By: Emily Hur

“Thank you for flying with us today. Enjoy the flight!” I buckled my sleek, black seatbelt and clenched the bulky armrest. Liftoff is the worst part. As the plane slowly started to leave the airport, I looked over my shoulder to check on my family in the row behind me. My mom tried to quiet my baby sister while my dad reached for her favorite stuffed bear. My mom noticed me. “Do you need the throw up bag? You look a little green.” I shook my head, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach. The plane picked up speed, and I swiveled my head forward. As I looked out the window, I noticed three other planes on the grassy runway. What if we run into another plane? What if we’re going too fast to avoid the collision!? What if-

The plane tilted and caused a wave of nervous sweat. I shut my eyes, scrunched my face, and squeezed the armrest. My stomach butterflies panicked and tried to escape. I sat like that for an eternity until the announcer finally told us we had stopped ascending. I opened my eyes and felt relief wash over me. The worst is over- BANG!

Shrieks and murmurs filled the air. The plane shook violently and started to dip. Someone in the front stood up. “The engine is gone!” Massive plumes of smoke and fire poured out of the plane’s right wing. While others crowded the windows, I turned toward my family, but their seats were empty. Even my sister’s teddy bear was gone. I panicked and looked for a flight attendant. When I lifted my head, no one was there. All the passengers had disappeared, and the cabin was dead silent. The luggage and bags had vanished too. It was like the other passengers were never here. I had barely enough time to react when the plane swerved left. What if the pilot is gone too?

I unbuckled myself, got up, and struggled down the aisle. The plane was out of control and made me trip every couple steps. After passing through first class, I finally reached a plain, white door. As I swung it open, dozens of red and yellow warning lights flashed in my face. The plane was quickly approaching the ocean, but there was no one in the cockpit. I took a seat to my left and strapped myself in. Each label was undecipherable, and the choppy sea was getting closer. I desperately pulled on the control wheel, but nothing happened. Pressing random buttons was useless. My heart throbbed in my chest, and the butterflies were acting up again. The open water drew nearer. There’s nothing I can do. This is where I die. I closed my eyes and braced for impact. BOOM-

“We’re finally at JFK Airport.” I opened my eyes, rubbing the sleep away. My mom was lifting my sister out of a bright, yellow taxi. Behind them, my dad was setting down our luggage on a busy sidewalk. He turned to me as sunlight glinted off his sunglasses. “Hurry up, we don’t want to be late for our flight.”