The Asian businessman blinked nervously when Nora apologized, then nodded once, quickly, as if accepting the mistake. He was wrapped up in feelings of guilt himself; the last words he said to his family, the reasons for the trip, all made him feel like this was some kind of cosmic karma for him choosing his career over loved ones. At least, that was what his wife had accused him of, right before he left home.<br/><br/><i>“If there’s some way to make a fire…” Nora started, looking around with uncertainty. “Just try to keep warm.”</i><br/><br/>“The fuel might catch,” Mark replied. “We can make a fire wherever we find shelter. It will be safer there; maybe we can set up a makeshift camp nearby in case rescue comes.”<br/><br/><i>She looked to the men, then. “Who’s scouting for shelter?” She perked a brow.</i><br/><br/>“I am,” Mark said. The other men, the Asian businessman and the black professor both agreed to scout too.<br/><br/>The older couple had looked at each other, then the woman patted her husband’s arm. “I’ll be okay,” she said, “you can go help them look.”<br/><br/>But he shook his head. “I’m not leaving you,” he promised. He turned to the others. “Sue can’t walk far. I don’t want to leave her, chance that she’ll get too cold and freeze.”<br/><br/>The stewardess was pulling blankets from the bins that she could find. She handed some to the two older woman and Sue’s husband. “I’ll stay too,” she volunteered. “Our training tells us to stay with the plane if possible to increase chances of being found.” She drew in a deep breath, wrapping a blanket around her neck like a scarf. Somewhere she had scrounged up a ski jacket. “While you are scouting, I’ll gather what useful things I can,” she suggested.<br/><br/>“We can help with that,” Sue’s husband said.<br/><br/>To which, Sue smiled at him, holding his arm. “Bert, you are my hero.”<br/><br/>“Alright,” Mark looked back at the other two explorers, then at Nora. “Do you want to come with me?” He studied her closely, knowing that shock could come quickly now that the reality of their situation had finally hit.<br/><br/>“That’s a good idea,” the professor said. “We’ll travel in pairs,” he looked at the Asian man. “I’m Doctor Edward Silas, but you can call me Eddie.”<br/><br/>This made the businessman smile. “Nice to meet you,” he extended his hand to the other. “I’m Michael Lee. Mike is fine.”