17-D

     From my seat, I could clearly see 14-A pulling something from his bag in the overhead. He kept nervously looking around and seemed to be sweating quite a lot. When he looked directly at me, I didn’t look away. I wanted him to know he was being watched. He appeared to hesitate for just a second—but then kept going.

    I didn’t want to think the worst of anyone, but I couldn’t help the feeling that this guy was up to no good. It was Christmas time. Maybe he was just trying to wrap a last-minute gift before we landed. Something plastic, maybe—Mr. Potato Head? It looked about that size.

    Then again, so is a hand grenade.

    I shifted in my seat, casually reaching for my ginger ale. Just in case this really was his idea of festive mischief, I wanted to be hydrated for the news cycle. He was unwrapping something now—paper rustling in that slow, deliberate way that feels louder than it should.

    The woman next to him was asleep. Her head bobbed gently against the window. Oblivious. 

    I leaned forward slightly, trying to see more clearly over the seat in front of me.

    That’s when I noticed something I hadn’t before—14-A was wearing two wristwatches.

    Nobody wears two watches unless they’re either traveling internationally… or trying to keep track of something that isn't set to normal time.  Great, now I had two things to get worked up about.  OK, three.  My ginger ale was flat.  

Next chapter arrival - TBD