BURIED UNDER THE SNOW

GLACIER THE WORLD IS DIFFERENT NOW

Everything is white.

Syifa kept looking out even though the windows were blurry and covered in snow. It had been an hour and all he saw was snow. The white land seemed to stretch out as far as the eye could see.

The snowfield didn't look safe. There were chunks under there like a colony of giant ice blades. There are also big cracks that don't know how deep. Syifa had been wanting to see a tree, but to no avail.

The gray sky seemed to lock up. Clumps of clouds seemed to pile up like cotton. Needless to say, the sun had been hiding a long time ago and the snow was starting to fall. Syifa also squinted, he could see the mountains in the distance, stretching and snaking covered with a white layer.

He suddenly remembered the tenth grade History class. Mrs. Jeni said that before the blizzard came there were dozens of cities all over this field. Named Jakarta, Bandung and others. Metropolitan cities contain skyscrapers. There are also engine trains—called cars—filling the asphalt roads, taking people everywhere. The sun shines from morning to evening, so anyone can have a garden at home.

Now there are no more cities, only snow fields and Garage. Mrs. Jeni said, a blizzard destroyed all the buildings throughout the city. Then decade after decade, the snow buried the buildings. Snow buried hundreds of cities flat. So, it could be that GARUDA I is now airing over the graveyard. City cemetery.

Syifa suddenly got goosebumps.

There was a noise behind. It's a group of men. They sat on the backs of the seats, talking about the Guard and laughing until it was heard throughout the cabin.

This is pilot Sagita. Please fasten the seat belt.

"So stupid, Sagita!" shouted someone from the crowd, it was Dimas. His friends laughed.

"Hey, put on your seat belts!" said Anggara.

"Or what?" replied the long-haired man next to Dimas. "You want to electrocute us?"

Syifa immediately looked away when Dimas saw her. Something about the man scared her... and curious at the same time. Do not know why.

Suddenly the plane shook. Syifa remained calm, maybe it was the usual turbulence. Then the plane shook again, so hard that the crowd in the back all fell, but they still managed to laugh.

Syifa gripped her seat belt. The shaking came again, this time louder and more continuous. Some people bounced off their chairs, luckily there were seat belts. Then everyone screamed as the cabin lights flashed red.

"What happened?!" Syifa's chest began to constrict. "Resin?"

"Keep holding on!"

There was another shock. Someone bounced up and hit the roof of the cabin. There was also the sound of someone falling behind.

The light is still flashing red. This time the oxygen masks came out and hung in front of everyone's faces.

"Oh no!" shouted Gibran. "The appearance of oxygen masks when the plane shakes is a bad sign!"

"Shut up, Gibran, you're not helping!" replied Anggara.

The plane suddenly swerved to the right. Everyone screamed as the items on the top shelf fell. Then the plane slowly returned to stability, although the shaking still occurred.

Syifa pulled the oxygen mask off and took a deep breath. Cold air rushed into his lungs, calming him for a moment. However, the shock caused his mask to fall off and his head hit the window making him dizzy. He looked outside and was surprised.

He saw that the sky line outside the window was not straight, but slanted downwards and became more and more slanted. People began to slump from their seats. Slowly, Syifa saw the snow hills below seemed to grow. As if they were approaching.

"We're falling!" shouted Syifa. He glanced at Anggara, his eyes closed behind his glasses. "I said we fell!"

"Calm down," replied Anggara trembling. "He's always the best in simulation flight. Sagita is the best pilot of Garage. He definitely can. "

The snow surface is getting closer. Syifa could see the peaks of the mountains under her window. The plane shook again, this time with a deafening boom. It comes from the right, from the outside.

"The right wing is destroyed!" someone shouted. "We just hit a mountain!" The bottom of the plane hit something. So hard that several people were thrown up, off their seat belts. Then the plane swooped down and glided. Gliding so fast that Syifa's body seemed to be on fire. This time the plane spun around, stirring up the entire cabin. Bags, books and even people, all floated and collided in the air. The plane continued to spin as it slid down. Just then the plane hit something. Then there was an explosion behind Syifa. The plane shook until he flew off his seat and something hard hit his forehead. When he looked back, there was a large hole in the cabin. Devouring upholstery and people into the snowfall.

Snow flew into the cabin. Syifa's eyes suddenly blurred. He felt a hand tug at him, but his body was dragged out into the air. Then everything went dark.

