JUDDER – (n) strong vibration in an aircraft

"Hang on, everybody!" Jennifer called through the speaker. Turbulence had wrapped around the plane in a vice and was threatening to send them crashing into Infected territory. She pulled on the controls, trying desperately to bring them out of the killer nose dive.

She could hear her sister screaming in gibberish, the monster fetus within her dripping bad blood in her veins. Her heart clenched. Damn it all. If only the docs at the center had looked at her earlier, they wouldn't have to go find another camp with the "proper materials and equipment suitable for her...um...condition." They knew she was infected. Her husband as well.

Another group of crows crashed into the plane as one engine blew, sending the metal bird into a swirling nosedive. Jennifer tried as hard as she could to aim for a clearing, for the water so an imminent explosion wouldn't destroy them all.

A small lake was nearby, but it looked too far to make. The door opened with a slam.

"Are we almost there yet?! I don't think Phylis is gonna make it!" Zakaree bellowed over the disastrous blaring of the panel.

"I'm trying, dammit! Sit down!"

The plane rocked even harder as gravity drew them closer. She could see just how much farther they had to go. The lake, it was too far. They were all going to die.

She closed her eyes in a silent prayer.

Father in Heaven above, please bless my soul and the souls of those with me. We have too much unwanted and tainted blood, Father, but I know You will help us ascend into Heaven. Please, Father, please...don't let us become them.

The nose scrunched, glass shattered, and metal groaned and screamed at the plane dove into the wet muck and flipped onto its back, fire eating away at the crash and anything it could reach inside.

The hours ticked by as Commons assessed the damage, too terrified of the flames to get closer but still hungry enough to stay close. Where there was a fresh wreck, there was food.

"...alive..."

Jennifer groaned and rubbed at her eyes. Everywhere she thought, pain was right there. A bright light blinded her and she shrouded her eyes.

"...nyy..."

"Ugh...whathappen..."

"Jenny..." It was Zakaree's voice, only much more gravelly.

"Zak..."

"Jenny, don't move. I need to find the med kit."

She groaned and relaxed, cold wrapping around the joints in her body. Was this death? she thought to herself. This is nice...very nice...