Ama Kit Xmas Gift - 12_2020

have, um, encountered some difficulties with deboarding. It seems we may have, uh, well, we
have encountered some kind of, some kind of problem.” The panic was clear in his voice, in his
stuttering and uneasily high pitch, and it only sent the muttering of the cabin louder. “Please, do
not leave the aircraft under ​any circumstances.​ I repeat, ​do not leave the aircraft.​ The crew will
handle this, and we, we will have you all home shortly.” His voice broke at the end, and Johanna
felt a tremor shake her. Even Malik’s gaze focused, turning questioningly to his parents.
“Mom? Dad?”
Her father frowned. “Don’t worry about it, honey. Everything’ll be fine.”
Johanna’s brow creased, unconvinced.
Behind them, however, it didn’t seem like another passenger was taking it so calmly.
Scowling, he stood, blatantly shaking his fists at the ceiling speakers. “You know what, I’ve had
enough of this bullshit. I’m leaving.” He looked around. “Who’s with me?”
Agreeable mumbling arose, and a few people stood up to join him.
Shaking her head, Johanna watched as her mother stood as well, moved to block the path of
the angry passenger. He was probably twice her weight, standing at least a foot above her.
Gulping, Johanna sat on edge, ready to stand herself. “Sir,” her mother cautioned, “I suggest you
sit down. This program may not be very successful but-”
“Damn right it’s not successful! That Calaway man nearly got us killed with his bad flyin’.”
“Yes, I understand. We’re ​all​ shaken by this. But Calaway and his crew still know a lot more
about what's happening out there. If you people go,” she looked around at the standers, “you will
just get in the way and make it more difficult for us all to leave.”
The man stared at her, hatred evident in the harshness of his gaze and the trembling of his
clenched fists. Without a word, he pushed past her, and quickly he was followed by a dozen or so
others. Shocked and scowling herself, her mother stumbled out of the way, plopping back down
into her seat. Frowning, she turned to Malik and Johanna. “Promise me you will never act like
that.” Her eyes were stones. Johanna had never seen her mother like that, and admittedly
frightened, she nodded, nudging her brother to do the same.
All grumbling, they passengers made their way down the rows of seats, slowly picking up more
people as more time passed without another of Calaway’s updates. The first to stand, the owner
of a very prodigious power company by the name of Cruz Ratcliffe, never unclenched his fists,
walking forward with the sure and steady stride of a man used to getting his way. In his mind,
Ratcliffe saw himself pushing through the idiotic crew members, making a way out for himself.
He expected a full refund from this, another of Calaway’s scams. A bulldozer of a man, he
probably would have gotten one.
“Excuse me, sir, please return to your seat,” a flight attendant stopped him as he entered the
exit chamber, eyes looking behind him and gaze turning glazed and frightened. Ratcliffe decided
he was afraid of him, or of what Calaway would do to him once he let Ratcliffe pass. For he
would​ let Ratcliffe pass. This did not help his pompousness, and he glared down at the man.