The Island

It was the J.R. Franklin Middle School's annual trip, and the whole school was supposed to go. This trip was entirely different from where we usually went. We usually went to zoos and amusement parks, but this time; the school decided to go somewhere more exotic. We were going to Cancun. Everyone is so excited about the trip, because we are taking a cruise ship. We were going to be staying there for two weeks, and it was going to be the best summer vacation; or so we thought. Everyone piles onto the cruise ship excited for the new adventure that awaits them.

The ship had been traveling for about two hours. I was talking to a few classmates of mine, when suddenly the ship jerks, and a loud creaking sound follows soon after. The ship captain's voice was heard over the P.A. system stating that there was a large barge that they had crashed into and that the ship was going to sink. Please, grab your lifejackets and put them on and, do not panic."

Lo and behold, everyone starts panicking, doing the opposite of what he asked of them. Screams and yells were heard as the chaperones told everyone to get their life jacket and put it on immediately. My friends and I were in separate rooms when we heard the announcement. I was rooming with Angela. She was a kind person, and we had been friends ever since we started Kindergarten.

"Aimeé, here is your life jacket," she said as she passed the lifejacket to me. We then put them on and walked over to the adjoining room where Jacoby and Erik were staying.

"Hey, you guys. We were heading to Abbey and Anna's room." We walked across the hallway and entered their room. We saw clothes scattered all over the floor, and Anna and Abbey were looking in various drawers throwing clothes in various directions.

"What's with all of the commotion?" Erik asked.

"We can't find the lifejackets," Anna said.

"They're right here in the cabinet," Angela said.

"Oh, heh," Anna said with a sheepish look on her face.

"Come on, let's get Kayla-," Abbey said before she was interrupted.

"We're right here, let's get out of here," Kayla said.

Ashley was standing behind her looking out of the doorway into the hallway. I walk over to the door and notices that no one was in the hallways. Where was everyone, and where did all of the chaperones go? The better question was, were we the only ones left on the ship? Something wasn't right, and it had nothing to do with the ship sinking. We all run down the hall, running towards the top of the cruise ship. As we were running, we see blood streaks on the floor as if someone was dragged. Our adrenaline pushes us on, as we saw multiple bloody handprints which were smeared across the wall in the direction of the EXIT sign we were heading towards. Not needing that for encouragement, we run faster; and we finally make it to the top deck.

When we got on top of the deck, we notice that there is not a soul in sight. Jacoby quickly runs to the sides of the ship looking for a life boat. He walks back solemnly and just shakes his head. Our hope of getting off the ship was looking bleak, and we knew that we were going to die. Ashley looks at us, and she looks back at the water. She punches her right fist in her left hand and says determinately: "Ok you guys, if we want to live, we're gonna have to jump."

"Jump?! Into that?" Angela asks as everyone looks at the raging sea.

"We don't have a choice, unless any of you have any bright ideas?" All of us shake our heads. "Alrighty then, I don't want to die while I have the final say so and neither do you. So, on the count of three, we jump. Ready? We all hold hands and wait for Ashley's countdown. "Three!"