CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE – THE FIRST DAY

"Oh my God," she breathed, taking in the full scope of the crash site. "We're... we're on an island." A groan to her left caught her attention. Richard Thornton, her seatmate, was emerging from the wreckage, a gash on his forehead bleeding freely. "Ms. Storm?" he called out, his usually composed demeanor shaken. "Kayla? Are you alright?" Kayla rushed to his side, helping him to his feet. "I'm here, Richard. I think I'm okay. Are you hurt?" He shook his head, wincing at the movement. "Nothing serious, I don't think. But... where are we?" Before Kayla could respond, more voices joined the cacophony of confusion and fear. "Help! Someone, please help!" Kayla's head snapped toward the sound. A woman lay pinned beneath a piece of the plane's wing, her face contorted in pain. Without hesitation, Kayla sprinted towards her, adrenaline overriding her own aches and pains. "I'm coming!" she called out. "Just hold on!" As she reached the woman, Kayla recognized her as one of the flight at