Royal Air Maroc AT 666

Chapter One : Red Eye

"Never hesitate and embrace the suck." This was a mantra often spoken to me while in the Marine Corps. It was the mantra that saved countless lives aboard the plane I was piloting on that fateful night.

Had I not been better trained than the rest of the crew and passengers, this story would have had a vastly different ending. But fate had other plans, and I am now tasked with sharing a tale that will leave you with a fear so potent it will eventually build a permanent nest for you to toss and turn in each night.

I was flying back to my rental in Paris on a late-night flight with a new recruit to the airliner that day, and I had just raised the flaps as well as set the cabin pressure controller to an optimum level for a smooth flight. Next, I grab the intercom to give out a greeting to all of my lovely passengers.

"We are now soaring high above the stunning Tangier skyline and will arrive at Paris International in approximately four hours. Please remain seated until the seatbelt light is off, and our attendants will guide you through our safety procedures. Please enjoy your flight, and thank you for flying with Royal Air Maroc!"

With the microphone back in its holder, I turned to the new recruit, James Walker, and said, "That's it! Now we sit back and relax. One of the stewardesses should be along any moment with refreshments."

True to my word, the refreshment cart arrived moments later, and James and I chatted while sipping our drinks. I shared stories of my Marine upbringing, which had James gripping his seat a little tighter. Soon, however, he voiced his concern about a couple of passengers he had seen boarding in Paris, describing them as abnormal.

"When I looked into their eyes, they had unusual colors in their irises – shades of green, orange, and yellow, like something that I've seen in Zombie films. It was pretty frightening shit." James explains to me.

Curious, I needed to see for myself.

"What seats did they take?" I asked.

"I think I saw one of them in H11 in the Royal Comfort Plus section, and the other in either D18 or D22 in the same cabin," he said.

"I'll be right back. I want to see this for myself," I told James, rising from my seat and heading to the cockpit door. I greeted the first-class passengers and explained that I needed to use their Royal Comfort lavatory since ours was out of order. Passing them with smiles and waves, I made my way toward the back of the plane.

Chapter Two : Non-Stop Flight

When I stepped into the Comfort Plus cabin, I was greeted by a sea of passenger stares. Most of them had welcoming expressions, but some, including the ones James warned me about, did not. Indeed, James was right, as the gaze of the unsmiling individuals instantly gave me chills. Their eyes resembled something straight out of a horror movie.

"Have a wonderful flight, ladies and gentlemen!" I greeted the passengers before turning my back to the cabin.

Once I returned to the cockpit, I confirmed with James on the unsettling behavior and eyes of the passengers in seats H11 and D18. I then switched the intercom channel to that of the supervising flight attendants and spoke to Christine, requesting information on the two passengers in question.

"Christine, could you provide me with some information on the passengers seated in H11 and D18, please? I have reason to believe they may have ingested some kind of narcotic prior to the flight," I asked.

"Certainly, Tom," Christine responded through my comms.

"Thank you," I replied.

Using the cockpit's surveillance system, James maneuvered the cameras towards the Royal Comfort Plus cabin, enabling me to observe the peculiar passengers. After activating the autopilot and setting a 45-minute alarm for a quick nap, I rested my seat and focused on the surveillance screens. Before long, I drifted into a deep sleep.

As I slept, the darkness behind my closed eyes illuminated scenes from my memories. Those moments became vivid, and I soon found myself in a war zone, reliving the horrific moments I had thought I had forgotten. My brothers-in-arms lay slain on the floors of my memories before my very eyes.

As my fear intensified, a collection of voices entered my head, urging me to wake up. I opened my eyes, attempting to clear the blurriness and concentrate on reality. I spotted James engrossed in his book, and then I focused on the surveillance screens. What I saw shook me awake even more.

In seat D18, the unusual passenger held Christine's wrist tightly as she tried to serve him his refreshment request. Startled, I sat upright and grabbed James's attention.

"James, take a look!" I exclaimed as I gestured toward the surveillance screens. Christine struggled to free herself from the passenger's grip, and I seized the intercom once more.

"Passenger in seat D18, release your stewardess immediately!" I bellowed over the intercom. The passenger released Christine and shoved her aside before storming off to the nearby lavatory. Christine then rushed off camera checking her personal Royal Air PDA and reported the passengers' names to me.

"Hey, Tom, I have a Halek Aziz in H11 and a Saffah Faizan in seat D18," Christine said, reading from her screen.

"Thank you, Christine. I'll report Mr. Faizan to ground control. How's your arm?" I inquired.

"It'll be okay. He had a hell of a grip," she replied.

"Keep an eye on him," I instructed before ending the transmission.

