Jenny’s hands trembled as she frantically dabbed at the control panel with tissues, pressing them hard against the seams and switches, trying to soak up every last drop of red liquid before it seeped deeper into the aircraft’s systems. The tissue paper turned pink, then deep red, tearing slightly under the force of her shaking fingers.
Her breathing was uneven—ragged gasps that echoed in the confined space of the cockpit.
Too fast.
Too loud.
The cockpit door suddenly swung open with a soft whoosh of pressurized air.
“Jenny.”
Jane’s voice cut through the panic like a knife—calm, measured, but sharp enough to make Jenny flinch.
Jenny turned immediately, her body shifting instinctively to block the damaged panel from view. She pressed her back against the controls, her hands still clut
