They had discovered it too late—after the boarding, sealing the doors, and moving people like pieces until one refused to fit. As the attendant had explained, there was a real danger, and they didn’t have a precedent for what to do under the circumstances.
Alyssa reached down and unbuckled her seatbelt slowly, the click echoing louder than it should have. Every movement felt deliberate now, weighted with meaning. She knew that she had no other choice. Of course, she wanted to go home, but not at the risk of jeopardizing the lives of everyone onboard.