Flight 747

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I didn't think much of that plane when we first boarded; it was your average aircraft – big and crammed with several other people. However, what came later that day would mold me into the person I am now.

"Mom, when will the plane take off?" I had pressed, wanting answers my mother simply couldn't provide.

"Soon, dear, soon. Just be patient, Annie."

I remember that flight like it was yesterday: my family and I went on a vacation to Tenerife, Spain and were returning home. I had a lot of fun on the trip, but desperately wanted to be back in familiar surroundings, sleep in my own bed, and see my dog again. I was twelve back then.

"Annie, why don't you count to pass the time? See the biggest number you can get to before we take off," my mother told me, a grin across her face. She had the prettiest smile I had ever seen.

I nodded and began to count.

One.

I gazed out the window; my mother let me have the inside seat instead of her.

Two.

The runway looked so pretty with all of the lights brightening it up.

Three.

I thought I saw another plane close by, but brushed the idea away. I told myself there couldn't be another plane – it was our turn to use the runway.

Four.

I could feel us start to move forward in that moment. I turned my head to the right and caught a glimpse of my mother. She was also looking at me, that gorgeous smile still decorating her pale skin.

Five.

We were hit. Or rather, we hit another plane. Before I knew it, everything around me was lit up in a fiery blaze of color. My mother wasn't smiling anymore. She was screaming.

Six.

Everyone was shouting at me to move, but I couldn't. I was frozen, paralyzed; the only thing I was able to do was continue to count.

Seven.

Someone picked me up. I didn't know him.

Eight.

I couldn't see my mother anymore.

Nine.

I was outside of the plane, still cradled in the man's arms.

Ten.

The aircraft exploded right before my eyes. I wasn't paralyzed anymore – I let out the most blood-curdling scream I had ever produced in my entire life. My mother was inside that plane.

The man finally let me down. I was staring at the scene before me, tears cascading from my eyes. The man and I, along with another 61 others, were the only ones left standing.

A blonde woman, whom I didn't notice before, approached and handed me a dandelion. She tried to smile, but the most she could give me was half of one.

I looked up at her with my big, blue eyes. I asked her if my mother was coming back. I knew the answer even before she shook her head at me. I asked her why that had to happen.

"Because of KLM Boeing 747's captain."

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Hey guys

I know I don't normally put a little note like this on my vignettes, but this was historical fiction, so if you want to check out the story of the crash, here's the link:

http://lessonslearned.faa.gov/ll_main.cfm?TabID=1&LLID=52



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