Cadet [Wattys 2016]

The Attack

The next morning

"Is it possible in any way that you won't get in trouble if I leave you alone for five minutes?" Ward asks, exasperated. I shake my head. "Nope. Not possible last time I checked." We walk along in silence for a bit before I ask, "Who was he? The man in the cage, I mean."

"I don't know." Ward says. "And neither should you."

"He said I was odd. What do you think he meant?" I press the issue. "Probably that you're a nosy kid who's trying to find out something she isn't supposed to know." Ward responds. We reach the top level of the helicarrier. Just then, I feel a jolt and look up. Something has exploded on the other side of the helicarrier. A jet is shooting at us. I pull out my gun and dive behind the nearest jet, sending a few bullets towards the plane. "What's going on?" I yell, looking around and not seeing anything. Everyone must've taken cover.

I spot some people in dark jumpsuits jump off of the jet, and reach around to take one down. The others whirl around, looking for the source of the shot.

The whole ship shakes. I can feel it falling from the sky, and my stomach drops. I grab my hiding jet for support. We're falling faster. I struggle to stand up. Luckily, I still have my gun in my hand.

When I finally regain my balance, the ship is still falling, but it feels more stable maybe? I can't tell. In our distraction, the people have begun firing on us. I keep reaching around to shoot, and hoping I hit my target.

Eventually, the stream of bullets slows. I can see the door inside a few meters away. I could probably make it. It's worth the risk. My life is virtually over if I stay right here.

I take my chances.

My feet struggle to stay balance on the falling ship as I dash across the airstrip towards the door. I'm so close, so close! I'm going to make it!

Then I see the flashes in my eye, and feel the pain shooting up my leg. My brain registers the bang a second later, and the metal airstrip against my face.

I stretch my arm out, trying to make sense of the distance through the pain. I can't. Instead, all my brain can focus on is the hot blood streaming from the wound. I can tell it went straight through my knee. I try to pull myself forward, but any movement results in another flash of pain, another wave of blood.

The ship tilts, and I feel myself falling.

Falling...

Falling...

Falling...

Drowning...