Stolen Souls

88

GALYA RAN AT first, her mind closed to the pain, the money and documents clutched to her chest. She slowed to a walk as the building came into view and crossed the road that cut in front of the terminal entrance. Airport policemen ran into the fog, following the sound of the gunfire. They did not notice her.

The doors swished aside and a flood of warmth washed over her. More policemen hurried to the exit, static chatter on their radios, concern on their faces. Still, they did not notice her.

She followed a sign saying Departures. The arrows led her through shops and restaurants, people drinking coffee, eating toast, cases stacked on trolleys. They did not know the world they lived in, the dangers that hid beyond their vision.

Galya did.

But she kept that knowledge buried, forced it down inside, in case it might show on her face as she approached the security man who waited ahead.

“Boarding pass, please,” he said.

Galya handed it over.

He looked at her clothing, a glimmer of distaste on his features. Galya read his thoughts. Just another migrant, another miserable parasite leaving its host now the money had burnt away.

She smiled for him when he scanned the pass and handed it back.

“Better get a shake on,” he said. “It’s probably boarding by now.”

“Thank you,” Galya said.

She joined the short queue for the security search, obediently placed the shoes and coat Susan had given her in the trays provided, the bandages on her feet hidden by thick socks, and patiently waited until it was her turn to pass through the magnetic gate. On the other side, she did not complain when the female security guard patted her down.

A short walk took her to the departure gate where a flight attendant gave her documents only the briefest of glances. Another walk across the tarmac to the airplane, and then she boarded. She found row twelve and sat down.

When the lady in the seat next to her asked if she was all right, Galya said yes, thank you, and wiped the tears from her cheeks with her sleeve.

Everyone believes in God when they fly, she thought.

She said a prayer for Jack Lennon’s soul.