Alter

Take 8!

As the rain began to pour down on War like an unwanted shower from a grumpy god, he found himself seeking refuge in the tall, thorny shrubs that decorated the otherwise barren islet. It was a pitiful sight—this lone man, stranded on a tiny speck of land, trying to blend into the prickly greenery that seemed hell-bent on claiming him as one of its own.

War squished himself into the thorns, feeling sharp little barbs poking through his skin like he was trying to nestle into a porcupine's embrace.

"This is fantastic," he muttered, the irony not lost on him. He was already wet from swimming, so what was a little more water? But why, oh why, did he have to choose the only spot on this island that looked like a cactus garden?

As he settled in, War's mind wandered to the classic movie he had watched once—something about Tom Hanks and a coconut. "What was its name? Wilson! That's it! Wouldn't that be something?" he mused, grinning at the thought of using a coconut as his only friend. He could picture it now: "Hello, Nutty. How's it going?" Would he replace Sammer with a nut? "Hey, at least nuts can float," he chuckled, then immediately winced as another thorn jabbed him.

And then the floodgates of regret opened. "Why didn't I take my smartphone? What's the point of waterproof features if I don't test them in situations like this?" He shook his head in dismay, mentally berating himself for not considering the potential for being marooned on a tropical paradise gone wrong.

He envisioned himself sending an SOS message via the last remaining bars of service. "Dear Vee, I'm stuck on a deserted islet. Please send help... or pizza."

Speaking of Vee, his knight in shining armor (or more accurately, a hoodie and shorts), War couldn't help but think of their earlier argument. "Is there any chance he'll come to rescue me?" He shook his head as if the movement could physically knock some sense into his foolish thoughts. "Not after today. Lightning doesn't strike the same tree twice, right? Or does it? Is this tree different? Who knows what kind of ridiculous thoughts I'm having?"

Just as despair began to settle in, a low rumbling noise cut through the torrential downpour. War perked up, straining to hear over the sound of the rain. "What is that?" His heart began to race as the unmistakable sound of a jet ski engine reached his ears. Could it be?

His breath caught in his throat as the site of a jet ski began to cut through the sheets of rain. War squinted, trying to make out the figure riding it. "Could it be..." He felt a surge of hope mixed with disbelief. "Is that...?"

The rider emerged from the downpour, and there it was, the silhouette of Vee, heroically riding through the waves, rainwater cascading off him like he was in some dramatic action movie scene. War's heart leapt. "Vee!"

But then doubt kicked in as quickly as his heartbeat. "Wait, is this a hallucination? Am I really seeing him, or is this just a product of my isolation and the rain? Maybe I really am about to befriend a coconut." He shook his head again, trying to clear the haze of ridiculous thoughts.

And just like that, Vee and his jet ski pulled up to the shore, face obscured by the rain, but War could see that signature scowl plastered on his face.

"You have got to be kidding me," Vee shouted over the engine noise, the frustration evident even through the downpour. "What did I tell you about being careful?"

War couldn't help but grin, relief flooding through him as he responded, "I'm not being careless! I'm just... testing the limits of jet ski technology!"

"Testing? It looks more like you're auditioning for a reality show called Survivor: Stupid Writer Edition!" Vee shot back, his voice a mix of exasperation and something that resembled concern.