Yay, I'm ba-ack. Okay, this story was inspired after a lonely afternoon, with me, a tub of Ben and Jerry's and a Swiss Family Robinson type movie (I really must get out more). Basically, some of our favourite ER characters are stranded on a desert island (or dessert island if you're Sophie, with ice cream and jelly) after a plane they were in crashed, probably coming back from a medical convention. They're the only survivors yadda yadda yadda. For the first part, which is the plane crash, just think of that Tom Hanks movie which I've forgotten the name of, where he gets stranded on the island. The island is nowhere in particular, so feel free to set it where you like. Just think coconuts. Enjoy!
Abby was jerked awake as the plane jolted to one side. The small cabin was full of motion, people jumping up and moving around in the dim light. She could hear her colleagues and other passengers shouting around her, and the sound of alarms from the cockpit. The plane dropped suddenly, Abby felt her stomach go with it. She fumbled clumsily with her seatbelt and got out of her seat. It was hard to keep her balance as she struggled to stand, looking for her friends. She spotted Carter a few seats away and staggered towards him.
There were only twelve people on the plane, eight passengers, herself included, two flight attendants, pilot and co-pilot. All the lights in the cabin were out, save one, flickering on and off over the exit. As the light sparked, she could see Luka and Pratt straining at the door, trying to open it.
"Abby!" She whipped around to see Susan next to the only flight attendant standing. They had opened an overhead compartment and were pulling out a life raft. "We have to bail out when we get low enough." Susan shouted over the noise. Behind them, Luka and Pratt finally pushed the door open, and a fierce wind blew into the cabin, thundering in their ears and pulling at everything thing. Sea spray rushed in with the wind, stinging their faces.
"Take this." Shouted Carter, his voice barely audible over the rush of the wind, handing her a life vest. She pulled it on quickly as a voice from the cockpit shouted "NOW!"
They all hurried over to the doorway, clamouring to get out, their hair and clothes whipping and thrashing in the wind. Carter and Pratt jumped first, taking with them the life raft. They disappeared from view and the plane shook violently, making it near impossible to stand. Jing-Mei jumped next, closely following the men, carrying a med bag.
Abby and Susan moved forward to jump, as the plane lurched again. Behind them someone cried out and they turned to see who. Luka was stumbling down the aisle towards the flight attendant sprawled on the floor.
"Luka!" Abby screamed as the cabin shook.
"Go, I'll be right behind you." He shouted back.
"Luka there isn't time!" She shouted as he moved closer to the attendant.
"GO!" He cried, "I'll be right there I promise." Abby felt Susan grip her hand tightly and she was pulled from the cabin.
Air rushed in her ears as she fell to the ocean, only seven feet below. She was plunged into the cold water, Susan's hand still tight around hers. She kicked her way hard to the surface, emerging coughing and spluttering, just in time to see the plane, silhouetted against the night, plummet into the water.
"Luka!" She screamed, fighting against the waves and her life vest, trying desperately to reach the plane as it disappeared below the surface.
"Abby," shouted Susan next to her, trying to pull her away, "Abby we have to find the life raft." She felt Susan tugging at her life vest, pulling her slowly away. Abby stopped struggling and just watched the space where the plane had been. It was totally dark now, only the lights of the stars and moon were visible.
Beside her Susan turned on the tiny light on her vest and pulled the whistle with her teeth, blowing hard. After a few moments the life raft came into view, looking like an orange tee-pee, Carter, Jing-Mei and Pratt all safely inside. Abby watched them approach as her head began to thump. She lifted her hand out of the water and put it to her forehead. As she pulled it away she could see her fingers covered in something dark. She must have hit her head when they were about to jump.
Soon, she felt someone tugging at her life vest again, and she was lifted up into the raft, closely followed by Susan. She didn't say anything, but felt tears falling from her eyes.
"Any one seen Luka?" Asked John, pulling the flap down and moving into a more comfortable position.
"He was in the plane when it hit the water." Said Abby flatly, staring at the floor of the raft. No one said anything for a while as they shed their life vests, then Abby burst out angrily.
"It told him to leave that attendant. I said there wasn't time!" She felt Susan scoot up next to her and wrap her arm around Abby's shoulders.
"He was just being him." Said Carter quietly, "He was always putting others before himself."
"But he promised me." Abby choked, her voice thick with tears. " He said he was right behind us."
"I know sweetie." Said Susan, rubbing her back, her eyes wet as well. "I know."
