Departures

It was like the most lucid dream.

The departure terminal of a large airport was bright and clinical; empty, with barely a soul around.

Jacob is barely 22, had never travelled abroad alone before and now was preparing to travel further than he had ever travelled before.

He couldn’t remember how he got there, or even if he had a ticket. Had he been drugged? Was he losing his mind?

There must be an information kiosk here somewhere he thought. Maybe they could identify him and help answer his now increasing number of questions.

“Which airport is this? Where am I going? How did I get here?” and now that he thought of it, “where is my luggage? The luggage must be checked in, I guess now I'm at the gate, still, shouldn't I have a carry on?”

Up ahead, he could see his girlfriend, Jessie. “Why is she here? Are we travelling together?”

Jessie is 21 and they have been dating since high school.

A brief memory came flooding back of Jacob driving and Jessie laughing. They had been driving together.

“Maybe we had been driving to the airport together. That must be it, that’s why we were laughing and happy”.

Jessie looked at him and smiled. She gave a small wave.

“Hey babe, wait up!” Jacob called as he started to pick up pace, jogging to her gate.

She turned away and walked through the gate alone, letting the door close behind her.

“No, no. Wait!” he called after her. Why would she walk through their gate without him? He thought.

The door was locked tight as he tried to pull it open. Through the glass pane in the door he could see the jetway, long and enclosed; turning towards the plane, hidden by its corner. No sign of Jessie.

How did she leave so quickly? Did she run? Why would she do that?

Jacob became even more frantic. Panic began to set in.

What was going on? Where is she going in such a rush without me?

He looked out of the window to see her flight.

The sky was a beautiful light blue with no clouds and an alarmingly bright day with no sun visible. The runways zigged and zagged in a maze of roads right up to the horizon, but no planes in sight. Not one. For a large airport with alot of runway, there was surprisingly little air traffic, let alone, so few people at the departure terminal.

Jacob needed information.

The information desk was large, curved and welcoming. The large navy blue lettering on the front of the desk was bold and cursive, giving an air of friendliness without lacking authority.

The desk was manned by one person only. A kind lady with big blue eyes, brown curly hair and a smile that could light up a room.

Jacob ran towards the desk in a panic. “Did I miss my flight?” he demanded.

“Of course not Jacob, your flight hasn't left yet.” The agent said with a patient smile.

“How do you know my name?” He responded. This place was getting weirder and weirder.

“I’m the information desk son. I know everything of course!” she laughed sweetly.

“I don’t remember how I got here. My girlfriend has just left without me. I can’t find my ticket, my luggage. I don't remember..”

The friendly agent patiently interrupted “It’s ok son. Where are you going?”

The name badge on her lapel said ‘Chris’. Maybe it's an androgynous name Jacob thought to himself.

“I don’t know. As I said, I don't remember much since I arrived at the gate”.

“Well if you don’t know where you are going, how will you know how to get there?”

“I thought you knew everything?” Jacob was becoming impatient. She had a point of course, if he can’t remember where he’s going, then how can he possibly know which gate he’s supposed to be at.

“My girlfriend Jessie, just left through that gate over there.” He pointed to the locked door where he had just left. “We’re travelling together, but the door is locked and I can’t follow her”.

Chris smiled and looked deeply at him with her bright blue eyes. “If the door is locked, then it mustn't be your gate. If you don't know where you are going, are you ready to finish the journey you are already on?”

“But Jessie. We were driving together. We’re travelling together, I should be with her.” He stammered. This desk wasn’t much ‘help’.

“She has finished her journey and has now started her next journey. The question is, are you ready to start your next journey?” Chris answered softly.

“I don’t know. I just want to go home with Jessie. Do you know where she has gone? Maybe I should go home and wait for her to call. I hope she’s ok.” It was beginning to become a haze again, feeling more like a dream than a day at a quiet airport. Jacob was again disorientated.

“I’m sure she will be fine, Jacob. I think you may need to exit the departure lounge until you know where you need to be. The exit is through those large doors behind you. I will see you again son.” Chris smiled kindly. She was more like a well known acquaintance than a strange airport attendant.

As Jacob turned away towards the exit, he had a feeling that he would indeed see her again, but with no knowledge of how or why.

The large doors opened with a bright white, blinding light and he found himself on an operating table with immense pain throughout his entire body. His bed was surrounded by men in surgical masks working frantically to save his life.