Stranded: Next Destination

“All passengers boarding flight AX 117. Please proceed to Gate 12. Thank you for your co-
operation.” The flight announcer said, “Come on everyone, Sudhansh, Prithvi. Next to me.” Ms
Varsha said. We were on a school trip to Japan. It’s my first trip internationally. I was dying for
something like this last year in Year 6. I, Sudhansh and Prithvi are the only ones to go on this trip in
our class. The rest went to US NASA visit.

But things did not end up to well…..

“Bye! Enjoy your trip!” My parents waved their hands a good luck. “Well. We aren’t going to see
them for the next 6 days. So may as well get to know each other better.” Prithvi said waving his
hand. We both laughed. We followed the teachers through all the tedious stages of security and
check-in. This time, alone.

I showed my boarding pass to the air hostess, “Just this way please.” The air hostess explained. We
went to our seat and sat next to each other. Unfortunately we sat next to a stranger. “Will we ever
experience a plane crash?” Prithvi said, “Dude, shut up. I have aerophobia!” I shouted and quickly
turned my head towards my phone. The safety video started. The cabin crew demonstrated the
protocol. “Good morning ladies and gentlemen, we will shortly be taking off, please relax and fasten
your seatbelts. And thank you for choosing AeroXPRESS. Thank you.” The PA announced. “Cap, one
of the rear engines are leaking fuel!” The co-pilot said, “Is it critical?” The pilot asked, “Very rare for
any hardware failure.” He replied, “Still possible though…

The plane started to taxi to the runway. “Keep the black box on would ya?” the pilot was getting
scared for the first time. Even after 30 years of experience. “Yes, sir….” The co-pilot followed the
order. “Ladies and gentleman we will now take-off please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy your flight.
Thank you” The pilot announced. “Running system diagnostics with electromagnetic power,
networks check, hardware, same as it is, jet engines check, life support check, 98.45% success.
Whenever you’re ready!” The co-pilot said. The jet engines roared, the plane dashed down the
runway. “Take off angle set at 45 degrees, increasing altitude.” The pilot moved the joystick.

Its been 2 hours after take-off. Most people slept, Prithvi slept. But I was just stuck in my phobia. The
plane started to fly roughly. It was feeling bumpy. Prithvi woke up, “The heck?” He shouted. “Sir!
Engine failure! No electromagnetic power left to power it up. It got burnt in flight diagnostics.
Suggest—” The plane burst a jet engine. The oxygen masks shot down. The lights flickered
rigorously. The passengers screamed! I started to panic. “Everyone to your safety positions!” The
cabin crew shouted. Suddenly the plane went in silence. We were in free fall. All I could hear was my
breathing. Prithvi applied the mask on me. The pilot reached for the black box and said, “I love you.”

The plane crashed on an island.

The rear blew into pieces

What kind of fate awaits them? By Sudhansh 7/3