Chapter 1 Heading into the Unknown

Part one

LILIBETH PALMER

Just like when you don't know what to say in a letter and you've already torn up five sheets of paper on the floor, that's how I'm feeling trying to start this story. And yes, I know logically you have to start from the beginning, but right now I don't even remember what that was. So, I'll tell you a bit about myself as it comes to mind... how this madness began.

Well, I was married, or so it seemed. Things weren't going well no matter how hard I tried, so I decided to leave the country, almost without him noticing, so I could leave peacefully, although with a broken heart, leaving my kids behind. I'll tell you more about him later.

My name is Lilibeth Palmer, everyone calls me Lili, and here I go, trying to make a new life far from a man who only sees me as a useless woman, using me his way for years. I always wanted a career, to be independent, but circumstances took me far from that. I love green apples, grapes, peanut butter, watching movies and series, and if they're horror, even better.

Through a sister-in-law, I'm almost in the beautiful country of Spain, I know nothing about it, only what I've seen on TV. I hate flying, I'm terrified of heights, and firearms, although I love white weapons, I've always wanted a zanpakutō (katana). As I said, I'm afraid of flying, so I'm currently sitting with my eyes closed, feeling queasy, and my legs are shaking like jelly.

A voice announces our arrival, talks about seatbelts, and I just pray for the plane to land before I faint or make a mess. A young flight attendant approaches me, dressed in a white shirt with a red tie, black skirt, and red shoes, with a nice smile.

"Is everything okay, ma'am?" -Damn, I look like a ma'am, really?-

"The bathroom, please." -That's all that comes out of my mouth without making a mess.

The young woman helps me get up and walk to my destination. As I arrive, I let out a sigh of relief... Oh God, I hope the next time I get on a plane it's to return to my kids and not set foot in this machine again. I'm afraid of heights, enclosed spaces... I'm a disaster.

I get up, wash my hands, mouth, take some mouthwash, toothbrush, and toothpaste from my bag, brush my teeth, adjust my clothes, and then collect my hair, which looks like an onion. I wash and rinse my mouth again.

As I walk out slowly, I stop to observe a very beautiful woman, long black hair, green eyes, tall, looks like a magazine model with that dress. She's crying, trying to breathe, her chest rising and falling. I touch her left arm.

"How can I help you?"

"My phone, in my purse." -She says, gesturing with her left hand where her small bag is.

I take four steps to her seat, grab her bag, return to her, and she takes her phone. But I don't pay attention because I hear a man's voice saying...

"Attention, everyone, stay seated, calm down, and no one will get hurt..." My heart races, and everything trembles.

And that's how this story began, which even after almost a year, I still can't believe this madness has become.

☾•─•☽

LILIANA SANTOS

Dominican Republic