The helicopter swayed violently as it crossed a thermal updraft near the mountain ridge.
Elena felt her left hand slip two inches down the smooth metal surface of the skid.
She screamed as panic surged through her veins, looking down at the tiny pine trees.
Inside the cockpit, Victoria leaned forward and yelled at the pilot through her headset.
Victoria: Keep flying toward the airfield!
The pilot looked back through the narrow partition with sweat dripping down his neck.
His name was Arthur, a veteran pilot who had worked for the Vance family for decades.
Arthur had known Sarah since she was a little girl growing up in town.
He had always treated her like family, often helping her with small favors.
Arthur did not know that Victoria was forcing Sarah onto this flight against her will.
He thought it was a simple medical transfer to a top hospital in the city.
Arthur: Mrs. Vance, someone is hanging on the landing skid!
Victoria: Ignore her and focus on flying this aircraft!
Arthur: We cannot fly safely with an extra person clinging to the landing gear!
Arthur looked into his side mirror and saw Elena's body swinging in the wind.
His heart sank as he recognized the housekeeper who had always been so gentle and quiet.
Then he looked at the dashboard monitor showing the internal cabin video feed.
He saw Sarah crying in the rear seat while Daniel argued with his mother.
Arthur realized that something terrible was happening right inside his own helicopter.
He pulled the radio mic closer to his mouth and spoke directly to Daniel.
Arthur: Pull her inside right now, Daniel!
Daniel: I'm trying, but she won't let go of the frame!
Elena summoned every ounce of courage remaining in her tired, aching body.
She kicked her feet upward and managed to hook her boot over the bottom step.
With a heavy gasp, she pulled herself up closer to the open door of the cabin.
Elena: Sarah! I have your birth records in my room!
Sarah leaned forward against her seatbelt, her eyes red from crying on the flight.
Sarah: What are you talking about?
Elena: Your adoption papers! Victoria hired lawyers to hide your true legal inheritance!
Victoria jumped up from her seat, her face red with sudden rage and fear.
Victoria: Shut up, you miserable maid!
Victoria stepped toward the open door, grabbing a metal handrail to steady herself.
She reached down toward Elena's white knuckles with a look of pure cold malice.