After an hour, James and I realized that Saffah had not returned from the lavatory. We instructed Christine to ask the passenger to return to their seat. We watched as she pounded on the door, but there was no response. I was about to tell Christine that I would assist her when the lavatory door finally opened. Christine stood at the door, waiting for Saffah, but suddenly his arm emerged from the lavatory, grabbed Christine, and dragged her inside.

Without hesitation, I stood up and declared, "Not on my flight." I immediately exited the cockpit and informed the passengers in the Royal Air Maroc's Comfort Plus cabin to keep their eyes on Mr. Aziz in H11 as I walked past them towards the lavatory door. Although Halek appeared bewildered by my instruction, I continued to make my way toward the lavatory.

As I approached the lavatory door, I vociferated, "Christine, are you well? What might be happening in there?" Alas, no response reverberated in the airspace. I resorted to pounding on the door for a reply, yet the only response was an eerie silence. As I attempted another round of knocking, my eyes drifted to the bottom slit of the door, where I noticed a crimson fluid resembling blood oozing beneath my shoes. Sensing danger, I instructed the passengers in the vicinity to apprehend passenger H11 and darted toward the cockpit to retrieve my concealed firearm. James, who was petrified by the footage from the surveillance screen, implored me to elucidate the commotion.

"Stay here and lock the door. Only open it when you hear my voice," I commanded sternly.

I extracted my firearm from beneath my seat, undoing the holster that secured it to the bottom of the chair. James bolted the cockpit door the moment I departed to return to the Comfort Plus cabin. Before I could make it to the section, the cries of the passengers reached my ears. They urged each other to pile on top of Halek in seat H11.

Upon reaching the vicinity, I witnessed the other passengers immobilizing Mr. Aziz to his seat, using belts and duct tape. With my firearm at the ready, I approached the lavatory door.

"I implore you to exit the lavatory with your hands raised, release Christine from your grasp, or I will be compelled to enter and detain you," I exclaimed sternly. After receiving no response, I shot the lock and kicked the door open, only to be confronted with a ghastly sight. Blood was splattered all over the lavatory, and Christine was entangled in the man's grip, one hand over her mouth and the other within her chest. Her eyes were wide open, staring at the ceiling. The man's ribcage appeared to be dislodged, curling around Christine's body.

Remembering my military training, I fired a shot at his head, but it had no effect on him. He continued to feast on Christine's body, impervious to my gunfire. With limited ammunition, I opted to end Christine's suffering with a single shot to the skull. As I attempted to exit the lavatory, the being inside emitted an otherworldly and deafening scream. I managed to close the door, hoping to contain the terror within.

Upon leaving the lavatory, I instructed the other passengers to board up the door and prevent anything from escaping. I approached Mr. Aziz with my firearm, pointing it directly at his temple.

"Tell me what the fuck is going on!" I shout at the Halek. Despite my fury, he merely giggled, breathing heavily. His yellow eyes pulsated with colors of green and red, bleeding in and out of his pupils. As I was about to pull the trigger, I realized that the other passengers had restrained him. James and I attempted to contact the authorities while awaiting their arrival, knowing full well that this flight was far from over.

Chapter Three : The Final Approach

As I reach the cockpit, James grants me access after monitoring the surveillance feed. Upon contacting ground control, I provide a detailed account of the horrific occurrences on the flight. James is gripped with fear as I relay the information to ground control, who in turn directs us to proceed to New York International, with FBI agents poised to surround the aircraft upon arrival.

After receiving the instructions, I exit the cockpit and head back to the Royal Comfort Plus cabin. I find the passengers have secured Halek to his seat with duct tape, having suffered the brunt of his constant struggles against his restraints, as evidenced by his red, bruised body. The passengers have also taken measures to barricade the lavatory where the terrifying incidents occurred.

I urge all women and children in the section to move up to first class and advise the remaining passengers to allow only the strongest among them to enter and remain in the Royal Comfort Plus cabin, while others proceed towards the back main cabin. The entire aircraft of Flight AT666 is now consumed by fear, as the news of the demonic presence spreads like Greek Fire.

One of the passengers who helped detain Halek approaches me, concerned about a scratch on his arm that is causing undue distress. I immediately call for a doctor, fortunately finding a few onboard. However, the diagnosis of the scratch is far from positive. The doctor examines the scratch and concludes that the skin is exhibiting the same symptoms as if infected by a virus. All passengers request that he be quarantined in one of the available lavatories. I reluctantly comply and escort him into a lavatory in first class.

After securing the door of the lavatory, I return to the cockpit to comfort James, before taking a moment to call my wife back home. My last conversation with her indicated that she would be vacationing with friends along the coast, while I was on duty. I am grateful that she picks up and, in tears, recount everything that has happened.

I told her everything I could while in tears.

