𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 ☀︎ 𝐁. 𝐊𝐀𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐙

37. The Rescue

The night was long. The eruption continued late into the night, the thundering noises still heard from where you hid with the others in a small Cave, with only a small fire as a source of light. "I want to go home" you whispered tearfully, hugging your knees to your chest. "It's okay Y/N, once it all calms down we'll be able to get back home" Bill reassured you, wrapping a comforting arm around you.

"Bill is right. We need to wait out the Eruption and wait for the air to clear of all ash and gasses, then it'll be safe for us to go out" Your Pa said, warming himself beside the fire. It was much cooler in the caves than out in the tropical heat of the jungle. You nodded in understanding, letting your head fall onto Bills shoulder as he held you close.

You glanced around at the three boys, who all looked exhausted and scared. You too were terrified, so terrified that you would walk out of that cave and find destruction. Maybe your Pa was wrong, maybe the eruption would reach your island home. You had no way of knowing, hidden in the safety of the small cave, the low rumble of the eruption still faintly heard despite being quite far away. Being inside the cave didn't silence it as much as you thought it would.

The hours passed like days, time ticking slowly as the eruption wore on with the night. Your Pa fell asleep on his back, his loud snoring oddly comforting to you. It served as a distraction from the explosions in the distance. Tom, Georg and Gustav gave into their exhaustion and fell asleep too, the three boys piled on top of eachother as they snored softly, occasionally tossing and turning on eachother, letting out sleepy groans as they occasionally had to push someone's foot or hand out of their face.

Bill lay behind you, his arms wrapped securely around you from behind, his head resting in the crook of your shoulder, drawing shapes on your arm to distract himself as you both lay in silence, holding onto eachother for safety and comfort. "I love you" Bill whispered against your neck, where he pressed a tender kiss to your skin. "I love you" You murmured sleepily, your hands sliding down to grasp his.

Eventually, you fell asleep, the rumble of explosions turning to silence as you fell into a deep sleep, feeling Safe and comforted in Bill's arms.

*ೃ༄
You stepped out of the Cave Hesitantly, Bill's hand in yours as your Pa beckoned you all out of the cave, a wide relieved smile on his face. The Jungle all around you looked same as usual, no sign of any destruction, and the creatures were alive and awake, the Sun rising over the Mountains.

You all trekked your way back to the home, a feeling of anticipation in your gut. You hoped and prayed that it would be in just as good condition as the Jungle in the south, and that you wouldn't find destruction. You ran forward ahead of everyone, pushing through the Ravenala plants and almost crying with joy and relief as you found your Home, Safe and unscathed, same as most of the island. The Northern jungle was mostly unscathed, but everything in sight was covered in a sheet of Ash and dust, that would all be washed away by the rain in time. The Moon pool was untouched, so was the Hibiscus garden and every place held dear to your heart, almost as If the Power of you and Bill's love protected them.

All five of you along with Pa immediately began to pick and eat all the fresh fruit you could find, starved from your night trapped in the caves. You ate and drank, never more grateful for Nature's gifts. It was almost as if the eruption had never happened. The skies were blue, and the sun shining brightly over the world, a gentle breeze blowing through the air.

It was the perfect time for a swim, was what your dad said. So you all headed out for a celebratory swim, out onto the Western beaches. The Boat was also unscathed, still in its usual spot on the sands, just waiting to go out into the water.

Your Pa and the three boys began to push the boat down the sands towards the water, Meanwhile, you ran down towards the water, standing ankle deep in the shallows. You inhaled the salty sea air, so glad that it no longer smelled like smoke and ashes. Bill soon joined you at your side, his fingers intertwining with yours as you both stared out at the ocean.

You glanced over at him, his lips curving into a smile. His hand reached up to cup your face, leaning in for a kiss.

A gentle whirring sound, almost unnoticeable over the crash of the waves filled your ears. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion, your eyes scanning the area.

"Oh my god! We're saved! WE'RE SAVED!" Tom yelled, waving his hands frantically at the Weird metal object flying towards your island, making a bizarre and unfamiliar whirring sound.

You stood frozen in place, watching in a mix of wonder and confusion as the Large Grey helicopter flew over you, slowly descending down onto the island. The Boys took off running towards It, followed by Your Pa. "Come on Y/N! We have to go-" Bill pulled you along, a relieved smile and an expression of disbelief on his face.

You didn't say a word, letting him drag you towards the Helicopter. The door slid open, two men jumping down from the Helicopter, it's large propellers still spinning, making an awfully loud noise and blowing a strong gust of wind onto you.

You were picked up by one of the Men, your hand slipping out of Bill's as you were carried into the Helicopter and set down on a chair, a Woman strapping you down with a seat belt and wrapping a Blanket around you, asking you questions. Overwhelmed with shock, you still didn't say a word.

It was so loud, all so loud. All the noise. You hated it.

The boys were all sat down all around you, Your Pa exchanging conversation with one of the men. You still didn't say a word, staring out of the Helicopter as the door was shut, the Helicopter slowly lifting up into the air.

"No, no" you whispered, practically crawling out of your seat as you pressed yourself to the window, your hands pressed against the glass as you stared at your island home, growing smaller and smaller and further away, soon only a speck of green in the middle of the ocean, and soon nothing, as it disappeared from your sight.

You had left your island home.