Richmond Hill High School - Archway / Dome Yearbook (Richmond Hill, NY)

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. Qoward . -c-By NORMA ABlCl-lT-- slowly down the aisle of the passenger plane, it would never do for her, the stewardess, to seem anything but calm and reliable. She was frightened. The pilot had told her they would land in ten minutes but that had been some twenty minutes ago. From time to time she had peered out anxiously into the utter blackness of the night, but not even a pinpoint of light had re- warded her careful search. It was, she told herself angrily, as if they were caught in a far-reaching black-oh, very black-void, whose deep silence was broken only by the steady throb of the huge motors. She sank down into her seat and tried to control the absurd trembling of her knees. Perhaps her family and friends had been right, after all, when they had declared that of all jobs, that of stewardess was the one most un- suited to her. As a child she'd been called Hfraidy-cat , scared-cat and other un- complimentary names until now this cowardice of hers was accepted as just one of those things. No wonder it had been a shock to her family and friends when she had declared her intention of becoming a stewardess--a person the very mention of whose name brought to mind pictures of undaunted, shining courage. Looking out into the night once more, Ann saw that complete darkness still surrounded the plane. She felt strangely cold, notwithstanding the warmth of the cabin. Of course, none of them had known the real reason for her becoming a stewardess. That knowledge she had hugged close to her heart-afraid, perhaps, that they would never understand. For how could Ann explain in her poor, inadequate words the feeling which gripped her when once she was in the air again. It was as if there, at last, she had found the key to unlock the cold chains of terror which imprisoned her heart in their merci- less grasp-the key which enabled her to fly free and unafraid above the solid earth of her fears. At first she had wanted to become a flier-leaving her foolish fears behind her as she soared into the clouds. But one cool day, after a long flight in the early morning hours with an old friend, she had wondered. Supposing that someday something went wrong with the plane while she was flying on her own and she, she alone, could save the plane and herself. Could she do it or would this terror claim her e en there, forcing her into oblivion? The thought made her tremble now as she had trembled that morning so long ago. She had become an air hostess instead, leaving the responsibility to someone else-content just to be in a plane. Now Ann realized how fool- Tl-IE SENIOR DCME Page7 NN was frightened. She tried not to show it as she walked

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ish she'd been to think that she really had left her fears behind her. They were there, holding her heart so tightly that she could hardly breathe. If the plane ever got down safely she would resign her position at once, of that she was certain. One of the passengers looked at his watch just then and beckoned to her. She felt again that tightening at her heart, he, too, knew something was wrong. Yes, Mr. Dearingn, she said as she reached his side. l There isn't anything wrong is there? he whispered. Were twenty minutes behind schedule. Before Ann could answer, there was a loud, sickening crash. The steadily throbbing motors stopped suddenly and the lights blinked out. Everything started whirling dizzily before her. Ann opened her eyes slowly. What was that crackling noise so near her? She closed her eyes again- such an effort to keep them open. Where was she anyway? Suddenly she sat up. Now she remembered: the plane had crashed and that crackling noise must be-yes, it was-fire. lt burned furiously, almost completely surrounding her. She had to get out of here. She didn't want to be burned alive. Slowly Ann crawled out of the blazing wreckage, shielding her face with her arm. The heat was lessening and then, at last, she was free and out in the open again. Ann breathed the cool air deeply, staring dazedly at the burning plane. Suddenly she turned and started to run. Wild bushes tore at her and she fought them off as if they were live things. The way was dark and rocky, but she scarcely noticed it, her one thought was to put as much distance as possible between her and that blazing inferno. And then-as suddenly as she had started to run away-she stopped. Ahead of her lay the deep blackness of a silent forest. She couldn't go in there, she was much too afraid. Behind her burned the twisted wreckage of what once had been a proud ship. The very thought of re- turning to that flaming mass made her throat contract painfully. She felt again that cruel grasp at her heart-making it so hard for her even to breathe. Yet she couldn't stay where she was! Shefd rather kill herself than remain there alone in the darkness. What was she to do? Suddenly a terrifying sound reached her ears-a loud, decided groan. Ann listened intently-her ears strained for the slightest repetition of the sound. She thought she heard it again very faintly--she had heard it, it was from someone in the plane and audible even above the roar of the ravenous flames. Someone was alive and in great pain amidst that burning wreckage. She couldn't let the person die there-she simply couldn't. painfully she fought her way back to the plane and then stopped- Ti-IE SElNllOl2 DQME l3age8 ' -Y .am