The plane that took a turn for the worst

by Meadhbh Collins (Ireland)

A leap into the unknown Ireland

Nicole was a 24 year old woman with blonde hair to her shoulders and a smile as sparkly as a diamond. She was in college and studying law. With her exams coming up the stress built up and she was ready to snap. She wasn’t herself the past few weeks and her loved ones knew that. When she got home to her mam and dad on Friday night after a very stressful week her parents were excitedly waiting for her at the door. Her mam, Mary handed her a boarding pass and Nicole’s passport. “You need to get away and clear your mind” she said. Nicole was in shock “ Did you pay for this, how much was it?” Her mam patted her shoulder and said “ the only thing you need worry about is deciding how many bikinis you need to bring” as she winked at her. Nicole packed her bags and went to sleep. The day didn’t go to a good start as she slept through her alarm and her taxi was late. She was chewing her nails in the back of the taxi afraid she’d miss her flight. The second the taxi pulled up outside the airport Nicole opened the door and sprinted as fast as her little skinny legs would let her run. She flew through security and the duty free and joined the queue for the plane. She showed her passport and skipped outside feeling the cold wind, knowing in a couple of hours it would be sunny and the warm wind would be blowing in her face. She headed up onto the plane, found her seat and collapsed into it. She felt very independent as this was her first time flying alone. The air hostess went through the emergency exits and then before Nicole knew it they were up in the air. She drifted off to sleep but woke up as the plane was being shook side to side. The captain started talking “ sorry guys just a little turbulence, nothing to worry about” Nicole couldn’t help but worry but she soon realized there wasn’t much she could do about it now. She drifted off again but not for long as she woke from the air hostess talking very fast, very loudly. “ When I tell you, you will get ready for a landing. You must make sure you’re seatbelt is firmly clicked in and make sure your feet are not stuck between your bag. You will need to prepare for a rough landing” Nicole was frightened. She had never needed her mum more than right at this moment. The air hostess screamed “ GET READY NOW!”. Nicole prepared and all of a sudden there was a crash, and a scream and crying. Water quickly filled the aircraft and Nicole trying her best to stay calm, grabbed her lifejacket. She was shaking but she knew she would get no where it she was panicking. She went out into the way. It was cold, wet and dirty. Nicole had a fear of water and she was unable to swim so luckily her life jacket was very useful to her. Nicole grabbed onto the the planes wing but slowly it sunk. Nicole tried to find land. She saw a small tiny island very far away. She told everyone and she doggy paddled towards it. They could Hear a helicopter above them. Nicole knew she was going to be ok. They eventually made it to the island and the helicopter lowered. Nicole thanked her lucky stars. She got on and a man made her comfortable. She was very cold and couldn’t stop shaking. She knew there was others who didn’t make it off the plane, and she didn’t know if the pilot got off, all she knew was that she was safe and she was thankful