Tidal Waves

12. Exploration

When they awoke the next day, the first thing they decided to do was explore more.

"This is a rather large island," Damian noted as they made their way through the thick greenery. He made sure to rip slabs of bark from the tree trunks so they wouldn't get lost on the way.

Raven nodded in agreement as she followed behind him. "I wonder if it's populated."

Damian took her question into consideration. "This side of the island seems vacant. Hopefully it stays that way until we can get out of here."

Raven stopped in her tracks and grabbed Damian's shirt. "Hey, look."

Damian turned his head to see where she was gesturing to, and his eyebrows raised at the sight of a banana tree. "Good eye. That will be a better balance for our diet."

Raven smiled at his praise before following him towards the tree and helping him collect a few bundles of the yellow fruit.

Once they got an appropriate amount, they brought the food back to their small camp so they didn't have to carry it around.

—

Before they knew it, the two of them were deeper into the forest than they've gone before.

"I think we should head back... the sun is beginning to set," Raven noted as she gestured towards the orange sky above.

"Yeah, I suppose we should."

Before they could retreat, a sudden noise halted them both.

Raven swallowed nervously as she turned her head to meet Damian's gaze. "Is that...?"

Damian responded by using a free hand to cover her mouth. Quietly, he reached into his belt and pulled out the pistol she'd given him with the other hand.

As he scanned their surroundings for the source, Raven stood behind him. Shame filled her as she noticed how fast her heart was racing, and she prayed he couldn't hear or feel it.

"I don't see anything," Damian admitted just above a whisper, pulling his hand away from her mouth to put around the gun.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a large vicious black dog emerged from the bushes.

Out of instinct, Damian aimed the barrel of the pistol and pulled the trigger. After unloading the entire revolver into the dog, a worried expression made its way to Damian's face when the large bloody animal still stood before them.

"What now?" Raven asked, panic evident in her voice.

"Run," Damian answered before dropping the useless gun and grabbing her hand, pulling her behind him as he sprinted through the greenery.

They ran for what seemed like a mile, and they both decided that they were far enough. Fatigue finally caught up with Damian as he collapsed to his knees, and Raven followed close behind, breathing heavily.

"I think we are lost," Damian admitted, his voice raspy. He was dying of thirst.

Raven glanced around and perked up. "I think I see a place where we can rest."