Top o' Mornin' To Ya: The Blackout by Stephanie Erickson

Really, Gary didn’t mind Clint’s quiet side. It was a hell of a lot better than some of the other yokels who talked non-stop while he was running checklists and trying to concentrate on charts. Given the choice, Gary would pick Clint any day. He was a hard worker and kept to himself. Really, Gary could do worse.

They stopped to get coffee and donuts for the passengers on the way, and then headed to the airplane to get set up.

The Hawker was a small business jet that seated nine people. Gary wasn’t expecting that many people for this trip, but they could take them if they had to. Usually, they only had a handful of some of the wealthiest people in the country occupying the seats.

After cleaning up, running checks, and restocking the bird, they were ready for the passengers to arrive so they could get going.

Gary figured it was a good time to say good morning to Molly, so he sent her a text.

Morning beautiful! Can’t wait to see ya in four days! Have a wonderful day!

She responded right away. Morning handsome! Be safe today and can’t wait to see you too!

It was quickly followed by a picture of Dug with bedhead, and the caption: Dug says good morning. Haha!

Gary smiled. Haha, morning Dug! Gary typed. It was a classic picture, with Dug bleary-eyed, his hair going in every direction imaginable.

Clint walked up and nodded as he made eye contact. “Any word from the passengers?” Gary asked, locking his phone and jamming it back into his pocket.

“Nope.”

“Well, I guess we wait.”

Clint harrumphed at that. Flying wasn’t really the biggest part of the job, even though Gary thought it was the best part. The majority of the workday was spent waiting, a smaller percentage collecting whatever was requested, and an even smaller part actually flying.

So, they waited.

Darkness

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” – Edgar Allen Poe

Darkness is a funny thing. The mere absence of light brings uncertainty and fear – the breeding ground for chaos. It is so absolute. And yet, so easily defeated by a single flame, if only someone thinks to light a candle.