I had assumed that everything had flown out of Portland, but it seems that I was mistaken.
The boarding process was delayed. People were cranky. Then, wearing a turquoise bodysuit and enough “SERVICE ANIMAL” patches to deter anyone from raising questions, she entered the room smiling and confident, wearing a bright red flannel cap and a real miniature horse.
Everyone looked. Phones are up. A few courteous giggles.
Admittedly, I was one of them. I assumed it was a social media gimmick. Until woman sat next to me, unconcerned, opening a Diet Coke as if she always carried horses on airplanes.
She grinned when she saw me looking. She patted the horse’s muzzle and added, “His name is Domino.” “He is aware of people’s anxiety.”
I partly nodded and half hoped she wouldn’t chatter the entire flight while I laughed pleasantly. But I felt something press against my leg around midway through, at cruising altitude. Domino.
These large, strangely human eyes were looking up at me.
Quieter now, she continued, “Don’t mind him.” “When something is about to happen, he acts like that.”
I went cold. “You mean something is going to happen?”
She took a while to respond. She simply leaned in closer, turned in her chair, and muttered:
“I take it you don’t remember me?”
I became aware of her necklace at that point.
Additionally, the pendant bears the letters L.M.
I felt sick to my stomach. Those were not merely arbitrary letters; they belonged to a person I vowed to never forget. Someone who had permanently altered my life.
“Lucy.” I tried to utter her name, but my voice broke.
Her smile turned into a warmer, sadder one. “Sam, it’s been a while.”
That’s me, Sam. Or rather, I was that person once. back in the same little town where Lucy and I grew up. Before things went awry.
Domino’s velvety nose brushed my jeans as he pushed my knee once again. I hardly paid attention. My thoughts were racing. How is this possible? On a plane, seated next to me, Lucy Martinez—the girl who vanished into thin air after graduating from high school—looked precisely the same, save for the tiny creases around her eyes that suggested years had passed.
“I… I stumbled, “I can’t believe it’s you.” “Where have you been? Everyone pondered.
“I was dead?” She laughed briefly, but it was without amusement. “I suppose it’s close enough. Following all that transpired… She wandered off, gazing at the limitless clouds outside the window.
“What took place?” Even though I already knew, I asked.
As you can see, Lucy and I were more than just childhood pals—we were co-conspirators. Together, we are constantly getting into trouble and fantasizing of escaping our quaint little town. However, things became more problematic in senior year. Everything inside the old barn where we used to hang out was destroyed by a fire, including any proof of illicit behavior connected to certain dubious figures in the community.
Although the authorities suspected arson, no proof was ever found. However, stories quickly spread, and soon we were viewed as guilty by everyone. Since her family owned the property where the barn was located, Lucy was the one who suffered the most. Soon after, her parents took her out of school and left for the night. No explanation, no farewell. Simply gone.
At last, she turned back to me and whispered, “I had to leave, Sam.” For the sake of both of us. They would have pursued you as well if I had stayed.”
“They?”
“The individuals who started the fire.” To put it simply, they didn’t like being looked into.
I took a deep breath. But why return at this time? Why is this place?
She paused, looking down at Domino, who appeared utterly unaffected by the plane’s turbulence. “Because I believe they have a major project in mind.” Something hazardous. And to stop it, I need your assistance.
I wanted to chuckle at first. There is no way that this is real. At least not the Lucy I knew. The Lucy I knew steered clear of drama at all costs and detested conflict. However, she was speaking about clandestine schemes and perilous missions as if she had just come out of a spy film.
However, this was a different Lucy. She was obviously hardened from years of fleeing, concealing, and surviving. made her more resilient and sharp.
“What gives you the impression that I can even assist?” I questioned with skepticism.
She stated plainly, “Because you’re the only person I trust.” Additionally, you owe me.
Aww. It hurt. She wasn’t mistaken, though. I was the one who deserved explanations, and perhaps even atonement.
“All right,” I answered softly. “Explain the situation to me.”
It turns out that Lucy hadn’t been living carefree or relaxing on beaches for the previous ten years. She had been doing undercover operations to obtain intelligence on a clandestine organization engaged in activities ranging from environmental sabotage to smuggling. The fire in the barn? is a single component of a much bigger whole.
She said, “They’re going after a dam outside of Portland.” “Several villages downstream will be flooded if they are successful. Thousands of lives are in danger.
“Are you certain about this?”
“As certain as I can be in the absence of hard evidence. I therefore need you to break into their system.
Hold on, what?
“Hack?” I said it again incredulously. “I’m a graphic designer, Lucy. My Wi-Fi router reset is something I hardly understand!
She retorted, “You’re also the guy who constructed a fake ID generator in tenth grade.” “Don’t pretend you don’t still spend your free time tinkering with code.”
Oh no. I didn’t realize how well she knew me.
We had a plan, or at least the outlines of one, by the time the plane touched down. While I worked remotely from home, deciphering encrypted files and tracking digital trails, Lucy promised to keep me informed. Although the task wasn’t glamorous, each lead helped us get closer to the truth.
In the meantime, Lucy used Domino’s extraordinary sense of danger to keep an eye on the gang. She reassured me that he was smarter than most people. We pulled together hints that pointed to a huge business that was scheduled to collapse in a matter of days.
Then came the turn that neither of us had anticipated.
A message titled “Incoming Call – Unknown Number” appeared on my screen late one evening as I was scrolling through lines of dubious code.
I answered against my better judgment.
“Sam?” There was a raspy voice. Unfamiliar, male. “You will pay close attention if you value your friend’s life.”
My blood froze.
The speaker went on, “We know what you’re doing.” We are also aware of Lucy. Or maybe tell her to back off.
The line died before I could reply.
Immediately, panic struck. Lucy didn’t answer the phone when I called her. There was no response to texts. I sat there thinking about the worst-case situations for hours on end, paralyzed. What if she had been discovered? What if she wasn’t sufficiently protected by Domino?
My phone buzzed at last, well before morning.
Lucy: “Safe house.” Come by yourself.
I felt a wave of relief, but it was short. Upon reaching the address she had provided, I discovered her pacing nervously, with Domino keeping watch close by.
“They pursued me,” she said somberly. “I was able to lose them for the time being, but it won’t last long.”
“So, what should we do?”
“We complete what we began,” she stated resolutely. “With each other.”
We made our last move during the course of the following 48 hours. We informed local law enforcement of the group’s plans using the information I had acquired, guaranteeing the dam’s safety. The operation’s masterminds were already in custody when the authorities stepped in.
When it was all over, Lucy gave me a hard hug while crying.
“I’m grateful,” she muttered. “For having faith in me.” for having faith in me.
“No,” I answered. “I’m grateful. I was reminded of who I am by you. Who I am capable of being
Lucy vanished once more a few months later, but this time she did it her way. She said Domino needed a peaceful life, so she left him with me. Regarding herself, she made reference to beginning anew in a distant place, away from the specters of her history.
Domino became a cherished presence in my neighborhood after adjusting to apartment life surprisingly well. Every time someone inquired about him, I would respond with a grin and share his tale—one of bravery, devotion, and second chances.
It’s funny how life keeps going back to its starting point. Losing everything is sometimes necessary to realize what is really important. That meant addressing my concerns, getting back in touch with an old buddy, and understanding that even the tiniest things may have a significant impact.
Therefore, keep Domino in mind if you’ve ever questioned your ability to change or your strength to stand up for what’s right. Recall Lucy. Keep in mind that sometimes all it takes to alter your life—and perhaps the lives of others—is one courageous step forward.
Did you enjoy this story? Send it to a buddy who needs a reminder that there are many different types of heroes. ❤️
