ISLAND

CHAPTER NINE: SURVIVORS

A new day began as the sun rose to its peak. The expressions on the faces of the group on the beach clearly showed sadness and exhaustion as they slowly pushed themselves from the sandy shores beneath them. Eyes met each other as they all fought the truth in front of them, they were still here and no one had noticed they were missing or even if they had realized, no one was coming to their rescue yet.

Zara leaned over, resting her head on Mia's shoulder as she rubbed on her pupils, trying to clear her vision. Isabel blew air on the lens of her glasses, wiping it at the hem of her shirt before putting it back on. Milo ran his hand through his hair before covering his mouth as the morning yawn crept from his lips.

Sophia let out a large exhale before wrapping her long dark hair into a bun, securing it with a rubber band she pulled off her wrist. Her brown eyes filled with pure sadness as she pushed herself off from the ground, walking over to the beach, and taking a seat facing the ocean. Eyes trailed after her as she moved but no one said anything to try to stop her.

Isabel followed shortly after taking a seat beside Sophia as the pair watched the waves push back and forth on the beach in front of them. No words were exchanged for the first few minutes. The only sound between them was shuddered breaths coming from Sophia as she tried to hold back the tears she had been fighting from the moment they got stranded on the island.

“You don't have to hide your pain, you know that right?” Isabel finally spoke, her eyes fixed on the endless body of water outstretched in front of her

“It kills me every day not being home” She managed to say wiping at the tears trying to escape her brown eyes

“I know the feeling” Isabel said pulling her legs up to her chest

“You'd think being surrounded by nature would make me happy but here I am missing the smell of manure and wet soil after a rain on my father's farm” Sophia chuckled sadly “I complained a lot that I needed a break from taking care of the farm animals. I thought I'd be happier away from home when I got accepted to Uni but I found myself running back home at every little opportunity because I missed home. When I told my mom about the essay competition and how I could get the chance to go to Misthaven Bay she told me to give it a try. I did and I thought that was the best thing ever and now I'm lost and she has no idea”

“What do you miss the most about home?” Isabel asked as she turned to look at Sophia who had tears on her cheek

“I miss my mom's freshly squeezed orange juice and freshly baked apple pie. I miss helping my dad with his rose garden. I miss running around with my little brother in the rain, stomping on puddles of water. Mom would say I'm a bad influence on him” Sophia laughed as she sniffled

“I never knew you had a little brother” Isabel said, surprised at the discovery “How old is he?”

“He's turning nine this October” She responded “I was planning on throwing a birthday party for him at the playground with all of his friends”

“Why'd you say was?” Isabel asked, “You don't think we'd get out of here?”

“I stopped thinking we'd get out of here by day three. I just hope that they all don't miss me too much” Sophia said

“You have to stay positive Sophia. You're gonna be there for your brother's birthday. You're gonna have your mom's pie and you're gonna get married and have your dad walk you down the aisle cause nothing's going to happen to you” Isabel said rubbing her shoulder “We’re gonna get out of here together”

A smile laced around Isabel’s face as she spoke. It was the assurance in her tone of voice that made Sophia smile as well. She threw her hand around Sophia, pulling her into a comforting hug, even though she had doubts of her own, it was important to her to not let those around her break down.