‘Delayed indefinitely’ was the phrase the captain had used, offering no further information.

Outside the aeroplane, rain continued to pour but the weather wasn’t bad enough to ground flights.

Peering through her window she saw the airport personnel circling them. No one seemed to approach the aircraft. It had been an hour now.

Her mind began to race. A threat had been received. There was a bomb on board, maybe a suicide bomber sitting among them? Had they been hi-jacked? She started looking around. The man in 12E, she had noticed him during boarding. Was he sweating a bit too much?

Then abruptly the engines whirred into action. ‘Apologies for the delay, ladies and gentlemen, we had to wait for some luggage from a connecting flight to arrive. Hopefully we can make up time in the air. Please enjoy the flight.’

She sat back and relaxed, laughing at her paranoia, ready for the ten-hour flight ahead.

***

Six hours later the first reports began to emerge of Flight NB834 having gone missing over the Pacific Ocean.

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story or poem in around 150 – 175 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.