by G. Massy
your past, and I discovered a few things about you that I think everyone should know. I didn’t think it had any real significance, and I never gave it a second thought, until now.”
Monroe grabbed Krenshaw by the arm. “Listen up, everyone! Let me introduce to you, the famous, or should I say, the infamous Captain Krenshaw MacDermitt. Our friend here, that many of us have trusted for years, was a US Air Force fighter pilot in the Gulf War. He was shot down in Iraq by a group of Islamic Militants who held him hostage for more than four years. In the military world, your captain here, is known as a hero, but nobody really knows what happened to him in that prison behind enemy lines. Tonight, I think we all have a pretty good idea.”
The captain pulled loose from Monroe’s grasp and pushed his way past him.
“Don’t do this Monroe.” Krenshaw said, “You know it’s too late. Nothing can change what is about to transpire.”
“Look around you, captain,” Monroe said. “Look at all the innocent people. Is this really what you want to do? How can anyone call you a hero?”
Krenshaw examined the cabin, momentarily cutting through each hopeless traveler with his dark eyes. Then, out of nowhere, a delusional smile appeared on his face as he wiped the wetness from his forehead with his sleeve.
“Ladies, Gentleman, Happy New Year. Enjoy the rest of your flight,” and without further ado he tipped his hat and disappeared into the cockpit latching the heavy metal door behind him.
The party was over and the only sound that could be heard was the steady hum of the twin engines on the wings of the Boeing 757.
One hundred twenty-eight passengers sat in silence and watched as their final twenty seconds ticked away on the timer on the bulkhead.
THE END
