27: Ginger Tea And Biscuits

                                    

                                          
{ KI }
"Do you feel like you're being watched?" Aht has his hands twisting with mine, restless...
For two weeks, we visited all the attractions and beaches and other islands. Now we wait at the airport, returning to Northcote. Unfortunately, our vacation ends in a less comfortable feeling.'
My chin rests on his shoulder and I watch everywhere. "I felt it since yesterday."
"You too?"
"It comes and goes. That's why I thought it was nothing."
"I don't know where they are. I'm going to lose it if I can't find who's the culprit."
"Come on." I pull him out of the bench and move us towards a secluded corner. 
We scan the environment until we get on board. Then I feel it. When we walk down the aisle. Goosebumps litter on my arms. The feeling of being watched is persistent when we take our seats and the plane lifts off.
"It isn't a wild spirit. We should've seen them if it is."
He looks at our intertwined hands on my lap, seemingly far away. "Higher spirits?"
"We don't use any powers."
"Maybe for something else."
He must've sensed my spike of fear because he quickly smiles and asks me to braid his hair. How can I ever deny it?
"Thank you."
"What for, sweetheart?" He kisses my palm. "Anyway, we can discuss this with Theodore. He had learnt about our world plenty."
Hm.
More silver hairs growing on his scalp.
Not in one spot and not a lot, although they are scattered so Aht hasn't noticed them. I did, two weeks ago. I don't know when is the right time to tell him.
"Ki, you're quiet."
"I'm always quiet."
"Not towards me. What's on your mind?"
I should tell him. He deserves to know about his body. "I found silver hairs on your scalp."
He turns around with mild shock in his eyes. "When?"
"Since two weeks ago." Looking down, he wants to say something. He isn't freaking out. Don't tell me... "What did you find about mine, Aht?" I ask.
His forefinger traces my eyelids. "Every time you smiled so merry, the corners of your eyes would crinkle. Crow's feet." We sit in silence and don't know what to do. "It's uhm... part of longevity, no?" His brows furrow.
"Possible but we would've noticed these things years ago. Perhaps they are relatively new."
"Perhaps our bodies have passed the threshold of twenties."
I nod in agreement. He is most likely correct— Huge aura. Outside!
"Ki?? What..?" He's seeing what I'm seeing.
Outside the window, far among the clouds, a humanoid is standing straight and glaring at us. Our plane passes them by. Their face gradually morphs into menacing. Aht and I share a look. We both know what it is.
He whispers, "What in the fuck." 
____________________
{ AHT }
My body flinches when someone touches my elbow... Bertha.
"You're alright, big guy? Jumpy as a rabbit."