Free Fall. Rick Mofina

Thirty-Seven

       Thirty-Eight

       Thirty-Nine

       Forty

       Forty-One

       Forty-Two

       Forty-Three

       Forty-Four

       Forty-Five

       Forty-Six

       Forty-Seven

       Forty-Eight

       Forty-Nine

       Fifty

       Fifty-One

       Fifty-Two

       Fifty-Three

       Fifty-Four

       Fifty-Five

       Fifty-Six

       Fifty-Seven

       Fifty-Eight

       Fifty-Nine

       Sixty

       Sixty-One

       Sixty-Two

       Sixty-Three

       Sixty-Four

       Sixty-Five

       Sixty-Six

       Sixty-Seven

       Sixty-Eight

       Sixty-Nine

       Seventy

       Seventy-One

       Seventy-Two

       Seventy-Three

       Seventy-Four

       Seventy-Five

       Seventy-Six

       Seventy-Seven

       Seventy-Eight

       Seventy-Nine

       Eighty

       Eighty-One

       Eighty-Two

       Eighty-Three

       Eighty-Four

       Eighty-Five

       Epilogue

       Acknowledgments & A Personal Note

       Extract

       Copyright

      One

      Buffalo, New York

      You’re not going to die today.

      Kayla repeated her prayer as the boarding call for her flight at Buffalo Niagara International Airport was announced. Her thoughts raced as she clutched her boarding pass and ID while inching through the line to Gate 20. After the gate agent had cleared her, Kayla felt Logan’s reassuring hand on her shoulder as they walked along the jetway to their plane.

      “You’re gonna be fine,” he said.

      She offered him a weak smile. Drawing on the advice she’d absorbed from her motivational books and recordings, she fought her fear of flying by repeating her mantra.

      I can do this. I’ve faced worse.

      The jet was a new-model regional aircraft with eighty-six passenger seats, and today’s flight was full. Their seats were in the fourteenth row on the left side. Logan took the aisle. Kayla took the window.

      After they’d stowed their bags overhead Kayla buckled her belt and continued battling her anxiety by attacking her scariest thoughts.

      This plane is not going to crash. I’m safe. My boyfriend’s with me.

      Logan took her hand in his and tried to calm her.

      “Remember how important this trip is? Just think about that.”

      Kayla nodded, concentrating on the reason why she had to get on this plane: because her dream was within