9. Lux

9

LUX

L ux's fingers drummed against the console as the helicopter hovered over the blazing forest. The flames were fierce, their orange and red hues licking at the sky.

The heat was stifling, even inside the cockpit, and she felt sweat trickling down her back and adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Zoey sat beside her, her eyes fixed on the chaos below and her brow furrowed with concern. Lux couldn't help but glance at her, the tension between them palpable. Zoey's decision to prioritize the ground team's evacuation had been a point of contention.

Now, as she watched the flames grow stronger, Lux couldn't shake the feeling that they were losing control.

"They're almost clear," Zoey said.

Lux nodded, but the tension in her chest didn't ease. She was too aware of how quickly the situation could turn. The fire was unpredictable, and every second they spent in the air felt like a gamble.

The radio crackled to life, and a voice filled the cockpit. "Ground team is clear. All personnel evacuated."

Zoey let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding, and Lux felt a small measure of relief. But it was short-lived. The flames were spreading faster now, fanned by the wind.

"We need to move in," Lux said. "We can't let this get any worse."

Zoey nodded, her eyes finally meeting Lux's. There was something in her gaze—concern, maybe, or regret. Lux couldn't tell. All she knew was that they needed to act fast.

"Let's do it," Zoey said.

Lux adjusted the controls, guiding the helicopter closer to the fire. The heat was like a physical force pressing down on them, making it hard to breathe. The flames roared, and sweat beaded on Lux's forehead.

Zoey was focused, her hands steady on the controls as they maneuvered the helicopter into position. Lux could feel the tension between them, the unspoken words that hung in the air. She knew Zoey was worried—about the fire, about the people, about the risks they were taking. But there was something else there too. Something Lux couldn't quite put her finger on.

The helicopter shuddered, and Lux glanced at the console, her stomach twisting as she saw the warning lights blinking. The heat was affecting the electrical systems, and they were losing control.

"Lux," Zoey said.

"I see it." Her hands moved quickly over the controls as she tried to steady the craft. But the helicopter was unresponsive and jerking violently as more systems failed.

"We're going down," Lux said.

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 broken panels, 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.

"Zoey," she said. "What if... What if it explodes?"

Zoey glanced back at the wreckage, the fire now consuming the cockpit. She tightened her grip on Lux, her face set in determination.

"We'll be out of range," Zoey said. "Just focus on moving forward. We're going to make it."

Lux nodded, though her fear didn't subside. Every step felt like a battle, her injured leg protesting each movement. The forest seemed endless, and the trees closed in around them.

Finally, they broke through to a clearing far enough away from the burning wreck. Lux collapsed onto the ground, her body trembling from pain and exhaustion. Zoey knelt beside her.

"Are you okay?" Zoey asked, her hand resting on Lux's shoulder as she tried to catch her breath.

Lux nodded, though she wasn't sure if it was true. Her leg throbbed, and she could feel the blood soaking through her pants. But she was alive. They both were.

"I...I thought I was going to die," Lux said. "I thought that was it."

Zoey's hand tightened on her shoulder. "But you didn't. You're safe now."

Lux looked up at Zoey, her eyes stinging with tears. She could see the worry etched on Zoey's face, the lines of stress and fear that hadn't been there before. She reached out, her hand trembling, and gripped Zoey's arm.

"Thank you. Thank you for coming back for me."

Zoey shook her head. "I wasn't going to leave you."

A tear escaped, slid down her cheek, and mixed with the soot and sweat. She was shaking, her body still in shock from the crash. Zoey pulled her closer and wrapped her arms around her. Lux clung to her, burying her face in Zoey's shoulder.

"I'm so scared," Lux whispered.

"I know. But you're not alone. I'm here. We're going to be okay."

Lux closed her eyes, focusing on the warmth of Zoey's embrace. The fear was still there, gnawing at her, but it was tempered by Zoey's presence. For the first time since the crash, she allowed herself to believe that they might make it out of this.