WHY DID YOU WAKE ME?

by Matt Keefe

John hated flying. He didn't fear it, but he loathed it. For once, though, the gaily mimed safety information to which even the frequent flyer was implored to pay attention provoked in John little more than tired disinterest. The sure and certain knowledge that slumber would soon overwhelm him surpassed even John's great ire. Tiredness was all that occupied his mind and sleep came as quickly as it did easily.

John woke to a cacophony, though whether it was the noise that had woken him, or the hand of the woman beside him shaking him frantically by the collar, he couldn't tell. 
     "Wake up!" she was shouting. "Can't you hear that?" The cabin's speakers; he could hear them now. 
     "He says we're going to crash!" the woman shrieked. "The pilot says the plane is going to crash! We're all going to die!" The woman was crying now. John looked into her terrified eyes. 
     "Why did you wake me?" he said.   END