A Dream Getaway

Rupert Tindall and Tina Walcott are both on a small plane flying to a remote town. Tina is to visit family and Rupert to experience an outdoor adventure.

As they fly over the forest clad terrain, the two passengers look out of their respective windows and admire the scenery. Rupert's glad the pilot decides to fly lower to help them appreciate the view.

But then Rupert notices the plane is very low over the forest. Too low.  He quickly looks at the pilot, who seems in distress. Tina is now also aware and glances forward with fear in her eyes. 

They are both strapped in, but before either can unbuckle to help the pilot, the plane starts skipping over trees and jarring the plane.

Rupert and Tina now look at each other in horror, realising they must stay fastened in and hope the impact isn't going to be a disaster. Then the noise and crashing about is overwhelming. They brace themselves for the impact. The plane then comes to a stop and there is silence.

The two passengers look across at each other, their harness safety belts holding them secure. Their chests are sore but otherwise surprisingly not hurt. The plane is on a slight pitch forward but quite well nestled in the trees. There is no noise from the pilot.
Tina: We need to check the pilot.
Rupert: Wait! Don't just jump up. We need to make sure the plane is not teetering. 

Rupert moves slightly to make sure the situation seems safe. Tina has emergency medical training so she unbuckles and carefully moves toward the front of the plane. It moves slightly as she does, so she takes more care with her steps. 

She checks his pulse but she realises there is nothing to be done.

Rupert: Is he okay?
Tina: He's gone.
Rupert: We must get out of this plane, but we are a few metres off the ground. We need to get some necessary things and find a way to the forest floor.
Tina: We can jump, but we could hurt ourselves.
Rupert: I was going to do a little rock climbing on my trip, so I have a rope long enough to get us down. I'll tie it around that branch and we can shimmy down.
Tina: That's a good idea.

The door on the side of the plane is partially open so they open it further. As they move to collect their bags, it lurches with their movements, particularly Rupert's.
Tina: Be careful.
Rupert: I will, but I'm heavier than you.

They carefully throw all their stuff out and Rupert ties the rope to the branch. He tugs the rope and then goes first with Tina following. As he was going hiking on this trip, he brought a sleeping bag, cooking utensils and dried food. Rupert also has a compass and a small pair of binoculars. Tina has just a change of clothes.
Rupert smiling: You didn't come well prepared, did you?
Tina: I'm a nurse, not an outdoorsman. I don't even have proper walking boots, as she observes Rupert taking his out and donning them. 

Rupert: Your shoes will have to do. Put a plaster on your heels to minimise chafing. We need to head north. The problem is knowing a route to take. I don't know the lay of the land.

Tina: Let's push on and take a chance. We don't know if anyone is aware of the crash at this point in time, and if they do, will they know where to look?

They walk until it starts to get darker.

Rupert: We need to find a suitable place to stop. I have a sleeping bag and a tiny tent. I also have matches and a pot so we can cook some dried food. Here looks good, next to a stream too.
Tina: That's a good spot. Let's start the fire.

They gather some fuel, set up the tent and start the fire. They both eat. Then Tina washes the utensils up while Rupert puts up the pup tent and throws the unrolled sleeping bag in. 

Tina: Where will I sleep?

Rupert: In the tent in my sleeping bag. The weather is mild, so I'll sleep outside. I'll put on a bush jacket and use a cardigan for my pillow. 

Tina: I won't say no. 

Tina slips into the tent while Rupert gets some sleep outside. He wakes up during the night and stokes the fire, staring into the flames. He reflects on their lucky escape. Then Tina comes out and sits next to the fire with him.

Tina: A penny for your thoughts.

Rupert: How lucky we were to get out of the crash relatively unscathed. My sore ribs have made sleeping on the hard ground difficult though.

Tina: I'm starting to feel the same soreness. I'm sorry for the pilot and just leaving him there.

Rupert: Moving him was too risky.

Tina: Our survival is greatly enhanced with your provisions, but we are not out of the woods yet.

Rupert: Literally and metaphorically. When we were flying, I didn't see any sign of human habitation in the area, so it may be a long trek out. Our food will last three or four days, longer if we are careful. 

Tina: Hopefully, we will be safe by then.

Rupert: So why were you making this trip?

Tina: To visit family who moved up here a few years ago to retire and enjoy a simpler life. You?

Rupert: Experience the outdoors, but I didn't expect it quite so soon.

