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?"