The Princess: Stranded

2

I woke to the piercing sound of ringing in my ears and the scalding touch of hot water. Gasping for air, I quickly realized I was floating in the vast, dark sea. The plane I had been on was burning, one half engulfed in flames while the other had sunk beneath the deep, unforgiving ocean.

"Help!" I cried out, desperate for any sign of life. My legs kicked furiously to stay afloat, but exhaustion was setting in fast. Spotting a piece of the airplane's wing nearby, I swam towards it and clung on with all my strength.

"Dominique!" I called again, but the only response was the relentless crackling of the burning wreckage. Panic surged through me, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. "Stay calm," I whispered to myself, fighting the urge to scream and cry. The darkness was disorienting, and I dared not stray too far from the light of the burning plane. Was anyone looking for us? Did anyone know we were out here?

A faint, muffled sound reached my ears-a woman's voice, maybe? Hope flared inside me. "Dominique!" I called out, straining to hear. The sound of gagging and coughing guided me through the water. My limbs were heavy, still sluggish from the medication, but I forced myself to swim toward the noise. Emerging from behind a large piece of luggage, I saw a silhouette.

"AH!" The scream tore through the night. It was one of the cabin crew, blood streaming from a wound on her head. "Calm down," I tried to soothe her, but she was frantic, her fear driving her to pull me underwater. Salty water flooded my mouth as I struggled against her grip. She was stronger than I expected, her panic giving her unnatural strength. I was being dragged down, my will to fight slipping away.

Flashes of my family filled my mind-Ma, Mom, and Sebastian. Would they hate me if I gave up? Memories of a day at the amusement park when I was eight and Basti was four flooded back. We had rented the place, laughing and hugging, sneaking ice cream behind Basti's back because he wasn't allowed any. The joy of that day ignited a spark within me. I had to survive. I had to see them again.

With a final burst of strength, I pulled her down with me, feeling her nails scratch at my skin. "Please, calm down," I thought desperately. It was a battle for survival, and only one of us could win. I grasped her head and pushed myself up, breaking the surface and gasping for air. Beneath me, she thrashed and squeezed my arms. "I'm sorry," I whispered as her struggles weakened. When she went still, I let go, my body trembling with the horror of what I had done.

"What have I done?" I muttered, biting my thumb nail. The enormity of it crashed down on me, my mind spinning with guilt and confusion. My head throbbed, and I couldn't fight it any longer. Darkness overtook me once again as I slipped into unconsciousness.

I woke up to immense heat on my face. The bright light pierced my eyes, and as I squinted, my vision slowly unblurred. I found myself lying flat on my stomach in the sand. The sound of crashing waves, squawking birds, and other unknown animal calls filled my ears. My throat burned, parched from the salty water, and my lips were cracked and dry. I tried to call out, but my voice failed me. Desperately, I crawled toward a nearby patch of shade, summoning what little strength I had left.

As I reached the shade, I caught sight of the wreckage in the distance. The twisted remains of the plane were strewn across the shoreline, a grim reminder of the disaster. Am I the only one to survive? The thought made me pull my knees to my chest, and tears streamed down my face. I was alone on this mysterious island, unsure if I could survive a day, let alone a week. I clung to the hope that my family was out there looking for me.

A few meters away, I noticed a piece of luggage half-buried in the sand. My throat ached with a burning thirst, and I prayed there might be water inside. As I took a step, pain shot through my leg, and I looked down to see a large gash on my thigh.

"Fuck," I hissed through clenched teeth. The open wound throbbed, made worse by the salty water. My hands trembled as I pressed on it to stem the bleeding, the pain almost unbearable.

Despite the agony, I knew I had to reach that luggage. I dragged myself toward it, every movement a battle against the searing pain. Sitting beside the luggage, I realized it wasn't mine. It was secured with a pin code. "Fucking hell!" I muttered, frantically trying different combinations, but it wouldn't unlock. Desperation set in as I scanned the area for anything to force it open, but found nothing.

Determined, I dragged both myself and the luggage back to the shade. Exhausted, hungry, and hurting all over, I dropped down, panting heavily. My heartbeat raced, and I clutched my chest, chanting to calm myself. It helped, but only a little.

Sweat, dirt, and the stench of survival clung to me. I wanted to clean up, to feel human again, but the dense, terrifying jungle loomed before me. Should I just give up? The thought gnawed at me, tempting me to surrender. But a stubborn spark inside refused to die.

With sheer willpower, I stood up, dragging my bleeding leg and the mysterious luggage. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the distant call of exotic birds. Suddenly, a faint sound caught my attention-a trickling of water. Hope surged through me, and I pushed deeper into the island, following the sound.

The trees parted to reveal a hidden oasis: a crystal-clear stream winding through moss-covered rocks and lush vegetation. The water sparkled in patches of sunlight, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. Smooth pebbles and vibrant aquatic plants lined the streambed, their colors vivid against the shimmering water.

"Water," I whispered, almost in disbelief. Without hesitation, I plunged into the stream, the cold water wrapping around me. It stung my throat but soothed it at the same time. I drank deeply, gasping for air when I was done, and then washed myself, feeling a small measure of relief amidst the overwhelming fear and pain.

Refreshed but still wary, I looked around. This stream was a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair. I knew I couldn't give up now. There was a chance-however slim-that I could survive. I just had to keep fighting.