Chapter 23 - Out with a bang

With camp finished there wasn't much to do so I started working at Maddy's work. Not long after I got a call from an overseas apprenticeship saying I had been recommended by my school and approved for a three month training course overseas. I was thrilled and accepted, but I did have a few, second thoughts not too long after. But I'm doing it nonetheless. Maddy seems more anxious by the day as the time approaches for my flight.

Christmas came along and apart from the carolling (singing for those who don't know) was pretty good. Presents were exchanged, memories made, And Christmas came and went pretty quick, Maddy and I went out stargazing after all the celebrations and she fell asleep, I carried her to her bed and made sure she was nice and snug before heading to bed myself, though sleep escaped me for most of the night, some old memories started flowing in, unpleasant memories, I did everything I could to shut them out till finally, sleep. However even in my sleep the thought found a way to creep in, corrupting my dreams turning them to nightmares. I awoke sweating, it's happening again, why? After all I've done and finally feeling at ease, why is it coming back now? It's like it's teasing me, taunting me, trying to hold me back, I have to keep fighting it, but I'm running out of ways. It just gets so... exhausting, the lack of sleep, the contant taunting in the back of my mind, it never rests. I hear Maddy's footsteps shuffle towards my door at about two o'clock in the morning, she slowly pushes my door open and half-asleep shambles over to my bed, plopping herself next to me before settling and going fully to sleep again. Her hand gently lands on my chest, almost as if she was reassuring me in her sleep. I drift back off to sleep and finally, I have a decent sleep.

The day of the trip arrives and at six o'clock we get up and everyone escorts me to the airport. As we were all saying out farewells and see you later, both my mum and Maddy burst into tears as they said they would miss me and would talk to me every day. I have to admit it felt nice, getting some attention for once, knowing that you have someone who will miss you and you will miss them in return. I love them both. I'm glad Maddy came crashing into my life with her mother in tow.

I was being provided a small private plane by the university I was going to study at, they seemed really eager to have me. I'm not used to this feeling, excitement I think it is? I've only had it on very rare occasions in my life.

I enter the plane, luggage in one hand waving one final time with the other before the door closes and I take my seat. Plane was empty apart from myself and the pilot, though that wasn't unexpected. I settle into my seat and start watching a movie as I slowly drift off to sleep...

I wake to alarms blaring and oxygen masks being deployed, I grab a mask as I try to stand, the plane shudders sending me back into my seat, I muster the strength to stand again and head to the pilots cabin, only to find him dead at the wheel, looking out the window I realise the engines have been compromised too, how any of this happened when we were in mid-air hours into the flight is a mystery I don't think I'll have time to solve, I try to adjust the planes angle to soften the landing then darkness....

To be continued..?