The Start of Everything After

Survivors

The first night we sleep on the ground, huddled like penguins under the stars. I wake up the next morning practically frozen, the only thing keeping me warm was Mrs Lady, who curled up against me sometime during the night. I was surprised she hadn't already wandered off into the forest, but instead staying close to us. Probably because she's a service dog and well trained. Whatever the reason, I'm happy about it. She's sweet and seeing her tail wag crazily when she noticed I was up almost made me smile. Almost .

I look around, noticing I'm the last to wake. I look at the sun in the sky, almost directly overhead, meaning it's probably around 11 am. I'm starving.

"We need to go back to the plane." Luke says to me almost as soon as I wake, not that I slept all that much, tossing and turning all night, miserable. I mean, expecting someone to just fall asleep after literally living through something that literally no human deserves to go through. Well, it's asking a lot. More than a lot. So when I say wake up, I'm referring to opening my eyes after going over yesterday's events over and over and imagining that I'm with Kacie at the hotel and we're getting ready for the game and laughing and talking like we are supposed to be doing. Right now.

"No." I say firmly, completely horrified at the thought.

"Yes." counters Jack.

"We'll need to get the food before it goes bad." says Tanya.

"No." I say again, a little more desperate this time. "It's contaminated," I say "by dead people '' I shudder, stand up and I cross my arms defiantly.

"We need to eat, Delilah," Luke says, and I guess that's final. "We also need to make a shelter." he adds.

"How?" is my response. "We don't have cordage, we don't have a saw,"

"Don't you think I know that? That's why we have to get back on that plane and find supplies. There's gotta be something we can use. And we need food." He walks over to where Tommy, Jack and Tanya sit. I follow, feeling a bit like a lost puppy.

"Who wants to go back on the plane with me?" Luke asks. "We need to collect all that we can use before the stench of the dead bodies gets too strong. And we should move them so we don't get sick."

"Move what?" asks Tanya.

"The bodies." Luke says and rubs his forehead, already frustrated with us.

"Oh god." Tanya moans.

"So who's willing to help?" asks Luke in his irritating but somehow all powerful coach voice.

"I will," Jack volunteers, jumping up.

"Me too" says Tommy. I gulp and hope I don't regret it when I say,

"Me as well" All three of the guys look at me surprised with their eyebrows raised.

"Sexist pigs." I say under my breath. Tanya is the only one who doesn't look fazed with my volunteering. Good, maybe we'll get along. Even though I just called them sexist pigs, I'm still glad I'm not the only girl. Now they all look at Tanya expectantly.

"Are you kidding me? No. Way."

"Ok." says Luke, "Let's go." He walks towards the plane and we follow. I focus on the crunch of the twigs beneath my shoes and not what's to come.

"What's the plan?" I ask.

"Delilah, you get all the luggage." Luke instructs.

"All the luggage?" I ask in disbelief.

"Whatever. As much as you can." he says and sighs, "Tommy help her and see if you can find a survival pack."

"Jack, help me with the bodies," he orders,"everyone chill with that?" No one nods but no one objects either.