"I am not sure I will make it home, my love," I confess to her. She is bewildered and also overcome by tears. I cannot bring myself to share all the horrors that I have witnessed, but I am confident that the flight footage will fill in the gaps. I hear banging on the cockpit door and tell my wife that I love her, promising to do my utmost to save the plane, before ending the call.

Upon opening the cockpit door, I am confronted by Skyler, one of the first-class flight attendants, who demands, "What happened in the Royal Comfort Lavatory?" I do not mince my words.

"We believe that we have allowed demonic extraterrestrials onto the plane," I declare, observing his eyes widen in disbelief.

"I need answers," I declare to James and Skyler, as I make my way toward the Royal Comfort Plus cabin. Upon reaching the cabin, I confront Halek, struggling to contain my anger. He is no longer resisting and stares back at me with an eerie grin. I walk up to him, staring him directly in the eyes.

"Tell me what the hell you are!" I scream at him, my frustration mounting. He just laughs, "You already know my kind. What's more important is that I can help you."

Inquiring with firmness, I demand, "How is that?"

"I can enable you to communicate with our CEO. When you meet him, tell him what's happening on this plane and that you want to make a deal."

As I gazed into his eyes, I watched as they undulated and ensorcelled me into a trance. In an instant, I was transported into a world of inferno inside my mind. I observed a mammoth, horned creature metamorphose into a man of ordinary appearance as he approached me. The flames surrounding me cooled, and I found myself staring at an unoccupied seat. Upon standing, I noticed that every single seat was vacant.

My initial apprehension was over who or what was operating the plane, but with all the passengers absent, I concluded that I must have been mesmerized by Halek. Then, I heard knocking on the lavatory door that had been barricaded. Behind the door, I heard Christine's cries. I ripped apart the blockade and opened the door only to confront the beast that I had seen in my first vision before it transmuted into the empty cabin.

"Got you!" The beast bellowed in a low, menacing voice as it wrapped its claws around my neck and pushed me into the aisle. My body trembled with fear; my feet dangled helplessly in the air. In horror, I watched the creature's entire form shake apart, and I saw other figures materialize within its shudders. Suddenly, I was hanging in the presence of a well-dressed man holding me with the arm of a beast.

He releases me, allowing me to stand and inquire, confused, frightened, and unsure of his intentions.

"Who are you?" I inquire.

"Oh, Tom, I have many names," he responds. "But what's significant right now is this unholy flight experience you've encountered. Let us strike a deal, and I'll clean up every aspect of it for you. I can return Christine unharmed and even answer those questions that have preoccupied your mind for far too long. Now, come on, isn't that the deal you've been seeking? Go ahead and give me some of those juicy questions first."

I asked him, "Why is there war?" He replied, "Because it's a global market. Wake up!" After pondering for a moment, I queried, "What is a soul?" He informed me, "A soul is a collection of consciousnesses strung together from the past to the future. Disclosing secrets one moment and hiding them at another, all to keep you away from harm and true power."

His answers came forth in response to every question I could pose. It wasn't long before I was convinced that this man was the Devil, or perhaps even worse.

"Now, let's have you answer some of my questions," he concluded. "Why did you retire so early from the Marines? Was it for your wife, or was it because you couldn't shake off the guilt of leading your beloved squad into what they warned you would be a death trap?" He inquired.

I stood before him, astounded by his knowledge of my life. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I told him that I didn't intend for that to happen. He had struck a chord, and I found myself falling to my knees, sobbing even harder. Then, I heard his voice calling out to me.

As I lifted my head to face him, I was greeted by Halek's duct-taped legs.

"Well, I see you've met my boss. Did you make a deal, or did you just cry at his feet?" Halek asked. But before I could respond, the passengers and I heard cries emanating from the obstructed lavatory. Christine's frightened voice was audible to all of us.

"Let me out!" Christine shouted. I advised the passengers not to listen and that it could be a trick.

"Please, I am covered in blood and don't know what is going on," Christine pleaded.

"I think the body in there with you is explanation enough!" I shouted out at her.

"What body? I am the only one in here, and why am I covered in blood?" she responded, confused.

Despite our initial skepticism, we gave in and pried open the door, astonished to see Christine standing alone. We quickly rinsed her off with bottled water and asked her what she could remember. She told me that she remembered our communication about the two tyrannical passengers and nothing after that.

I returned to Halek and thanked him for returning Christine to us. "Are you going to let me go peacefully, or am I going to have to deal with your authorities?" he asked.

I hesitated, feeling conflicted about the right course of action. The feeling that I was on the wrong side persisted, especially when I saw him still tied up. With just an hour left until arrival, I turned to him and said, "You know what? No deal." Then, I put a bullet in his skull and added three more for good measure. Once I was certain that Halek was dead, I instructed Skyler to check on the passenger in the first-class lavatory and report back. However, that is a horror story for another time.