LIE

Part 2

"Ahh." I groaned, opening my eyes. As I looked around from my airplane seat, I only saw my sleeping parents. It felt as though someone had just pricked me with a needle.

I examined my arm, exposed by my grey poncho, but found no needle mark or lines from sleeping. Turning to my parents, I saw they were comfortably asleep in their seats.

Despite my insistence that they should not come with me, they refused to leave me alone. They wanted to see my new city, new home, new job, and new friends. I thought I had convinced them to stay with me in Tokyo for a week before returning. They had promised, but nothing was certain.

"Clara?" my mother murmured sleepily. When I turned to her, I saw her struggling to open her eyes.

"Yes, mom?" I whispered softly.

"Didn't you sleep, sweetheart?" she asked, trying to sit up.

"I can't sleep," I murmured.

My dad, with his head resting on my mom's arm, was in a deep sleep and not easy to wake. My mom would have to wriggle uncomfortably in her seat until he woke up.

"This man!" my mom complained. Despite her prodding, my dad continued to sleep soundly.

"He's going to be the death of me," she grumbled, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. "Wake up, you big lug!" she exclaimed, but my dad suddenly opened his eyes.

"Did you say something to me?" he asked groggily.

"Thank God. Yes, I did, you big belly snorer!"

My dad looked between my mom and me, confused. When I smiled at his innocent expression, he smiled back, still not fully awake.

"Move your head, for heaven's sake!" my mom scolded, pushing him.

"Good morning, dear passengers," a cheerful male voice announced. "I've always wanted to do this, Mike," he continued with a laugh.

My dad straightened up, listening intently. The other passengers looked around, wondering what was happening.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the voice continued, taking on the tone of an announcer. "Our plane is beginning its descent. Please fasten your seatbelts."

"Dad, isn't it too early?" I asked, hearing other passengers murmuring in agreement.

"Yes, it's been less than an hour. Something's not right."

My dad scanned the cabin. Like him, other passengers were looking around. My mom took deep breaths, praying. I just watched, doing nothing else.

"Is everything alright?" my mom asked, her voice trembling.

My dad didn't answer. He fastened his seatbelt with annoyance.

"Are your seatbelts fastened, dear passengers? Our plane is descending!" the same man shouted, his voice strangely enthusiastic.

"Dad, what's happening?" I asked, looking for reassurance.

"I don't know, sweetheart. Fasten your seatbelt," he said, sounding displeased.

I fastened my seatbelt lethargically. The plane indeed began its descent. Looking out the window, I saw we were above a forest, with a large clearing in the middle. It definitely wasn't an airport.

"Dad... I think the plane is being hijacked," I said, my eyes widening.

"Oh, what? God help us," my mom said, quickly making the sign of the cross and praying fervently.

As the plane made a turbulent landing, everyone's voices rose. The flight attendants were nowhere to be seen. Yes, the plane had definitely been hijacked.