Chapter 4: Emily: Moose on the Runway

"The captain has turned off the fasten seat belts sign, so you're free to move about the cabin. We'll be starting our complimentary beverage service in a moment," the flight attendant says.

It's only then I notice how dry my throat is, and thankfully, it doesn't take them long to reach my seat. I get a soda and a tiny bag of cookies. I really should've bought more snacks to bring with me, ones that don't taste like cardboard. I open the soda and take a sip. Flying always gives me a headache, so I close my eyes and try to rest, but it's not helping all that much.

I have no idea how much time has passed, but the hum of the PA system jolts me awake. I rub my eyes and yawn. My tray is still down, and my half-eaten bag of cookies sits next to my cup of now flat soda.

"Attention, folks." The pilot's voice fills the cabin. "There's some congestion on the runway, so we're going to circle around a few times to allow ground crews to get things cleared up. Please be patient, and we'll land as soon as possible."

Whoa. I really slept the entire flight? That never happens. I stretch my arms over my head and arch my back, trying to work out the kinks. I yawn again. "Are we in Anchorage already?" I ask the elderly man seated beside me.

He nods. "There's a herd of moose on the runway."

"Seriously?" I laugh. Only in Alaska. I settle back in my seat, hoping it won't take too long to land. I need to get on solid land again, and a small thrill of excitement shoots up my spine at the thought of seeing grandma and grandpa. Without Erik around, I'll be the one they spoil. Not to mention, I really want to talk to Aiden again.

Thirty minutes pass, and then an hour, and we're still circling the airport. My stomach rumbles, and I swallow hard. My throat is dry and scratchy, and my temples throb with an impending headache. I really need to get off this stupid plane. I take a drink, and the warm liquid turns my stomach.

What I really want to do is go back to sleep, but that's not going to happen, so I turn on the small television and flip through the channels. I settle on a bad 80s high school drama. The acting is horrible, and the special effects are even worse. I settle into my seat, the ache in my head getting worse.

The plane shakes, and the captain's voice comes over the intercom again. "We've run into a bit of turbulence, folks. Nothing to worry about. We're going to make a larger loop back around, and hopefully, we'll have clearance to land by then. Thanks for your patience and for flying with SunDun Airlines."

I groan inwardly. We're never going to get off this plane at this rate. I close my eyes for only a second, and then the small TV screen goes totally black. What's going on? I look over the seats in front of me and see their screens are blank, too.

A tall man with black hair, wearing a suit, rushes up the aisle, and from the corner of my eye, I see a flash of silver. A badge. The air marshall? He disappears into the cock pit. What on earth is going on?

A second later, the flight attendant's calm voice surrounds me. "It appears as though the pocket of turbulence we're experiencing is larger than we originally anticipated. The fasten seat belts sign is back on, and we ask that everyone remain seated with the seats upright and the trays closed. Please stay calm, and we'll be out of this in no time."

No sooner does she quit talking than the plane dips sharply, rises, and then shakes violently. My cup tips, spilling soda all over the tray and onto my lap. I yelp with surprise. Another rumble shakes the plane. I grip the arm rests and squeeze my eyes shut. A frantic woman in the back screams, and then other passengers begin to scream, too. There's so much crying and shouting.

"Are we going to… to die?"

"Shut up. It's just a little turbulence."

"I just want land. I'm getting very nauseous."

"Oh, God! We're all going to die! Lord save us."

My temples feel like they're ready to implode, and my stomach lurches. I grab the first thing my hand touches - the old man in the seat beside me.

He raises his eyebrow and pats my hand. "It's going to be all right. We're in the best of hands. Just relax." He smiles. "My name is Theodore. And you are?"

"Emily." I return his smile. The plane shakes again, and I whimper. This type of turbulence doesn't qualify as fun in my mind. I take several deep breaths. It'll be okay. The likelihood of this plane crashing is slim. Besides, we're flying around the airport. We're so close to landing. It's perfectly safe, and I'm fine. It'll all be fine.

"Maybe I can be of some help. I do have some - too many - years of experience and knowledge. I'm willing to listen if you're willing to talk. You'll be surprised by how much better you'll feel."

It's nice knowing there's someone willing to lend an ear in a time of need. Talking to Theodore does help, and for a few moments, I forget about the turbulence and the rocking plane. What can it hurt to talk to him? But before I can open my mouth, the teenager with a blue Mohawk sitting in front of me shouts, "She's dead!"

I turn to see what he's pointing at. A woman in her mid-thirties is lying in the aisle on her back. Unmoving. I squeeze Theodore's arm. Each breath is like swallowing razor blades - sharp and excruciating.

What is going on? Did she… Is she… dead? How is that even possible? Wasn't she wearing her seat belt? I tighten my own.

The pilot's voice fills the cabin again, still as calm as ever. "Looks like this turbulence is going to hang with us until we can safely land. Please remain calm and seated with your seat belts fastened. We're working to get this under control."

His words offer me no comfort.

"Captain, we've just lost all ground communications and control of engine one." The PA systems suddenly goes dead.

This is it.

I'm going to die.

I close my eyes.