HOG One Shots: Sleigh Ride

“Alright, hands up anyone who gets air sick.”

I was the only one to sheepishly raise my hand in Nigel’s back garden, where the entire Branch had gathered.

Nigel raised an impressively thick eyebrow. “I was about to say that I’d improved thrusters so that the ride would be smoother, but, Jackie? You were fine last time you rode in the sleigh.”

“I was asleep for most of the ride.” I said, my arm moving around to the back of my head in embarrassment as Billy snickered.

“Everyone has to have their weakness. For Jackie, it’s deep water and flying.” Billy said through sniggers, and I gave him a glare. I regretted the day I mentioned that I couldn’t swim to the Branch.

“And for you, it’s not knowing when to keep your mouth shut.” As usual Tina was the one to keep Billy’s mouth in check.

“I’m liking this group more and more.” Said Taboo, who was standing next to me. “And, deep water?”

Not important.

“If you say so.” Taboo didn’t sound convinced. I’d be willing to bet that she’d bring it up later.

“Anyway.” Said Nigel, before things could escalate. Jamie, who’d only been with us a few months, suddenly stood with his back as straight as a ruler. It was no secret that he was a little intimidated by Nigel, who didn’t have North’s advantage of actually being Santa Claus.

“How about we all get in. The night isn’t getting any younger.”

We clambered into the sleigh, which looked exactly the same as when I had last been in it four or five years ago. Still with that dome, still painted red, although I could see some new thrusters as I tilted my head down to look.

It was a cold night, and most of the Burgess Branch shed layers as they sat down in the sleigh, which was sheltered by the dome that made up the top half.

Taboo settled in the back as I pulled off my hoodie, suddenly way too hot, but I kept quiet for the sake of the people with normal body temperatures.

Nigel gunned the engine once we were buckled in, and we rose into the air. It was a school night, much to Jamie’s joy, so not many people would be out and about to see a sleigh taking off like a jet out of a superhero movie.

I found myself gripping the seat, in case we shot forward like we did last time. We did shoot forward, but this time I barely felt it, only noticing because the scenery blurred.

“Whoa!” Jamie was easily the most impressed out of all of us, since he was the only one who hadn’t been there last time we used the sleigh. Taboo didn’t really count, since she was currently cowering in the back. She seemed to really, really hate heights and refused to look out of the window.

Billy wasn’t okay either. Looking back he hadn’t been okay last time he’d been in the sleigh, but he’d hidden it well. Now I knew him better I could spot the subtle signs that he was scared.

His nostrils were flared, his ears were twitching and his eyes were flicking around ever so slightly. His senses were on high alert, and he was barely moving, very much like a rabbit in a dangerous situation.

Once we’d gotten to a good height Nigel put the sleigh into ‘hover’ and passed around ear pieces.

“Okay, we all clear on what’s going to happen?” He asked. “Once I finish the countdown, the floor beneath you will slide back and you’ll drop. Once you’re out of the way of the engines you can halt your descent and let me know. Jackie, Sally, keep an eye on Billy and Jamie, it’s up to all of us to make sure they don’t go splat, but you do have the best chance of catching them.”

“You’re not helping.” Said Billy drily, trying to hide his unease while Jamie just looked pale. Nigel noticed and looked at the youngest member of the group.

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

Jamie shook his head. “I wanna try.”

“Alright.” Said Nigel, nodding and moving back to the control panel at the front. “Everyone got something warm on?”

Everyone except me scrambled to get their warm clothes back on, and within about thirty seconds we were all set.

“Ready?”

“Ready!” We called back, except Taboo, who just whimpered in the background as we stood up in preparation.

“If we ever have to actually do this, I’m staying in your hood.”

Fine by me.

“Three.”

I took a deep breath and cross my arms across my chest like an Egyptian mummy, looking down at the floor.

“Two.”

The floor became transparent, showing the tree line far below us.

“One!”

The floor slid back and I dropped.

My stomach shot up into my chest as I fell, hearing the wind whistling in my free ear, while in my radio I could hear the panicked yells of Jamie and Billy, neither of whom had any experience with falling.

Once I no longer felt the heat from the engine I looked around to find Billy and Jamie. Sally had already formed a platform for Jamie, and as I located Billy and formed a platform for him and me I heard Jamie shakily say.

“L-launch successful.”

Everyone else quickly said that more calmly and I honestly felt sorry for Jamie. The poor kid looked terrified from being dropped out of the sky.

“Alright, make your way to the ground and I’ll pick you guys up.”

I made a ramp for Billy to slide down, while Sally got inventive and formed a twin para glider for her and Jamie.

“What a show off.” I muttered good naturedly.

“Hey, she’s keeping your boyfriend alive.” Said Tina right by ear. I jumped and turned to see her hovering beside me, her wings a blur.

“He’s not my boyfriend, he’s a kid.”

“I’m joking.” Tina shook her head. “Come on, they’re going to be waiting for us.”

Tina zoomed down and I skated after her, easily catching up. However we reached the ground before it could turn into a race.

Billy seemed to have recovered, while Jamie was still shaking slightly. Overall he seemed alright, knowing him he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again this time tomorrow.

It seemed that only we three female members of the Branch were okay with falling out of a sleigh, and we were the ones who could actually get around in the air. Go figure.

“So.” Said Nigel over the radio as he landed nearby. “How was that?”

“Not as bad as I thought it would be.” Said Billy.

“What he said.” Said Jamie.

“It was fine.” Said Tina.

“You have wings!” Cried Billy. “Of course you’d be okay!”

“Falling out of the sky is a great way to clear the cobwebs.” I said, on Tina’s side for once as we teased Billy. “Don’t you agree?”

“Oh yes, clear the cobwebs and get turned into a pancake.”

“I can still hear you,” Reminded Nigel. “Now shut up and get in the sleigh, or it will just be me, Sally and Jamie going bowling this weekend.”

The threat worked as both Tina and Billy sprinted for the sleigh. I wasn’t as bothered by the threat of not bowling, so I laughed and walked back at my own pace, taking up the rear on the way to sleigh in the snow.

“So, we’ve cleared flying. Deep water?” I heard Taboo ask as we walked back to the sleigh.

I am not answering that.

“Come on. Please?”

Not now, when we get back.

“Fine.”