Capri's Fate by Daryl Devore

this. It'll be okay. Though he's a bit cocky, he seems like a good pilot.
    "We're going down, Capri. I've found a little runway. Just pray it's long enough."
    Squeezing her eyes and her fists, Capri willed the runway to be the right length. What if this is it? Should I text my parents and tell them I love them? Tears filled her eyes. Her heart pounded as a wave of nausea rolled through her stomach. The putrid taste of bile filled her mouth. I don't want to die.
    Breathing became impossible. Short sharp intakes of air rapidly expelled in puffs was all she was capable of . I can't breathe. I can't breathe . She placed her hand on her chest trying to slow her heart or her panting. Please don't let me die.
    The scream of the engines shifted and the force of the tires hitting the ground threw Capri forward.

 
     
    C hapter Ten
    Through the driving rain and moments of occasional blinding flashes of lightning, Thall watched as the plane roared toward the ground. A straight stretch of land was barely visible in the darkness. Tips of treetops flashed underneath the plane's belly. He glanced out the window. Must be nearing a road. Put it down. Gently. Almost there. Brakes! Reverse thrust.
    The force of the landing tossed him against the restraint of his seat belt. The brakes screamed in protest as the tires skidded on the slick surface. Thall's knuckles were white as he gripped the controls. When the plane's speed slowed, he settled back in his seat and released a large sigh.
    He rolled the plane to the edge of the pavement , turned it to face the length of the strip and shut down the engines. Leaning forward, he peered through the front and side windows trying to distinguish the scenery. Okay. This doesn't look like a road. A runway maybe? So I guess we're safe for the moment. Should probably go check on Capri.
    He unclicked his seatbelt, exited the cockpit and stepped through the galley. Capri, her eyes squeezed shut and her face pale, sat in her seat. He fought the urge to wrap his arms around her and offer comfort. "You okay?"
    She opened one eye. "Are we down?"
    "Uh. Yes. If I'm standing here then it's pretty likely we're down."
    "So we're alive?"
    He chuckled. "To the best of my knowledge. And I think I'm a bit insulted that you'd think I'd crash. Haven't lost a plane or a passenger yet. That I know of."
    "What do you mean that you know of?"
    He sat on the couch nearest her. "Just a bit of humor trying to lighten the mood. You know, to relax you, and maybe get you to take those fingernails of yours out of the leather."
    Capri glanced at her hands. "Oh. Sorry." She released her grip and flexed her fingers. "Didn't realize I was holding on so tightly."
    "As captain, I am here to report that we have landed. The plane seems to be secure. No warning lights and we're right side up. I suggest we just sit here and wait for this storm to blow itself out."
    She tried to peer out the rain-splashed window. "Where the hell are we?" Her voice laced with a worried, shrill tone.
    He shrugged. "Don't have a clue. Lost contact with Air Traffic Control."
    She shuddered visibly and rubbed her arms. "I have no intention of playing survivor. Get us out of here."
    "You can be really bossy, but I'm the pilot so let me explain something. This plane is going nowhere for the moment. That was a microburst or wind shear that almost slammed us into the ocean. I got us here. Safely. Feeling kind of proud about that at the moment." He leaned back on the sofa and crossed his ankle over his knee. "I tried to get you where you wanted to go. Against my better judgment. Now , I say we stay."
    Capri released her seatbelt then stood. Her nerves hadn't settled and her stance wasn't stable. She tried to take a step but fell forward. Thall grabbed her and pulled her close. With her face pressed against his chest, he caught a whiff of her perfume. A small flutter danced in his belly. "Guess I'll ask again. Are you okay?"
    She righted herself and dropped her bottom back