Page 12 of Anyone But You

“What the fuck is going on in here?” I demanded, pushing closer.

The young pilot looked at me with tears in his eyes.

“H-he just started shaking,” he explained, his hands trembling like a Southern church lady with a tambourine.

“Yeah, no shit. He’s having a seizure, dumbass. I want to know why you haven’t taken over? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s getting rocky out here, kid,” I said, wrestling the deceased pilot out of the chair onto the floor.

“Is…is he dead?”

“We’ll all be dead if you don’t get this plane under control.” The young pilot looked at the controls like he’d never flown aplane. “Please tell me you know what you’re doing,” I spoke softly.

He licked his lips and swallowed roughly. “It’s my first…it’s my first week. I’ve never flown internationally before.”

I ran a hand through my hair and tried to remain calm so I could take control of the situation. It was no different than handling a work crisis.

Except that we’re 40,000 feet in the air, and there’s a possibility that we’ll plunge to our deaths.

“Th-that’s not all, sir,” the co-pilot stammered.

I narrowed my eyes at him and clutched the back of the pilot’s chair when we took another unfortunate dip.

“Lay it on me, kid.”

“We have bigger issues on her hands.”

“Such as?” I questioned.

“One of the engines failed, and I’m fairly certain the other won’t hold us until we reach somewhere safe to land.”

I never thought I’d use my age as an excuse for not comprehending the basic English language, but there was a slim chance I misheard the young pilot.

Did he just say one of the engines failed, and the other is about to go out? He didn’t say that. I’m 49, and my hearing isn’t what it used to be.

“I’m sorry. I think I misheard you, kid. Can you repeat that?”

“One of the engines failed, and I’m fairly certain that the other won’t hold us until we reach somewhere safe to land,” the co-pilot whimpered.

“I need you to calm down and regain control of this plane. I don’t know much about planes, but I know that in the event of engine failure, the plane can glide. Can you radio for help?”

The jet pitched, setting off more alarms.

Fuck.

“Knox!” Victoria shrieked, helplessly calling my name.

I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths to calm my nerves, but that was challenging to do, thanks to the pilot’s pathetic sobs that he didn’t want to die.

“Knox! Where are you?”

My eyes snapped open, and I knew I had to take control of the situation as best I could.

“Hey! Put your hands on that goddamn joystick, or whatever the fuck you call it, and try not to kill us all! Deal?” I ordered before rushing back to our seats. The look of sheer terror on Victoria’s face was gut-wrenching. She was terrified—rightfully so—and all I could think about were those escaping zoo penguins in that children’s movie directing you to put your head between your knees and kiss your butt goodbye. It was time to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

This plane is going down.

I sat beside Victoria and offered her a practiced smile—the same smile I’d use when a board member asked too many damn questions.

“Knox, something’s wrong, isn’t it?” she whispered, tears cresting her lid.