Chapter 3: Ticket to Ride

"It's all his fault, and I will still hate him for it."

         "Hated can't last forever, Anna. There can always be amends."

"Not for him. Not for the person who destroyed my family. My life."

"You can still turn it all around, though. You can act now, and change the future."

"I couldn't change the past. How could I change now?"

"It’s by putting the past behind. Now, in the present, is where you can make changes."

"..."

         I stare out the window of the plane, gazing at the sight of never ending clouds, before letting out a deep sigh. The skies were never my forte, and the very sight of grey clouds in the skies gave me a sinking feeling in my heart. Shaking my head, I decided to ease myself from the window and observe the other passengers for a change of pace. A girl sits beside me at the aisle seat, playing around with her blonde pigtails. I give out another sigh, this time with the intention of grabbing her attention. She tenses up for a moment, before turning her body towards me. Seeing my face, she relaxes and blushes, tilting her head and releasing a shy, yet curious smile.

          "I’m sorry, dear. Is something wrong Anna?

Anna

         I shake my head and reply. "Nothing, nothing, Est. Just some airsickness, that’s all." She flashes a bigger grin, then stares at me intently. “I suppose you have a question yourself?” I nod once more. “Why were you so interested in joining another season of TTL? You know the consequences of joining, and no offense, but your survival ratio isn’t one of the best.” She lowers her head, her smile now gone. “I-I just c-couldn’t say no to Justin… he’s a friend!” I frown at her argument. “Considering his tendency to almost kill us all the time, I’d doubt that.” “W-well that’s why I’m here! I-I have medical experience and all sorts of useful talents!” She pouts, trying to assert her position “I wouldn’t do it, but someone’s got to watch over you.” She smiles once more, happy with my response. I sigh again. “Let’s just enjoy our time alone while we can. I’m not looking forwards to seeing the others.”

“But there is at least one person you’d want to see, right?”

        I bite my lip and stay silent. Now turning my head back to the window. I feel the air already heating up at the mere mention of the topic. Esther just giggles and pats me on the back. "Don't worry Anna. I’m not going to push for you to change. After all, you are the only one that can truly change yourself!” I turn back and smile at her optimism. “I appreciate your gestures, but I’m fine just the way I already am. No need to change what isn’t broken in the first place. No need to nag me.” Esther lapses back into her pouty routine, and I can’t help but smile at her.
“Whatever you say, mother.”

            After blissfully sleeping for a few good hours, a loudspeaker turns on, bringing Esther and I to attention. "This is your speaking, captain. I can assure you that I am not turbulent, as the plane had experienced some minor drunk." A certain shakiness is heard in the man’s voice, with his intonation varying from word to word. Several passengers groan and shout, with Esther sighing in disappointment. “How irresponsible some people are…” She comments. I pretend that I didn’t hear anything weird with the captain’s speech as I prepare to get up from my seat. “Well, the headaches had to start sometime.” I murmur to myself. The landing was surprisingly smooth in the end, but the line to disembark was anything but, with people shoving and pushing to try and get off the flying deathtrap first. After what seems like an eternity, we finally leave the plane and enter the airport terminals, picking up our conversation.

"What did you do ever since we disbanded, five years ago?"

"Went back to the forest. Been there ever since."

"What? You went back? And for all five years?"

"I take occasional trips to the city, don't get me wrong."

“Well, not that… wasn’t my question. Wasn’t it made a national park?”

“It was, but nobody ever ventures far enough to find me. It’s more of a nature preserve than anything.”

“Ah… I see…”

“How was your search for the chickens?”

“Mostly successful! If… you don’t count myself getting lost a couple of times…”

“You could’ve just asked me to come along with you as a guide. Remembering landscapes is second nature to me.”

“I know… I just... didn’t want to unnecessarily burden you.”

“Oh, please, Est. You’ve already done so much for me. It’s the least I cou-”

Another person bumps into Esther, causing her to tumble to the ground, breaking her fall on her luggage. The luggage doesn’t fair as well, and bursts open, launching numerous documents, clothes, and other items into the air. I immediately run to Esther’s side, checking to see if she was bruised anywhere. “I-I’m fine, Anna...” She says, embarrassed with her situation. “G-go help the other person, please?” I nod my head in agreement, now moving to the opposite side of the clutter. Another girl is on the ground, about the same height as Esther, just as confused and disoriented as her. I stick my hand out, and she helps herself up, avoiding my gaze and keeping her own face hidden from me. "Thank you." she says, now turning and looking at my face. Her eyes widen, and her attention is completely taken by me. I take the time to inspect her in turn. Short, light green hair, looking as young as Esther, so she’s in her teens, maybe? A flower that I don’t know accompanies her hair, complimented by a closed pendant at her neck, and finished with a dress that’s definitely seen better days, as dirt and a few other stains are seen on it. As I take my eyes off her, I stare into the nearby crowd, looking to see any outstanding figures that might have been accompanying her. “Is anyone else with you?” I ask, after finding insufficient evidence. She finally snaps out of her trance from looking at me, before answering my question. “N-no! I was traveling alone!” She suddenly replies, responding with a soldier-like fervor. She quickly dashes back to her feet, dusting herself off before bowing in courtesy. “Thank you very much, but I must be going.” Before I can ask another question, the girl is already out of reach, sprinting in an unknown direction. Esther makes her way back to me, already with all her belongings in place. “Who was that just now? She seemed like she was in a hurry.” She asks, trying to keep her composure after the incident. “Grand Gaia if I knew, she rushed off before I had a chance to ask.” I say, now staring at Esther’s filled hands. “I didn’t see any other suitcases that might have belonged to her, did you?” Esther shows a remarkably surprised face at my observation, yet responds with a “no”. We both just shake off the encounter and decide to focus on the upcoming task at hand.

          The air I initially breathe reeks of steam, gas, oil, and many other substances. Esther takes in the sights with delight, excited for the new adventure that awaits us. I sigh, looking around for any taxi cab to take us where we need to go, yet find none outside the opening of the airport. “Ah, there you guys are.” I hear someone approach from behind us, and as I whirl around to spot the person, I see everything but their face, obscured by a sign that reads in bright bubble letters: “Williams & Mendezoa”. “I was waiting for you guys at the baggage carousel, then heard some commotion upstairs. Sure enough, you left me out to dry in the dust after you left!” The voice is one that hasn’t changed in the five years that I’ve heard it, and I sigh at the comments made. Esther responds differently, giving off a warm and welcome feel to the newcomer. “Well, it’s certainly been a while, hasn’t it now?” The person puts the sign down to their chest, now revealing an old face and a sly smirk. “Glad to have you two back on board, Anna, Est. Shall we get this show on the road?”

“Hmph. Whatever you say, Justin.”