747

By Lauren

The roar of the engines filled her mind, blocking out all sound. The airplane flew far above the city and she could not stop thoughts of him filling her mind. His smile was in every twinkle of the city lights below her. He should be there, waiting for her at the gate. Everyone had someone waiting for them, did they not? But who would be there for her? She clasped her hands together, uttering a silent prayer that the plane would land safely. She had never been fond of flying, especially since that fateful day nine years ago. Her life had changed completely, turning upside down and shattering on the floor. Naturally, she had picked up the pieces, but it would never be the same without him. Again, back to him. Why was her thoughts always tracing back to him? Vincent. Such an old, awkward name. Something out of an English folktale, possibly. So much like him. A little awkward, a little different, yet the beauty of his soul shown within this. He would not be waiting at the gate for her. As much as she desired him to do so, she knew the cold, harsh truth. Nine years ago, Vincent perished within the twisted metal of a 747. He would never wait for her again. (Perhaps in the afterlife? If one believes in such things). 747. The exact model she was flying in now. 747. A silly number. It could mean anything. Death. Life. Rebirth. Change. The entire world, held within one tiny number, within one cylinder, flying through the air, within one body, one soul, one person. The tires were suddenly on the runway, screeching the airplane to a halt, awakening her from her thoughts. The engines roared, a child cried behind her, a heat seared up from below her feet, her world spun as she felt the familiar motion sickness overtake her. And as quickly as it came, all the noise was gone. She was now a speck, floating through the air, the burning carnage of the 747 below her, and Vincent waiting before her.