C1 Prologue

A continuous, loud tone from a vintage alarm clock abruptly roused Riley from her deep slumber. "Oh! Jeez!!!" she exclaimed, swiftly reaching to silence the insistent alarm. Checking the time, she leapt out of bed, "Oh no! I'm late! I'm late!" She shed the warm cocoon of blankets that had shielded her from the cold night.

In haste, she darted into the bathroom, wielding her cherished soft, blue toothbrush. A gentle knock at her door, accompanied by her brother John's booming voice, reached her ears. "Good morning, Riley! It's nearly time for your flight," he informed her. "Yes! I know, I'm nearly done," she replied spitting the gobble in her mouth and hurried into the shower.

"Alright, I'm going downstairs to assist grandmother," he called back, already turning away. "John!" Riley's voice echoed through the hallway, "Please help me book a cab. I should be done in the next 15 minutes." "Okay! I'll do that right away," he affirmed, heading towards the kitchen to meet their grandmother. Pulling out his phone, he swiftly arranged for a cab.

Emerging from the bathroom, Riley felt invigorated. "Thank goodness I packed my luggage yesterday," she mused, a sense of relief washing over her. Still pressed for time, she donned a crisp white top, complemented by a sleek black jacket and trousers. Descending the stairs, "John! I'm ready! When will the cab arrive?" she queried. "He'll be here any minute now," he assured her. "Alright! I really hope he gets here soon. I can't afford to miss this flight."

"Nanna, I'll miss you so much" She said proceeding to her grandmother, seeking her blessings.

"I'll miss you too dear, as you leave this house today, I pray God takes control of the airplane"

"Amen Nanna " Riley echoed. After a brief moment of prayer, they shared a warm, tight embrace. "Riley, I've just been informed that the cab has arrived you should get your ass outta here, I'm tired of seeing your ugly face" ," John teased lovingly.

"Asshole!," she retorted with a small smile playing on her lips. "I'll miss you, my darling," the grandmother said, her eyes glistening with tears. "Grandmother, I'll miss you too. I'll call you once I arrive. I'm running a bit late," she explained, rushing outside and into the waiting cab.

Upon arriving at the airport, Riley efficiently gathered her belongings and navigated through the terminal.

Continuing through security, she was grateful for the smooth process. Once on the other side, she consulted the departure boards to locate her gate. Spotting it, she headed in that direction, her heart pulsing with anticipation. Along the way, she caught fragments of conversations—families eagerly planning their vacations, business travelers discussing meetings, and friends animatedly recounting their adventures.

She let out a sigh of relief when she made her way into the plane and onto her seat. She retrieved her phone, composing a quick message to her grandmother to reassure her of her progress. "Flight's on time. Can't wait to share all about Kenya. Love you, Grandmother," she typed, a smile gracing her lips, before hitting send waiting for the boarding call.

Her gaze wandered to the couple beside her. They were engaged in an animated discussion about their upcoming safari in Africa. "I can't wait to see the wildlife up close, especially the elephants!" The woman exclaimed,Her partner nodded in agreement, a broad grin lighting up his face. Riley couldn't help but interject, "Elephants are incredible creatures, so majestic and wise."

They turned to her with warm smiles, clearly happy to share their enthusiasm. "Absolutely," the man replied, "We've been dreaming about this trip for years. What brings you to Kenya?" Riley's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I'm representing my charity organisation at an award event and taking in the beauty of this amazing country. It's my first time here." Their conversation flowed effortlessly, exchanging stories of travel and adventure as the airplane took off soaring higher and higher into the sky.

As Riley gazed out of the window, lost in thought, there was a sudden jolt that sent a shiver down her spine. The plane shuddered, causing her heart to race. Panic surged through her veins as the cabin filled with a deafening roar. Turbulence gripped the aircraft, tossing it like a leaf in a storm.

Around her, passengers grasped their armrests, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and disbelief. Flight attendants rushed down the aisles, their expressions determined but tinged with concern.

The pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, his tone urgent yet reassuring. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've encountered unexpected turbulence. Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened. We're doing everything we can to stabilize the aircraft."

Riley's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears. She clutched her armrest, her knuckles white with tension. Her mind raced, thoughts of her family and the adventures she had planned in Kenya flashing before her eyes.

The turbulence continued as the airplane kept spinning downward. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have encountered a critical situation and as a precautionary measure, I need everyone to remain calm and follow the crew's instructions carefully. Please locate your nearest emergency exit and prepare to disembark using the provided parachutes. Flight attendants will assist you in this process. Stay low, and once outside, follow ground crew directions. Your safety is our utmost priority. Thank you for your cooperation."

Riley's breath quickened, her pulse pounding in her ears. Her fingers trembled, desperately struggling with the stubborn seatbelt. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her knuckles turning white from the strain. Each second felt like an eternity, the urgency and frustration threatening to overwhelm her.

Outside the window, the world seemed to spin in a surreal dance of clouds and earth. Parachutes unfurled like colorful blossoms, carrying passengers to safety. Riley's heart ached with a mixture of envy and desperation. She knew she was running out of time.

"Help! Somebody, please help me!" Her voice echoed through the cabin, raw with fear and pleading.

The flight attendant rushed to her side swaying as the plane kept throwing her off balance, her eyes wide with determination. She worked feverishly with a small tool, her hands flying with practiced precision. But the seatbelt seemed to be stuck and unyielding.

The ground below grew closer, the details sharpening into focus. Riley's breaths came in ragged gasps, the world narrowing down to this single, desperate moment. The flight attendant's eyes met hers, a silent exchange of understanding and regret.

"I'm so sorry. There's not enough time. I have to go" she said, her voice steady yet laced with sorrow.

"Please, please don't leave me, help me out of this". Riley pleaded desperately.

In one swift motion, the flight attendant secured her own parachute and with a final, apologetic glance, she opened the emergency exit and disappeared into the open sky.

Glancing around the cabin to the sight of bloody knocked out passengers, and bodies bent in awkward positions, the screams and cries, the sorrow, the scene was something straight out of an horror story, the roar of the wind and the sight of the approaching ground threatened to drown out Riley's thoughts. She closed her eyes, her breath hitching, tears streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't give up now, not after coming so far.

Suddenly, there was a jolt, and everything went still. Riley cautiously opened her eyes, her breath catching in her throat. She was no longer inside the plane. Instead, she found herself standing in the middle of nowhere.