The Sound Of Silence

The One That Got Away

I look back just one more time, at the beach, the sky, the palm trees, knowing this was the best trip I've ever been on. Going to Australia was the best way to start off my Summer. Right when school ended, my mother got my brother and I flight tickets to Australia.

We're currently heading to the car, on our way to the airport and I drop one of my bags. I had so much in my hands, so Evan- my brother, helped me.

"Wow Em, I can't believe we're leaving. This was an amazing trip. I wish we could stay for a little longer, but mom is waiting for us." He says.

"Yeah, my first time on a plane,  out of the state, out of the country, and on a different continent. " I reply.

"Well I'm glad to be the first with you." He answers.

We made it to the airport and we came a couple hours earlier just to be safe. We were headed to California. Evan called my mom  and we all face timed.  When it was time to go, we sat down in our seats. I was wearing so many bracelets, rings and necklaces from Australia. Those were the cheapest souvenirs I could buy. We sat down and I plugged in some ear phones since I was so tired,I listened to chill music to help me sleep. Then, I instantly fell asleep, which is pretty surprising because I usually am never capable of falling asleep in cars . After half an hour, I woke up from the sound of loud rain, we were on the other side of the world, I was assuming, since it was Winter there. We passed a variety of places and I loved looking out of the window. Obviously I was window seat since I love encountering all of the different locations for the first time. It was a peaceful ride and I thought of all the memories from Australia.  I couldn't believe how many different things I got to witness in just 5 days.

I talked to Evan for a super long time and we just talked about life. He gave me some advice on the upcoming school year, since I'm going to be a Freshman.  He was planning to go to a University this next school year, he just didn't decide which one yet. I couldn't imagine the fact that he was going to live hours away from me. He was my only role model through my whole childhood, mostly because he was my only sibling and I never really grew up with a father.

An hour passed and I started feeling a little suspicious. I heard random sounds continuously.  Don't be paranoid. I was scared and overthought. It's normal, don't worry."

He wrapped his hand on my shoulders to provide me comfort . I leaned on his shoulder and closed my eyes. That wasn't a very good idea. I felt the plane tilting and my heart began to race. I took a deep breath trying to force myself nothing serious was going on, "I'm just over thinking. " I thought to myself. Then I felt another unusual shake and that's when Evan knew something was up. Most of the passengers began to get worried and chatted. A man stood up from behind me and asked, 

" What is going on here?"

The airplane broad-casted a flight-attendant speaking in an urgent voice. "Everyone! Stay calm! We are experiencing some difficulties with the aircraft. Please make use of the oxygen masks we provide!"

Just then, the oxygen masks fall from the ceiling. It suddenly becomes chaotic in the plane. Women began screaming in high-pitched voices. Children began wailing and kicking. Fathers sweat anxiously, trying to calm everyone down.

The man tried to stay calm. "It's okay, don't panic. Maybe it's just some technical difficulties. I can make it to my interview, and I am going to go home with a souvenir for my little Sally."

There was an alarm going off in the plane, flashing red lights. I unbuckled my seat belt, and looked out the window again. This time smoke  was coming from the back.

But the plane continued rocking furiously, and all of a sudden, the man felt himself falling vertically. He tried putting his mask on, but it just didn't seem to work. He couldn't plant his feet on the ground. It felt like a roller coaster. Only in a roller coaster, people most of the time get off safely.