Chapter 8
Skipper glared at the restless young plane before him,
"No, Dusty! Dottie said you are to continue to rest those injuries!"
"But, Skipper…"
"Enough!" Skipper interrupted, "you are to stay inside for now"
And with that the old corsair left the hanger. Dusty lowered his gaze and tenderly lowered himself back down on to his wheels fully. He admitted he was still slightly sore but he was just so bored! The first day was fine. He didn't feel like leaving the hanger anyways but the third day in, he felt he was going to lose his mind to this boredom.
He longingly stared at the closed hanger doors,
"Skipper wouldn't notice if I went for a quick fly, right?!" He thought to himself, "Just to stretch my wings."
The need to feel the wind on his wings, even for a little while, was too great as he rolled forward, nudging the doors open, keeping a look out for Dottie, Chug or Skipper.
He quietly went round the back of the hangers and into the back fields, finding a small clearing to take off in.
He checked his ailerons, propeller and engine before starting up, his propeller and wheels spinning, picking up speed and taking off. He grinned; it had been too long since he had felt the wind on his wings and body. Making sure to keep out of sight of the small town, he flew a few laps around the fields before landing safely. It had been a short flight but it was satisfying none the less.
Smiling, he made his way back to town, eyes drooping lazily and he felt himself relax however this state of calm didn't last long. He bumped into someone much larger than he was. Looking up and smiling he made to apologise until he realised just who he had run in to,
"S…skipper!"
Dusty anxiously stared up at the large corsair who was glaring straight back at the young racer, making Dusty feel really small.
Dusty tried to stutter out an apology but Skipper just turned away, leaving the youngster behind.
The orange and white racer followed the elder and watched his mentor enter the hanger, closing the doors behind him. Dusty called out to his mentor,
"Skipper?"
When he got no reply, he tried to push the door open but they wouldn't budge, finding Skipper had locked him out.
Frowning, he went to find Dottie, he didn't like being alone just quite yet. Rushing past his own hanger, which still left him uneasy after Ripslinger's unexpected 'visit', he reached Dottie's workshop.
"Dottie?" He called out, looking around to spot the forklift
"Dusty?! What are you doing?"
"Oh, hey Dottie." He looked sheepishly at his friend and mechanic, "Skipper locked me out of the hanger."
"Why?"
Dusty gulped, "I'm sorry Dottie. I went for a fly, I was just so bored and I haven't hurt anything, I promise."
He looked at Dottie, trying to find any emotion on her expressionless face before she sighed,
"It's fine Dusty. I knew you would be getting restless by now, it's only natural. Now, come. Let's go and see old Skip."
Chapter 9
"Skipper?" Dottie called through the hanger doors. "Please open up and let me in."
After a minute of silence, Dottie lowered her voice "Now"
The door unlocked and Skipper appeared, glancing at the sheepish young plane behind the mechanic.
"What do you want, Dottie?"
"Why'd you lock Dusty out? You know he's not happy on his own at the moment." Dusty blushed and looked away, embarrassed, "I know he's been flying but he got restless. What can we expect?"
"I don't take well to planes who cannot listen to reason."
"You can't stay over protective of him, Skipper, he's got to fly at some…"
Dusty interrupted, "I, I'm sorry Skipper. I just got bored and my wings were starting to ache! I swear I was only flying for 10 minutes and I didn't go far, just a lap of the fields."
Skipper looked at the saddened face of the youngster, he sighed
"It's alright, kid. I'll be in the bar with Leadbottom if you need me."
Dusty watched him go before looking at Dottie.
"I don't know, Dusty." She answered the unvoiced question, "Maybe you should go and spend some time with Chug, he's missed you."
Dusty smiled and shot off to find his best friend and, who Dusty saw him as, older brother.
Dottie entered the bar quietly, finding Skipper sitting at the back with a drink, no Leadbottom in sight. She spoke up as she approached,
"And what's got you in a mood?"
After a moment, he answered, "I spotted a certain racer in the distance when I was out on patrol earlier."
Dottie gasped, "Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure." He sighed, "We'll keep a close eye on Dusty for now, I don't think it would be necessary to cause any panic for the time being. Just make sure to lock up at night."
Dottie nodded in agreement.