Human Nature (Book 4): Human Nature IV by Borthwick, Finlay (book recommendations website .TXT) 📗

Gwen told her daughter before she could begin comforting her. “I understand why we have to do this. It’s the only place that we know is secure. The Bandits are all dead.” She was reassuring herself of this fact, though going back to the first place that they had ever took refuge in during the apocalypse was never going to be an easy task.

On the row behind, Tina was relaying what Anna was saying to Erica using sign language; the aftermath of the bombing had partially deafened her.

“It’ll be easier for me to just lip-read, you know.” Erica said with a light smile, for she herself had struggled to learn sign language.

Tina shook her head with an equally light smile.

“This is gonna be hard… Steven, Price…” Erica recollected everyone who had died at the London camp the last time they were there.

Tina tapped her on the shoulder, “I’ll be with you.” She mimed to her wife.

Erica raised an eyebrow at her, “That’s kinda cheesy.”

They both laughed.

“I hope you’re all strapped in,” Anna advised them over the makeshift intercom, “Because this is gonna be a bumpy ride… Bye-bye Czechia, hello England!”

As they complied with the safety request, all of the passengers strapped themselves into their seats.

“I’ve never been to England before!” Petra excitedly confessed to Dawn on the third row.

“Really?!” She was surprised to learn of this fact. “Let me tell you something, it’s a beautiful place. You’re gonna love it, trust me!” She patted Petra’s knee.

On the fourth row were sat Adela, her little sister Tia, and Marianne.

“Don’t be scared,” Adela comforted her kin. “Just… Put your mask on and go to sleep.”

Tia had never flown on a plane before. As such, she had virtually zero idea of what to expect from this ride.

Marianne’s interests were far less pressing, however. “Do you think there’ll be any not-looted fashion stores over there?” She asked Adela, whose expression became rather sheepish upon being asked this. “I mean, come on, let’s not be naïve here, some of the best dressmakers on Earth hailed from Britain.”

Still, Adela and Tia were speechless at this.

The fifth row sported a soon-to-be-wed couple.

“So, do you think this counts as a honeymoon?” Emile asked his fiancé.

Alek grinned, “Well, I was actually gonna take you to the Grand Canary for that. But if you’d rather this… Then, well, okay then.”

Emile tucked his head into his lover’s chest.

“That’s it. You just have a nice nap… Nothing’s ever gonna separate us again.” Alek declared with a blissful certainty.

Nikola, who was also sat on their row, coughed interruptingly. “Would you two lovebirds just give it a rest for a minute?” She was fed up with their nonstop display of affection.

“Aww, Nikola.” Emile said with a smug smile. “You’ll find someone one day. Promise!” He returned to cuddling with fiancé.

“I don’t need anybody.” Nikola mumbled under her breath and folded her arms.

There were several other passengers on board, though they were all either asleep, sulking, grieving, or just had nothing of relevance to say.

Suddenly, and without Anna announcing it, the plane sped up and angled. The opposing forces held all the passengers firmly in place in their seats.

“Here we go!” Adela cheerfully proclaimed, nudging her sister, who had indeed put her sleep blindfold over her eyes.

Elliot leant over to mumble to Annabelle, “This is the part where you chew gum. Keep your ears from popping, you know.”

Annabelle laughed, “That’s just a myth. You know damn well it doesn’t work!”

“Well, have you ever tried it?” He joked back with her.

“Alright… Let’s test it!” Annabelle declared as she produced a piece of chewing gum from her pocket and popped it into her mouth.

Adela was excited to finally experience the feeling of aviation again. This was evident by the large grimace on her face.

But then, she started to turn a certain shade of green.

Reflexively, she leant forward and covered her mouth with her arm.

“You alright over there?” Marianne called out to her from across the row.

Adela nodded, but then wretched.

With a look of panic on her face, Marianne knew she had to do something. “Anna!” She helplessly cried out. “Anna! Stop the plane! Stop the pl--!”

But it was too late. In a sudden sharp ascent, the plane took off from the ground.

The entire way up, Adela had been covering her mouth and trying not to wretch.

Tia, on the other hand was already fast asleep with a beaming smile left on her face.

“Okay folks, you may now take off your seatbelts.” Anna announced through the tubing.

In an instant, Adela unbuckled her straps and flew up the aisle, watched with concern by Marianne, but also by Erica and Tina from another row.

Adela slammed the toilet door closed behind her, neglecting to bolt it shut. Unable to hold her reflexes back any longer, she rested her head on the toilet seat and vomited into the bowl.

Then, the door slid open again.

“Holy shit…” Erica gasped from the doorway, “Are you alright?” She slid the door shut again as she crouched down at Adela’s side.

“Yeah.” Adela wiped her mouth, “I’m fine. Just a little aviation sickness, that’s all.” She affirmed, still looking down into the bowl.

“I’m… Sorry?” Erica had been unable to entirely grasp what Adela had just said.

“Oh, I forgot.” Adela sighed and turned to face Erica head on. Repeating herself, she declared, “It’s just a little aviation sickness!” She repeated louder this time hoping that the increase in volume would make any difference.

Erica nodded, “Ah, got it!” She continued to watch Adela for several moments before another thought entered her mind. “Are you sure it’s just that?”

Instantly, Adela fobbed her off. “Yes! It’s just that!” She restated with aggression, “Now please, just leave me be!”

Again, Erica had not fully