Not the Same

Turbulence

Kian’s POV

            The next day, early in the morning, we all get our stuff loaded up into Cat and Joey’s vehicles and head to the airport.

            The ride there was completely quiet because everyone was still sleepy, especially Joey and Cat having to work all day yesterday. So, Connor and Ricky drove Joey and Cat’s vehicles, respectively while Joey slept in the passenger seat in his car and Cat sleeping on Doug’s shoulder in the backseat of her vehicle. The radio had soothing blues songs playing with a host with a calming and relaxing voice.

            I look to the sky and see that the sun hasn’t shown, but instead still resting behind the clouds. Looking around, I saw that mist surrounded us. It was plentiful, but transparent enough to see through. I roll my window down slightly and let the cool air engulf me. It felt amazing! I look over at Ricky beside me driving. He hadn’t made his hair yet, but I didn’t care. He looked adorable with his hair messy and wild.

            We pull into the airport parking lot and park. Ricky and I exit the vehicle followed by Doug and Cat; Cat rubbing her eyes, trying to stay awake. “I can’t wait to get on that airplane,” Cat says. “I am going to crash and burn if I don’t get some sleep.”

            “Interesting choice of words with us getting on a plane,” Doug says. “I hope this flight goes well. I’m not that good with flying.”

            “You’re scared of flying,” I say.

            “No, more like scared of plummeting,” Doug said. “I was running on these bleachers when I was little. Long story short, I fell off it from the top of it and land on my arm. It was only a sprain, but the fear was embedded in me.”

            We enter the airport with our luggage. We quickly go through the metal detectors and our luggage through the x-rays. Ricky was stopped at the metal detector, but it was only because he forgot about the metal on his belt. In his defense, those needed to stay on or his shorts would be around his ankles, but it went by quick and we waited around for when we could board the plane. Joey and Cat were the first to sit down. However, before they fall back asleep, the intercom announced that it was time to board our plane. With a groan from Joey and Cat we head to our plane.

            Ricky and I sat beside each other on the plane. Doug and Cat was together and so were Joey and Connor. Doug pulls out a blanket from his bag and covers him and Cat up and drift to sleep in seconds. Joey covers himself with a blanket and does the same. However, Connor was listening to a book from Audible. Ricky and I just watched a movie.

            The stewardess informed we were about to take off and to fasten our seatbelts. Everyone puts on their seatbelts. “Kian, there’s that guy again,” Ricky says pointing outside.

            I look out there, but yet again, I see no one. “I don’t see anyone Ricky,” I tell him. “I think you need some sleep.”

            “Maybe you’re right,” Ricky says. “I have been having issues sleeping.”

            The plane begins to takeoff. It was a little shaky at first, but smoothed out when we got in the sky. “Ricky, why don’t you go and take a nap,” I say. “We can watch this movie later.”

            “Okay,” Ricky says and lays his head on my shoulder; falling asleep after a few minutes.

            I stare out the window looking at the clouds. They looked so elegant and peaceful. I can’t believe I’m flying home to my parents’ funeral. It hasn’t even felt like it’s been a day with them gone, but it’s been almost a week. I look and see the sun finally emerging from the clouds. Things may be bleak, but just like the sun, I ray of light will emerge from this and radiate a new beginning for me.

            I see the fasten seatbelts sign turn off; indicating us that we can unbuckle them. So, I do. Everything was quiet. Everyone was knocked out except for me, Connor, and this little boy playing a game on his PSP. I could hear the faint sound of the game and the tapping of its buttons being pressed. This has been a pretty peaceful flight. I should catch the morning flights more often.

            As I lay back and relax, the plane begins to shake; waking some of the people up. It lasted a few minutes. During the time, I stewardess say it was just turbulence and that it would pass shortly. Thankfully, she was correct. However, the calmness was short lived because then the whole plane shook violently. This time, the stewardess knew something was wrong. Everyone awoke and was screaming as the plane kept shaking. I fasten my seatbelt instantly. A red light covered the area followed by oxygen masking falling out. We all grab them; some having difficulty grabbing it. The plane then makes a nose dive toward the ground at an incredible speed. Everyone was panicking except for Joey and Cat who were still asleep. It’s a good thing Connor and Doug was there to put their masks on.

            Luggage began falling out of the storage spaces above us and was landing on the frantic passengers. My head pressed against the seat from the pressure of the plane falling, I could do nothing, but sit there and wait for the impact. I grab Ricky’s hand and look him in the eyes. He did the same. Please, don’t let this be the end. I’m not ready to die.

            Looking at Doug, I could see he was freaking out. Well, if Doug was slightly scared of plummeting this has now made him forever afraid. We’ll be lucky to get him back on the plane. A loud bell rang indicating we were close to crashing. I look outside and see that we were close to the ground. Everything began to grow closer and closer. I squeeze Ricky’s hand and shut my eyes.

            I could feel the impact closing in. However, the plane levels out a little. I could hear the plane deploying the landing gear as we approach a massive lake. “PREPARE FOR IMPACT,” the pilot says over the intercom.

            Please! Please! Please! Let our pilot be able to save us. I look down at the lake and see that we are about to make contact. The plane plunges into the water. I see the water rapidly passing us until we were completely submerged. Thankfully, everyone seemed to be okay. Joey and Cat apparently woke up a while ago and were recuperating from the event. However, even though everyone was okay, we were trapped in a watery prison. Something was keeping us stuck underwater. What is keeping us underwater?