Chatter by Kurt Horning Page B

of shot. I do not care who orders it.” Autumn looked up at him, “Oh daddy, you can’t fight the President.”
                  “The hell I can’t!”
    00:00:00
    The African American girl had her books put away and was tapping her left leg quickly. She definitely was nervous. Keiko even had a strange look on her face as she walked by for the last time. They exchanged smiles and she passed him her cell number, “in case we get split up,” she said.
                  The fasten seat belts sign lit up. Everyone rummaged and clicks were heard around the cabin. One fearful man even had his oxygen mask on. Cade watched out the window as the ground closed in, inserting her digits into his cell phone.
                  The captain came over the loud speaker, “Please remain in your seats. A problem has arisen at the airport. All communication has ceased. I do not know the situation but we are going to circle the airport a few times and hope it gets sorted out.”
                  Well isn’t that odd thought Cade? He had seen this in movies and it was usually a terrorist plot at the airport or something. Hopefully it was just a software glitch, it happens. He was not really worried, just curious.
                  Several minutes had passed. The captain came on speaker again, “There is still no communication with the towers. However the planes can speak to one another. We are drawing straws so to speak on who lands first. There are only two others up here besides us so it should not be long. I am sorry for the inconvenience.”
                  A strange noise began around the cabin. It was not panic or whispers. It sounded painful; guttural. Suddenly a woman screamed in front of Cade. Then another scream rang out, this time male. Teeth began to click and grind in unison, like a sickly chatter.
                  He saw Keiko at the head of the plane with horror stricken across her face. She wiped tears from her eyes; then her hands covered her mouth. Instinctively Cade unbuckled and hurried towards her without looking around. He reached her, “What is it?”
                  “Look,” she said.
                  He turned slowly around to look through the plane. This time it was Cade who felt horror. Row after row of passengers sat straining at their buckles. Each one’s eyes were rolled back only showing white. Their teeth chattered in a scary tone, almost song like.
                  “Get the captain,” he said. “Go, go!”
    Keiko turned and began beating on the captain’s door. “Open, open please.” The door’s lock clicked and she disappeared.
    Now Cade studied the passengers. He could not figure out what was happening. Instead of going row by row he shouted, “If any of you are alright, please unbuckle and come to the front with Keiko and I so we can figure this out.”
    The burly blond man stood and approached Cade. “Name’s Victor. What in hell is going on?” Cade did not answer but watched as the pretty college student stood. She half sprinted to the front and clung to Vick. “I’m Trina, what’s wrong with them?”
    The farmer and his daughter stood to move. A man across the aisle grasped the girls arm. “Eeeeeeeeee.” The dad stomped the arm and then smashed it over and over into the chattering man. After five blows to the head the teeth grinder relinquished his hold. The farmer grabbed his little girl up into his arms and ran to the front.
    “My God what is happening,” he screamed.
    “We don’t know honest,” replied Cade. “Everything was fine a minute ago, then all of a sudden most of us started freaking out.”
    Keiko emerged from the cockpit frazzled. “The co-pilots are sick too,” she said. “I have to help Dwayne with the instrument panels, we are landing NOW.” She turned to Cade, “Make sure all of you get low and hold on to each other up here.”
    “We will be