Everett's face twisted into a snarl. He decked the glasses guy with one punch, then yanked a hammer from the overhead compartment.

As the plane's fix-it guy, he knew every nook and cranny of that bird.

He slammed the hammer down menacingly, giving everyone a look that said he meant business.

"Open your mouth again, and you'll regret it," he growled.

…

The cabin went dead quiet, except for the distant booms of explosions creeping closer, a grim reminder that trouble was on our tail.

Everett scanned the room, a satisfied grin on his face as he saw the fear he had sparked.

He gave me a softer look and said, "Thanks for backing up Annie, Daniela. I always knew my girl was the most understanding, the most decent person out there.

"Since you've been such an angel, here's my vow. We make it back safe, and we're heading straight to the altar.

"From then on, it's just you and me."

That promise, so hauntingly familiar. He had played me with those same words in my previous life. I kept that thought to myself, fighting back the urge to gag, and managed a timid nod.

He leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead.

I dropped my gaze, a silent shield against the icy fear inside.

Outside, the cabin was rocked by a relentless barrage of explosions. Through the chaos, the silhouettes of insurgent tanks emerged like dark specters in the smoke.

Everett was a human barricade at the door, his eyes fiercely fixed on the airstrip.

However, deep down, I knew the truth: even if Annie showed up, we would not make it out of there.

The hammer's blow had been telling; a tiny 'click' from the wing had not escaped my ears.

I remembered a similar scenario from an aircraft maintenance manual I had once read.

Metal fatigue, a loose screw–it could spell disaster at high altitudes, tearing a plane apart.

That very screw was gone, too. If we took off, we would not last beyond 3000 meters.

Tension thickened the air inside the cabin. Whispers of fear, the death grip on armrests: it was a portrait of despair.

Some of the younger passengers glared at Everett, their anger held in check only by the hammer in his grip.

"We'll all be dead if we just sit here!" one man exploded.

Everett's sneer was icy as he hammered the cabin wall. "If you're in such a hurry, go jump off the plane!"

That was when the clatter of high heels echoed in the distance.

"Everett! I'm here!"

Annie burst onto the scene, breathless, her cheeks a rosy flush, her hair a wild cascade.

She was toting a designer bag, plump with her latest haul, her lips a fresh slick of Chanel, her eyes done up like she was off to a gala.

Everett's face transformed, the hammer forgotten as he swept her into an embrace. "Annie! You made it!"

She gave him a playful jab. "I nearly missed out! Good thing I'm quick on my feet."

She flaunted her treasures with a twirl, her eyes scanning the cabin until they landed on me. Her lips twisted into a smirk, a silent challenge.

Everett's eyes followed her pointed look, his face freezing for just a second before melting back into a gentle smile. "Daniela, Annie's here. We're good to go now."

At that moment, the guy with glasses lost it.

"Seriously? A whole bag of fancy makeup? What's that about?!

"He made us all wait, risking our necks, just so she could swipe some extra beauty products!?"

His outburst ignited everyone's anger.

Everett scooped up a hammer from the floor, glaring daggers at the guy with specs.

"Utter one more peep, and believe me, I'll crack your skull open."

The cabin went dead quiet, except for the guy's bitter, ragged breathing.

Annie peeked out from behind Everett, grinning like the cat that got the cream, and gave her haul of designer goodies an extra little flaunt.

She snuggled up to Everett and, as she breezed by me, murmured, "Thanks a bunch for hanging tight, Daniela."

I kept my mouth shut, my eyes fixed on the gun-toting goons charging our way.

As the cabin door slammed shut, a volley of gunshots rang out.

"The insurgents are coming!" someone shrieked.

…

The crowd's curses exploded all at once.

"Happy now, Everett?!"

The guy with glasses shot up, jabbing a finger at the insurgents closing in outside. "We're all gonna end up dead here because we waited for her!"

A mom clutching her kid started bawling, "My baby's only three... All because we waited for her to snatch up some makeup..."

Annie's eyes welled up, and she curled into Everett's arms, looking hurt.

"It wasn't on purpose. I just wanted to grab a few things to take home, for the kids at the orphanage..."

Everett wrapped his arms around Annie, his voice full of hurt as he said, "She's right. Annie's got a heart of gold. Why are you all ganging up on her?"

Panic had taken over the cabin. Some passengers were sobbing uncontrollably, while others were glued to their phones, sending desperate messages to loved ones.

The distant cries of the insurgents and the occasional crack of gunfire were getting louder by the second.

I surveyed the frightened faces and whispered, "The plane is a sitting duck. We need to make a break for the nearby bomb shelter."

The guy with the glasses piped up, "But the insurgents are swarming outside. How are we supposed to get out?"

