HIDEAWAY - Chpt. 1

1.

Ralph stared with forlorn anticipation out the window as their flight landed on the tarmac and began cruising along the runway toward the bright lights of the airport. It was dark beyond the airport. He had listened to the barrage of breaking news regarding the frantic commotion occurring at that hour within the terminal. It was unfortunate that he and his buddies were about to become part of it.

The news had painted a grim portrait regarding the escalating chaos occurring live inside the building. Too many flights had been abruptly canceled, and scheduled planes had been rerouted without explanation. It was all because of the city's curfew deadline toward quarantine lockdown set to go into effect in a few hours with regards to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic. The governor had issued a directive for the citizenry to remain indoors and to not venture outside unless it was absolutely important; emphasis on wearing of face mask was put in place as well. If you don't have a home, then best make do with wherever you find yourself, as long as you're not out wandering the streets. Adequate shelter homes were being provided for the homeless and needy. There was a deadly virus circulating about, and getting entangled in a crowded vicinity was a certified means of spreading the contagion.

There was rampant murmur onboard the airline amongst the passengers, all of whom were similarly concerned about what was forthcoming once they disembarked. Ralph shared his concern with his two traveling buddies, Mike and TJ; He tried to remain positive as the plane taxing along the runway. One way or another, whatever commotion regarding the growing number of stranded travelers holed up in the terminal, he presumed it wouldn't befall on them. Their co-joining local flight was already booked. Whatever the case might be, surely they would be among the few lucky ones to make it out of this city intact.

They disembarked from the plane and joined the crowd pilling into the terminal. The three men were stunned beyond words at bedlam inside the airport. The crowd seemed to have no apparent flow or sense of direction. Everyone was either talking or shouting to be heard. There was hardly anyone of authority milling about. Ralph was crestfallen to find that even their local flight, too, had been canceled. There was less than zero chance of them making it out of the city tonight.

Disappointed with their chances, they huddled at a food court situated as far from the central hub of the terminal they can be. Like everywhere else in the building, there was a bustling crowd there, all talking and shouting, looking gloomy or somewhat near to panic as they contemplated their next line of action. Luggage was strewn everywhere, blocking the corridors and walkways that was it hard not bumping into one or several. The same was what Ralph and his buddies were doing. It had taken them pains to secure themselves a table, having spent an hour retrieving their items from baggage claims. Their course of action was what to do about their dire situation—getting their asses away out of the city and head for home.

"There's no way we're making it out through here," TJ explained, and he had to nearly shout for his buddies to hear his words even though they huddled so close to the point of almost whispering if it weren't for the crowd around them making noise like they were at a football event. "I've asked around. There's no plane taking off."

"It's because of the damn quarantine," Mike agreed. "Any chance we can hold up in an hotel?"

That drew a negative. "We ain't got enough dough on us to spend for a week," Ralph said. "And God alone knows how long this quarantine might last. Our best bet is holding up someplace."

"You've been here before, ain't you? You know anyone around?"

"I used to. Hold on a minute."

TJ and Mike watched him earnestly as he reached into his pocket for his little notebook. Mike cursed aloud when a woman bumped the back of his head with her handbag, though she apologized before getting lost in the crowd. It was pandemonium everywhere. The scene looked to him like something out of a zombie horror movie. It was as if they were the last human beings alive, and outside the city was being overrun by God-knows-what. That was scary to imagine, but also the thought of remaining here in this uncomfortable situation didn't settle with his nerves. Plus, the air was getting thick and smelling funkier he felt like choking.

Ralph was flipping through pages of his notebook, seeking out phone numbers he had scribbled down months before. His eyes brightened when he found the one he was looking for.

"We'd best make it outside so I can make the call," he said. "I can't hear myself as long as we're in here."

It took plenty of effort for them to rescue their luggage and start fighting their way out of the terminal amidst the burgeoning throng of travelers around. Finally they made it to the entryway and were baffled to find more people milling to get inside. Ralph led his friends toward the safety of the airport parking grounds. Only then was Ralph able to make his call.

Mike and TJ watched over his luggage while he went a short distance from them to make his call. A cold wind ruffled their clothes. TJ tapped his coat pockets, wishing he had a cigarette. Mike wore a t-shirt, and though he was athletic, it had rained hours ago and the weather was still cold, and didn't sit well with him. He couldn't stop rubbing his arms and wished they were back in the terminal, or at least that they hurry up and find shelter.

"Who do you think he's calling?" TJ asked.

"The fuck do I know. All I want is for this fucking night to be over." He glanced about the parking lot, at the row after row of empty vehicles around them. "I could use a hot bath right now?" he added.

"I could use a cigarette," TJ mused.

Ralph concluded his call then came and joined them, smiling this time.

"Yeah, so what's the verdict?" asked Mike.

"The verdict is we've got a place to crash tonight, and hopefully for the remainder of the week," Ralph told them. "But that part's left for debate. Right now, let's see about catching us a cab."

"Good thing we're back in business," TJ remarked after handing Ralph back his luggage.

Finding themselves a taxi didn't take much hassle than when they struggled to leave the terminal. Other taxis were waiting for customers. Though things almost went downhill when Ralph told the cabbie where they were heading.

"That's gonna cost you two hundred," the cab driver told him.

"No fucking way," TJ exclaimed.

"No problem," Ralph interjected after shutting the door, "get us there in an hour, and I'll make it three."

The cabbie smiled sardonically, then shifted into gear and drove out of the airport premises.