Stranded in Love

Chapter Five

"Higher, higher!" I giggled as I sat on my fathers shoulders while we traversed through the backyard in my Massachusetts's childhood home. "Higher? Okay if you say so!" He challenged, and pulled me above his head. I stretched my arms as we continued to laugh together.

"Stephen! Bring Ella down some! someone could get hurt!" My mom scolded from the top of the porch, in her arms was Emilia. My dad expertly flipped me forward and onto my feet as if by routine, pulling my dad along while I ran to mom.

"Sandra my love, you know I'm always careful with our children." He promised, kissing her on the cheek and taking Emilia from her arms. Emilia protested but calmed in my fathers protective care. "Dinners ready, let's get you cleaned up, and eat!" Mom said with a smile as she took my hand.

My memory then moved to another, and I was in my bedroom. It smelled like moms lavender drops she put on my clothes for bedtime. I stared up at the stars on my ceiling, as my eyes felt heavier. My bedroom door creaked open, and I opened my eyes to see my dad trying to sneak in silently.

"Hi, Munchkin." My dad whispered, leaning down beside my bed. 

"Hi papa, do you have to leave tomorrow?" I questioned, stifling a yawn. 

"As much as I'd rather stay here with you, the roaring waves in California call my name." I gave him as big a frown as I could manage, trying to show my disapproval. 

"This is a quick trip, only two days... I'll bring you back something special, okay?" He promised.

 "Okay papa, but you have to hurry back soon!" I excitedly whispered. My father laughed quietly, and placed a kiss on my forehead, while tucking me in. He began to walk to the door, but turned around. 

"I love you Ella-bella. Sweet dreams." I yawned again, snuggling further into my stuffed animals and sheets, "I love you too Papa."

"Ms. Brooks, wake up!" I heard hazily. The remnants of my fathers voice fading. I blinked to clear my confusion. Everything was moving so fast as I felt pressure at my waist, the sound of metal, and then being pulled up from my seat. I nearly slumped against this person as I was led along by their strength. I found my footing as I hit the hard ground. I couldn't catch my breath as I continued to cough.

"We need to get away from the plane!" I looked up and I saw Mr. Pierce. He was full of raw emotion. I followed him almost ghostly as he continued to guide me through. I glanced back to where we had come from. The plane could hardly be recognized. Smoke billowed from the front, and out of the holes in the plane. The front of the plane had completely come away. I could hardly raise my head as my bare feet stepped over sticks, and leaves. He was guiding me further and further until he sat me down.

"Stay here. I need to see if Ms. Hughes is okay. The cockpit has been destroyed... I don't know if the pilot is alive." Mr. Pierce ordered. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out. I sat on the ground surrounded by the trees. I was drenched from the rain above. I tried to stand, but my body protested. My head ached and I used my dwindling strength to press my back against the base of a tree. I choked on my own sobs. My God I was alive...

I turned my attention to where I last saw Mr. Pierce. My eyes widened as I took in the sight. Flames engulfed the plane while black smoke rose from the plane, drowning in the downpour of the rain. I couldn't see Mr. Pierce in the rainstorm. I began to find my strength, and used the back of the tree to lift myself up.

Every movement was excruciating. I cried out in agony as I crumbled to the ground. My hands took me to the place of pain. A long cut in my calf kept me from standing, my blood being mixed and washed away by the rain. I cursed as I cried out in misery, my whimpers muddled into sounds that couldn't escape.