My Short Stories

Alone? (Fiction) [Based off MH370 disappearance]

As the sun crept over the horizon, casting an ethereal glow over the world below, Sara stood on the edge of the pier, her toes curling into the worn wooden boards. She was dressed in a ratty old hoodie, the strings tied loosely around her neck, and a pair of faded jeans that were several sizes too big. In her hand, she clutched a frayed piece of string, the other end tied to a tiny wooden carving of a fish. It was her brother's favorite toy, and now it would remain here, where they had shared so many memories. Her heart ached as she thought of him, of how he had always been there for her, protecting her from the bullies at school, teaching her how to ride a bike, and listening to her troubles when no one else would. But now, he was gone, gone to college, to pursue his dreams, leaving her behind to face the world alone.

She let out a shaky breath and closed her eyes, feeling the salt tears stinging the back of her eyes. "I'll miss you, Jackson," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the lapping waves. "I promise to make you proud. I'll never forget you." With one final, heart-wrenching tug, she pulled the carving of the fish from the water and climbed into the back of the family's old truck. Her destination: the airport, and a one-way ticket to the college town where Jackson had just begun his new life.

As she drove down the winding country roads, the world around her seemed to blur into a kaleidoscope of colors and emotions. She felt a mixture of pride, sadness, and fear, all tangled together like a knot she couldn't unravel. But she knew she had to keep moving forward, for Jackson's sake, and her own. She had always been the responsible one, the one who kept the family together, but now it felt like the weight of the world was resting squarely on her shoulders. She had to find her path, make her mark on the world, and prove to Jackson, and to herself, that they could both survive this change.

The airport came into view, its familiar sprawl of concrete and glass a stark contrast to the peaceful countryside that had been her home for the past eighteen years. Sara parked the truck, took one last look at the old wooden carving in her hand, and then got out, closing the door softly behind her. With a deep breath, she walked toward the terminal, her steps steady and determined, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Currently, Ma, Pa, Jackson, and Sara own a home in Kuala Lumpur, but Jackson got accepted into a college in Beijing. ¨I'll be back sis it's just a few months until I'm back here for winter break,̈ she could hear him say condolences in between her sobs but Sara couldn't take it anymore he was her best friend, her brother, her life, he got her through middle school when people bullied Sara and when friends left her. He was her lighthouse and now he was letting the light finally go out. Her boat would now have nowhere to go with no light in the choppy ocean of loneliness.

She wiped the tears away and sat up, her back aching from the long drive. ¨I'll miss you too, big bro. Be careful out there, you hear me? You're the only one I trust with my life. ̈ She held his favorite wooden carving of a fish, tied to a string, close to her chest. It was their childhood toy that they'd share, making promises to each other, their secret language and everything.

Soon his flight was called over the speakers and I finally composed myself enough to say goodbye. It was only a few months, right?

¨Bye sis see you in a few months!¨ He exclaimed and waved while entering the line of people ready to board the plane. Sara couldn't help but think it was the last time she would hear his voice.

¨Darling it's only a few months then he will be back for a bit.¨ Ma wiped a liquid off Sara's face. She didn't even realize she was crying again. Sara tried to stop crying but she just couldn't keep her eyes from leaking.

They somehow managed to get into the truck to head home. Ma is in the passenger, Pa is driving, and Sara is in the back right. The back left was his spot, always cleaned and decluttered, her side was the complete opposite, very dirty and very cluttered.

"Sara, you good back there you've been quiet," Dad asked as he looked for a second at the rearview mirror that pointed past Sara but she could still be seen.

"Yeah, I'll just miss him I think," she responded without looking at him, Sara could basically hear him frown from back here.

It took them about fifteenish minutes to get back home from the airport Sara was now sitting on the couch in front of the TV. The news was on but it was more so just background noise at this point. Her thoughts are racing. What if something happens? What if the plane hits a storm? I know it's clear weather all day I checked almost every hour recently. The clock said

"-370 has disappeared off the radar. Our last connection with the plane happened at 7:42 AM. The word Goodnight is the last word spoken from the plane intercoms. As of now, the plane is being looked for. Keep the plane in your prayers. Jessica back to you." A plane disappeared? 370 isn't that the last number on his flight? Sara looked at the screen. A picture of a plane came into view. It was his. She saw him boarding it. It was the exact same build and all.

Is he gone? Did he break our promise? Am I now alone?

1018 words