Between Goodbye and Rescue

Everett's face twisted into a snarl. He decked the glasses guy with one punch, then yanked a hammer from the overhead compartment.

As the plane's fix-it guy, he knew every nook and cranny of that bird.

He slammed the hammer down menacingly, giving everyone a look that said he meant business.

"Open your mouth again, and you'll regret it," he growled.

…

The cabin went dead quiet, except for the distant booms of explosions creeping closer, a grim reminder that trouble was on our tail.

Everett scanned the room, a satisfied grin on his face as he saw the fear he had sparked.

He gave me a softer look and said, "Thanks for backing up Annie, Daniela. I always knew my girl was the most understanding, the most decent person out there.

"Since you've been such an angel, here's my vow. We make it back safe, and we're heading straight to the altar.

"From then on, it's just you and me."

That promise, so hauntingly familiar. He had played me with those same words in my previous life. I kept that thought to myself, fighting back the urge to gag, and managed a timid nod.

He leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead.

I dropped my gaze, a silent shield against the icy fear inside.

Outside, the cabin was rocked by a relentless barrage of explosions. Through the chaos, the silhouettes of insurgent tanks emerged like dark specters in the smoke.

Everett was a human barricade at the door, his eyes fiercely fixed on the airstrip.

However, deep down, I knew the truth: even if Annie showed up, we would not make it out of there.

The hammer's blow had been telling; a tiny 'click' from the wing had not escaped my ears.

I remembered a similar scenario from an aircraft maintenance manual I had once read.

Metal fatigue, a loose screw–it could spell disaster at high altitudes, tearing a plane apart.

That very screw was gone, too. If we took off, we would not last beyond 3000 meters.

Tension thickened the air inside the cabin. Whispers of fear, the death grip on armrests: it was a portrait of despair.

Some of the younger passengers glared at Everett, their anger held in check only by the hammer in his grip.

"We'll all be dead if we just sit here!" one man exploded.

Everett's sneer was icy as he hammered the cabin wall. "If you're in such a hurry, go jump off the plane!"

That was when the clatter of high heels echoed in the distance.

"Everett! I'm here!"

Annie burst onto the scene, breathless, her cheeks a rosy flush, her hair a wild cascade.

She was toting a designer bag, plump with her latest haul, her lips a fresh slick of Chanel, her eyes done up like she was off to a gala.

Everett's face transformed, the hammer forgotten as he swept her into an embrace. "Annie! You made it!"

She gave him a playful jab. "I nearly missed out! Good thing I'm quick on my feet."

She flaunted her treasures with a twirl, her eyes scanning the cabin until they landed on me. Her lips twisted into a smirk, a silent challenge.

Everett's eyes followed her pointed look, his face freezing for just a second before melting back into a gentle smile. "Daniela, Annie's here. We're good to go now."

At that moment, the guy with glasses lost it.

"Seriously? A whole bag of fancy makeup? What's that about?!

"He made us all wait, risking our necks, just so she could swipe some extra beauty products!?"

His outburst ignited everyone's anger.