Nina, I’ll pay you anything. Just get back on the plane. I need your help.”
“Okay, okay, let me think,” I said, heading back to the plane. “I need a phone. You do have a phone, don’t you?”
“It’s on the plane,” he said, almost resting his hand on my back before thinking better of it. I stepped back onto the plane, dripping wet. Harlon disappeared and returned with towels and set his phone on the table.
Shudders wracked my body as I dried off, but not all of the reaction could be attributed to the cold chill. Being on this plane again sent a fresh wave of anxiety through me. I dropped the towel, not caring about my clothes, and dialed the one person I needed.
My sister Mercy was the reason for my plane-induced panics. She’d once told me that I’d die on one of these metal birds. Granted we were thirteen, and she was pissed that I’d borrowed and ruined her favorite shirt, but I’d never forget the Death Notice she gave me. I’d die while flying through the sky. Even thinking about it now produced a shiver down my spine.
She answered on the first ring. “I’m not selling my goddamn house, so quit calling.”
“Mercy.” My voice was a whisper, but it stopped her from hanging up.
“Nina? Is that you?”
“Mercy…” I lowered my voice and turned my back on Harlon. “Is it raining the day that I die?”
“Nina, where are you?” Concern registered in Mercy’s voice. “Are you at home?”
“I’m on a plane, but we’re on the ground for the moment. Mercy, please try to remember. Is it raining the day the plane goes down?”
