Fight for Survival; Crash-Landing

On a beautiful mountain stood a cabin, home to a family of four. This family consisted of Robert, a plant biologist, Leanne, a zoologist, and their children, Penny and Jack. Penny was thirteen and Jack was twelve.

"Leanne, tell the kids to get their gear. We're going for a ride in the plane." Dad shouted one day.

Excitedly, Jack snatched up his bag and raced toward the door.

Penny, following close behind, exclaimed, "Finally, we haven't gone for a ride in forever!"

Jack and Penny sat in the plane reviewing their safety procedures until Dad got in and started the engine. Soon after, the shiny plane soared up above the forest.

As they flew above the mountains, Jack and Penny gazed down at the forest, watching bucks graze, and an occasional fox scurry at the deafening sound of the engine. They admired the beauty of the sunrise peeking over the mountaintops dotted with pine trees. The serene forest overwhelmed their eyes as they watched an eagle soar below. The young teenagers knew, however, that there is more danger in the forest than meets the eye. They had heard many stories of a huge bear lumbering through the bushes, even tearing into a man.

Their silence was suddenly broken by a loud beeping sound from the front of the plane.

"Everything okay up there?" Penny asked.

"Yea, everything is fine, we just have a little less fuel than we thought. We should make it home though." Dad said, but deep down inside he doubted what he had said. "Leanne, I'm gonna need you to climb in the back and get the parachutes ready," he said in a trembly voice.

"You mean we're gonna have to..." her voice trailed off.

"Just in case. I hope we don't have to use them."

"Should I tell the kids?" she asked with great concern.

"Not unless we have to. I don't want to get them worked up over nothing. Okay?" he said, a little fearful of what may happen.

"Okay. Maybe we won't...crash, anyways," she said, trying to be optimistic as she climbed toward the rear of the plane.

Once she was back there, she began looking for the parachutes, the whole time thoughts flooded her mind of what may happen. Shortly after she began heading towards the front, the plane started to shake.

"Get the parachutes, we're going down!" she heard Dad yell from the front.

"Take these. Put them on, quickly!" she screamed, handing the parachutes to Jack and Penny.

Then she raced up front to talk to Dad.

With trembling hands, Jack and Penny slipped on their parachutes. Their stomachs lurched as they tried to take in what had just happened. Dad quickly slid the door open.

"Remember what you learned, and pull your cords when I pull mine. Watch me!" At this, he leaped out of the plane. Penny jumped next, then Jack, then Mom.

Jack's stomach turned as he remembered looking down at the scenery. The whole forest seemed different as Jack watched it get closer and closer. All of a sudden, Dad pulled his cord.

"Here goes," Jack thought as he pulled his cord.

To his satisfaction, it flew open, tugging him suddenly, then slowly floating towards the ground. As he looked around, he watched Mom's parachute fly open. the rest of the descent was filled with thoughts of how he might survive. He had read many survival books, but he never dreamed it would happen to him.

Slowly, they landed one by one, each going through the procedure they were taught.

"Is everyone alright?" Dad questioned. He was pleased to find out that everyone was. The whole family gathered together to say a prayer of thanks to the Lord. After praying, they gathered together to decide how to set up camp.

"I think we can use the parachutes to make a shelter, but I have no clue what to eat. There's so much to do! We have to set up camp, find food..." Dad said, really stressed out.

"I can find sticks to make a shelter," Jack piped up.

"And I can help forage for food," Penny said cheerfully.

"And I can do whatever you want me to." Mom said.

"With this attitude, we just might make it," Dad stated hopefully, "but remember, be strong and of a good courage."

Suddenly, Jack remembered something. He had grabbed the emergency bag off the helicopter. Upon hearing this, Dad was relieved.

"We have some emergency food, but it will only last a week if we use it sparingly. In that time we need to get to the plane and salvage what we can."

Setting up camp was long and tiresome, but after a few hours, it was finished.

TO BE CONTINUED...