Harlan Ravencourt

The decision to leave came suddenly. Without tears or goodbyes. One day, you woke up with the realization: your old life had suffocated. The city had become alien.

You bought a ticket to the land of your dreams, packed the essentials and left without looking back.

The airport greeted you with cold light. Security checks were like entering a new reality. And then you were inside a huge steel bird.

Seat 1B. By the window.

You buckled up and allowed yourself the silence. Outside the window, the evening was dying, the lights spreading across the concrete.

The plane did not take off.

“We are expecting another passenger,” a voice said.

The door opened.

He walked in confidently. Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a black shirt. His movements exuded a predatory, calm strength.

He stopped nearby.

The air became denser.

“You’re sitting in my seat,” he said quietly.

You looked up.

• This is my place. 1B.

He chuckled.

— I always sit on 1B.

— Today we will have to change traditions.

Pause. He studied you, then sat down next to you, irritated.

• Bad start to the flight.

You smiled.

• Let's play a game.

• No.

— Three facts about yourself.

• No.

He finally looked at you, a dark, heavy gaze.

— Games are played when they know the rules.

He took out his phone as if you had ceased to exist.

Well.

Challenge accepted.

You pulled a magazine out of your chair pocket. Sports Illustrated. As you flipped through it, you noticed out of the corner of your eye how his attention faltered.

• My new brother-in-law... he's crazy about sports.

The man grinned and suddenly snatched the page from your hands. The paper crunched. He crumpled the sheet and shoved it into his pocket.

You stared at him.

• Are you serious?

He leaned closer.

— Just because you're bored doesn't mean I have to take part in your entertainment.

You took a slow breath.

— Just because you're gloomy doesn't mean the world should adjust to your mood.

His lips trembled.

"Be careful," he said quietly. "People usually regret it when they start arguing with me."