Rick tried to decide what to do, but he couldn’t think. The laughter horrified him. Images started to appear in his mind of the Vietnamese officer and the pit with the bamboo bars closing in on him. “Why couldn’t you have killed me? Why couldn’t you let me die?” He yelled into the cockpit. “I can’t go to jail! No, I’m not going! You can’t make me!”
He had to silence the demon once and for all. Suddenly it was all too clear what he had to do. He was surprised at how easy the decision was. There was only one answer. Only one final solution. Rick was surprised at how easily he’d accepted it…
After a moment, he gently released the yoke then leaned slowly back in his seat and closed his eyes. He was calm. At peace. The horrific eyes and laughter faded from his mind. Everything was silent, but for the soothing sound of air washing over the plane as it flew through it. His decent accelerated as the angle of attack dove sharply. The plane began to wobble, slowly at first, then into a gentle roll. With outstretched arms, head back, and eyes closed, Rick’s body moved back and forth as the plane lazily rolled towards its fate. The dynamic forces on the control surfaces were so great there was no hope of pulling out. But Rick wasn’t about to try. No longer would the voice in his head control him.
“He’s in a dive! He’s going to auger in!” The woman with the binoculars said loudly. Everyone in the tower rushed to the window and looked out.
Jim’s heart was in his throat as he watched the hopeless event. “Rick! Don’t do it!” he pleaded over the radio. A moment later, he rushed out the door and down the steps while continuing to watch the plane’s descent.
The cameraman waved excitedly and Chet looked into the air. “Oh my Gosh! He’s going to crash!” Chet yelled. The cameraman followed the plane as it sped towards the ground.