I found Charlie at the airport, standing by a western style magazine stand. He looked up from the paper he had been reading and signaled to me. I quickly moved towards him, as the droves of people buzzed around me. I was not inconspicuous; people were looking at me. The fact that I was an unescorted female, and I was carrying a duffel and camera bag in torn, dirty, work-clothes, was just about as good as wearing a neon sign which flashed "I am an American infidel!"

I had to get out of here fast. There was little time left before the city would be overrun by leftist extremists, and I thought it best to escape the city while I still had my "exploiting, capitalist" skin still in tact. This was the closest I had ever cut it; I hoped the story would be worth it. Between the cab driver and Charlie this little escapade was costing me a fortune.

As I finished crossing the distance between me and Charlie, I noticed a set of eyes specifically on me. A chill crawled up my spine. For a split second it felt as if those eyes could see through me. I knew it was just the last of my nerves going, but either way I'd been notice. We had to get the hell out of here. I took Charlie's arm as if he were a relative or romantic companion.

"Behind me." I said softly into his ear. Charlie started to turn his head. "No!" I scolded. "Don't look! I don't know who they are, but either they really like my ass or they're out looking for hostages or something."

"Plane's ready." Charlie reassured me gruffly. "I hope there's no trouble, 'sides what I'm paid for."

"Let's just go." I urged him as I clung even more tightly to his arm. It was difficult and probably pointless trying to look inconspicuous. We walked quickly to the gate trying not to look rushed. When we got the gate there was a short line. As I waiting for my turn to be poked and harassed, I took this chance to scan the crowds and people watch. This may have not been a terrific idea.

Anxiety hung in the air, like a kind of sickening humidity. People were desperate to flee before the fighting came. There was an undefinable and intangible feeling of terror here. I was used to the front lines and the horrors of war, but this was different. Even among the bleeding and starving I had always maintained a kind

of detachment. I guess I was always sure that I was just visiting. This time it was different. I was uncertain if I really had a way out.

In the midst of one of the crowds I caught sight of the watcher from before. He wore a green overcoat, a fedora and a scarf which cover his entire face save his eyes. Before he noticed me, I saw him nod in the direction of the gate guard. It was like something out of Casablanca. Then our eyes met for a brief moment. Once again a cold chill ran through me. I knew that we were screwed. I looked over at the guard. I caught the guard nod back at the onlooker. Suddenly it felt as if the world was just a few hours from ending. I looked back into the crowd, but the man was gone.

I clutched my camera bag. Holding it gave me a little security. I had been in many precarious positions before, and this camera had been there through all of them. This was not my first escape, and it surely wouldn't be my last.

I glanced nervously at the guard as he checked my passport. There was no concealing my fear now. He glanced at me and then the passport and wave us through. He didn't even check my luggage or my camera bag. I wasn't even sure if had checked Charlie's passport at all. I must have been in shock, because it took

Charlie dragging me by the arm to get me to start moving again.

We boarded the plane and Charlie began starting the engines. I watched out the window, expecting somebody to come running after us. This had to be an oversight. There's no way it should be that easy. Maybe the guard was just eager to get people through and didn't have time to waste on one American. Maybe he didn't want any trouble. Perhaps Charlie managed to bribe him, and I didn't see. Either way, nobody was coming, and before I knew it we were taking off. It was definitely...

"...too easy..." I absently muttered.

"What the hell was that in the airport?" Charlie asked crossly. "And put on your seat belt."

"I dunno, I..." I gazed out the window next to me. I didn't put my seat belt on.

"Were you trying to get us killed?"

"I'm sorry, I...I'm just not feeling well. Nerves I guess. I'm not normally like this. I'm sorry."

Charlie grunted. "My luck, you loose your nerve when MY life is on the line." He looked at me impatiently. "Put on your damn seat belt."

"I said I was..." Just then I was distracted by the sight of another plane approaching us quickly. "What the...."

Charlie glanced over in my direction and then back out his window. I followed his glance. There were at least two other planes following us. "Great!" He complained as he slapped the side of his chair.

"Can you lose them?" I asked.

Charlie just looked at me disdainfully.

Nervously and out of habit, I began cleaning my lenses and loading fresh film in the camera. If something was going to happen, I wanted to catch it on film.

"You'd be better off loading this." He held out a gun.

"Why," I said snidely. "So I can depressurize the plane?"

"Well what the hell do you plan to do with that!?" He gestured at the camera. He was clearly aggravated.

"Nothin'." I was too tired and stressed to argue. Suddenly there was the sound of an explosion, and the plane rocked.

"Shit!" He cursed as he started flipping switches and maneuvering the plane. "They're forcing us off course."

"Are there any guns on this thing?" I started to get up.

"This is a cargo plane, not a fighter!" He yelled. "You PROMISED me no problems!"

Several other explosions sounded, and the plane jolted and shook. I was sure that we were going to die. "Are there any parachutes in here?"

Charlie didn't answer me. He was entirely focused on the controls. A few more shots hit the plane, then suddenly silence.

I looked out the windows, searching the skies for the planes. They were no where to be seen. "Uh, Charlie, they're gone."

He still didn't answer me. The plane lurched. I looked up, out the front windshield. The sky went from bright blue to nearly black. The plane trembled, and so did I. "Uh,oh." I muttered. "What is it? Thunderstorm?"

"I don' know." Charlie replied. He also seemed very shaken. "I...I can't get above it...it...it was supposed to be clear..." His voice trailed off.

"Ok." I took a deep breath. "Let's stay calm. Ok, lemme think." I ran my hands through my hair and took another deep breath. "Ok, is there an airport anywhere near by?"

"Yeah, sure." Charlie scoffed.

"Ok." I interjected before Charlie mocked me any further. "Any land?"

"There's a small island practically bellow us. I don' wanna land blind though." Almost on cue, a bolt of lightening struck near the wing of the plane. Charlie looked really pale. "Ok," he said. "We're landing. Hold on."

We started down. The plane shimmied and vibrated feeling like it was about to shatter at any moment. I was getting increasingly nauseous and light headed. I clutched my camera bag in near panic. Charlie wasn't much better. He was deathly pale and drenched in sweat.

We passed over some dense forest and began crashing down toward a clear section of beach. Sand heaved itself at the plane as we impacted with the ground. I felt myself fly out of the seat. Maybe I should have used the seat beat...

I must have blacked out, because the next thing I knew I awoke under a pile of junk in the back of the plane. My body ached, which was good; this meant I was still alive. I made my way out from under the pile. I was pleased to find my camera bag and a survival pack intact. I decided to search the local area and find out what became of Charlie.

The hatch was already thrown open, so I took a look out of it. There were footprints all around the hatch, but Charlie was nowhere in sight. I checked myself more thoroughly for injuries. When I was satisfied with my general physical condition, I grabbed my camera bag and the survival kit and climbed out of the plane.
 
 

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