I pointed to a hatch leading to a service tunnel under the boarding stairs. "This way leads to the ground crew's passage. There's a hidden path to the bomb shelter."

I swung the hatch open. "Stick with me, and keep it down."

The passengers shuffled out in a nervous line, except for Annie, who stood frozen, eyeing the grimy hatch with disgust. "Everett, I can't go down there. My skirt is brand new..."

Everett stepped up to her, all reassuring smiles. "No worries, Annie, I've got you. I'll carry you."

I shot them a look and did not wait for a response, leading the rest into the murky tunnel.

Zayden's cough echoed weakly behind me. "Ms. Larson, I don't think my old bones can take much more..."

"Don't talk like that, Mr. Lynch," I said, steadying him. "Your work is too important. I'll get you home safe and sound."

The tunnel was a damp, shadowy vein under the chaos, the insurgents' shouts a haunting backdrop.

We crept along, breaths held, until we reached the safety of the bomb shelter.

"Stay put. I've called in the cavalry," I assured them in a hush. "They'll be here in two hours."

Everyone collapsed in relief, finding spots to rest.

Just then, a wave of perfume hit us like a freight train.

"What in the world is that smell?" The guy with glasses looked around, alarmed.

There was Annie, spritzing Chanel like it was an air freshener. "Ugh, it reeks here. A little perfume never hurts anyone, right?"

Zayden's cough turned into a fit, his face going ghostly white. "Stop... Please stop... I'm allergic..."

I dashed to grab the perfume bottle, but I was too late.

Zayden was already gasping for air, his lips a frightening shade of blue.

"You fool!" The guy with glasses exploded in rage. "If anything happens to Mr. Lynch, you'll have the whole country on your back!"

Annie took refuge behind Everett, her eyes brimming with tears. "I didn't know... Why is everyone picking on me?"

Everett stood firm in front of her, shouting, "Annie didn't mean to do it! Stop picking on her!"

He shrugged off the glares from the crowd, shielding Annie as they backed into a corner.

I could not focus on their drama. I had to get Zayden his allergy meds, and fast.

However, as I dug out the meds from the first aid kit and moved to give them to Zayden, a whiny voice pierced the air.

"Achoo... Everett, I think... I'm allergic, too."

I spun around to see Annie, hand on her chest, her complexion ghostly, collapsing into Everett's arms.

"What's happening to you?"

Everett clutched her, frantic, and barked at me, "Get the meds here, quick! Annie's in trouble!"

Zayden was struggling to breathe, his hands clawing at his chest.

"No way!" I shot back, striding toward Zayden. "This is Mr. Lynch's emergency medicine!"

However, Everett lunged, ripping the medicine box from my grasp.

I stumbled backward, unprepared, and slammed into the wall.

I stared at him, incredulous. "Mr. Lynch is in the middle of anaphylactic shock! You know he's vital to our evacuation mission!"

Everett paused, torn, but ultimately he handed the meds to Annie.

"That geezer was already knocking on death's door. Is his life worth more than Annie's?"

The bomb shelter erupted into chaos.

The guy with glasses was the first to charge at me. "Mr. Lynch is a national treasure! And you're siding with a makeup thief, a nobody–"

"Zip it!" Everett floored Glasses Guy with a swift move, his eyes blazing as he scanned the room. "Make a move, and you're done for!"

Annie slumped against the wall, a smug glint in her eyes.

She snatched the pill, shot me a triumphant look, and gulped it down with the water Everett handed her.

Meanwhile, Zayden was sprawled on the floor, his face turning a scary shade of blue, gasping and wheezing horribly.

The guy with glasses scrambled to his side, yelling at me, "Ms. Larson! Do something, quick!"

My fists were balled so tight, my nails were practically drawing blood from my palms.

Just like in my previous life, Everett always put Annie first, no matter the cost to anyone else.

My phone buzzed lightly in my pocket. I checked it, and a wave of relief washed over me.

I whispered, "Stay calm, the cavalry's coming."

The moment I was reborn, I sent out an SOS to the military.

No sooner had I spoken than the sound of rapid footsteps and clanging metal echoed from outside.

"The military's here!" Glasses Guy jumped to his feet, ecstatic. "We're gonna make it!"

Beams of light sliced through the gloom as commandos in full gear secured the entrance. The squad leader yanked off his night-vision goggles, his piercing eyes sweeping over us. "Where's Mr. Lynch? Command wants him back home, stat."

All eyes darted to Zayden, barely hanging on in the corner.

The officer's expression shifted in an instant, and he dashed over with urgency. "Mr. Lynch!"

His voice was sharp as he demanded, "Who's responsible for this?"