Red on Blonde
7: Bomb Out
I knew that Black Cloud was firing at us and everything, but I just had to enjoy Johnny. Actually his sweater, which smelt so good, so weird, but so heavenly that I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. It smelled like - waffles and cereal and straw. It smelled like Johnny. My shoes were back in the Black Cloud bathroom, so I rubbed my feet together to try to warm them.
Somehow, Johnny noticed, and pulled some socks from his pocket.
I noticed that he was wearing nothing but his PJ top – half unbuttoned. I'd just opened it more when I'd hugged him earlier. I was real embarrassed about that – what did he think about that?
Suddenly, an electromagnetic field enveloped the plane – and all the engines went out. The autopilot, the updates I knew Johnny'd taken care to fix, the whole system went down. Just like that.
And we both knew what we'd have to do.
"Hang on, Maggie!" said Johnny. I grabbed a hold of his hand. Then he yanked the eject knob.
We flew up – then down. My grip was failing.
The plane was bombed above us. Our hands were slipping.
Then Johnny did something idiotic. He pulled me up on the fast-falling chair, strapped me in, and took a hold of the parachute activator cord.
"Johnny, you idiot, what are you doing!?" I screamed.
"You're a much better pilot than me," he said sadly, looking up into my eyes. Then his face sharpened. "Right. Well, see ya, Maggie…"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!" I yelled.
"I forgot to fix the eject weight settings to over one person. You'll have to make it by yourself, Maggie. Neither Captain Strong nor me would ever forgive myself if you were lost."
"But, but-"I blubbered.
"Beside, you were never really impressed," he said.
"No! I wasn't! I mean I am! Johnny, no!" I sputtered.
"I'm sorry it had to end this way, Maggie," he said quietly. Then he yanked down the cord, the parachute opened, he let go, and he hurtled down past me into the sea.
I could only stare after him, horrified.
