Easy Living

The old twin engine Cessna sputtered to life like it had for the last 30 years. The first few sputters rocked the small aircraft causing the 6 passengers to hold on to whatever was available, including their camping gear. Gradually the engines, one at a time, smoothed out to the slow rocking common to all small propeller driven airplanes. Loaded to capacity with fishing bound enthusiasm, the airplane taxied to the runway and took its place behind the giant cousin in front. Like a mosquito following a dragonfly, the little craft followed the larger one into the air and toward its destination. It was a perfect start to the late spring trip, planned in the cold of winter by friends weary of snow and ice, the warm days of the Minnesota early June were a welcome chance to escape. Bob and Nancy were middle-aged empty nesters who did almost everything together. Frank and Barbara had been a couple since before the others knew them. Even though they had never exchanged wedding vows, everyone knew only that formality was lacking. The eager pilot, Greg, was recently divorced after 15 years and growing accustomed to the changes. The youngster of the group was Todd. In many ways like a son to the others, he was in every way part of this close knit clan. Excited conversation filled the tiny cabin. It was always funny trying to understand if the conversation was for Bob or Barb. Anticipation of huge fish tugging on the line, and already feeling the relaxation of being away from work, everyone watched the ground fall away then looked toward the horizon for that first glimpse of the lake waiting for them.

The first hint of trouble went unnoticed by everyone except Greg. An experienced pilot with many flight hours, Greg noticed an almost imperceptive roughness begin in the normally smooth drone of the engines. Watching the gages and adjusting controls, Greg was little concerned. Sometimes experienced pilots heard things not there. Still, there was this nagging feeling. Suddenly, there was silence! The steady drone of the engines was replaced by whistling wind and a sense of falling. “Don’t panic everyone”, Greg said, “There are plenty of flat spots down there to put this thing.” With surgical precision, Greg selected a spot and glided down. The plane touched the ground with a gentle thump, not any worse than a normal landing. Everyone released their death grip on the seat and breathed again. A flash of brown from out of nowhere, the sickening thump of metal on flesh, then a sense spinning as the front wheel hit the large deer collapsing the landing gear and sending the airplane spinning across the field. Tossed all over the spinning cabin, the passengers saw the trees approach quickly, followed by the screech of metal on wood and broken limbs. Almost as suddenly as the noise began, there was silence.

Thank God for slow landing speeds thought Bob through an unreality curtain. Slowly landing back in now, groggily remembering the landing and crash Bob checked himself for damage, thankfully finding only scrapes and bruises. Gently trying each leg, Bob stood shakily then looked at his watch, wondering how much time had passed. Not understanding what he saw, Bob decided to look for the others. Frank and Barbara are all close by the wreckage and in good health despite the beating they took. Greg is trapped at the controls, but OK. Todd and Nancy are nowhere to be found. As their senses return, everyone searches frantically for their two comrades. After half an hour of fruitless searching, the group reassembled to rest and decide how to get back to civilization. After collecting his maps and compass, Greg joined the others who have collected survival necessities from their camping gear. Too far from civilization for any communications equipment to work, only 1 cell phone is taken just in case it is needed. All are experienced hikers and campers, so survival in the wilderness a few days should be no problem. Studying the map, Greg tells everyone the closest town is about 1 ½ days away. Following the compass they began their journey of rescue. Traveling till near dark, then selecting a dry location, the group built a fire, and ate some food brought along for their fishing trip. Rest is painful, but comes easily to the battered group of fishermen turned survivalists. By noontime the next day the tired and battered group came to a bluff overlooking a small river. The map was correct. There on the other side of the river is the 2 small towns shown on the map. The discussion now was to decide which town to go to. Looking up and down the river, they could see no place to cross. Since Barbara is the most experienced hiker, they decided she would go upstream to find a crossing, the others downstream. When someone made it to one of the towns, help could be sent to the others including the two missing. Good luck smiled on them all. Well-used river crossings were not far away, so they entered separate towns at almost the same time. Barbara walked into a sleepy little town filled with instantly helpful people. She was fed, bathed, and received medical attention. She was assured many times there would be search and rescue parties sent out early the next morning. After providing the townspeople with the details, Barbara fell into a sound sleep. Frank, Greg, and Bob heard music far from town. As they got closer, they saw a party going on. Beer mugs clanked as they were filled and refilled at the drinker’s request. Women and men engaged in song and dance. Abundant food was laid on tables fit for a king. As soon as the weary travelers were spotted, townspeople surrounded them with offers of fun. Even though fatigue and injury prevented much celebration, all joined in the fun and frolic. Medical attention would have to wait, so too rest. Forgotten were those left behind and those missing.

In the midst of the revelry there was a sudden silence preceded by a terrified gasp. The stunned travelers looked at each other with questioning stares. They jumped at a flash of light and the thunderclap which followed. There was a banshee scream from somewhere in the crowd, and souls moaned in pain. Looking toward the sound, they were terrified to see what looked like Satan himself. The crowd bowed to this horrible apparition, who looked toward the stunned travelers. With an evil smile he said, “Welcome to Hell my new friends. So nice of you to decide to join us.” The campers turned crash victims looked at each other with final knowing of their fate. “But there are only 3 of us here” stammered Frank, “Where are the others?” Satan’s voice sent chills and terror through their hearts when he said, “You three are the only ones to walk my path. The others went a different way.” A voice drifted to them from an unidentifiable place. A woman’s voice they thought, but none was sure. Looking up in the direction of the voice, they saw a bright white light. When their eyes adjusted to the brightness they recognized Barbara clothed in white with what seemed like wings. “I am sorry my friends” she said, “I warned you your actions were not just.” With that she disappeared and they were all left to their fate.

Nancy broke through the woods to see the scattered wreckage of the plane. Leading a rescue team all night, Nancy rushed to Todd still lying under a tent. “Still alive!” she yelled to the doctor, “Over here.” While Todd was placed on a stretcher for the trip back to a hospital, Nancy showed Deputies where the four bodies lay. With a prayer for each, Nancy said, “Rest well my friends, where ever you are.” Looking down at her husband of many years, a tear fell from Nancy’s eye, and she wondered if she wouldn’t like to be with him.