Into the Clouds

"Paul! Wait a sec!"

Paul turned around to see the owner of the familiar voice. His copilot, Josh. They've been traveling together for... two years... and Goddamn Josh is always late for everything!

"Just get moving," Paul said.

Paul pulled his travel bag as he made his way to the plane.

"Come on, I'm just two minutes late," Josh said.

"Yes, yes. Simply get in the dang thing." They both got on the plane. The plane's vast corridors, all the way to the cockpit, appeared different today. Paul felt a weight on his chest that he couldn't quite place. It must've been that bizarre nightmare that made him like this. The worst part is that he can't seem to recollect his nightmare.

"Someone is having a rough day," Josh said.

"I wonder why," Paul commented. "I like being on the clock. You make that impossible, you know?"

"Okay, relax. I was just curious, you know? There's no need to be grumpy. Don’t need to throw your midlife crisis on me."

"Shut up, Josh," Paul paused for a while and returned his gaze. He waved to the flight attendants as they entered the plane. They returned his wave before he and Josh entered the cockpit.

Before the flight, they both started going over the standard procedures and checks.

"So, how did things go with Vanessa? The date, I mean."

"It didn't go well. You had to set me up again after I told you I wasn't interested." Paul turned to face Josh. "I swear, if you keep doing it, I'll set up a catfish for you."

"Okay, okay! You know, I just wanted to help." There was a brief moment of silence as they both passed by checking and waiting for passengers to board. "Are you all right?"

Paul remained silent and cast a glance towards Josh.

"You seem tense," Josh said.

"I just had an odd dream," Paul said.

"Oh, about what?" Josh asked having finished his checks.

"I don't remember anything; I just woke up in a cold sweat. Now stop snooping and focus on your work," Paul said.

"See, you're acting a lot more passive aggressively today!" Josh gave a sly grin.

Paul was well aware of what he was doing. Josh liked putting stuff on individuals in order to make fun of them. He'd most likely never hear the end of this. 

Paul only needed to focus on the flight to feel better. Yes, no strange sensation. Just... concentrate on his work.

-

The flight was now on its way. The plane took off, despite the fact that visibility was poor today. They'd been in a cloud for nearly two minutes.

"I don't remember seeing anything about poor weather in Florida today," Josh replied.

"I was thinking the same thing. Taking too long to get out of it," Paul stated.

"Um... Paul... the compass is going crazy right now."

Paul looked down at the compass, then at the cockpit's equipment. He tapped on one of the visors twice, "It's more than just the compass. Check to see if the radio is working."

Josh took the radio speaker and began testing it. The view from Paul's vantage point was nothing but black clouds. Rain, rain, and more rain. Nothing else. He couldn't see any land.

Josh turned to face Paul, "We could have an issue. Radio is dead."

Paul sighed, heavy feeling again in his chest. Way heavier than before. He could only see more rain. More rain and...

"Josh... I'm going to a lower altitude so we can get out of the rain."

"If you do that, we might hit another plane!"

"I'm going to hit that thing, if I don't!" Paul pointed out.

There was something before them. It didn't make sense. The only explanation is that Paul was insane or having some hallucination. 

Some god's forgotten creation left to float above the skies. In the cloudy sky, a rotund thing shimmered, obstructing all else. Its sheen is gradually condensing into new clouds. "Wait, what the fuck is that?!" Josh yelled.

"I don't know! Going to a lower altitude!" Before Paul could deviate, a shimmer came right towards the plane, blinding him. 

Something pierced his chest.

Darkness.

"Paul! Wait a sec!"

Paul turned around to see the owner of the familiar voice. His copilot, Josh. They've been traveling together for... two years... and Goddamn Josh is always late for everything!

"Just get moving," He stopped, as if attempting to recall anything. There was something missing. His chest ached with an unusual heaviness.

"Are you all right?" Josh inquired.

"Yeah, I had a strange nightmare. I can't seem to remember..."