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Tears fall down my face and hit the cold plastic of the oxygen mask.
There’s one more bump, and I know this is it. I squeeze my eyes so hard, I fear that my eyelids will rip off.
I hold my breath and yield my soul to the universe?—
And nothing happens.
Did it happen? Is this what death feels like? The same as life?
I open my eyes slightly. I’m still on the plane. Everyone else is still clinging to their seats for dear life.
But the plane is no longer shaking.
I look through the window. It’s dark outside, so I can’t tell if we’re still over the Channel. But we’ve stabilized and are sailing through a smooth stream of air.
Then a beep from the captain’s speaker.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. First and foremost, I want to assure you that our aircraft is now stable and under control. I apologize for the unexpected turbulence we just experienced, which resulted in a significant and sudden loss of altitude. I understand that this was a very alarming experience. What occurred was a rare but very normal event that my first officer and I are trained to handle.”
What? I poke Jesse’s shoulder. He opens his eyes.
“Holy shit.” He slowly releases his grip from me and meets my gaze. “We’re okay.”
The captain continues his announcement. “The oxygen masks were deployed as a precaution due to the rapid altitude change, and I want to thank everyone for following the safety procedures correctly. Please wait a few minutes before retrieving any fallen suitcases to ensure that our aircraft is stable and it is safe to remove your seatbelt. If you need to access an overhead compartment that has not opened, please be careful, as items likely have shifted during the turbulence.
“Bethany will be moving through the cabin to assist you, check for any injuries, and ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened for the time being, as we may experience more unexpected turbulence.
“Your safety and well-being is our top priority. My co-pilot and I are currently assessing our situation and will keep you informed about our flight status. We might need to adjust our flight plan accordingly, and I will update you as soon as we have more information.
“Please do not hesitate to call Bethany if you need any assistance or have any concerns. Thank you again, and know that we are committed to making the rest of your journey as comfortable and safe as possible.”
I look down at my hands. They’re still shaking.
I stare ahead, not believing what we just went through. The sounds of the plane became a blur in my brain.
From the void, I hear Jesse’s voice.
“Brianna?”
But I can’t respond to him. I can only fix my gaze on the back of the seat in front of me.
“Brianna!” Jesse tugs on my arm, pulling me out of my trance. “Are you okay?”
I blink several times, allowing a few more tears to fall.
My God.
I was positive my life was over.
Nothing flashed before my eyes.
Nothing.
It was just…over.
Except it’s not.
And I should be jubilant.
