Chapter 1

“Everyone, listen up! The pilot activated a self-destruct program. We’re going to crash in fifteen minutes. I need two people to help me restrain him. I know how to fly. I can get us all down safely!” I said in a loud and urgent voice.

Yet everyone in the cabin treated me like a lunatic. No one paid any attention to me.

Suddenly, a glass bottle flew over and hit me on the head. I felt warm liquid trickling down my forehead.

Simon Xanders walked over from first class. He was Brooke Smith’s new boyfriend. Brooke was my first love.

He slapped me twice. The pain made me lose my balance. I felt slightly dizzy from it.

“What are you talking about? The pilot is my uncle. He has a happy family and a great life. Why would he crash the plane?”

Brooke joined in and mocked me.

“Don’t tell me you’re making a scene just because we made fun of you earlier. Let me spell it out for you, Justin. I stopped liking you a long time ago. Quit dreaming!”

I tried to stand up. She deliberately stuck out her leg and made me trip. I fell flat on my face.

“No, it’s true! I heard it myself.”

Simon bent down and grabbed my collar. He then grabbed a toilet brush from the lavatory and shoved it into my mouth. He twisted it around my mouth.

The stench spread through my mouth and nose. My stomach churned violently. I even threw up my breakfast.

“You disgusting piece of trash. You probably got on this flight just to stalk my girlfriend. I’m going to beat you to death!”

He punched me repeatedly on the bridge of my nose. I heard a few cracking sounds. My nasal bones had shattered completely.

“Please... believe me. We’re almost out of time.”

Some other passengers were sleeping. Others still minded their own business. A few looked on with curiosity. However, no one believed a word I said.

A young college student named Anna stood up and said, “Stop it. I’ll go with you.”

Simon blocked Anna’s path. He then raised his leg and kicked me hard several times in the stomach.

“He’s just a stalker. You can’t believe a word he says. If you go with him, do you seriously think he won’t try something dirty on you within minutes?”

Brooke chimed in, saying, “Yeah. He’s my ex. We broke up forever ago, and he still tracked me down. Who knows what kind of creepy methods he used? Stay far away from him!”

“But...” Anna had doubts. She looked hesitant, unsure who to trust. Yet she eventually walked toward me.

“Come on. I’m an aerospace engineering major. I’ll know right away whether the plane actually activated the self-destruct program.”

My eyes lit up. I endured the sharp pain and stood up. I had finally found someone willing to help me.

“Everyone, please stay calm and return to your seats.”

Just then, a flight attendant walked over with a cart. She shot me a disgusted glance. It was the same look she would give a troublemaker on purpose.

“Sir, if you ask me, you’re the one trying to cause chaos and take everyone down with you. I just came back from the cockpit. Captain Wallace and the co-pilot are both flying the plane just fine. You’re full of lies. Spreading panic is a crime. If you don’t stop right now, I’m reporting you. The police will wait for you at the gate.”

“You’re lying. Only Captain Wallace is in the cockpit. I saw him knock out the co-pilot with my own eyes,” I screamed with every ounce of strength left in me.

I was furious.

There were only ten minutes left. We would crash and die soon.

Not a single person was willing to spend two minutes to verify the truth.

I quickly grabbed Anna’s hand, wanting to sprint toward the cockpit.

Simon pulled off his belt. He swung his arm wide and looped it around my neck. The belt choked me and forced me backward.

“Don’t go with him. Don’t you get it? He’s just trying to hold your hand to cop a feel. Today, I’m doing the world a favor. Time to teach you a lesson, you sick freak!”

The belt tightened around my neck. I could not breathe at all.