Time passed sporadically for the following week. Moving sometimes at a snail’s pace and others at the blink of an eye.

Regardless, the time for my examination arrived before I knew it and I met with Ameila Torrens at the AHSAE offices to start my tests.

Madame Torrens greeted me pleasantly.

“Have you been well, captain?” she asked, walking me through the building’s sleek interior.

“I have, thank you.” I replied, curiously looking around.

We walked through an office space and most people there hardly ever looked up from their work as we passed.

Madame Torrens lead me through a set of doors into a different section. Storage, perhaps?

“That’s good to hear.” She smiled. “Are you nervous at all?”

“Definitely.” I replied, and she laughed.

“It can’t be helped, I suppose, but I want you to remember that, if you ever begin to feel uncertain or overwhelmed, just give a shout and we’ll call off the simulation.”

“We are doing simulations right away, then?” I asked, looking at her.

Madame Torrens cocked her head.

“I believe in practice over theory.” She replied. “It tends to give the most trustworthy results. Of course there will be other tests as well. Written and oral. Ah. Here we are.” She stopped before a set of hydraulic flight simulators and greeted another person, already there.

“This is Peter Faire.” She told me. “He will be your instructor and guide for the duration of these tests.”

The man stepped over to me and held out a hand.

“Avery Rhyse.” I said, accepting it.

“A pleasure.” He remarked, shaking my hand vigorously. “Well, seeing that we’re all here and the machine’s been set up, why don’t we get started?”

I appreciated his getting straight to the point, and the three of us climbed into the simulator.

I assumed my position in the left-hand seat from habit, more than anything, and froze for a second, about to ask if this was right.

But before I could open my mouth, Mr. Faire spoke up.

“I thought it would be best if you took the Captain’s seat.” He said, plonking down beside me.

“Seeing that your hindering injuries are on your left, making communication somewhat tricky coming from that side, it only makes sense.”

He chuckled.

“Seems great minds think alike!”

I gave a smile of my own, but did not elaborate. After all, I had not played by that logic at all.

The two of us went through the pre-flight routine, but before we took off, Mr. Faire gave an additional speech.

“Now, before we do this, I want to make absolutely clear that if you, for whatever reason it might be, begin to feel nervous or stressed, you let me know, and I’ll take over, or we’ll stop the simulation, alright? Look at me.”

I looked over and he passed me an earnest glance.

“This isn’t meant to fray your nerves. It’s supposed to test your skills in a safe and stress-free manner. You are not doing anyone any favours by holding back vital information, understood?”

I nodded.

“Yes, sir. Of course.”

He gave a smile, and turned back.

“Alright, then let’s get going.”

It became evident rather fast that I should not be allowed to operate the radio.

With my hearing the way it had become, the risk was simply too great that I might miss out on sound-cues or conversation within the cockpit if I was on radio duty at the same time.

Additionally, I was locked to the left-hand Captain’s seat, for the same reason.

And while none of these were major issues, I couldn’t help a pang of sorrow for my positions now lost.

Usually one would alternate between the pilot flying and the one manning the radio and monitoring the instruments.

This was no longer an option for me, I had quickly come to understand.

I would be the one flying the plane, regardless of the circumstances.

Aside from this, I couldn’t say things were that much more different.

Things off to my left were more muffled than usual, but other than that, I had a fairly good grip on things.

And while my depth perception had taken a hit, it wasn’t as disorienting as I had feared it would be.

It wasn’t long before I felt as comfortable in the cockpit as I always had.

It felt strangely similar to my initial training, touching in on lesser technical issues and going over more serious things like engine failure. I had gone through all of this before, and realized I had no trouble doing it again, despite my newfound handicap.

Only occasionally had I asked Mr. Faire to repeat himself.

Essie had been right, of course she had. It was a relief to realize this. I had been fretting over nothing.

Mr. Faire and Madame Torrens remained with me, with Mr. Faire manning the First Officer’s seat beside me and Madame Torrens sitting behind us, monitoring our behaviour.

In time, we moved on from simulations, and over to live flights, staring out with smaller aircraft.

“Alright, Captain Rhyse?” he asked me, while we awaited our take-off clearance.

“Alright, sir.” I replied, checking my surroundings.

“Remember, if anything feels amiss, I’m here to take over.”

I gave a wan smile.

“Of course, sir. Thank you.”

We got our clearance and I took us into the air.

Was it supposed to feel this normal?

I couldn’t help second-guessing myself. The flight felt no different from any other I’d partaken in.

We did a wide circle above the surrounding area and then touched back down at the airfield.

“Jolly good!” Mr. Faire clapped his hands together. “Now.”

He turned to face me.

“We are moving into the final stretch of this examination, and thus far, I’d say things have been going well. If you take the next stride in the same manner as you took this one, there is no way you will lose your job. No way.”

“Thank you, sir.” I didn’t quite know how to respond.

Beside me Mr. Faire chuckled and got up to exit the aircraft.

“Take a couple of days to rest up, Captain. We’ll see you over the weekend.”

When I got back to their headquarters, Essie was there with her car, waiting for me.

