[ WP ] The person sitting next to you on a plane leans over and says , `` Do n't ask me how I know this , but this plane is going to crash before it reaches Newark . ''

To say I was surprised was an understatement. 
 
 `` But we're headed to O'Hare,'' I replied. 
 
 `` Are you sure?'' asked the stranger, a grave look in his eyes, `` O'hare is our intended destination, but today you will see that some things can change and others can not.'' 
 
 The stranger smiled and sat back in his seat as the plane sped down the runway, his eyes closing as we left the ground. `` No turning back now!'' 
 
 I picked up the in flight magazine carelessly stuffed into the seat pocket by the previous occupant and tried to ease my mind imagining my new appartment filled with useless junk, a bike in the corner ready to ride to my new job, all easily affordable with my ridiculous new salary. 
 
 `` Here it comes,'' muttered the stranger. 
 
 He looked normal enough, as normal as someone on the redeye from LA can be. He was dressed in a grey suit that was in need of a clean and had a gentle brush of stubble on his face, some greys peppering his hair. His eyes, when open, were a deep blue, but bloodshot all around. He was attractive, but looked as though sleep had not been an option this week. 
 
 `` Attention please, this is your captain speaking!'' announced the speaker above my head, `` Due to severe weather in Chicago, we have been diverted to Newark where a connecting flight will take you on to O'Hare once the storm clears.'' 
 
 The world closed in. The stranger knew. He knew I woul not get my crappy little apartment filled with junk. He knew I would never ride my bike through the streets of Chicago. He knew I would never see my family again. He knew, he warned me and I stayed on the plane. 
 
 `` Hey buddy,'' came the soft voice of the stranger, `` I'll make you a deal.'' 
 
 `` What deal?'' I snapped, almost screaming at him. Passengers turned and scowled. 
 
 `` You can choose. You can either survive this crash at the cost of everyone else on board, or they can survive and you do n't. Pick one. You have 30 seconds to decide.'' 
 
 `` What are you talking about?'' I hissed, `` This is n't a game. What's wrong with the plane? You have to tell someone!'' 
 
 `` 20 seconds'' he chimed, calmly. 
 
 `` Fuck you!'' I growled, `` Fuck you and your game!'' 
 
 `` 15 seconds'' he said. 
 
 `` No, I wo n't do it! Pick someone else!'' 
 
 `` Ten seconds, JC. Ten seconds to decide or we all die.'' 
 
 `` How? How do you know my name?'' 
 
 `` No time, 5 seconds!'' 
 
 I glanced around at the other passengers. There were parents, kids, families. They all deserved to live, but so did I. I had my whole future ahead of me. I had a plan. 
 
 Two years in my new job and I would make head of department. Five years more and I would be head of division, in charge of all research. Another few years and I might even run the place. Only forty and head of a multinational arms company. I could change the tide, bring peace to the world. 
 
 `` Time's up, JC,'' said the stranger, `` choose.'' 
 
 `` I want to live!'' I cried. 
 
 `` So be it!'' said the stranger. 
 
 I felt a large shove, a wave of heat, then cold. I was outside. I was falling. I was alone. 
 
 The floor woke me. I was tangled in my sheets. Had I been dreaming? I was in my new appartment filled with junk. My new bike was in the corner. 
 
 I flipped on the TV. The breaking news banner was scrolling along the bottom: *Plane crash in Kansas: no reported injuries* 
 
 I read it again, *no reported injuries*. 
 
 The camera cut back to the studio. `` Once again, the plane seemed to lose control at altitude but the pilot made a safe landing here on this highway. Nobody was injured, but police are looking for a passenger who got off the flight on take off. Police describe him as tall, greying hair, blue eyes. He was said to be looking unkempt in a grey suit as he left the plane. If you have any information, please contact the FBI on this number...'' 
 
 The banner flashed *JC, make it count. Some things can change*
