The Island

Chapter 4- Swimming

Daytime

The yell escaped Todd's mouth before he could stop it. He covered his mouth as the cry escaped him. He shot his head to the side, where he heard a rustling. "Oh no... Oh no no no..." He slowly walked backwards, which was a mistake, as there was a stream there that he tripped into. The cold water rushed around him, The rustling got closer.

Todd started to panic, fearing it was the monster. He tried to get up but failed because of the slippery rocks and panic that was taking over.

"No! Please!" he said, panic in his voice. Instead of a growl or roar, he heard human-like panting. He slowly rose to his feet, having calmed down somewhat, to see Bianca.

"Bianca! Wha- The trees- How?" He said, completely bewildered. Bianca had cuts all over and was either bruised or covered in dirt. Or both.

Bianca gave Todd a shaky smile. "Not now," she said. "First we need to stop Hailey before she gets herself killed."

"So I was right?"

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Yes," she admitted. "Don't you dare get a big head about it, Leighton."

A sleazy smile spread across Todd's face, trying to disguise the worry he felt. "Wouldn't dream about it," he said.

"Great," Bianca said, her smile returning. "Now stop rolling around in the stream and let's go save Hailey."

Todd waded out of the water, asking "What about Ben?" as he went.

Bianca's smile faded. "I don't know," she said. "He might be dead, but he might not be. If he is alive though, we'll still need to reach Hailey first since we have a lead on her and not Ben. If he's dead, well, we're still going to have to find Hailey first."

"So we're going to go voluntarily into a death trap to get Hailey, then run around the murderous forest to find Ben, who's most likely dead?"

"That pretty much sums it up," Bianca grinned. "Now let's try not to fall into any creeks on the way."

"Yes ma'am," Todd said, giving Bianca a mock salute and a smile. The pair walked through the forest, following Hailey. They were silent for a bit, but then Todd broke the silence.

"What happened to you?" he asked.

Bianca didn't look over at him, instead staring up ahead in a deadpan stare. Not the trance, just nerves. "It's a long story," she said.

"And a long trail," Todd returned. "Come on."

"I think she went that way," Bianca said, pointing at a trampled pair of bushes- and changing the subject.

"No way could Hailey have done that," said Todd. "She's too light."

"Maybe she is, but the monster isn't," Bianca said.

Todd sighed. "Fine,"

They kept walking, most likely to their deaths.