Queen of The Reach

2

I was still fastened in my seat when my eyes opened. A shrill, piercing ring resounded in my ears and I reached my hands up to my head in an attempt to block it out. I was soaked in my own sweat and my tongue was like sand in my mouth. The screams were gone, replaced by the crackling of embers spitting and the lick of flames consuming all in their wake. I needed out now.

I pushed at the lock on my belt but it held firm. I froze in place trembling. My nose filled with the horrifying scent of burning flesh from those on the far side of the plane, the unfortunate ones that hadn't gotten their chance to get out alive. I screamed in angst. I have to get out! I tried not to breathe in too deeply so the fumes wouldn't fill my lungs anymore than they already had. Pulling the strap away from me I brought my legs up onto my seat and climbed up through the expanded belt.

I made my way to a gaping hole in the side of the plane. It was a grand drop to the ground but there was no fire so I jumped gladly, nothing could hurt me more than the feeling of you being gone. Where had you run to?

I dropped to my knees and gasped for air. It burned but it felt heavenly. I heaved deep breaths of air into my lungs. On my hands and knees I looked around in horror. The dead lay with unmoving opened eyes, some burned by the fire others simply soaked in startling maroon blood were scattered on the ground. We appeared to be in dense brush. I couldn't see homes or cars or buildings. Towering trees with wide trunks and thick foliage surrounded the fallen plane and plants with taunting sprigs stuck out like spears, warning me to keep my distance.

Then I saw you. I clambered to my feet, ignored the agonizing feeling of pain that shot through my body and sprinted. I dropped to the dirt at your side. You let your hand rest on your stomach while blood flowed freely. "Carter!" I cried. You only moaned in response. "No no no, it's ok. You're going to be ok." I repeated myself over and over hoping to convince myself as much as him. How could I go on without you?

"Don't be so foolish," you spit at me. I saw blood in your mouth and you choked on it in your throat. I tried to help you sit and you breathed more easily after. You glared at me, cursing me with your poignant stare. "I'm dying," you stated.

"No please," I sobbed but you were fading.

"Good bye," you whispered with great intention. You were giving up and I could see you letting go, accepting what you thought to be your end.

"Don't leave me!" I gasped between the tears and the dread and the hell that was unfolding around me. You closed your eyes and I crumbled.

It exploded. The plane did go up in smoke as I had expected in an ear-splitting reverberation. I screamed out and put my weight on my hands as a piece of that plane went through me. I screamed and no one heard me. You were already a goner yourself. My hands twitched uncontrollably while I tried to reach up and touch it.

Vehemently the metal of the plane took me down with you. I lay at your side and let myself look at your gently resting face for as long as I had left. You looked peaceful. I hoped I could join you to wherever you were going. I gazed at your blond hair that was too long and the way your lips still looked like they held a smile. I loved that about you. "I forgive you," I said and I closed my eyes to join you.