Page 25 of Passions Ignite

Zoey’s eyes widened, but she didn’t panic. Instead, her mind worked to find a solution. Lux admired that about her, the way she could stay steady even in the worst situations. But it didn’t change the fact that they were in serious trouble.

Lux pulled back on the controls, trying to guide the helicopter away from the worst of the flames. They were losing altitude fast, and the ground rushed up to meet them.

“Hold on,” Lux said.

“We’re losing control!”

Zoey’s panic seemed to come all at once. One second, she was calm; the next, she was screaming at the top of her lungs. Lux struggled in vain to guide the helicopter back into the air.

The treetops loomed closer now, and Lux knew they didn’t have much time. She steered the helicopter toward a dense canopy of trees, hoping the branches would help cushion their descent.

The helicopter slammed into the trees, and the sound of metal crunching and glass shattering filled the air. The impact had thrown Lux forward, her head cracking against the console. Pain exploded behind her eyes, and for a moment, everything went black.

When she came to, the world was a chaotic blur of smoke and flames. The helicopter was tilted at an awkward angle, the nose buried in the ground, the tail sticking up like a broken limb. Lux’s head throbbed, and she could taste blood pooling in her mouth.

“Zoey,” Lux croaked.

She turned her head, panic gripping her as she searched for Zoey. The cockpit was a mess, debris and broken equipment scattered everywhere.

She squinted through the haze, her heart pounding as she struggled to orient herself. The world around her was a mess of tangled wreckage and flames. The helicopter had gone down hard, and she knew the chances of survival were slim.

Her fingers, slick with sweat, unfastened the seat belt. The cockpit was barely recognizable, crushed and twisted like a discarded toy. Instruments dangled uselessly from brokenpanels, and the control stick was jammed against her seat. The windshield was shattered, and through the jagged hole, she could see the smoldering remains of the fuselage scattered across the forest floor. The engine, torn free from its mounts, lay a few yards away, still smoking.

Lux gasped shallowly. She could feel the heat of the fire creeping closer, the flames licking at the twisted metal. Her pulse quickened as she took stock of the situation. The wreckage was surrounded by trees, and the forest was dense and oppressive. The smell of burning fuel mixed with the earthy scents of pine and damp soil created a nauseating combination.

She tried to move, but her left leg was pinned under a piece of the dashboard. Pain shot through her as she tried to pull it free, and the metal cut into her skin. She bit back a scream, panic rising in her throat. The fire was spreading fast, and the heat intensified with each passing second. Her hands trembled as she reached for the radio, but it was dead. Smashed in the crash.

“Zoey,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the flames. “Where are you, please...?”

Suddenly, she heard movement outside the cockpit and she turned her head, straining to see through the smoke. She blinked, trying to clear her vision. It was Zoey. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched Zoey clamber back into the cockpit, her face covered in soot.

“Lux! Hold on!” Zoey shouted.

Lux felt a surge of relief mixed with a jolt of fear. Zoey was coming for her. She wasn’t alone. But the fire was growing, and she could feel the heat getting closer.

“I’m pinned,” Lux said, her voice trembling. “I can’t move my leg.”

Zoey reached for the metal trapping Lux’s leg. Her fingers were raw and bloody, but she didn’t hesitate. She pulled with all her strength, grunting with the effort.

“I’m going to get you out of here,” Zoey said.

Lux winced as the metal shifted, the pain in her leg sharp and unrelenting. She clutched the sides of the seat, and her knuckled turned white. The smell of burning fabric and oil filled her nostrils, making her cough.

“It hurts,” Lux said, her voice cracking. “Zoey, it hurts so much.”

“I know. Just hold on a little longer. I’ve almost got it.”

The dashboard creaked as Zoey applied more pressure, her muscles straining. Lux felt the weight lift slightly, enough for her to pull her leg free. She gasped in pain as she moved, the cut on her leg bleeding heavily.

“Okay, you’re free,” Zoey said, helping her up. “Can you walk?”

Lux nodded, though she wasn’t sure if she could. Her leg throbbed with each movement, but she forced herself to stand. Zoey wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her as they made their way out of the wreckage.

The air was thick with smoke, and Lux’s lungs burned as she inhaled. She stumbled over a piece of the landing gear when her foot caught on the jagged metal.

“Easy,” Zoey said, steadying her. “We’re almost clear.”

They moved as quickly as Lux’s injured leg would allow, the flames snapping at their heels. She could feel her hands shaking and her breath coming in short, sharp bursts.

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