❆❆❆

Syifa's body was shaken

Then something hard was stuffed into his mouth. There was the sound of someone screaming in front of him, telling him to breathe. He couldn't feel anything, his eyes wouldn't open, but he tried to draw breath from his mouth. Cold and bitter air rushed into his throat. Instantly he convulsed, able to breathe even though he was short of breath. His eyes slowly opened. The first to be seen were... those two quartz-colored eyes. Aksa. Aksa said something, but a buzzing sound filled her ears.

"Syifa!" said Aksa vaguely. "Syifa, wake up! Breathe!"

Syifa took a deep breath. He felt his body lying on something flat and cold. He blinked, the gray sky far above him. You can see smoke and ashes flying. As he sighed, white smoke came out of his mouth.

Then Aksa's face drew closer to hers. He said something... about the inhaler.

Suddenly, Syifa came to her senses. He immediately sat up and pushed Aksa away. Akash fell down next to him.

He held his frowning forehead. Then knelt to stand up, but fell again. His face hit the surface, white and cold. Snow.

"I'm here to help you up."

He blocked Aksa's hand. "Stay away from me," he said breathlessly. He sat down to look around him. "What happened?"

Syifa's eyes caught too many things. To be sure GARUDA I fell in the snow, but something is different here. Tree. He saw a tree.

He approached the towering sturdy log. Thick branches filled the entire side. The tree was leafless because the snow covered all the branches. He tried to touch the trunk, it was cold and rough. So far, he'd only seen trees in Biology books, couldn't believe he could touch them. Even though it was leafless, still, this was the first natural plant he had seen.

There is not only one tree. There are many around.

But then Syifa's focus changed. On the left, he saw a dozen meters of ice cliffs. The tail of the plane got stuck up there. Occasionally swaying in the wind.

Not far in front of Syifa was a giant, oval-shaped piece of iron. It was the fuselage, the front of which was submerged in the snow. While the back is hollow and smoky.

Syifa looked back. There's another piece of fuselage. The large hole in the side allowed him to see the hanging seats inside. There was someone lying under him, he didn't move.

He saw people passing by. Someone was carrying someone on his shoulder. Someone was trying to pull someone out from under the iron plate. Someone seemed to be crawling, trying to get out of the cabin hole with blood running down some of his face.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

All around Syifa there were sobs mixed with screams. He also saw several people sitting on the snow, crying and screaming at their surroundings.

How Syifa wanted to cry, but she took a deep breath and tried to gather consciousness. Slowly his eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for someone he recognized.

Resin. His eyes found Anggara. He was digging fast snow and breaking the plane's cockpit glass. Then pulled someone from the cockpit filled with snow. It was a woman, with short hair and an all white uniform. Sagittarius Pilot.

Syifa slowly stood up while holding her head. He felt something run from his forehead to his cheek. Blood. His forehead was bleeding, but he didn't care, he tried to walk even though he was staggering. Then he screamed as he stepped on the red snow.

He suddenly gasped. As if his lungs were tied up, the more he breathed the tighter he became. He tried to call Dirga, but asthma made him mute.

Someone came holding Syifa's shoulder. Woman, oval face, round eyes in a perforated eyeglass frame. He pulled Syifa's head to look at the wound. "The bleeding wasn't deep," he said, holding up three fingers. "How many fingers do I have?"

"What... what happened?"

"The plane got stuck on a cliff and then crashed and . . . split into three!" He's breathless. "Three people did not survive including the co-pilot! Dozens of people are still missing. Dozens of others are injured, crying uncontrollably and under stress!"

"Y... fell?"

Syifa pulled the inhaler from Aksa's hand. He took a deep breath through his mouth. The bitter air allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief. Now he can think clearly. When he heard someone screaming for help, he ran to him.

"Gibran, hold on!" he said as he lifted the metal plate that was carrying the pale white leg. Aksa came to help. Syifa immediately pulled Gibran.

"Let me see." The bespectacled woman knelt next to Gibran. "Oh no, your knee bone is sliding!"

"Hey, Disty. Even if you fall from a plane, you're still beautiful."

Syifa grimaced. Didn't think anyone could joke around at a time like this.

"Disty, you're a doctor, right?" asked Aksa. "Please treat Del's forehead, please."

"Hey, don't be so caring!" Syifa replied. "I'm not your wife."

Then he stood up, looking around him. He was almost choked because he couldn't find Dirga, but then someone called him. His voice echoed from inside the plane cabin. He immediately sprinted toward the big hole. It didn't matter if his feet stepped on the red snow.

