Dedicated To Cathy Ann Davis
With love
Always
Wayne Leon
xxx
Flight 113
'So, it's all arranged,' she squealed, excitedly. Exactly a month from now
I'll be there Wayne, in England. Oh, I just can't wait. I've never done anything
like this before, or traveled so far. Are you sure you're gonna be waiting at the other
end to pick me up? I mean, if you have any doubts...?'
Wayne laughed, hardly able to get a word in edgeways. 'Cathy. CATHY! Hahaha. Calm down.
Everything's arranged my end too. I can't wait for you to arrive. I've got so many things
to show you. You know, places to go, stuff like that. This will be one holiday you will not
forget in a hurry...'
'Now you got me even more excited Wayne. It's like my birthday and Christmas all rolled into
one. I'm only bringing one case of clothing, 'cause I'm sure that I'll be buying some more
clothes when I'm in England. Oh, and a whole lotta photographs too. Pictures of Brandenburg, which is in Meade County. Got pictures of the Ohio River an' all...'
'The Heartlands of Kentucky,' he giggled. He had a mischievous giggle, even for a 'darkwriter'
where people expected him to be serious all the time.
'Yeah, that's it Wayne. That's exactly what we call it. You've been doing a bit of research,' she giggled. 'Anyway, must dash. There are a few more bits and pieces I gotta get through today. I gotta go. Speak later, ok?'
'Will do Cathy. Speak later. Take care.' Wayne heard the phone go dead on the other end and
took a deep breath. Smiling from ear to ear. Yes, she was finally gonna come. After all this
time talking on the writing site - All Poetry, they had become like brother and sister. In fact,
to all intents and purposes, they WERE brother and sister. She always called him the 'Brother
she never had and always wished for'. And he? Well, he called her the perfect Sister. Someone
who he could rely on when the chips were down.
Oh, they could talk and talk. But Wayne was eager to find out, whether they would still be the same people when they eventually meet? Would they be as talkative then? Would they freeze
and become really shy around one another? There was no telling. It was hell of a way for
Cathy to travel, only to become shy and tongue-tied. Hahaha, he laughed. Imagine it.. All sorts
of thoughts ran through his head. But putting all the negative thoughts to one side, Wayne got
on with the job of preparing his home for her arrival.
One month. One month to go and she would be here. Why is it that time moves so slow
when you're waiting for something. Something so important - that WILL become so important in your life. Cathy had become very important to Wayne and he was determined that she was
going to enjoy every moment of her stay while in the UK.
the days turned into weeks and soon the big day had arrived. Cathy had rung Wayne nearly
every day, since she told him she was coming. Keeping him updated on certain things. Not
that he was complaining. Wayne loved to hear the sound of her voice. He had another Sister and it was so great.
...
He got a text on his phone saying that Cathy was on the plane and was making her way
down. Her plane was coming from Louisville Kentucky, and was due to land at Manchester
Airport around late noon the following day. Which meant that her flight would probably be an 18 hour journey. A long time to be on a plane. Wayne surmised that she would probably have to take two planes. One inbound, to get to her stop off point in the States, and another, from the airport she would have to get off at, in order to take another plane to the UK. Hell, she will be so tired. Not a moment to lose, he hadn't really been able to sleep much, probably because he was so excited that she would be coming. Probably worrying about whether or not he would make a good impression on her. And Wayne just knew that she was worrying about the same thing too.
But they were so happy to eventually be meeting, that all that, became a side issue. He stepped
into his car, giving his wife a kiss goodbye. Excited at the thought that the journey back,
there would be a new sister in his car.
...
'Would you like a drink Miss?' The stewardess was young, blonde and slim and gave her
a welcoming smile. She was carrying a tray of assorted soft and hard drinks.'
'I'm sorry Miss, but you don't happen to have coffee? I could just do with a cup right
now.'
The stewardess smiled. 'Of course, Miss, one coffee coming up.'
Cathy watched her as made her way to the back of the plane. She still couldn't believe that she was on the way to the United Kingdom to meet Wayne Leon, her Brother, who she loved so very
much. A warm feeling washed over her and a tingle shot through her body at the thought of actually seeing him, face to face.
Her husband had no hesitation about allowing her to go. He had gotten to know Wayne very
well, and trusted him implicitly with his beloved Wife. Of course, he had told her that he would
miss her terribly for the week that she would be away. But, she had promised him that he had
nothing to worry about. That the week would soon fly by, as time always does when your having fun.
He had also wanted to know where she would be sleeping? Again, Cathy had told him
that Wayne had a spare room, in which he and his wife would put up visitors or family,
every now and then. It was no problem. That seemed to calm him down somewhat.
