Washed Up ≫ A.I

Chapter [28]

[Charlotte Kendall]

"What's your name?" The boy shook in fear, holding Emma tightly around the throat.

"Michael?" I mumbled loudly. He didn't like that because in response he stepped forward, yanking Emma with him. She squealed causing us all to jump in panic.

"What's your name?" He calls out again this time with a hand pinned into Emma's side.

Ashton still shielded me with his shoulder and arm. I tilted around his wide arms and came up between Tyson and him. At the same time they both shifted shoulders into me and I was squished in protection. I was able to see Michael's face though, his eyes watered with fear rather than threat.

The poor boy wore no shoes and he's jean shorts were ripped and torn up to his mid-thighs. He was topless with only a short greenish brown cloth wrapped around his neck like a collar. His eyes were wildly blue and dark against his pale pinkish skin. There were blisters and cuts on his shoulders and arms and one particular scar slashed across his forearm. I guess we all have similar scars due to jungle incidents but his was more defined that there was no telling apart that some kind of animal had got him before.

"Step back!" Michael yells. Ashton had scooted forward and was close enough to reach out and grab Emma again. We all obeyed the boy and shuffled backwards through the wreckage. No one was brave enough to respond verbally once Michael's arm raised and a small silver knife poked into Emma's side. She winced but he hadn't punctured her.

"Em!" I jumped but Ashton held me down as Michael threatened to stab her more. I covered my mouth and pleaded silently. Michael shuffled him and Emma over some to get better distance from us.

"Tell me how you all got here!" His voice was different, it certainly wasn't American. I took a peek up at Ashton and his eyebrows furrowed at the accent in Michael's muffled voice. He was Australian.

"A boat."

I turned towards Tyson now who was firmly standing his ground. He was up straight and confident as he looked Michael dead in the eyes.

Michael stumbled at a response. He held Emma closer to his side and turned over. His hand released from Emma and she yelped in agony.

I lunged forward again, "Don't hurt her!" I cry out but the two boys held me back in safety together, "Please, you don't have to do this. We can help each other." The tone in my voice sounded silly but as Michael's hand pierced deeper into Emma's side, I became weaker.

"What's your name?" Michael repeats for the third time.

Emma wiggled under his grip as sweat began to dribble down the side of her face. She was panicking terribly and only I know what happens once she reaches her highest stress level.

"We won't answer unless you give her back to us." Ashton pesters. I hold onto his arm and start to feel heat rise from my skin. Even though hairs prickled against my arms like goosebumps I was over heated in the shade.

"Just answer him!" Emma suddenly screamed in agony and Michael turned.

"Wait!" I darted forward ready to run after him if he takes her but once I did a shadow came out from behind the two and knocked Michael straight between the eyes. Michael collapsed in an instant and Emma dropped to the ground beside him. "Oh my God!" I exclaim and hurry to Emma's side.

Two feet step out behind the carved trees and taps his toe against the deserted ground. I hold Emma and help her onto her feet while checking her side for anything serious. Michael had only scratched her deeply, nothing too damaging. When we were finally standing Ashton was behind us wrapping us up into his arms. I gulp, once the two feet turned out to only be Benson.

He was standing up straight, eyes narrowed at all four of us and knuckles white. A large, thick tree branch rested behind his neck as he cradled it off his shoulder. Everyone was caught off guard and terrified with an unconscious survivor lying on the ground beside us.

"Tie him up. We are taking him back." Benson orders tossing a rope towards Tyson. He catches it with wide eyes and shaking hands. I look at him shocked that he even obeyed the ludicrous idea.

Emma was hands down on board as Tyson dragged the rope around Michael's wrists. He looped the yarn tightly behind the boy's back and squeezed the ropes together in a tight knot. I was watching with confusion like Tyson had seen this plan once before.

Suddenly the twins had come out from behind the trees as well and helped throw Michael up over Tyson's shoulders. Denise ushered Emma over to get a look at her side. Emma looked relieved that everyone else had magically appeared right in time for the climax. They were all prepared, all but me.

Tyson glanced at me once and then tucked his head down in shame. I didn't think twice before grabbing his arm back and yanking him around to face me.

"You're in on this!" I yell up in his face.

He shuts his eyes and pleads, "Benson saw the plane before when he was up here alone and wanted to investigate it. He told me about it and when Ashton mentioned another survivor I figured this is where he ended up."

"You lying rat!" I was fuming, slapping my fist into his chest, "This was supposed to be your second chance and yet you played me again! All of us, you played all of us!"

"Hey, hey hey!" Ashton's voice was distant compared to mine since I was so angered at the moment, I couldn't pay attention to what was around me. He backed me away from Tyson and held my shoulders. Tyson's pink lips pouted in a disappointed frown.

"I didn't do anything wrong Charlotte." He whispered towards the ground. Bullshit! He kept this information from me and played me into the jungle. I knew I shouldn't have let my curiosity in on this moment.

"It didn't have to turn out like this." I spat back, "Any of us could have handled this without hurting the guy!" My words were targeted at everyone and anyone who went along with this set up. The part that hurt me the most was that they all decided that doing it behind my back was the best. I was worried for Michael, things didn't have to turn out this way. And for Benson to tie him up like an animal was only the icing on the cake.

I turned my face, too hurt and disgusted to even look at Tyson right now. Ashton laid a hand on my shoulder and tried to turn me back around but I shook him away. Then he forced me around and cupped my face between his palms.

"Did you know about this too?" I ask weakly. I shook out of his hands not really wanting to know the answer.

"No." Ashton replied with red eyes that began watering under his lashes. For once this entire morning I finally got over my stupid self and thanked god that Ashton was here beside me. 

I decided to walk off alone, passing Denise and Emma like I hadn't noticed them staring the whole time. I don't care where I was going I just didn't want to be apart of this. Everyone was headed back to the fields and with Ashton right behind me I finally turn and look up at him. I know I was crying, I just couldn't express any other emotion at the moment, "Please don't follow me." I whisper.

Chapter Songs:

Flares- The Script

Nothing Left to Say Now- Imagine Dragons