Georgie stuck the mints he purchased in his pocket and put the newspaper under his arm as he checked his wrist watch. But before he could even tell the time, the intercom blared throughout the airport with a friendly and generic jingle. “Stapleton international, the time is now 8:30, all boarding passengers please make your way to your respective terminals post haste. Have a good day, and don’t forget one of our complimentary stickers!” As the message cut out, the dainty jingle began to play in its entirety. Georgie was frozen in place as he heard the time. “O-our flight…” He whispered to himself as he looked around for any sign of Hellen. After searching around for a couple minutes, Georgie decided to see if she was still cleaning up in the restroom. So, he slowly but steadily began to walk towards the door to the ladies room. As he extended his hand to meet the doorknob, he heard a sharp high pitched voice behind him. “Hey, you can’t go in there!” Said a brunette woman in business professional attire. “O-oh, sorry. My wife went in there almost 10 minutes ago, and we need to make it to our terminal in the next couple of seconds.” He replied worriedly. He was a stuttering mess, sweating over himself and frantic. “Could you check on her? Her name is Hellen.” Georgie pleaded. The woman looked at him and smirked. Her face then straightened and she stepped past him. “Just wait out here. I’ll check on your ‘Hellen.'” The woman stepped inside and shut the door behind her, leaving Georgie awkwardly standing outside the women’s room. He paced back and forth, watching the people around them and their habits. Seconds turned to minutes, and soon, Georgie began to care less about making it on their plane and more about seeing Hellen’s face again. Just then he caught sight of a couple kissing, a young romance like Georgie and Hellen’s. The woman then made her way into the restroom, and the man she came with stepped up beside Georgie. “Your lady got you waiting out here too?” The man asked as he shifted the blocky rims of his square glasses. “My name’s Heinrich, most people just call me Heinz.” Georgie rubbed his eyes and smirked. “Like the dressing?” “If you like…” the man replied with a friendly smile. He had a bushy brown beard and a fluffy shag that came down to his shoulders. He wore a dark brown suit matched with an amber tie, as well as a yellow shirt with a few white stripes. As Georgie analyzed Heinrich, he realized the man was stupidly outgoing, so Georgie smiled and extended a hand. “Names Georgie. I’ve been waiting out here for about…7 minutes now.” He said as he looked at his watch. “My wife went in before our flight, but she’s almost been in there a whole twenty minutes. I even had time to check the gift shop.” Georgie replied as he put his hands on his hips. “Jeez, I’ve never known a woman to use a toilet like that.” Said Heinz, catching Georgie off guard. Georgie bent over, cupping his mouth to stifle his blurted laughter. “D-do you just say whatever comes to your mind?” Georgie asked through light chuckling. “Only when there’s a reason to say it.” He replied obliviously. As Georgie recollected himself, he stood up straight and tucked his hands in his pockets, looking down at his feet. “No no, it’s nothing like that. I asked a woman to go in there and check on her, and she told me to wait out here. But…well, I’ve been waiting around forever, our plane must be long gone by now.” Heinrich looked at Georgie and scratched his beard.

“Well hell, I’m sure my Athena can check on her for you, no problem.” He replied. “Oh that would be a huge help, thank you.” Georgie replied. The two men began to make small talk and get to know each other in their wives’ absence. As time went on, they both knew the real reason they continued their conversation, and it was because it was better than the silence. In the silence, anxiety and fear ruled their minds, so they continued talking about politics and the state of the war.

Soon another husband arrived, then another. The four of them tried to busy themselves, but the question loomed over their heads like dark and heavy rain clouds. Just then, one of the men grew antsy. “I can’t believe this.” He blurted out. “They must think it’s hysterical getting a rise out of me.” Spewed Bruce, a larger-built older gentleman. “Well, m-maybe they’re all talking about us.” Chirped Wallace, a shy pushover who seemed to comb his hair to the side with an entire bottle of gel. “No no, I don’t think this is some sort of joke or coincidence.” Spoke Georgie as he slid his hand through his hair and took a deep breath, trying to steady his worried heart. “Maybe one of us should go in this time.” Replied Heinrich. “Oh for Christs sake, I’ll do it…” lashed out Bruce as he stomped towards the ladies room. “W-wait…you’re not actually going in are you?” Called out Wallace as he began to trail after Bruce. The two stepped closer to the door and walked inside. Just as Georgie was about to say something, the door began to slowly shut behind them. As the weighted door inched forwards, Georgie and Heinz found themselves holding their breath in anticipation. As if in slow motion, the door creaked closed. Just then, the cries of what sounded like Bruce and Wallace ripped from the inside of the bathroom, a piercing orchestra screaming bloody murder. And just as quickly as the noise was heard, the door latched shut.

Biography:

Ghoulish figures, suspenseful moments, and open endless possibilities. These are the tales that as an aspiring author, grip at my mind until I must put pen to paper. Being a second year at Aims, I’ve been able to find a new passion and purpose in expressing my creativity, and enjoy having the opportunity to do so through my stories and art. After taking a Creative Writing and Drawing for the Graphic Novel class, both offered through Aims, I have found a new interest in sharing the many tales that exist within my mind. My writings often show themes of drama, romance, and horror, often portrayed in dated or momentous time periods and with carefully placed humor. In the future, I have aspirations of writing multiple novels, short stories, screen/stage plays, and even a graphic novel, which I’ve been meticulously planning out for the past year or so. I’m also a libra, and I like Piña Colada’s