Hell in Our Paradise

Chapter 2

5th August 1990

My eyes peeled open, layers of crust and sand acting like a glue to seal them closed. After blinking a few times and realising my head was in profound pain, I finally started to come to my senses. I remembered it all- well not exactly. The plane, it must've crashed? But then where am I, more importantly where is everyone else? My mind flicked through images of the boys, Ralph, Jack, Roger. It landed on one person in particular, Annabelle. Where was she? I prayed she was safe. Fear began to rise in my chest and I slowly sat up. My head was spinning but that didn't matter right now. I looked around in search of some sign of life but there was nothing but sand, sea and trees. It looked like I had washed up on some kind of island? I needed to find the others, I hoped they were here too.

It didn't feel safe to walk straight into the forest, so I decided to walk along the beach instead, but when that proved to be no help, I put a brave face on and ventured into the unknown. Vibrant colours sprung out at me, it felt so surreal. At least the island had fruits of all kinds, I couldn't see it but I could hear running water, water, water. I was definitely dehydrated. A few steps further and I'd found myself a sort of pond at my feet, I instantly dropped to my knees and began scooping up the water. I gulped it down, the refreshing cold and wetness dripping down my throat and relieving it of most of it's pain. My head still throbbed, but definitely less. I made the smart decision to do a check up of myself, looking for any injuries. Fortunately, I was barely hurt just a little beaten and bruised, my head had taken a pretty hard hit but it wasn't bleeding from what I could feel. I needed to shower and change but that would be hard considering I was in a jungle. It  was also at the bottom of my priority list right now, I needed to find the others.

After trudging through the moist forest floor for what felt like hours, it was probably only 20 minutes, though; many thick leaves had hit me in the face, many thorns had torn at my ankles. It began to get very hot, I guessed it was probably midday now. I tucked my shirt into my bra, so it became cropped, then I took my skirt off leaving just my shorts on underneath; this instantly cooled me. I carried my skirt and blazer in my arms. Despite the fact I was incredibly hungry, I was put off eating food, I just wanted to see another human face. I had probably been walking for an hour when I started to grow extremely tired and overwhelmed. I felt like I was alone on this island, I didn't even feel alive at this point. Was this hell? Had I died when I blacked out? I'd given up all hope and I just slid down next to a tree and curled up in a ball. Hot tears began to cloud my eyes and drip down my cheeks, soaking my shirt. I didn't make any noise, I didn't even feel sad, the tears just poured out of my eyes like broken taps. I closed my eyes and accepted my fate...

My eyes shot open and my heart skipped a beat, I couldn't tell if it was out of happiness or fear. I had heard a rustle in the bush and then a twig snapped, I jumped to my feet as if all tiredness had just left my body.
"Hello? Who's there?"
I heard whispers, or mumbles, I couldn't really tell.
"Uhm hello?" The voice was unfamiliar, it had a sense of kindness and innocence to it. Maybe it was one of the younger boys?
"Hello, my names Layla, I uh.. I can't see you" a slight chuckle escaped my lips. I heard one back before a boy stepped out of the bushes, making me jump slightly. But when he emerged the fear was quickly flattened. I remembered him, from the plane. His features were soft and sweet, his face was one that was hard to forget. Brown loose curls fell from his head, and ocean blue eyes stared into mine. I smiled at him and he immediately smiled back, giving me a sense of security with him.
"I'm Simon" his voice was angelic, smooth and light.
He was smaller than me but he looked around my age.
"The others?" I didn't add much to my question but I knew Simon would understand what I meant. And he did, as he smiled up at me.
"Everyone's fine, well... except Captain Benson, but he's on the island with us." This news was amazing, I wave of relief rushed over me. Of course it wasn't good about the Captain but the fact I wasn't alone made me feel so much better, and nobody was dead!
"Can you take me to them?" I reached out a hand towards the boy. He gladly took it.
"Of course Layla."