Weasel Skeet: Chapter X

Weasel Skeet

Chapter X: In Which Vane Misses His Chance to Become a Hero


Several days passed and Henry’s head had cleared, and he no longer got sick at the sight of alcohol, which he was very glad for. He had not seen or spoken with Vane since the night they got their approvals. Most of those days were spent packing and making plans for what to do when he left. After three days of tirelessly preparing this and arranging that, he decided on the fourth day to take a short break from it all. He donned one of his fine frocks, in true popinjay fashion, and decided to take a very long walk.

He walked for many hours, until the sun began to set. He stopped when he reached the airport. A large chain-link fence nicely decorated with barbed wire on top separated him from the tarmac. Easily, he could just fly over the fence, but he never liked to show off in that way; he never liked to make a spectacle of himself. Besides, he knew if he did fly over the fence, he’d eventually be caught and put back in this prison society. He looked at the aeroplanes docking and taking off, realising that shortly he’d be on the other side of the fence, free.

On a small patch of grass nearby, he planted himself, preparing for a dinner picnic. As he was laying out the blanket, a plane, taking off, flew very low, right overhead, nearly knocking Henry’s chapeau de la régence anglaise off. Henry simply sorted himself and the picnic supplies and carried on. He dined, staring at the aeroplanes with fascination. A small two-passenger plane took to the runway. Henry watched with interest as the plane began slowly making its way down the runway. Surely they were not going fast enough to get airborne before they run out of tarmac, Henry thought. And that was precisely what happened. The engine caught on fire when the plane was very near the fence, and the aircraft came to a screeching halt after hitting the fence, engulfing itself fully in flames. Henry, wide-eyed, tossed his meal aside, jumping the fence to save the passengers.

“Are you all right?!”

“Yes, I think so. But, please, save my father!”

“Father?”

“The pilot. Please save my father, the pilot!”

“Yes, yes!...”

“What are you doing? Where is he?”

“You’re bleeding. Let me help you.”

“Where’s my father?! Why didn’t you save him?!”

“Apply pressure here, please. I’ll go get something to sterilize it with…and maybe help with the burns. I’ve brought alcohol with me. I’ll be right over that fence, back in a second.”

“Wait! What are you doing? ...”

“I didn’t take so long, did I? ...Sorry, this might not be too soothing…”

“Oww! …Sir, you flew over that fence!”

“Heh. One of my many talents.”

“…My father’s dead, isn’t he?”

“…Yes. I’m sorry…”

“The plane was old, but my father promised he’d take me in it. He got that plane when he married my mother. They flew across the world for their honeymoon.”

“It must have been very special.”

“Yes…what’s your name?”

“Henry. And you?”

“Puffin. Bonnie Puffin. Please call me Puffin.”

“Puffin? Well, that certainly is a rather, umm, cute name. It looks like the paramedics are arriving, Puffin. I’m going to leave you with them. All right?”

“Wait. Mr Henry, I want to repay you for saving my life.”

“Yes, well, here’s my card. You can come calling any time.”

“You work at a bank?”

“For many years now. I hope you a safe recovery.”

“Thank you, Mr Henry. Good-bye!”

“Um, excuse me, sir. You witnessed the accident and rescued the passenger from the aeroplane? You’re not injured too, are you? Good, just light wounds. Then could you please come over here and make a statement? Then we’ll get you patched up, sir.”

“Of course.”