It's a mess in there. The plane seats hung upside down, he walked on the roof of the cabin. He saw a woman hit by the seat - unconscious, but still breathing. He immediately pushed his seat and pulled the woman out of the cabin.

"DDimas, help me!" someone shouted from the cabin. His voice was loud and shrill like that of an unpubescent boy. That's the Director. Syifa always knew that voice.

"Dirga! Where are you?! Dirga!"

Syifa ran to the source of the sound. He glared at Dirga still tied to his seat belt. He sat hanging on the seat with blood dripping from his forehead. Syifa was on tiptoe trying to untie her belt, but the belt was caught. His cold, numb hands couldn't hold it.

"Excuse me, Miss."

A mint-scented person came with a penknife. That's Dimas. He told Syifa to back off. She had never been this happy seeing a boy. Dimas quickly cut the two belts and caught Dirga who fell down.

"Your forehead." Dimas touched Syifa with his cold fingers. Then lifted Dirga to his shoulders as if he was not heavy at all. "Treat your forehead before it gets infected."

"It's just a small scratch, I'm fine," he replied, hoarsely. "I'll get everyone out of here. You, take my cousin to Disty, okay?"

Dimas looked at Syifa, straight and cold. "You're stubborn like your father," he said. "And the craftsman."

❆❆❆

"This is Sagita from GARUDA I," he said. "Come on, don't ignore me!"

He had repeated it dozens of times. There were still only cracks, but Sagita didn't give up. He turned the frequency lever again, looking for a signal. It didn't matter even though the snow almost froze his ass because he was sitting in the cockpit which was partly covered in snow.

"Got something?" Syifa stuck her head in the cockpit window. "Garage? GARUDA II?"

Sagita shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about GARUDA II."

Syifa fended off the bad thoughts in her brain. "Why do you think we fell?"

"Anggara said there were no defects in the engine. Something suddenly damaged the navigation system, as if it was deliberately hijacked. Still being investigated."

Syifa looked up at the gray sky above her. It's still noon, the snow is still light, but by evening a storm may come. Not to mention other dangers. Anything can happen in the wild snow fields. Suddenly he bent down and shed the tears he had been holding back.

Everyone had been removed from the cabin. Disty was busy treating them one by one with a makeshift first aid kit. Some sat shivering in the snow, others slept hugging the rest of the upholstery. Dimas forbade them to enter the cabin because the overhanging seat could fall and hurt them, not to mention the broken glass.

Suddenly...

"I did it!" Sagita shouted hoarsely. "Here's Sagita from GARUDA I, calling

Garage. GARUDA I crashed and could not continue flight."

Several people came to surround the cockpit. Including Dimas and Disty who squeezed Syifa.

There was a buzzing sound for a moment. "This is Lasya from Garage. Your signal is breaking up."

"Mother!" Happiness broke out in Syifa's voice.

"Eaglets?" Lasya sounded excited. "Are you all right, son?"

Before he could answer, someone grabbed him. "This is Bara. Hello, Syifa, thank goodness you're safe," said the bass voice. "Is everyone safe?"

Syifa looked back. Saw three orange body bags under a snowy tree. "Co-pilots Endra, Helmi and Mira did not survive, sir. We are fifty-seven."

"Keep the signal, Sagita," said Lasya. "We're looking for your coordinates."

Suddenly there was a buzzing sound. I heard someone talking shrilly. Sagita immediately panicked, he turned the frequency lever slowly, looking for a signal again. However... his voice disappeared, leaving behind a low tingling sound. Sagita turned the lever again, but remained silent.

"Hey, what's up with the radio?" asked Dimas.

"Not me!" he replied. "Something cut off our signal. This is weird."

Dug! A lump of snow hit Syifa's cheek. The two men who threw him ordered retaliation, but he glared at them instead. "Relax," said Dimas. "They're just trying to cheer themselves up."

"Are you crazy?! I can't relax!" Syifa replied. "A blizzard is coming in a few hours. Our only means of communication with Garage is cut off. They can't help us. We're all alone! And snow-throwing doesn't help." Dimas grabbed Syifa's shoulder but she pushed her away and got up. He drew near to the crowd of people sitting cold on the snow. Their lips were turning pale and there weren't many blankets to warm themselves up. Then he glanced at the two pieces of the fuselage alternately.

"I know you are tired and cold," Syifa said loudly. "But we have to—build camp because it will get colder."