Yes, he trusted Wayne, but at the back of his mind, Cathy was still a beautiful woman who
he loved more than life...
'Excuse me Miss? Miss? Your coffee.' The stewardess stood, waiting for some sort of response
which she eventually received.
'Oh. Oh, I'm so sorry.' Cathy put her hand to her mouth. 'I was miles away then. Just
thinking. Here, let me take that.' Reaching for the cup she gently took it from the young
woman's hand.
'Please, don't worry. Is this your first time flying?'
She nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. 'Yes. I'm very nervous. I was just thinking about
my Husband and Brother.'
'Oh, they are not with you? You're alone?'
'Well, it's sort of complicated. Hahah. You see, my husband is back in the States. He was
invited over too, by my Brother, but...he's scared of flying. Didn't want to come. Hahah.
So, here I am. It will be the first time that I've met him.'
'Oh? What do you mean, the first time that you have met him?'
Cathy continued, feeling herself getting flushed. It was so hard to explain. She just
knew that another person wouldn't understand. But she tried to explain. 'You see,
my Brother is a writer. A very very fine writer. Oh, he hasn't been published yet,
but believe me, he will. Well, we are not really Brother and Sister, we met on a site
called All Poetry.'
The Stewardess laughed, 'Oh, I'm so sorry Miss. But, I know exactly what you are going
to say. You see, I use that site too, when I get some free time to myself. I know exactly what you mean about how people form families on there. It is so good for that. Of course
you have to be so careful, and a great judge of character to even think about forming any sort of relationship...let alone traveling all these miles to meet somebody you have never met.'
Cathy raised an eyebrow. 'No. I trust Wayne. We have been there for each other every step of the way since we began talking. There is something about him that...' her mind
wandered off again.'
'Hey, I won't intrude on your thoughts. Forgive me. Enjoy the rest of your flight.'
'I will,' Cathy whispered, barely acknowledging the stewardess. Taking another sip
of her Coffee she placed the cup down and settled down to sleep. Tiredness had
taken over and her body felt so relaxed and comfortable as she entered a deep slumber.
...
She awoke. Confused. Blinking. Her eyes trying to adjust to the darkness that she now
found herself in. 'What... the hell? Where's the plane? Have we landed? 'HELLO! HELLO!
IS THERE ANYBODY THERE!? HELLO!' Her voice echoed around the desolate lounge of the
airport. Fear and panic began to grow within her, and droplets of sweat began to form and
drip down the back of her neck. Suddenly, upon hearing footsteps, she looked up and gazed
into the far-distance.
'CATHY! CATHY IS THAT YOU!? IT'S WAYNE, WAYNE LEON!'
'WAYNE! OH WAYNE!' Dropping her bag she rushed toward him. Feelings of joy and relief
washed over her as they held each other tight in the lounge.
'Come on Cathy, come and sit over here. I think we both need to find out what's going on.'
'Wayne, I'm confused. What's happened?' I...I don't seem to...'
'...That's what I'm gonna try and find out Cathy. I mean. I don't remember
you calling me telling me the plane had landed. I don't even remember making my
way down here and yet, I have the car keys in my pocket. AND WHERE THE HELL HAS
EVERYBODY GONE!? I mean, I can't even see any coppers?'
'Coppers?'
'Oh, sorry Cathy. Yeah, coppers, you know, police? We call them that in the UK, and a lot
more besides. Hahaha.'
'Ah, right. Well you know how I was worried about being tongue-tied an' all? Well, don't think
that's the case now. This is one hell of an icebreaker. Hahaha.'
Wayne gazed up. 'Hey, have a look at this Cathy.' Grabbing a newspaper from the table
in front of them he looked at it and shrugged his shoulders. 'What the hell is this?'
'Er, a newspaper?'
'HAHAHA! No. I mean THIS!?' He pointed to the text upon the paper itself and watched
as Cathy recoiled in horror, throwing her hand to her mouth. 'Now, do you see what I mean?'
Taking the paper from him she studied it closely. It wasn't like in any language she had seen
before. The words seemed jumbled, disjointed. 'I don't like this Wayne.' Her heart began
to beat that little bit faster and the palms of her hands became sweaty. Especially when they
noticed that the other reading materials, and the billboards, all had the same strange lettering.
'Stay here Cathy. I'm gonna see if there is anybody else around here. Surely we can't be the
only two in the whole complex.' He stood and was just about to leave her sitting there as
he headed for one of the shops within the airport lounge, when he heard Cathy screaming.
'OH MY GODDDDD!' She fell to her knees, gazing out of the window in abject horror.
