The Victim of the System

by Steve Hadden

  Now, facing death, an avalanche of guilt and regret for the life he’d lived engulfed him. He struggled to look aft at Jeff Reese. Minutes ago, Reese had said he was grateful not to have to fly commercially from San Francisco with the peons. Now Wellington could barely see him through the smoke, as Reese fumbled with a family photograph taken from his wallet. The most money-hungry man he knew, who’d just presented the medical breakthrough of the century to the most powerful investment bankers and investors in San Francisco, stared at the picture.

  Fifteen years ago, Wellington had lost his chance at a happy family. After his son’s death, his marriage broke apart. Wellington had given up—sold out. His current wife was the founder’s daughter and nothing more than a good career move—a means to more money.

  He glanced at Reese again. Reese cried and clutched the picture. Wellington cried for himself.

  I miss my son! God, why did you take my son!

  He hadn’t invoked God’s help in fifteen years. Now his name was attached to every thought he had. His body was crushed into the seat as the nose of the jet lifted.

  “Multiple system failure. Can’t make Vandenberg. Prepare to ditch. Prepare to ditch!” the pilot screamed over the cabin’s speakers.

  Please God, it’s too soon, too soon!

  He choked as the thick black smoke burned his lungs. He was smothered with the smell of burning oil and rubber.

  “Brace for impact! Brace for impact!” the co-pilot squawked.

  “Oh, God!” he screamed out loud.

  Wellington was driven into the bulkhead, face first. His ears throbbed from the roar, and he gagged on several broken teeth. The whole cabin tumbled: the ceiling, the window, the floor and the ceiling, again and again. Still belted in his captain’s chair, Wellington’s face smashed against a bloody stump of jagged flesh and bone, dangling between Adam Rexsen’s shoulders.

  He felt a sharp pain rip through his chest. Still tumbling, the pain and his vision began to fade. He smelled jet fuel and felt searing heat. Then, the crush of seawater overwhelmed him. He tasted blood and saltwater and sank in the darkness. He considered surrendering his pointless existence, but something inside him refused to give up. Even his life seemed too precious.

  Light—there’s light! Swim! Don’t breathe! Swim to the light!

  He flailed and fought towards the light. The closer it got the harder he struggled. His lungs were still burning and about to explode. He bobbed to the surface and gasped for breath. Burning jet fuel covered the water behind him. Everything seemed fuzzy, as if in a dream.

  A piece of cherry wood floated past. Fabric, liquor bottles, pieces of soundproofing foam, and oil surrounded him. Suddenly he felt cold, freezing cold. The frigid saltwater sloshed into his mouth and burned his bleeding gums. He coughed up the water and a few teeth.

  A white mist fogged his vision. He couldn’t stay conscious much longer. His eyes were swelling shut. He spotted something yellow just off his right shoulder as it surfaced in the rush of bubbles coming from below. He remembered the safety briefing.

  The raft! Reese must have opened the raft before impact.

  His arms burned when he reached for the raft. He felt the slippery-cold, rubberized canvas. All his pain faded. There was no noise. The bitter taste of saltwater mixed with blood and jet fuel disappeared. Exhausted, he began to give up. There was no point in continuing to fight it; his pointless life wasn’t worth it. He surrendered to death’s grip, and, in a strange way, it warmed him. His vision narrowed to a small hole surrounded by white light, and then nothing but his inner voice’s final condemnation.

  Heaven or hell? Probably hell.

  If you enjoyed the excerpt, you can buy your copy of Genetic Imperfections here:

  https://www.amazon.com/Genetic-Imperfections-Steve-Hadden-ebook/dp/B007NNGO34/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

  About the Author

  Steve Hadden is the author of The Sunset Conspiracy, Genetic Imperfections, The Swimming Monkeys Trilogy and The Victim of the System. A chemical engineer who’s worked at the top of some of the largest companies in the world, Steve believes powerful thrillers lie at the intersection of great stories, interesting characters, dramatic human conflict and the edge of science. Visit his website at http://www.stevehadden.com