Characters: Iris Ash, Sara

Iris is pacing in the parking lot of a gas station, talking on her phone.

IRIS: [quietly, pausing after every statement] Yes. I understand. Okay, that sounds good. Sure thing.

She hangs up but continues to tap at her cell as Sara walks outside the gas station with two sodas in hand.

SARA: [mildly curiously, settling next to Iris] Who was that?

IRIS: [sighing, glancing over at Sara] Sashique. She wants us to return to the cult.

SARA: [surprised] But - we have to go find your father!

Iris momentarily raises her eyes from her phone.

IRIS: [reassuringly] It's only temporary. To regroup, recruit anyone else who might be helpful, and maybe even train a bit.

SARA: Every second we spend with the Night Plague is another second for your father to escape.

IRIS: [comforting] Sara, it's fine. We won't be home for long. But we don't exactly have any leads on Odrithin as it is.

SARA: [unwillingly] Fine. How are we getting home?

Iris raises her phone to show that she is on the homepage of the nearest airport's website.

IRIS: [humorously] I've never flown before.

The scene changes to show Iris and Sara standing in the security line, almost at the front.

SARA: [muttering humorously] This is ridiculous.

IRIS: [confused] Why?

SARA: [raising eyebrows] You're half angel and you're flying in an airplane.

Iris: [dryly] Well, I don't exactly have wings.

She turns slightly to show her back as if Sara needs confirmation.

SARA: [equally dryly] Ha, ha.

They reach the front of the line and unload their backpack and shoes into the X-ray machine.

SARA: [incredulously] So you've never ridden in an airplane before?

IRIS: I had never left New York before...

SARA: [taking a deep breath] Before I was kidnapped. Right.

IRIS: [eager to take control of the conversation again] Have you? Ridden on an airplane, I mean.

SARA: [nodding] One day, when I was five, my mom woke up my brother and me at the crack of dawn to drive us to our local airport. We left everything behind. It was to get away from my father, so I guess I can't really complain.

Iris nods, her jaw tightening. She has obviously heard about Sara's father before.

SARA: Then when I moved from Ohio I took a plane to New York.

IRIS: [humorously] Okay, I get it. You're traveled.

SARA: [amused] That's not what most people would call "traveled," Iris.

IRIS: [jokingly] Yeah, well.

The women pass through the metal detectors without incident and begin walking to their flight gate.

IRIS: [hesitantly, quietly] Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be part of...of something like that?

She gestures to a family of four: a mother, a father, a little girl, and an even younger boy. The girl is playing some imaginary game with her brother. Sara nods slowly.

SARA: [gently] Of course. But I also don't think that wondering is very healthy - or worthwhile. I say, focus on the life you have. Focus on making it the best it can be.

IRIS nods slowly.

IRIS: [quietly, still watching the family] I guess you're right.

Sara grabs her hand and Iris finally tears her gaze away, giving her a smile.

SARA: [sternly] Come on. No more wallowing.

IRIS: [softly, happily] Agreed.

They walk off.

The scene changes to show them sitting in an airplane, settled in.

SARA: [suddenly remembering] I should warn you - your ears pop when we lift off.

IRIS: [eyes wide] Your ears pop?

SARA: [grinning] Well, the air pressure changes. Your ears don't actually explode. It doesn't feel good, though.

IRIS: [haughtily] I think I can handle it.

Sara raises her eyebrows and lifts her hands submissively.

SARA: [dismissively] Whatever you say.

The airplane rattles down the runway and then lifts off, growing higher and higher. Iris's lips purse slightly, and then her face takes on a look of discomfort that only grows. Sara, who is massaging her jaws, glances over with a weak smile.

SARA: [teasingly] How ya handling it over there, Iris?

IRIS: [hissing] Jesus.

Sara chuckles mutedly as the plane continues to take off. Finally, it settles out and everyone's pain subsides.

PILOT: [over intercom] You are now free to move about the cabin.

IRIS: [breathing heavily] See? Not so bad.

SARA: [teasingly] Oh, shut up.

The scene changes. Some time has passed. Both women are quietly reading. Suddenly, a huge shudder shakes the plane. Iris drops her book on her lap and grips the armrests tightly.

IRIS: [through gritted teeth] What was that?

SARA: [soothingly, smiling affectionately] Just turbulence. It's no big deal.

Another huge rattle shakes the plane and the "seatbelts on" lights comes on. Iris's hand quickly seeks out Sara's. Sara readily grips it, running her thumb over its back, and shoots Iris a comforting smile.

Suddenly, the airplane lurches to the right. Belongings are sent sailing across the vehicle and Iris barely raises her hand in time to deflect an electronic book, causing her to let out a small exclamation of pain and surprise. Passengers shriek and exclaim.

IRIS: [tightly] Was that turbulence?

SARA: [equally tightly] Nope.

IRIS: [hissing, quiet] Dammit. Odrithin.