Message in a Bottle

Chapter 6

The light shone through cracks between the rocks, pulling me from my sleep. I sat up and sighed, feeling the warmth. I stretched and things cracked uncomfortably. Sleeping on the sand wasn't as comfortable as I had thought, even with sleeping on the blanket. I stood, folded the blanket, and put it away. Anna was still sound asleep on her black and white wool blanket. Taking the opportunity, I decided to wash up in the ocean. I also needed new clothes. My jeans uncomfortably clung to my humid skin. I went to the bag and picked out a black pair of shorts and a pink tank top.  

I stepped out of the rocks, or the fort as Anna had taken to calling it, and went down to the ocean. I striped down and got into the water. The salt water stung my injuries a little. I peeled back the bandages to discover the wounds mostly scabbed over.  

I ripped off the already peeling off bandages and scrubbed most of the dirt off quickly and washed my hair. I didn't want Anna to find me like this. While I combed my fingers through my hair, I shuddered at the thought of what I faced today. I had so much to do! What to do first though.  

I quickly decided to close the opening off first. Maybe tonight I'd have a more peaceful sleep. The jungle howled and roared all through the pitch black night. And when I say dark, I mean dark. I never knew the extent of how much city lights effected the night's darkness. The only thing that kept me from sobbing and covering my ears in the fetal position was the stars. There were so many! Small, big, dull, bright, close, far you name it. Millions watched over us as we slept.  

I got out of the water and dressed. Now what to do about closing the opening. I could build a fence. I'm pretty sure Jerry and Justin had given me enough rope.  

I jogged back to the fort, stuffed my old clothes back in the bag, and opened the other bag. Inside was a bunch if rope and I noticed there was a machete. I pulled out the lethal looking knife and shuddered. If you looked at it hard enough, you could cut yourself. I also found the smaller one I'd seen earlier.  

I carefully walked out of the fort with them in hand. Along the side of the jungle were very many trees that was tall enough but not too tall and thick enough to do the job but not so thick that I couldn't drag it. I was naturally very strong plus I worked out a lot but this would be a challenge. I chose one nearest to me. I started chopping at the base and had it down within minutes. I took the smaller blade and striped it of its branches which I put aside. I then put the tree into a different pile. That's how the routine went on. Chop, strip, and pile. Chop, strip, and pile. I got through about twelve or so when Anna emerged from the fort.  

"Hey Banana! How'd ya sleep?" I asked, wiping the sweat from my forehead. 

She rubbed her eyes and mumbled, "Good. I'm thirsty"

I quickly realized I was too. I could also go for some food. Nodding, I brushed my hands off. I took her hand and we walked back to the fort, leaving my pile of wood where it sat. It's not like there were any thieves here. We got back and I took the water bottle out and passed it to Anna. While she drank, I pulled out a can of food. I looked back and Anna was gulping the bottle down like she'd never see water again.  

"Whoa whoa whoa!" I exclaimed "We have to conserve the water," She stopped drinking and looked at me questioningly.  

"What's that?" She asked.  

"We have to save it," I explained.  

"Why?" She wondered.  

"Because we don't have very much," I answered.  

"Why not," she asked again.  

"Because I don't know where we can get more yet," Another thing to do, "Wanna take a walk with me?" I asked.