Chapter 6 - The Announcement
The captain’s voice came over the speaker.
“We have begun our descent into St. Louis. Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened.”
Cynthia looked toward the window.
“St. Louis? We’re supposed to land in Washington.”
The air marshal stood beside her row.
“The aircraft is diverting.”
“Because of this?”
“Because an assault occurred during flight.”
“I didn’t assault anyone.”
Rachel looked at Daniel’s reddened skin.
The damaged prosthetic lay partially disconnected against his side.
“You poured boiling coffee on him.”
“It wasn’t boiling.”
“It was hot enough to burn him.”
Cynthia turned toward the passengers.
“Is everyone really going to let this ruin the flight?”
Several people stared at her.
Nobody defended her.
A mother seated nearby pulled her teenage daughter closer.
An elderly man shook his head.
The college student kept recording.
Cynthia pointed at her.
“Stop filming me.”
Daniel spoke before the air marshal could.
“She has every reason to preserve what happened.”
“You grabbed me.”
“You reached for her phone.”
“You hurt my wrist.”
Daniel released a slow breath.
His own skin burned with every movement.
“I stopped you without injuring you.”
Cynthia rubbed her wrist dramatically.
Monica noticed there was no redness.
“You will be medically evaluated if you request it,” she said. “Your condition will also be documented.”
Cynthia lowered her hand.
The aircraft descended through clouds.
Daniel looked out the window.
Below them, service roads and runways became visible.
Three black federal vehicles waited near a secured gate.
Not racing across the tarmac.
Already positioned.
Cynthia saw them.
Her breathing shortened.
“Those aren’t for me.”
No one answered.
“They can’t be for me.”
The air marshal checked his watch.
Monica placed the collected passenger information inside a folder.
Rachel remained beside Daniel.
The college student lowered her phone slightly.
Cynthia leaned toward Daniel.
“This can disappear.”
Daniel looked at her.
“What?”
She lowered her voice.
“You say it was an accident. I pay for the arm.”
The student’s phone was still recording.
Monica heard every word.
May you like
Cynthia realized it too late.
👉 Cynthia tried to buy Daniel’s silence—but her offer became another recorded admission before the wheels touched the runway.
