Between Goodbye and Rescue

Everett scooped up a hammer from the floor, glaring daggers at the guy with specs.

"Utter one more peep, and believe me, I'll crack your skull open."

The cabin went dead quiet, except for the guy's bitter, ragged breathing.

Annie peeked out from behind Everett, grinning like the cat that got the cream, and gave her haul of designer goodies an extra little flaunt.

She snuggled up to Everett and, as she breezed by me, murmured, "Thanks a bunch for hanging tight, Daniela."

I kept my mouth shut, my eyes fixed on the gun-toting goons charging our way.

As the cabin door slammed shut, a volley of gunshots rang out.

"The insurgents are coming!" someone shrieked.

…

The crowd's curses exploded all at once.

"Happy now, Everett?!"

The guy with glasses shot up, jabbing a finger at the insurgents closing in outside. "We're all gonna end up dead here because we waited for her!"

A mom clutching her kid started bawling, "My baby's only three... All because we waited for her to snatch up some makeup..."

Annie's eyes welled up, and she curled into Everett's arms, looking hurt.

"It wasn't on purpose. I just wanted to grab a few things to take home, for the kids at the orphanage..."

Everett wrapped his arms around Annie, his voice full of hurt as he said, "She's right. Annie's got a heart of gold. Why are you all ganging up on her?"

Panic had taken over the cabin. Some passengers were sobbing uncontrollably, while others were glued to their phones, sending desperate messages to loved ones.

The distant cries of the insurgents and the occasional crack of gunfire were getting louder by the second.

I surveyed the frightened faces and whispered, "The plane is a sitting duck. We need to make a break for the nearby bomb shelter."

The guy with the glasses piped up, "But the insurgents are swarming outside. How are we supposed to get out?"

I pointed to a hatch leading to a service tunnel under the boarding stairs. "This way leads to the ground crew's passage. There's a hidden path to the bomb shelter."

I swung the hatch open. "Stick with me, and keep it down."

The passengers shuffled out in a nervous line, except for Annie, who stood frozen, eyeing the grimy hatch with disgust. "Everett, I can't go down there. My skirt is brand new..."

Everett stepped up to her, all reassuring smiles. "No worries, Annie, I've got you. I'll carry you."

I shot them a look and did not wait for a response, leading the rest into the murky tunnel.

Zayden's cough echoed weakly behind me. "Ms. Larson, I don't think my old bones can take much more..."

"Don't talk like that, Mr. Lynch," I said, steadying him. "Your work is too important. I'll get you home safe and sound."

The tunnel was a damp, shadowy vein under the chaos, the insurgents' shouts a haunting backdrop.

We crept along, breaths held, until we reached the safety of the bomb shelter.

"Stay put. I've called in the cavalry," I assured them in a hush. "They'll be here in two hours."

Everyone collapsed in relief, finding spots to rest.

Just then, a wave of perfume hit us like a freight train.

"What in the world is that smell?" The guy with glasses looked around, alarmed.

There was Annie, spritzing Chanel like it was an air freshener. "Ugh, it reeks here. A little perfume never hurts anyone, right?"

Zayden's cough turned into a fit, his face going ghostly white. "Stop... Please stop... I'm allergic..."

I dashed to grab the perfume bottle, but I was too late.

Zayden was already gasping for air, his lips a frightening shade of blue.

"You fool!" The guy with glasses exploded in rage. "If anything happens to Mr. Lynch, you'll have the whole country on your back!"