'WHAT THE FUCK!!!' Running back toward her, Wayne suddenly heard an almighty explosion,
and then they both saw a fireball hurtle up into the sky. Pushed up by the force and power of
the crash. 'CATHY! CATHY! WHAT HAPPENED!? TELL ME! TELL MEEE!?'
Through hysterical sobs Cathy began to explain the best way she could. 'W...W...AYNE.
OH...OH...GOD HELP THEM....!' Pointing a finger toward the window, which was strangely
still intact she howled in grief for those lost. 'WAYNE, THE....THE PLANE, IT CAME FROM
NOWHERE! OUT OF THE SKY!! OH SHITTT! IT JUST CRASHEDDDD!'
Walking up to the window, Wayne was struck by the absence of the emergency services.
Obviously, Cathy hadn't noticed this - not yet. But Wayne did. He looked left and right,
and couldn't see any signs, or hear any signs of sirens rushing to the disaster. 'Come on
Cathy. There's nothing you can do now. Come on honey.' He reached down and held her
shaking hand.
Tears streaming down her face she stood, hardly able to move. It was as if
she had been rooted to the spot, such was the impact on her brain. Nothing made sense
nothing at all. 'Wayne? Why isn't anybody rushing to help those people trapped inside?
WHERE THE FUCK IS EVERYBODY!? THERE ARE PEOPLE DYING IN THAT! AND WHERE ARE YOU
ALL!? WHERE ARE YOU!?'
The thick acrid smoke in plumes continued to shoot up toward the night sky, a sky that
was strange in the fact that there were no stars. This was despite it being a cloudless sky.
'We need to get out of here Cathy. Look. Listen to me. CALM DOWN!'
'HOW CAN YOU BE CALM AFTER SEEING THAT!? YOU KNOW, IT WAS A MISTAKE MY EVER
COMING HERE TO MEET YOU! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DIFFERENT! YOU'RE SHOWING NO
PITY AT...AT ALL! TO HELL WITH YOU, WAYNE!'
'CATHY, LISTEN TO ME! LOOK AROUND YOU! DOES THIS LOOK NORMAL TO YOU!?
TELL ME TRUTHFULLY!?' He raised an eyebrow, his hands on his hips. 'NO ONE IS GONNA
COME, BECAUSE THERE'S NOBODY AROUND TO COME! WHERE ARE THE OTHER PASSENGERS IN HERE!? IT'S LIKE WE ARE THE ONLY TWO ON THE WHOLE PLANET! EVEN OUT THERE!' he stabbed a finger toward the window, 'IT'S SO STRANGE!' Walking away from her, he began
to move slowly back toward the window and gazed out. 'What the hell is this place?' he
murmured. Looking down he felt a hand slip into his.
'Your right Wayne. You are so right.' Dabbing her eyes with tissue, the two of them stared
out toward the wreckage of the jumbo jet. The flames and smoke had all but disappeared
leaving a twisted mass of metal carnage upon the runway.
Cathy looked up toward the dark sky. 'Wayne,' she whispered, tugging on the sleeve of
his jacket. 'Wayne, there's no stars, and it's a clear night. I...I..don't understand?'
'I don't either, but I am gonna find out. Come on. Let's check this place out. Surely
we will be able to find somebody, or something around here to help us?'
Holding hands the brother and sister began to walk through the empty lounge.
'This is surreal,' whispered Cathy. It's just unreal. I'm gonna have to follow you
Wayne, 'cause I haven't a clue where I'm going here?' She held his hand even tighter, as
they entered shop after shop.
'You haven't a clue, Cathy? Hell, the same here. I haven't been to Manchester for
years, so I'm just as lost as you. It's like the blind leading the blind here. Every
shop we've been in so far is empty. '
'Yeah, I know, and every newspaper I've seen has those weird letters on them too. Look
I need a drink. It's so hot in here. Do you think you could do the honors Wayne?'
She gazed at a drinks machine in the corner of one of the shops they had entered. Her
mouth had become increasingly dry and she was finding it hard to swallow now.
'Oh, I see what you mean. The pleasure is mine dear lady.' Stepping up to the machine
he raised his leg and kicked it once, twice three times until cold cans of drink began to
fall down into the gaping slot below. Scooping two cans up he tossed one to Cathy.
'Thanks Wayne.' Catching it, she opened it up and drank, virtually gulping it down in one
go. 'I'm so thirsty. Think I'll have another.'
'Well, there's plenty more there Cathy, in the slot. Most of them fell down as I was kicking.'
She scooped up another and pulled the ring, drinking it down. 'Don't know where this thirst
has come from Wayne.' Pausing, she gazed at him. It was the first time she had really had
a good look at him. He was everything that she had always imagined him to be, and she
liked what she saw. 'Listen, Wayne. Er...about before, you know? Earlier...?'
