Fallen from the Sky

Chapter 7

Harriet

My eyes slowly open in the dimness. It is extremely dark and my body is aching and stiff suggesting I’ve been out a long time. I don’t feel rested. My head is hurting a lot but they feel better and strangely concealed. I’ve been patched up. I’m still on this island. As I look around and wait for my eyes to adjust I realise there is an arm stretched over, half fallen by my side. It’s Andrew.

“Guys.” I whisper. I can barely hear myself. “Guys, it’s Harriet.” It takes a couple seconds until there’s a scuffling that slightly wakes Andrew. He stirs and I feel his arm move slowly away from me so he can rub his eyes. A figure walks over to me and my insides freak out. I’m scared they have a knife and are about to stab me again. I let out a slight squeal and try to back away but it hurts and I topple into someone’s lap. A hand covers my mouth and wriggle more violently until there’s a soft and calming shushing.

“Hey, it’s ok.” It’s Andrew. I relax and allow myself to lay there while the others get up.

“Did I scare you?” Alex asks tentatively.

“No- you just- it’s ok.” There’s more scuffling.

“Is that Harriet?” Daisy’s voice says through the dark.

“Yes.” Says the voice of Luna.

“Harriet?” Jazz says startled. “She’s up? Is she ok?” She seems surprised. Another sign I’ve been asleep for a long time.

“How long have I been asleep for?” I ask.

“About twenty hours.” Says Luna, passing over a leaf filled with water.

“I don’t feel any different.” I say. “I feel- cleaner.”

There’s more scuffling and Alex moves closer to me.

“Me and Jazz did bandages. We didn’t get round to cleaning your top but it’s ok.”

“Alright.” I say, a strange sensation bubbling inside me. It’s… questioning.

“We put leaves over your cuts. We need to check them again soon.” Jazz says.

I allow my eyes to close for a second as I process this information.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” I ask.

“We tried.” Jazz says. “About ten times. Then we gave up.”

“What’s the time?” I ask, slowly taking a sip of water from the leaf. I feel a thirst being lifted that I didn’t even know I had. I’m not hungry.

“We should get some food in you.” Daisy says calmly. Why does everyone talk to me as if I’m a baby?

“I’m not hungry.” I say. “I’m really not hungry.” The figures look at each other.

“You need to eat. Have a slice of pineapple. I know it’s not the best meal for how you feel right now but it’s all we have.” Says Courtney gently.

“Please eat it, Harriet.” Andrew says softly. That seems to sway me slightly.

“Alright.” I say. “But that’s it.” I take the small serving of pineapple and take a bite. It seems to have no effect on me but that’s ok. It’s better than a bad effect at the very least.

I sit up slowly and Andrew lifts my head.

“Who has been attacking me?” I ask and I don’t expect them to know.

“I don’t know, well, we don’t know.” Alex says.

“Could we- I mean- of course only if Harriet says yes but like- could we. Um. Could we like interview everyone and try to work out if anyone is suspicious. Like, well, obviously only if Harriet says yes and we will interview me too.” Luna says sheepishly.