Short Stories by Avenger

If it happens | Shoni

Part of me wants to ask you if there's a way back... but the part of me that knows you, that part knows there isn't... Is there? Shelby looked at Toni for an answer. All Toni could do was shake her head no.

Her tear-stained face didn't move once in Shelby's direction. Not when she stood to take off Toni's jacket which signified their relationship was done. Not when she looked at Toni, jacket in hand, hoping that she would say something. Not when Shelby placed the jacket on the rock nearby and walked away leaving her alone.

Toni waited until she couldn't hear Shelby anymore before she looked at the jacket. A simple jacket that reminded her of a simpler time when reality seemed very far away.

After that they only interacted once when Toni saw Shelby leaning against Fatin who helped her sit on a rock. Are- are you alright? Toni noticed that other than her messed up foot, Shelby also had cut her hair and was hiding it under a shirt tied around her head. I'm fine, I'm fine. I just, um... had a little ruin in with a tree.

Toni smiled at that. Shelby looked at Martha. Is she um... She looked better at least. I think she's okay. Or she will be. Toni looked at Shelby who gave her a soft smile and maybe a little hope that things could get better for them someday. Right after that they got rescued or so they thought. The rescuers didn't allow them to see each other. They only heard how they all were doing from what the authorities who were interviewing them said.

One night the power went out. The emergency lights kicked in and all the doors opened automatically. In the dark they looked for an answer to what was happening. Why weren't the police asking them to go back to their rooms? Where were the police?

They all found each other in what looked like a big ballroom with giant TV screens on one end. The girls all hugged each other after being apart for so long. Toni and Shelby's eyes met. Toni looked at Shelby who now had a buzz cut. Shelby looked away feeling self-conscious which quickly went away when Toni rubbed her head. I like it.

The TVs turned on and Gretchen appeared on the screen. Shelby and Leah understood the message while the others just realized they had been abandoned. Shelby and Leah ran to where the video surveillance was, but they had taken everything. They heard a helicopter outside and ran to stop it, but it was too far away when they reached the outdoors. They were stuck again.

What is going on? Why did they leave? Martha asked what everyone else was thinking. Leah sighed. Gretchen lied to us. We weren't going to any retreat. The plane crash was staged and we were left behind on that island so they could see how well we would survive. It was an experiment. The others were shocked and still trying to comprehend what she was saying.

So what? We're guinea pigs now and this is their new phase of the experiment. Both girls and boys and how do they survive together? Leah nodded. This is some bullshit. One of the guys said.

After letting out their frustrations, they found a way to organize themselves. They need to check for medical supplies, food, a way to keep themselves warm without electricity and to find a way to survive again or figure out a way to get off that island. It took them a couple of days, but eventually everyone had a task and they did it the best that they could.

Shelby, can we talk? Toni asked. Shelby was helping two of the boys that didn't know how to turn a pair of sheets into bags to help carry logs and wood. Keep trying the knots. I'll be right back. Toni grabbed her hand. Actually, you need to figure it out on your own because Shelby and I need to talk for a bit. They groaned, but Toni didn't care.

Toni, why did you bring me here? Toni closed the door behind them. To talk. Shelby felt a bit nervous. We couldn't talk in any of the other rooms that we passed by? Toni shook her head. No because this conversation is long overdue, and I don't want anyone interrupting us. Shelby cleared her throat. Toni, we have things to do. Toni stopped her from moving. The girls know and the boys can figure it out.

Ok. What did you want to talk about?

Us.

Toni...

Shelby... They laughed.

You go first.

You know I'm really bad with words, but I just want to say I'm sorry for lashing out at you over the whole Marty situation. There was something deeper going on and I looked to everyone else for answers, especially you, when it was obvious that none of us had them. I'm working on my temper and trying to speak out more about how I feel. I just want to know if and when we're both in a better place mentally, physically and out of this fucking island... They both chuckled. If there's a chance for us to start over.

Toni, I...

You don't have to answer me right now. I just wanted you to know how I feel. I still love you Shelby, maybe more so than before. I want to be better for the both of us and if you're still willing to give me a chance I promise I won't hurt you again.

You don't know how long I've waited for you to say that. Shelby hugged her tightly. Toni smiled into the hug and inhaled her scent. She had missed it and Shelby like someone had taken away the most precious thing she had. It no longer felt like an "if" situation, it felt like a "when".