Day two, their journey is uneventful. They hope they are heading in the right direction. They make camp again and once they have consumed their uninspiring dehydrated fare, they sit back and watch the flames flicker.

Tina: My parents have faith in God, but I haven't the same level of belief.

Rupert: In nature, I feel humbled and vulnerable that engenders a spiritual side of me. When I look around me and then at my body, I know there is a higher entity behind it. 

Tina: My parents say the process from conception to birth is in itself a miracle. I get that. How do the cells know to divide, then become different types of tissue and find their correct place in the developing body. I can't get my head around it. What enables it and guides it?

Rupert: What's around us didn't come from blind chance, that's for sure. I also know I could do with some sleep. Hopefully, more than last night. 

Day three, they continue their journey, following the stream, sometimes detouring around rocky promontories and back to the river. They then come to an open area as the third day draws to a close. 

Tina: I'm tired and the skin on my feet is yielding to the constant rubbing. She takes her socks off and blisters have developed. I'll be hobbling soon.

They retreat into the tree line area for more protection and set up camp. Rupert is concerned. They need to keep going as food is now at a low level. 

Rupert: I'm thinking I need to keep going but separating isn't ideal. I've got a flare, and in the morning, we can move into the open, so any planes going past will hopefully be alerted. 

Tina: I don't want to hold you up but I don't want to be left behind either. They set up camp for the night and try to get some sleep. The evening is cooler and sleep evades Rupert. 

Day four, they sit and after a small breakfast, consider their situation.

Tina: My parents were to meet me at the aerodrome. Our not arriving will have sparked a search and rescue operation by now.

Rupert: If the pilot's route was known, and I assume it was, then they must have some idea where we might be. We will move into the open and that will be a good place for a flare to be set off. It should hopefully be noticed. Some patience is needed, that's all.

They sit and look out over the plain before them.

Tina: Do you have anyone who will be concerned about you?

Rupert: My parents and a sister, that's all. My ex girlfriend may have some concern, as we are on good terms. Your parents and anyone else?

Tina: I'm an only child and have no love interest at the moment. 

Just then, they hear a small plane in the distance. Rupert leaps to his feet and grabs the flare. As it passes by, he fires it into the air. The plane disappears out of sight. 

Tina: Did he see us?

Rupert: I don't know.

Then the plane passes back near them. The wings rock back and forth to indicate they have been spotted. They both stand and hug each other tightly, the relief almost overwhelming. A helicopter arrives a little later, which picks them up and delivers them to safety.

They have a medical check and are interviewed by police, then cleared to leave. They emerge to find Tina's relieved parents waiting. All four then go to Tina's parents' home, where they shower and eat a hearty meal. Their story is told and relived. When Tina's parents leave the living room, Rupert and Tina both turn and start kissing with a latent desire. 

Then Rupert sits upright in bed, the dream he just had so vivid. He puts the light on and orients himself to make sure it was just a dream. The trip wasn't real, just imagined! His ex girlfriend Tina was somehow his traveling partner. He realises how much he has missed her. 

In the morning, he rings her up.

Rupert: Hi Tina, how are things?

Tina: Er, fine. I haven't heard from you for a while.

Rupert: No, I've been busy, planning a trip to the wilderness. I've decided I won't go.

Tina: Why's that? I was thinking of heading off to visit my folks. I was about to book a ticket with a small airline that flies to an aerodrome near where they live.

Rupert: I wouldn't. Small planes aren't that safe.

Tina: What are you talking about? You're spooking me.

Rupert: Can I take you out to dinner tonight and explain?

Tina: That would be nice. Then you can enlighten me on what's going on in your head.

They sit at a table in the restaurant. 

Tina: So what was that phone call about?

Rupert: I realise that sometimes what we had and lost is more valuable than we thought. 

He then explains the dream, and from it he realised it was a mistake to walk away from what they had.

Rupert: I'd like to give it another try if you're willing.

Tina sighs: Are you sure? We have unresolved issues, like my penchant for buying nice clothes and accessories.

Rupert: Nothing we can't work out. 

Tina: Okay, but let's take things slowly. 

Rupert: Agreed. Oh, and how are your feet? Of course, it never happened.

Tina smiles: My feet are fine. That dream must have been so real. 

Rupert: It was traumatic, but if it brings us back together, it was well worth it. 

Were you surprised it was all a dream? The clue was in the title, but I doubt anyone would pick that up.