“I was in the neighbourhood.” She said casually, when I got into the car. “Figured I might as well stop by to pick you up, you know?”

“That’s sweet of you, thank you!” I replied.

“So how’s it going?” she asked, passing me a sidelong glance.

I gave a crooked smile.

“Surprisingly well.” I replied. “We were up in the air today.”

“Really?” Essie seemed surprised. “Like in a plane?”

I couldn’t help laughing.

“No, without the plane!” I said, and the two of us dissolved in to fits of giggles.

“Seriously, though.” I went on. “It was a small one, but that still counts as a genuine flight.”

“How was it?”

“Honestly?” I replied. “Like getting back on a bike after a nasty fall.”

Essie laughed.

“Your brain is wired differently than mine.” She said. “If I compared a literal plane crash to falling off a bike, I’d suspect I might have gone crazy!”

“But that’s kind of how it is for us though!” I replied. “We’ve been trained to get back into it after a nasty scare. It’s just part of our job.”

“I know, I know. You lot are super human.” Essie said, and I scoffed.

“Are not!” I said.

“Are too!” Essie argued. “Anyway. I was thinking Thai for dinner, maybe? We can stop by Moon Thai Grill on our way back?”

“Sure.” I said, digging out my phone. “Should I get our orders in place so we won’t have to wait?”

Essie agreed, and we talked back and forth about what we wanted.

Ten or so minutes later we pulled up outside Moon Thai Grill and I was sent out to fetch our order.

On our way back to the flat, the car was filled with a mouth-watering scent and I realized just how hungry I was.

Things had been going so fast today that I must have forgotten about lunch.

While Essie parked the car, I grabbed the food and headed inside, to set up the living room for dinner and something to watch.

I was scrolling through our TV show options, when there was a loud altercation out in the hall.

Jumping, I dropped the remote and got up to see what was going on.

“Essie?” I called, carefully approaching the entrance.

“Ave, stay in the living room!” I heard her shout back and I got scared.

Ignoring her order, I went to see what was happening and froze in the doorway at the sight.

Essie was redfaced, cussing out a tired-looking gentleman standing on our doorstep.

My father’s attorney. I felt a knot form in my stomach.

His eyes lit up at the sight of me.

“Captain Rhyse.” He said. “Please, talk some sense into your friend, I am only here to–”

“Like either of us care what you’re here for!” Essie cried. “Get off our doorstep, you lowly scum!”

She held the doorknob in a vice grip, as if ready to slam it shut the moment this man was out of the way.

“Please…” he begged again, looking past her towards me.

I took a step forward, and Essie turned her glare to me.

“Avery, I swear to God..!” she began, and I put a hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll be quick.” I said.

Essie scoffed.

“You don’t owe this man or his louse of a client a mere second of your time.”

I gave a weary smile.

“I know. I’ll explain it to him again.” I said. “Wait for me in the living room.”

Essie seemed ready to protest, but fortunately she listened in the end, and retreated out of the room.

“Thank you…” the attorney, a Mister Albert Stone, said once we were alone, and I turned to face him.

“Be quick.” I said flatly. “What is it you want?”

“I am here on behalf of your father.” He said. “The prison claimed they couldn’t reach you.”

I had ignored several incoming calls from them, that was true.

“Because I clearly stated I want nothing to do with him, or his poor decision-making skills.”

“Well, I’m afraid something’s come up. We would like a word with you. In person.”

“Whatever trouble he is in, it’s his problem.” I replied, ready to shut the door on him.

“He’s dying.”

I froze for a moment.

Dying?

“What happened?” I turned back to Mr. Stone again.

“His kidneys are failing.” Mr. Stone explained, looking far more remorseful than was strictly necessary.

“So another result of his awful life-choices.” I folded my arms. “I fail to see what it’s got to do with me.”

“His doctor would like to speak with you about the matter. They’ve asked me to act as intermediary. I can take you to the prison.”

I remained silent for a moment, thinking.

In this world there was nothing I wanted less than to see that man’s ratty face again. The idea alone made me want to vomit.

Still, there was this minute, persistent part of me who claimed ‘It was the right thing to do.’

At the very least there might be some closure on my end before his death.

“Very well.” I said, looking back up. “Tomorrow at noon. Be on time.”

I went to close the door, and waited for him to step back.

He seemed to have frozen to the spot, apparently having some difficulty processing what had just transpired.

“Yes.” He eventually said, stepping into the hallway outside. “At noon. I’ll see you then.”

I said nothing and shut the door in his face.

“What a nightmare…” I muttered, joining Essie in the living room.

“What did that lout want?” she asked immediately.

“Father’s dying.” I replied, sinking into the couch beside her. “Kidney failure is what they said. He wanted me to pay him a visit.”

Beside me, Essie gagged.

“He probably wants you to donate.” She said. “That rotten bag of spuds isn’t worth it!”

“Well, they can’t do jack without my consent.” I replied, picking up the remote and going back to idly scrolling down our entertainment selection on the telly.

“Are you considering it?” Essie looked at me, and the disgust on her face was tinged by just a hint of worry.

“We’ll see what tomorrow brings, won’t we?”