Ruby twiddled her thumbs, counting the breaths of her half-sister, Yang, as turbulence kicked the plane into a rocking motion the thousandth time over. Her breath quickened each time, usually doubling in speed. It was no secret that she had a fear of flying; it appeared in her expression every time they had to travel back and forth between their father's house and the home of Ms. Branwen. Their father had suggested once that she take medication for it, but the only drugs available made her vomit, so she was stuck in worry every time the plane shook.
"You alright, Yang?" Ruby asked, grabbing her sister's hand.
"I'm fine Ruby," Yang tried to smile, "I'm just eager to get on the ground."
"Okay," she didn't touch on the subject anymore, doing so would just upset Yang.
On the other end of the plane, a very pretty woman was sittting with her legs crossed, watching the outside world from the small circular window at her side. Ruby has noticed her when they entered the plane due to her abnormal but stunning features. Her eyes seemed to switch between green and brown, and her hair had been striped with pale pink. She looked very girlish, sitting in a pastel skirt and white jacket, but something about her seemed off. Maybe it was the way she seemed so still - like she wasn't breathing, maybe it was the way that her eyes were narrowed - though Ruby couldn't tell what at, or maybe it was just the aura around her that made her seem dangerous. There was a light in those wide eyes, but it gleamed in cruelty.
Ruby watched her now as she was turned away. Her gloved hands were resting in her lap, her posture straight and polished, like she was a porcelain doll from an antique shop. She didn't seem to notice as turbulence shook the plane again, her gaze unflinching from the window. She was so still.
"Ruby."
Ruby turned to her sister, who now looked at her with deep concern. "Look out the window," Yang whispered, beckoning for her to lean over in order to see.
She leaned forward, across her sister's chest, and looked down at the world. In the distance, she could see what had Yang so concerned. The city that they were flying over was burning in the bright ribbons of fire. Smoke was rising to the air steadily, clouding most of the buildings from view.
"Should we be flying over this?" Ruby asked, "is it safe?"
"I don't know, little sister, but if this is the route that they're taking, we should be fine. Right?"
"I'm sure the pilot knows what he's doing," Ruby assured both herself and Yang, "they wouldn't fly over unless we were safe."
"Right, right." Yang sighed, "those poor people, in the city. I hope they're okay."
"Yeah, me too." Ruby turned away from her sister, her eyes searching without her awareness for the girl once again.
But the girl was gone.