Escaping the Lost Island (working title)

Chapter 17

The morning came all too soon. For one blissful moment, I thought that the events of last night were part of some strange dream. Then I saw Alex's empty sleeping mat and the lump of smoldering iron that had formed in my stomach last night returned.

Nothing and everything had changed overnight. We all went about our normal routine, but a cloud of despair had settled over us. Our work was efficient, but there was no heart in it. False hope wasn't a mask that we could bring ourselves to put on, but I missed it. Even false hope was better than no hope.

Fortunately, Alex had not left us entirely empty handed. "No one has touched the root supply," Rita told me later in the afternoon. "How are those looking?" She pointed at the bananas I was sorting.

"Good," I replied. "Brian has two more trees to check, but we've almost reached two and half of the three rations."

"That's great!" Rita said a little too brightly. I could tell she was trying to make up for everyone's lack of enthusiasm, and I appreciated it. I had personally lost all traces of optimism.

"I'll head back to the cave when I'm done over here," I said. "Just in case you guys need some extra help."

"Thanks, Meg," she said. She looked so tired and I wished there was something I could do to show her how grateful I was to her for stepping up and taking charge last night.

Unfortunately I sucked at telling people how I felt, so I just smiled and gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

By the time Brian and I were finished with the bananas, the sun was beginning to set. Even though I assumed they'd be done by now, I headed over to the cave with an armful of fruit to see if there was any more work to be done. Jessie and Chris were loading the last pile of cashews onto the second raft as I approached.

Chris straightened up and pushed his hair back out of his eyes. "Is that the last of them?" He asked, nodding towards the bananas in my arms.

"Yeah," I said, carefully setting them down under one of the raft flaps. "How're things coming along?"

"Good," Jessie replied. "We've just about replenished our food supplies. Now the only problem is the excess bodies in each raft."

I nodded grimly. "Not much we can do about that."

Jessie surveyed the beach with her hands on her hips. "Do you think we should have someone guard the other rafts?"

Chris and I looked at her.

"Okay, obviously I don't think any of us would steal them," she backpedaled. "But I mean, I didn't think that Alex would either..."

"I know what you mean," I said quickly. "I'll do it."

Jessie glanced gratefully at me.

"Don't you want some food or something?" Chris asked. "You've been working all day."

"Some food would be nice," I admitted.

"I'll bring you some," Jessie promised. "Come on, Chris, we should hurry back."

They disappeared into the woods, leaving me alone on the beach. I was actually glad for the opportunity to be by myself and sort out my thoughts. I didn't know if I could handle all of the questioning stares of my friends, looking to me for help when I was helpless. All day I had felt like I was in danger of losing it. Now I had time to unwind and collect my wits.

To my surprise, I must have drifted off because the next thing I knew, someone was gently shaking my shoulder.

"Hey Jessie," I yawned. "The rafts are fine, I was just resting for a sec while I guard them."