"You did it," replied the man with long hair. "There's nothing for camping anyway. Want to build a snow castle?"

"Umm . . . we could use the cabin to take cover until late afternoon and sleep in a tent at night. There must be one in the trunk."

"Elvan said the cabin was dangerous to use!" said another.

"Besides, we're going to die here soon, why are you so tired?!" shouted the man behind.

Someone threw Syifa with snow. "I don't want to be sent by the Guardian's son!" Dozens of other people nodded.

Syifa sighed, trying to calm the emotions in her chest. "I didn't tell you to.

Everyone just stared at Syifa. Some whispered about it, some laughed at it. He may not have mastered the rhetoric of public speaking, but he had no choice. If everyone just kept quiet, everyone would freeze to death. "You heard him. What are you waiting for?" That gallant voice appeared next to Syifa. "If we're going to die here, at least make it a little more comfortable. The five of you, find a tent and anything useful, the luggage section falls not far from here. Juna, you help Disty. The four of you check around, look for wood or water. Anggara, help Sagita confirmed the radio. The rest come with me, we'll clean up the cabin."

At first they were silent, but then a man named Juna-pale skin, long hair and a pointed nose-stands up to approach Disty.

Everyone stood up and did their job according to El's orders.

"Why not earlier, Elvan?" asked Syifa sharply.

He bent down with his hands on his chest. "Thank you again, Miss," he replied.

"You know, they don't like you. You're the Guardian's kid and the council's kid."

Syifa drew closer until their faces were inches apart. "I don't need fans.

Just want them to survive the blizzard."

They relay the goods out of the cabin. Bags, piles of broken glass and more. Inside, Dimas turned the seat screw using a screwdriver. One by one the seats were removed. Syifa was seen picking up the blankets and plane pillows left in the cabin. While Sagita and Anggara are still struggling with the radio in front. In the other cabin there is Dirga. His wound was improving so he decided to remove the seats there. There was also Disty who helped out the bags. Sometimes they talk. I don't know why Syifa is happy to see him.

On a bed of snow, teenagers from the factory sector collect iron plates. There is also a pile of iron pegs from the rest of the fuselage. They held the plates together with pegs. Their hands hammered quickly. They were making doors to close the holes in both cabins.

"Hey, look what we found!"

That's a group of luggage. They brought flashlights, tarpaulins, sleeping bags, stretchers, toolbox and most importantly... tents.

"Anyone know what this is?" The man is holding a large red box. "Campfire Box." Syifa salted as everyone stared at her. "It has a small stove in it, synthetic firewood and matches. To make a bonfire." The pale-skinned and long-haired man named Juna came. "Let me turn it on."

"It's better if the campfire box is stored first," Syifa replied. "Now, just build the tent."

Juna saluted. "Yes Sir!" Everyone laughed. Syifa looked away.

Outside, Aksa and three other people sorted the contents of the suitcase. They look for food, flashlights and anything to keep them warm. Instant food looks piled up, but at most only enough for one meal. He also managed to find a dozen flashlights and... a harmonica. She looked at him with a smile.

"It's not edible," said Juna. "You must be from the arts sector. Hm... art is useless here."

In less than two hours, both cabins were clean. Some of the plane seats are neatly arranged inside. All windows have been patched with tarps. Artificial doors were successfully installed in both cabins. And emergency lights hung outside the cabin, illuminating the camp. "Please get things out of here." Disty pointed to the corner near the cockpit door. "I'll put the patient and medicine."

"Anything for you, honey." Gibran limped toward him.

Disty even forced him to sit on the seat. "You rest and don't be naughty!"

A group of men at the side of the cabin cheered. They managed to build a tent. Shaped like a pyramid, black and quite large. Then they argue about who sleeps in the tent—because it only fits twenty. Dimas said the tent is special for items such as luggage, food and utensils, so that the cabin is more comfortable to sleep in.

"But the tent is made of strong fiber, it can withstand the cold. The door is also locked. For sleeping, it's safer in the tent, we can all take turns. The cabin door you made is easy to remove when we sleep. It's dangerous." Syifa said. "Like I said, a cabin for luggage and shelter only during the day."

"Hey, our door is strong." June forward. "You're not from the factory sector, don't act like you know!" Dimas holds Juna. "Do not listen to her." Then he drew closer to Syifa. "You're too fussy. It's your choice... sleep in the cabin or in the snow. Everyone, get into the cabin! It's getting dark soon. And someone, help me bury! The bodies won't bury themselves."

❆❆❆