The Panic Paradox

By Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan

Passengers seated inside the flight and watching the monitor

"I-I found it!" I exclaimed, elated by my breakthrough in cancer treatment after countless failures.

On my flight home to submit the research papers, I shared the news with my co-passenger, who suddenly turned pale.

"Did you tell anyone?" he asked, panic rising in his voice.

"My team lead informed the officials about my arrival yesterday."

"S-shit! We’re going to die because of you!" he stammered.

"What do you mean—"

Before I could finish, the plane jolted violently.

The pilot's voice crackled over the speaker: "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" My heart raced as fear gripped me, realizing the gravity of my revelation.