“Should we go look for them?”

“What’s taking them so long?”

“What happened?”

“Maybe they already found help and were rescued?”

Gossip and chatter could be heard across the camp as people were wondering about the missing West team. However, it would soon be dark and conducting a search party was no longer feasible. Without the sun it would be all too easy to lose themselves in the forest.

It would have to wait till morning.

The sun was almost set and darkness was slowly starting to surpass the light. The survivors scared by the disappearances of the three decided to not sleep in the tents they had built, but instead climbed back into the plane and sleep on any empty seat they could.

In order to avoid any issues the left rows were reserved for the women and children while the right rows were for the men.

Nestor sat on the lowest row next to the door, which he locked, and Morgan chose the bunk right above him. Cristy on the other hand was parallel to him, but on the other side. Seeing the two watch him, Nestor spoke to them.

“You kids should hurry up and get to sleep. I’ll be keeping watch tonight so don’t worry, your safe.”

Morgan responded, “I’ll stay up too then, that way we can make sure the other stays awake.”

“It’s fine Morgan. I’m an ex-marine. I’ve handled missions tougher than this. I’m fine missing one night’s sleep so don’t worry and just relax, I got it covered.”

Morgan couldn’t find an excuse to refuse so he just accepted it and laid back on his seat.

[ I haven’t really been talking to Cristy today. She seems bit lonely ever since I went out on the search. I guess I should at least tell her good night. ]

“Good night Cristy.” He said.

She responded, “You too Morgan.”

The night was subtle and peaceful as the passengers slept.

It had been around 7 hours since sundown and Nestor stayed vigilant throughout. He was completely still and stared out the window. It was pitch black and he couldn’t see a thing. The silence was eerie, but was broken by a snore or mumble every once in a while.

There hadn’t been any signs of anything on the outside, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was beyond his line of sight watching them. Perhaps the lack of sleep was making him paranoid, but he didn’t think so. After having seen action as a Marine he always had a sixth sense of sort.

He never knew how he got it, but it hadn’t failed him up till now so he trusted it. He couldn’t help it and pulled out his gun as a reassurance in case something happened.

As an Air Marshal he always carried a concealed firearm in case of a hijacking or armed assailant. His Rhino 20DS never left his side. It was a small revolver with six shot capacity and used .357 magnum rounds.

He felt safe having it in his hands. Looking at it he was wondering when he would get back home to his family. Nothing that has happened today has made any sense. The black hole, that creature and the crash.

He seemed the steadiest and strongest of the group, but what he really wanted to do was get home to his wife. After he found out she was pregnant he retired from the Marines and thanks to his background got a job as an Air Marshal. His son was going to turn 2 in a few days, and this flight was supposed to take him back to Los Angeles.

He sighed heavily which woke up Morgan.

Morgan seeing Nestor feeling down couldn’t help but say something.

“Are you Ok?”

Nestor was startled by the sudden sound but soon regained his composure.

“It’s nothing, just thinking about my family. Wonder what my wife is thinking right now with the plane going down and all. My kid’s birthday is coming up too.(sigh)”

Morgan didn’t know how to respond so he just came down and sat next to Nestor as they both just stared into the darkness.

(AAARRRGH!!!)

The silence of the night was broken by an excruciating scream from outside.

Everyone was woken up by the scream and some of the kids started to cry in fear. However, there were no screams following the first.

After a few minutes they could hear other sounds from outside. There were low growls and rustling. It seemed that whatever it was, it had gotten into the tents and was looking around. They could hear the footsteps getting closer to the door.

At this point even the sound of it breathing could be heard. It sounded like a snorting bull.

Suddenly it smashed into the door with a sudden lunge.

( BAAAAAM! )

The screams of the passengers started as the creature continued to slam into the door.

The door was being visibly bent, but still held on. The slamming continued for over 2 hours before whatever that creature was left.

Everyone just stayed where they were until sunrise the next day.

Once the light had returned Nestor was the first to step out with his gun drawn. The door had been jammed shut and he had to force it open by kicking it out. Once out he could see the door had major damage from the outside, and there were inch deep claw marks on the aluminum.

The camp built yesterday was in complete disarray. The tarps were torn, the ground was dug up and most of their supplies were destroyed.

The footprints left behind by the creature from last like were almost a foot wide and had a shape similar to the paw prints of a cat.

Morgan was the second to step out and was in shock of the sight like Nestor before him. Most of the survivors decided to stay indoors rather than get out.

After checking the immediate surroundings Nestor concluded it was safe, for now at least and decided to make an announcement.

“Everyone hear me out. That thing from last light is gone. It’s safe to come down right now. I’m planning to make a search party for East team. I need at least 4 volunteers.”

“I’ll go.” Said Morgan

It was clear that no one else wanted to come down not to mention volunteer to go into the forest.

In the end to two set out on their own.

“Nestor, what do you think was that thing from last night?”

“I don’t know kid. Whatever it was it’s clear we are in its territory. Once we get back I think it’d be best if we left the wreckage and headed East to the river. Our flight was originally above the Pacific so we should head downstream and see if we can find a beach.”

Morgan didn’t say anymore and just followed as they continued on. After about half a mile they found a dried pool of blood and torn clothes.

Nestor just said “It seems they didn’t make it. Let’s head back we need to leave.”

“Shouldn’t we check a bit more…”

“I said we’re leaving.”

“Ok”

When they got back to the wreckage and mentioned their plan to leave it was clear that the majority wanted to stay and wait for help. All Nestor could do was try to convince them one more time.

“It’s imperative that we leave while we still can. We don’t know when that thing will come back and I don’t plan to find out. Our supplies are gone and we won’t last long just waiting for help that hasn’t arrived. In you want to stay fine.”

While Nestor was giving his speech Morgan went to Cristy in attempt to convince her she should go with them.

“I’ll be joining Nestor. I want you to leave with me.”

Cristy was hesitant of the plan.

“I really don’t think you should go. I mean what if help arrives and you guys aren’t here? Plus who knows if you cross paths with that thing when you leave.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to stay.”

Morgan was disappointed but accepted her choice. “Don’t be it’s up to you.”

At about midday the group of survivors that chose to leave were ready to do so. The team was made up of Morgan, Nestor, Josh, Dick, Sarah and Felipe. Felipe was the orphaned boy from the flight and had gotten attached to Sarah, so when she decided to leave he came too. Sarah was Josh’s sister, they looked alike with blonde hair and blue eyes. Dick was one of the flight attendants who was friends with Nestor so he came along as well, although he was actually named Richard.

The group decided to head East towards the river they had found earlier. I took them about two hours to get there. Nestor then told everyone to take a break and to fill up on water before they continued on.

Morgan couldn’t help but miss Cristy. She was the first person he got to know from the group, and was the person whom he had the closest relationship with.

[ I made my decision. No use in regretting it now. ] He thought to himself.

After the break they followed the bank of the river downstream. The river seemed to head Southeast as they trekked down it. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary other than the obvious silence of the forest and lack of wildlife.

They continued on for two hour intervals of walking with short breaks in between. Although they were hungry they had water so they wouldn’t die of starvation for at least 5 more days.

When night approached they climbed one of the trees in the forest with the help of some vines that were hanging from the branches and fell asleep.