The flight attendant leaned in a little, her breath close, her voice barely audible above the boarding music. “You need to get off this plane. Immediately.” Her hand gripped the seatback harder than necessary, knuckles pale. Alyssa followed her eyes, half-expecting something to fail, some alarm to break the moment open.
Alyssa refused without thinking, the word forming before fear could catch up. No explanation followed. No badge, no authority. Around her, the cabin stayed calm—passengers lifting bags, screens lighting up, the boarding music still playing, absurdly cheerful.
The attendant hesitated, then leaned closer once more before moving on. “You shouldn’t have been allowed to board.” There was urgency in her voice. Then she straightened and scuttled away down the aisle, disappearing behind the curtain and leaving Alyssa frozen in her seat…