He raised his hand. 'Forget it Cathy. All forgotten by me. All I want is to get out of here
and...' Suddenly he stood, cocking his head to one side.
Cathy's hairs began to rise and her heart began to beat a little faster. 'What? What is it,
Wayne?'
He placed his finger to her lips as he rushed back to her side. 'Shss honey. There's something
not quite...'
'Wayne, you're scaring me.'
He looked at her. A look of shock on his face. 'I know what this is.' Grabbing her by her
arms, he looked deep into her brown eyes. 'I KNOW WHAT THIS IS!?'
'OH, GOD! TELL ME WAYNE! WHAT IS IT YOU KNOW!? I DON'T LIKE THIS! GET US OUT
OF HERE!?'
'DON'T YOU SEE CATHY!? THAT WE ARE HERE FOR ALL ETERNITY! THAT WE WERE BOTH
HEADING FOR THE SAME PLACE, MANCHESTER AIRPORT! THAT WE WERE...!'
Cathy dropped to her knees. A fear the like of which she had never experienced before
shot through her...'CAUGHT IN THE CRASH! OH GODDDDD!'
'ONLY I WASN'T! I REMEMBER! I FELL ASLEEP, AT THE WHEEL OF MY CAR! COMING TO
MEET YOU! I TOO WAS IN A CRASH! OH FUCKKK! OH FUCKING HELLLLLL! WHAT'S THAT
NOISE!?'
They both ran toward the window and gazed in shock and horror upon seeing a jumbo
jet hurtling down from the sky, toward the runway, obviously out of control. It smashed
into the ground and exploded before their disbelieving eyes.
'NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!' Covering their eyes because of the blinding flash, the both of them
were flung backwards by the impact.
Wayne struggled to his feet, pulling Cathy up by her shaking hand. 'DON'T YOU SEE CATHY!?
IT'S THE SAME EVENT BEING PLAYED OUT, OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN!! IT WILL KEEP
PLAYING, REPEATING! LIKE SOME STUCK RECORD! AND WE ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT! THIS WORLD IS AN ALTERNATE EXISTENCE! THERE IS NO ONE HERE BUT ME AND YOU!
ME AND YOU ME AND YOUUUUU!'
Wayne awoke. 'HELL WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ALL ABOUT!?' He began to sweat
upon thinking about the dream he had just had. It was horrific and felt all too real.
'I'VE GOTTA RING CATHY!' Grabbing his mobile phone he began to ring her number before realizing. 'OH, FUCK, SHE'S ON THAT PLANE! OH FUCK NOOOOO!'
...
Cathy awoke. 'Cathy what's up honey?' Her husband had walked into her room and
found her sobbing hysterically. 'HEY! HEY! WHAT'S WRONG!? WHAT'S THE MATTER!?'
'OH BABY! OH I'M SO GLAD TO BE HOME! OH BABY I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!'
She squeezed him tight never wanting to let him go. Never wanting to part, wanting
to be a part of his life always.
Managing to calm her down, her husband listened with rapt attention as Cathy began to
explain the strange dream she had just experienced. 'Oh, baby,' she whispered, 'it felt
so...so...real.' Disturbed by the phone ringing, her husband reached for the receiver, and
answered.
'Hello, who is this please?'
'HELLO! CATHY!?'
'Er no. Er, is that you Wayne?'
Cathy raised an eyebrow and snatched the receiver from her husband's grasp.
'WAYNE, IS THAT YOU!?'
'CATHY! CATHY YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT'S HAPPENED!'
A cold shiver ran down her spine. 'What? Tell me...WAYNE! WAYNE!!
WAYNE! WHERE ARE YOU!?'
'CATHYYYY!' The line went dead. Cathy dropped the receiver.
It was sometime later, that both Cathy and her husband had heard the devastating news.
The airline crash had killed all on board. There were no survivors... Their blood ran
cold. You see, Wayne had never meant for Cathy to be on that plane, foreseeing the crash
after he had died...in a crash of his own. He never saw the lorry, until it was too late. He had fallen asleep at the wheel. He had been heading toward Manchester Airport, excited about
meeting his beautiful sister. The car double-somersaulted through the air, before bursting into flames.
Cathy never heard from Wayne Leon again. His phone call had saved her life. He had risen from his bed, yet not realized that he had passed away in a car crash, doing the things he normally always did when alive.
She had been meant to oversleep, to miss her flight to the UK. But Wayne, he was trapped in an
alternate reality replaying over and over again, the doomed flight of 113...
Copyright
{c}2008
Wayne Leon Learmond
Flight 113
All Rights Reserved
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