Burn Before Reading(65)

"Nice to meet you, murderer. I'm Fitz. Please, if there's any goodness left in your cold metal heart, don't kill me."

"We'll be fine," I said, walking up behind him. "Wolf and Burn have done this a ton. And Jakob's a professional."

Fitz shot a 'if only you knew' look at me. "I thought you'd have realized by now - just because Wolf and Burn do something a ton doesn't mean it's safe. Or sane."

"Look, Fitz, I'm in the same boat. Er, plane."

"Helicopter," He offered.

"Helicopter," I put a hand on his shoulder. "I've never, ever done this before. You have way more experience than me, and I’m scared shitless."

"Then why are you agreeing to this? You could just wait in the car. Burn would let you get away with it, I know it."

"Because," I shrugged. "Skydiving is better than what I'd be doing right about now."

"And that is?"

"Making dinner for Dad. Checking if he's had his pills. Trying to have a conversation with him that doesn't piss him off or make him feel like shit."

Fitz goes quiet.

"Besides, I used to hate running. But then I went running with Burn every morning, and sort of started to like it. Even the first time I did it, when I was wheezing and in agony, he showed me something to enjoy about it. So. I think maybe he knows his stuff."

"Or maybe he's a freakin' adrenaline junkie."

"That too,' I laughed. “But hey - you're an actual junkie."

He heaved a sigh. "Ugh. You can't be a junkie if it's only pot."

"And sometimes pills."

"Yes, thank you, how could I forget; and sometimes pills."

I laughed. Fitz smiled wryly, looking a little more like the devious, energetic guy I was used to seeing in the halls every day. For a moment we might as well have been back there, ribbing each other with wittiness and sass.

"Okay." Fitz breathed in, then out. "You said deep breaths."

"Yeah. Slowly. Although, as we get higher up in elevation, you might need to breathe faster or you'll pass out."

"Great. Cool. You're making this so much easier."

I reached out and booped his nose. "You're welcome."

I left Fitz to breathe and stood next to Burn as he watched the blades rotate.

"Nervous?" He asked, his deep voice cutting through the noise without having to be raised one iota.

"Of this? A little."

"No, I meant Wolf."

He nodded to Wolf, who was still talking to Jakob.

"I'm not!" I insisted. "I'm not...nervous about him."

"You are. Always."

Was I really that obvious? The answer hit me; no, Burn was just really good at people stuff. Despite his few vocalizations, he was great at watching them and figuring out their deal. I was no exception.

"Well it's not my fault," I protested. "It's a little hard to be anything but nervous when someone stares like Wolf does, like he wants to set me on fire."

I could've sworn Burn smirked, but it was gone quickly when Jakob called out to us.

"Alright! Get in and strap in, and we'll be off!"

We all clambered in the open side door, four seats behind the pilot's for passengers. I chose a seat next to Burn and prayed Wolf wouldn't sit next to me, but he did. Fitz was on the end, mumbling what sounded like a prayer.

"Here we go!" Jakob yelled, and the helicopter glided forward. It had wheels, which was clever, I realized, or else how would a helicopter get out of a barn? The rumble of the engine was deafening, and I winced. A pair of heavy plastic headphones suddenly came into my view. I turned to see Wolf offering them.

"Thank you," I mouthed. He nodded. I put them on, the sound becoming muted. All that was left was the spectacular view as we took off, leaving the plains of grass far below us. The earth became a patchwork blanket of fall colors and crops and suburbs. The sun hung low on the horizon, golden and swollen. The sky was as blue as blue could be. The wind whistled through the cabin, teasing Wolf and Fitz's hair and ruffling Burn's shirt. It played havoc with my hair, tangling every which way, and I secretly felt bad for Wolf, since the wind kept blowing it around his face. I tried to tuck it away, but it just got free again.

"This is your captain speaking," Jakob's voice came in loud and clear over the speakers, even with my headphones on. "I'm going to close the doors from here on out, since it gets pretty tempestuous. After that you can get out of your seats and start putting on your gear. Wolf, Burn, I expect you'll help the newcomer?"

The doors of the helicopters slid shut, the howling wind dulling to a bare whistle. I took my head phones off and smoothed my hair back. Wolf and Burn immediately got out of their seats, rummaging around racks and cabinets in the back of the helicopter. Fitz stayed firmly in his seat, eyes shut and hands clasped together.

"Hey," I put a hand on his shoulder. "It’s okay. We're in this together."

Fitz looked at me, eyes so wide and damp I could've sworn he was ready to cry. It was weird, seeing him near-tears when I'd been so used to his confident, quippy self at school. I couldn't resist the urge to hug him.

"It'll be okay! C'mon, we can do this. It'll be over before you know it."