It was supposed to be a normal work trip.

Fly overseas to Europe, then return back to New York in a few weeks. That was the plan.

But everything changed within a second.

The plane shuddered violently, the sudden turbulence jolting Chris awake from a restless doze. His heart leapt into his throat as the aircraft bucked and rolled like a wild stallion, tossing passengers about in their seats.

Cries of alarm rang out through the cabin - screams of terror and prayers for deliverance mingling with the shriek of straining metal. The overhead bins burst open, spilling luggage and carry-ons into the aisle.

The pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, his words nearly drowned out by the roar of wind whipping past the fuselage.

"...engine failure...attempting emergency landing..."

But there was an undercurrent of panic beneath his professional tone that sent icy tendrils of fear down Chris' spine.

Alarms blared incessantly as warning lights flashed red across every panel. The plane plummeted suddenly, stomachs lurching with it. Through the window beside him, all he could see was churning white clouds and flashes of blue sea far below.

Then, with a deafening roar and a blinding flash of light, everything went black.

When Chris opened his eyes again, the first thing he noticed was the sand - gritty and coarse beneath his fingers as he blinked against the glare of sunlight. His head throbbed in time with his heartbeat, each pulse sending shards of pain lancing through his skull.

"God.." He croaks.

A gentle wave laps at his feet, warm and soothing against his skin. He pushes himself up on trembling arms to take in his surroundings - a stretch of pristine white sand beach curving out of sight in either direction. Towering palm trees sway gently overhead, their fronds rustling in the breeze.

There's no sign of the plane anywhere. No wreckage strewn across the shore or smoldering crater gouged into the earth. It's as if it never existed at all.

He coughs, a harsh, racking sound that sends fresh waves of agony radiating through his torso. His mouth tasted like copper and bile. When he lifted a hand to wipe the back of it across his lips, it came away smeared with blood.

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut - he was injured. Badly, if the amount of pain is any indication. He gingerly probed at his side with trembling fingers and recoil as they brush against something hot and slick beneath his shirt.

A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he slumped back down onto the sand, gasping for breath. The world spun sickeningly around him as black spots danced at the edges of his vision.

This can't be happening...it has to be some kind of nightmare. He was just a normal guy with a normal life.

He grunted with the effort of trying to push himself up, his muscles screaming in protest. His hands scrabbled uselessly at the sand as he tried to drag himself forward, each inch a monumental struggle. Helpless tears of frustration and pain stung his eyes as he finally managed to crawl up further onto the beach. The wet sand clung to his skin and clothes, heavy and sodden. He collapsed face-down into it, panting harshly through clenched teeth.

The agony in his side was unbearable now - a white-hot brand searing into his flesh with every ragged breath. He was dimly aware that he needed to get help, find shelter...but right now, all he could do was lie there and pray for the strength not to pass out again.