Aaron Renfrew

MONSTER

Do you hate airports? I always did, but ironically, I always loved flying. The feeling of taking off, piercing through the clouds, looking down on the small, almost insignificant details. I sat on a bench, staring at the television flashing the flight number, the destination and the time. Only twenty minutes until boarding. To the left of me, another television played an advertisement. The State Gallery was holding an exhibit showcasing new up and coming artists. It’s flagship piece? An unknown artwork, titled ‘Monster’. Sitting directly opposite me, I watched a man reading the morning paper. ‘Drunk Driver Charged After Fatal Car Accident’ was emblazoned on the front cover. Beneath it, the crumpled wreck of a small white hatchback crushed beneath a four-wheel drive. Sitting to my right, a woman talking profusely on her mobile phone. “Yeah, it’s sad about him going missing. I know… yeah, Liam had gone on that camping trip as well… yeah…”. My eye was suddenly caught by the television, as a news ticker scrolled across. ‘Cape Luthbridge Teenager Charged with Manslaughter After Assault.’ Seeing that, I turned my head to look out the giant plate glass, catching the stare of a fluffy white owl.