The world was burning. Flames enveloped the seats, blackening faces. People were screaming somewhere, but I was detached from everything. Suddenly a burning pain sliced through my thoughts, stabbing my head. I groped wildly for something to clutch onto, but nothing was there. Blood gushed from my forehead, half blinding me as I staggered up.

"Freya!"

She was lying on the aeroplane floor, choking. I stumbled dumbly over, coughing with the smoke. Slowly, I pulled Freya up and supported her against my shoulder, as we moved through the plane. My head was spinning, the world was spinning. I managed to push Freya out of the way, as I tumbled onto the ground, gashing my head against the chair. Sirens were splitting through the air, shrill and sharp.

"Zoe? Zoe!" I could hear my sister's voice, calling me, trying to shake me awake, but I was already drifting… drifting…

'Well, she's a fighter, I'll give you that. The other girl certainly saved her life…"

I was awake. For a couple of seconds I still had my eyes shut, and I just listened to the chatter of the hospital room. As soon as I looked, the light hit me, sharp and painful. I tried to speak, but my throat was on fire, throbbing and painful. I managed a cough, which sent my chest rattling and aching with a dull hurt.

"Hello Zoe… You've had a lucky escape…"

I didn't feel like it. My whole body was throbbing, and aching. People were just hazy blurs, walking around my bed. My mouth was dry, and my lips cracked and swollen. Around me were machines, beeping steadily, and drips connected to my arms. Every time I tried to move, I could feel them tugging me back. People kept bending down to stare at me, or to check the machines, but I just couldn't see their faces. Every time I tried to speak, I started choking again, which sent people milling around my bed, peering anxiously.

Somewhere, another girl was leaning over me. "Zoe…?"

And suddenly everything came into focus with a sharp shock. The lights were too bright, the noise was too loud, and suddenly my senses were on overload. The room spun round, and I was almost sick with dizziness.

"Zoe? I thought you were going to die…"

Suddenly Freya peered over and began to cry, tears streaking down her face, dropping onto mine. Through them, she attempted a strange smile. I'd tried to save her… I really had! We were going to die… And yet I was here.

"Mum? Dad?" Now they sat down on my bed, and touched my hand gently.

"She saved your life, Zoe." I tried to grab her hand, and thank her, but the words came out as a strangled gasp.

Right then, another nurse wandered up, curls of blonde hair escaping from her hair net.

"Are you feeling any better… Zoe?" Carefully she picked up a clipboard, and stared at the notes. "Well, as the other nurse said, you'll be up and about in no time. Not much danger fortunately: a fracture, a few nasty cuts, a bit of concussion and some smoke inhalation… I'd say you should be going home soon...."

Next week, I was on the areoplane, worried, but relieved. I was going home, at last.

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