Invisible Demon

There was only one rule: don't open the door. 'Should be simple enough,' I thought to myself. I leaned back in my chair and glanced around at all the other confined people seated in my surroundings. Some stared toward the door while others fidgeted uncomfortably in their seats.

I could take this. It would be all right. All I had to do was close my eyes and shut off the world around me. I'd survive.

If only it were that easy.

It wasn't long until I heard a thump above me. I opened my eyes to almost total darkness, the other people's forms seeming to have melted into it. "What was that?" I asked out loud.

"What was what?" the person next to me asked.

I clenched the arm of my chair, feeling everything becoming unstable. Whispers behind me. Laughter in front of me. Bumping motions below me, as though something wanted to physically throw me upward.

"Don't worry," a booming voice said from above. "This is all normal."

How was this normal? I felt like I was going to get tossed from my chair by some invisible force. I felt like I was choking or ready to throw up. Where was I again? Why was I feeling dizzy?

"No!" a woman screamed behind me. "Don't open that door!"

When did I stand up? How did I get to the door? I stared at it, realizing where I was.

"Here," someone said, taking my hand. "I'll help you back to your seat."

My sister's voice. She coaxed me back to my chair, ensuring everyone that all was okay.

"Drink some water," she told me. "Breathe. Relax. I know traveling can be scary. The plane will land soon."

And she managed to quiet the demon in my head...as she always had.