Chapter Three: Last Breaths

I could just make out two barely visible figures, waving
towards the plane at the front of the large crowd under the tall windows that
looked out to the landing and take-off strip. In my gigantic lazy-boy seat I
waved back madly, knowing it was the last glimpse of them I would get for who
knows how long.

A female’s voice came over the plane’s intercom; filled with
fake enthusiasm and the crackling electronic noise that most often accompanies
the aeroplane speakers. She informed us we were nearly ready for take-off and
to watch the video that had begun to play on the small screens in front us.
Little cartoon people demonstrated the safety procedures on the back of the
seat. I groaned as I fell back into the leathery seat—the plane going down would
be the least of my bloody worries.

A ding sounded above my head and I looked up to see the
seatbelt light had turned green. I strapped the belt around my waist and looked
back out window, ignoring the end of the safety video. Mum and Evie were no longer
visible in the sea of people, but no doubt they were still there, waiting for
my plane to leave the ground. My head was pounding with the build-up of unshed
tears; after my outburst while packing this morning I quickly resumed to my
usual pent up emotions.

“Please make sure all trays are lifted, seatbelts are on and
electronics are turned off. Thank you passengers, the plane is ready for lift
off.” The jets started up noisily, confirming the woman’s announcement. The
cabin vibrated with the sounds of the engine and the plane began slowly
trundling down onto the runway, quickly gaining speed as it reached the main
strip. Outside the airport began to blur with the increasing speed. I took one
last look towards the large airport windows and gave a small wave even though I
knew that they couldn’t see me.

The plane lifted into the air and the airport and
surrounding area quickly disappeared from sight as we flew both up and away.
Through my window I could see the lights of night time London, growing smaller
and less defined until finally they turned into one big light behind us.
Gradually the upwards angle of the aeroplane lowered, so we were flying in a
straight line. I watched below as the last of England disappeared, and it was
just the dark sea below, “Goodbye home.”
I whispered softly before sliding the blind shut. I pulled my book and iPod out
of my carry-on bag; sticking my ear buds in and trying to drone out my internal
chatter.

The clattering of trolley wheels down the aisles woke me; I
grimaced at the blaring overhead lights as my eyes shot open. Something tickled
at my neck, swinging about as I sat up. I grabbed it, accidently pulling out
other ear bud that had stayed in as I slept. Sitting them both back in, I
frowned—no music was coming out; the plug was still in, but the earphones
remained silent. I let out a small laugh as I realised why it wasn’t working.
The little red battery sign flashed as I attempted to turn it on before
returning to black. In annoyance, I threw the IPod back into my carry on and
transferred my head phones to the screen in front of me.

I looked away from the movie that was starting on my little
screen to see the airhostess had finally reached me. He face pulled around the
side from her overly tight and slicked back bun as she smiled at me, “Any food
or drinks for you?”

“A diet cola, thanks.” I requested. She bent down, opening
the door to the little fridge underneath the food cart and pulled me out a can.
She handed it to me with a little bag of peanuts then continued along the
aisle. Bringing the opened drink to my lips, I took a small sip, enjoying the
sweetness.

I yawned as yet another movie finished. The kissing couple
faded to the credits, ending the movie with their picture perfect happy ending.
Rolling my eyes, I pressed the menu button on the remote and continued to flick
it over to the flight details. The remaining flight time in the left hand
corner read 57 minutes. Another hour until the plane would land… another hour until I’d meet the family I’m
living with.

Grabbing my hairbrush out of my bag, I climbed out of my
first class seat and shuffled down the aisle to the cabin bathroom. The word
‘vacant’ flashed in glowing green letters; I slid the door open to reveal the
tiny bathroom, clicking the lock behind me. A foul, sulphuric odour met my
nose, teamed with a sickly sweet perfume attempting it. It created a fairly
unpleasant, somewhat overpowering scent, not helped by the lack of windows or
visible air vents.

Screwing up my nose, I moved in front of the mirror to clean
myself up before the plane landed. Dark circles encompassed my eyes; usually
light blue, they were dull and heavy lidded with lack of sleep. I ignored them,
knowing there was nothing I could do without a tube of foundation and began
attacking my unruly mass of hair. I grimaced as I ran the brush through my dark
brown curly mess, wincing as it caught on the knots that had formed over the
flight. I brushed out the long locks until they were tangle free—and frizzy as
hell, so I ran a bit of water to tame it slightly. It sat down a little. I
cupped my hands, splashing water on my face to clean it; the cold water felt
nice, refreshing me slightly. I still looked tired as hell, but at least I
wasn’t looking as gross.

