The pilot’s name is Tadashi, and he is the one who cut off my sister’s pinkie.
Beneath the helmet and with that friendly smile, I didn’t recognize him. He is still hollering, Just some turbulence ! Everything is completely alright !
The plane tips sideways.
How did they find us ? I whisper.
Veah shakes her head. This must have been their backup plan. They prepared for every possibility.
The parachute is now strapped onto my back, and I am fumbling to figure out how it works. What if it doesn’t open ? I’ve seen movies. And books. When the parachute doesn’t open, it’s a freefall into open space.
Best case scenario : I break my legs.
Worst case scenario : Veah saves me. Again.
How much more of my life can I possibly owe to the very person who is the reason for all this ? How much debt am I in to a crazy lethal Yakuza boss ?
Veah throws opens the emergency exit.
Are you crazy ? I scream, as wind and open sky hurtle into the airplane. Swirling viciously towards us as the plane tilts.
I clutch onto one of the velvet seats until the plane rights itself again.
There is a bright, wildly cheerful grin on her face. Her eyes glitter black against the storm. We have to jump now !
She does not have to sound this excited.
We’re going to die ! I scream.
The airplane jerks down several feet through the air, and my grip on the seat weakens.
It’s safe to say I’m flying.
Midair, halfway to the ceilingbefore the plane jolts back, and I stop flying and start falling.
Gravity is a bitch.
But almost as if she defies it, Veah is theremanaging to tether me to solid ground. Her eyes meet mine, and there is smoke within them.
She looks like ruin and devastation and self-destruction. She is the storm, and when she kisses me, I become lightning.
Her lips against mine are soft. Cherry-flavoured.
The taste of her is enough to make me sink into her embrace. Her arms are around me, her hands knotted in my hair, and her mouth moves against minedesperate and fierce and addictive.
I forget about the airplane crashing.
I forget about the murderous Yakuza pilot telling us, It’s just a minor disturbance, don’t panic !
I forget about the open window and the parachute on my back and the fact that we are going to Tokyo to fake my death and forge a new identity.
Her. For a moment, I lose myself in her.
Who knew the taste of lightning could be so addictive ?
And then reality crashes into mein the form of a Yakuza assassin with a gun to my head.
You’re not going anywhere, Tadashi says, clenching his teeth. He is silhouetted by the open entrance behind him, his outline carved in rain and grey sky.
Veah is still pressed against me, her fingers tangled in my hair. When she turns to him, it is with cold, ruthless rageas though she will murder anyone who interrupts us.
Distract him, she whispers against my lips.
I don’t even need to try.
Rage boils inside of me at the thought of that switchblade. The way he sliced through, so obediently, without a second thought for my sister.
You cut off my sister’s pinkie ! I shout over the wind.
He laughs, almost manically. He looks like he is losing it. Orders are orders ! Give me the girl, Tanakathat’s all I want.
Veah doesn’t give him a chance.
Don’t watch, she tells me, as she pulls the trigger.
I watch.
Tadashi is still smiling as the bullet embeds itself into his forehead. Blood sprays, flecking against my face.
The wind swirls around him for a moment. He stumblesone step back. Two.
The wind does the rest.
I might feel bad for him, if he wasn’t the bastard who hurt Cassie.
As soon as he falls into the open sky, something occurs to me. I say slowly, So if he’s not piloting the airplane, and I’m not piloting the airplane, and you’re not piloting the airplane . . . who is ?
In the next moment, Veah says, Change of plans.
Then she is the pilot seat. Rain strikes against the glass, sluicing so thickly that the sky is indistinguishable.
What are you doing ? I demand.
I can barely hear the sound of my crashing heartbeat over the pouring rain.
I’m going to try and get us to ground ! she shouts back. I’m going to land this thing !
Have you ever piloted a plane before ?
No ! she hollers.
Well, that makes me feel very safe and reassured.
As if on cue, the plane plummets. My stomach clenches almost painfully, and this time, I don’t lose my grip of the passenger seat.
Use that recliner thing ! I advise.
Why ?