Everything went disastrously wrong on a flight where I worked as a flight attendant. A fire ignited, transforming the cabin into a scene of utter chaos.

Laura Steinfeld, the attendant assigned to open the emergency exit, froze in sheer terror.

She collapsed on the floor, screaming for help, her fear so overpowering that she was rendered motionless.

Her limp body blocked the exit, and the passengers' panic escalated, leading to a horrifying stampede. Ultimately, the flames consumed the cabin, and all aboard perished in the inferno.

Desperation drove me to abandon caution. I managed to open the escape hatch, but at that moment, my fiancé, Captain Mark Cavill, shoved me aside to help Laura to safety.

As I lay there, searing burns disfiguring my face, Mark knelt beside the trembling Laura, murmuring,

"It's not your fault. You were just too scared. They will understand."

When the higher-ups arrived to investigate, Mark lied for Laura, pinning the obstruction on my actions. They deleted the crucial cabin footage and cast me out to face the wrath of the grieving families.

I became the scapegoat, reviled by all. As I lay in a hospital bed, swathed in bandages, the enraged relatives seeking justice ended my life.

But then, I opened my eyes and found myself back on that fateful flight, the day of the fire.

......

"I'm so scared! Why do I have to go through all this? I don't want to die!"

As I regained consciousness, I saw Laura crumpled in front of the emergency exit, tears streaming down her face as she wailed.

The passengers, who had been holding it together, were now visibly shaken by her panic.

Recalling the chaos of my previous life, where countless souls were lost, I rushed to the intercom.

"Everyone, please stay calm! Remain in your seats and don't move around! We need to avoid a stampede that could injure innocent people! Our crew is experienced and will guide you safely to the ground!"

After I repeated this a few times, the passengers, who were gradually swayed by Laura's uncontrollable hysteria, finally managed to find their footing and settle down. They resumed their seats, their collective breathing softening the once turbulent atmosphere.

As I surveyed the sea of faces now regaining their calm, memory's cruel tide washed over me. I could still see the previous tragedy unfolding vividly before my eyes. A chilling sweat trickled down my spine, a testament to the horror that had unfolded not long ago.\

My gaze fell upon Laura, who was still huddled on the cold, hard floor, her sobs echoing like a lament in the quiet cabin.

The surge of anger within me was undeniable. I wished I could shake her, break her free from the stupor that held her captive.

But amidst the swirling storm within, I knew deep down that revenge was not what mattered right now. The utmost priority was to save lives.

If I could just steady the passengers and ensure the emergency slide was ready as soon as we touched the ground, safety would be within our grasp.

Yet, shadows of the past haunted me. Laura, in her panic, had blocked the exit last time and was unable to open the door.

The path had become a bottleneck as the passengers surged forward, their escape route blocked. Helpless, I had watched as the smog-filled cabin turned into an inferno, with every soul perishing within its deadly embrace.

Determined to alter this grim fate, I strode over to the still-cowering Laura and brought my hand down hard on her face. The crisp sound of my palm meeting her cheek reverberated through the cabin.

"Get a grip! You're an absolute embarrassment! How can you, a flight attendant, be this useless during a crisis? Stop blubbering and get back to the crew room!" I ordered, my voice a mix of desperation and command.

Laura's eyes widened in shock, her hand clutching her reddening cheek. She stammered, "How dare you hit me? Do you know who I am? I'm..."

I silenced her with another sharp slap.

"I don't care who you are! This is a critical moment, and your behavior is unacceptable. Go back and reflect on your actions. You're not coming out until we land!"

As Laura struggled to protest, the passengers, quick to voice their indignation, chimed in.

"Seriously? We're not even crying, yet you're fainting like a drama queen?"

"Don't let her freak you out! If a stampede happens, we're all doomed."

With the passengers rallying in unison against her, Laura, still sniffling and disoriented, darted into the cockpit and remained out of sight.