Walking back down to my seat, I sat down just in time for
the pilot to make an announcement over the speakers, “Due to the lack of
turbulence on the flight, we will be arriving fifteen minutes earlier than
expected. Passengers, please make your way back to your seats and buckle
seat-belts. Make sure trays are up and all hand luggage is in the overhead
lockers or under seats. We will be landing at Seattle airport in thirty
minutes. Thank you.”

I shoved my book, coat and hair brush back into my bag and
stood up to put it in the locker, quickly sitting back down again as the
hostess came down the aisle. My seatbelt clicked as I pushed it into place.
Curiously, I pushed my window up to see if America was visible yet.
Multi-coloured lights lit up the night time landscape; the brilliant lights
were dazzling.

My ears ached with the change in pressure as the airplane
began its descent. I held my breath and nose to try pop my ears and hopefully
cease the dull pain. It didn’t work. I groaned, scrunching up my face as I fell
back into the chair to wait for the bloody thing to land.

The blob of lights grew closer and more defined as we sped
closer. I could make out the web of runways and landing strips below, along
with expansive roof of the airport. I took a deep breathe to steady myself, in
only a few minutes I would be meeting them…

The airplane shuddered as it hit the runway, bouncing me
lightly off my seat. I watched in awe as I took in the airport—it was massive.
A curving window covered the entire side visible from the plane, the lighting
from inside was so bright it even illuminated the surrounding area. The family
would no doubt be watching my plane through the windows right now, probably
trying to find the window I was sitting behind, just as I was trying to spot
them.

The plane came to a complete still, “We have landed safely
in Seattle at 1:43am with a flight time of ten hours and forty-three minutes.
Please stay seated until the green light goes off; then you may exit the
airplane in an orderly manner.” The pilot instructed as the noise of the jets
slowly died down.

After about five minutes the ding went off and the cabin
filled with the clicking noises of unbuckling seat belts and the sounds of
shuffling at people stood up to get their carry-on luggage. I undid my own belt
and grabbed my rucksack, slinging it over my shoulder. As the people in front
of me began filing down towards the exit, I followed behind, exhaling my last
breath of British air.

I stood uncertainly beside the luggage carrousel, waiting
for my oversized pink suitcase to appear. It still hadn’t appeared yet, and neither had
the people who were coming to collect me. Most of the other luggage had already
been claimed, although there were still a few people waiting and some others
just milling around.

Finally after what for seemed forever, the faded pink suit
case made its way over to me. I lugged it off the carrousel and made my way to
one of the benches on the side wall to wait for the people picking me up to
find me. It was starting to set into reality now, not just the funny nightmare
state I’d been in for the past two days—it was really happening. I was on the
other side of the world, away from my Mum and sister and waiting for a family
of people I’ve never met before to pick me up. All because one selfish arsehole
finds pleasure in terrorising my and ruining my bloody life; just as he’s done
for the past sixteen years.

My head shot up as a woman’s voice sounded from in front of
me, “Hey excuse me, you’re not Katerina McKinley are you?” She asked. Her voice
was friendly and somewhat familiar.

I stood up, blushing red, “Um... yes, I am.” I answered,
“Are you the one who wrote the letter. I thought Mum said it was a guy who
wrote it?” I frowned at her in confusion.

“I didn’t write it; he did.” She smiled, moving backwards to
show a familiar looking, dark blonde haired man behind her—where did I know him from? He gave an awkward wave before moving
back again. The woman turned back to face me, “Are you ready? We better get
going soon, it’s a bit of a drive.” She said, taking my heavy pink suit case. I
began to protest, but she just shook her head, “It’s okay, I’ll take it.”

We walked—well they walked and I ran to keep up with them—to
and escalator, where we travelled down about two floors to the ground terminal
and the exit. I flinched slightly as the rain pelted against my skin walked out
of the airport. I squinted through the heavy rain and swarm of cars and people
as I followed quickly after the two blondes.

The woman came to a stop in front of a new looking silver
car, “Hop in, I’ll shove your suitcase in the boot.”

I slid my way into the backseat, sitting my rucksack beside
my feet as I clicked my seatbelt into place. I heard the boot slam shut and
some muffled talking before the two repapered. The woman (well girl when I come
to think of it—she looks barely older than me), climbed into the driver’s side
and the guy sat down on the passenger’s seat. I leaned my head against the
window and watched the rain drizzle down heavily against the window as the car
started up.

“Did you have a good flight?”  She asked, pulling the car out onto the road.

I nodded, “First class was fantastic—thank you. Oh, what
you’re names by the way, I don’t think you told me.”

“I’m Caroline.” She replied.

“Stefan.” The man answered, looking over his seat at me. I
swallowed, blinking rapidly—it couldn’t
be. He looked exactly like—no don’t
be stupid Kat. I looked into the rear view mirror as he turned back to face
the front. They looked exactly like them, it was uncanny… their names even.