by Kaiya Adgie (7th)

That trip was crazy. I'd never been on a plane before, and I never wanted to go again. Gramma was really dizzy. 

“Hoo-boy!” she said. “I'm shaken up like a can of grape soda! What a ride!” She adjusted her glasses and looked around. “Heeeeeey, where's the resort? I paid 500 dollars for this?!” We seemed to be in a forest. Gramma apparently could not grasp the concept that our plane had crashed in the middle of the woods. No water in sight. It looked like everyone in the plane survived. A few had broken legs and arms, but they were alright. But how would we get out of here? Of course! The pilot can communicate with people who can save us! I chuckled. I’m so paranoid. 

The pilot was being swarmed with questions. He stood on a stump and clapped his hands. “May I have your attention, please?” We walked over to the stump with everybody else. The pilot looked sick. “Um, I, well…” his voice trailed off. “I, well, can't get a hold of anybody right now.” he stuttered. “But I can keep trying! Maybe. Please don't hurt me if I can't.” 

I’m stunned. Paranoid? Me? Argh. How could I let this happen? This was just supposed to be a fun trip to Hawaii for me and Gramma, and now we could die. I brought up taking this trip. This is all my fault. 

“That was such a bumpy flight! I DEMAND to speak to your manager!” Oh no, Gramma is yelling at the pilot. That’s not a good sign. I rush over to Gramma, who is right up on the stump with the pilot and yelling in his face. 

“But… ma’am, I'm not sure you understand…” The pilot stuttered. 

“Oh, I understand all right! YOU are as coo coo bananas as a flock of chickens who went to Dairy Queen for a banana split!” Gramma yelled back. I took her hand. 

“It’s okay, Gramma…” I said.

 She gasped. “NO IT IS NOT!!!! That… that… CRIMINAL made me…” 

I sighed. “And WHY is he a criminal, Gramma?” 

She seemed shocked I didn't know. “He took us INTO THE WOODS! Not to the resort! Evil, I tell you. EVIL!!!!!” I saw some other grandparents by a big tree. 

“Look, Gramma!” I say while pushing her toward the tree. “Fellow old people! You wanna go complain to them? You know you do!” 

“FINE.” she grunts. “But if that turnip faced lobster says another WORD to me, I’m gonna punch him into the 30th century!” 

I rolled my eyes. “Yep, sounds good! Have fun!” She immediately started yelling at the other grandparents. Their problem now. I have things to do, such as talking to the pilot. But, y’know, without all the screaming. 

“Hey!” I say to the pilot. He turns his head away from me. “Pilot guy!” He hides behind a nearby tree. You gotta be kidding me. I poke my head through a hole in the hollow trunk of the tree. “Hi.” I say with a bored expression on my face. 

Surprised, he yells, “YAAAAAH! Please! I mean no harm! I can save us! Just give me more time! BOO HOO HOO!” He says between sobs. SERIOUSLY!? 

“Look, I just want to talk, okay?” I say, looking even more bored. 

“You mean… you aren't an angry mob led by that terrifying grandmother?” He says between sobs. 

“Ummm.. no.” I say. “I’m here to ask you… can you get a hold of anyone?” He stops crying and looks at me seriously. About time. 

“Come with me,” he says. He leads me into the control room of the plane, and it is WRECKED. Everything’s broken. Papers everywhere on the floor. Sparks of electricity shot out of some torn apart wires. “Does it LOOK like I can get a hold of anyone?” I shake my head and start to walk out. He sighs and says, “Wait! Are- are you… Do you think you… or a friend… could help me? W-with this mess, I mean? Maybe get communication services back online? I smile. I LOVE working with computers and technology, but as I take a look around the plane, my smile falters. NOBODY could get this working. If the pilot himself failed, what chance could I have? But I have to try. Besides, it's not like I have anything better to do. 

“I can help.” I tell him. He pulls me into a huge hug, so tight it feels like my ribs are splitting in half. When he finally puts me down, his happiness is contagious. He takes me to the big tree stump and announces I will be helping get us home. When the crowd cheers, I feel a pang of guilt. What have I gotten myself into?