LOST IN THE WAVES

The echoes of the past

The next few days blurred together in a whirlwind of treasure hunting and forced laughter. The chaos of the crash had stirred Ryan's emotions, but the storm inside her remained unresolved. Each time she looked at JJ, she felt the weight of the unsaid words lingering between them, like a tether holding her back from the light.

They continued their explorations, but Ryan's heart wasn't in it. Instead, she found herself wandering off, drawn to the old journal they had discovered. The words within held a reflection of her own struggles—a longing for freedom, a fight against the tides of life. She spent her evenings reading in solitude, the pages filled with stories that resonated too deeply with her own.

One afternoon, while the others were off diving near the shipwreck, Ryan sat on the beach, thumbing through the pages of the journal. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting golden rays across the water. She felt a sense of peace wash over her, but it was fleeting.

"Hey, Ry!" JJ's voice broke through her reverie. He plopped down beside her, his skin glistening with saltwater. "What are you up to?"

"Just reading," she replied, closing the journal quickly as if it contained the very secrets she was trying to keep buried.

"Is it any good?" he asked, leaning over to peek at the pages.

"Yeah, it's... interesting," she said, avoiding his gaze. She felt exposed, as if the words had become a mirror reflecting her deepest fears.

"Want to share?" he prompted, his tone light but his eyes serious. "You know I love a good story."

Ryan hesitated, the urge to confide battling against her instinct to protect him from her darkness. "It's just some old tales about love and adventure," she said, brushing it off.

"Okay, but you're missing out on sharing with the coolest person on the island," he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Maybe another time," she replied, her heart heavy with the unsaid.

As the sun began to set, the golden light danced across the waves, but Ryan felt a storm brewing inside her. The journal felt like a lifeline, but it also reminded her of the chains she couldn't escape.

That night, as they gathered for dinner, the atmosphere shifted. John B. had a wild idea for their next adventure—an overnight camping trip on the abandoned island. The others erupted in excitement, but Ryan felt her stomach drop. The thought of spending a night isolated from the world, trapped with her own thoughts, terrified her.

"I don't know, guys," she said, trying to mask her fear. "What if something goes wrong?"

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Kiara exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "We'll be on a deserted island! Just us, the stars, and a whole lot of adventure!"

JJ chimed in, "I promise to protect you from any wild animals! Plus, it's the perfect chance to bond!"

Ryan looked at him, the warmth of his smile pulling her in. "Yeah, I guess... it could be fun," she replied, forcing herself to join in their excitement. But inside, her heart raced with anxiety.

As the plans unfolded, Ryan found herself retreating further into her own mind. The thought of the camping trip felt like a pressure cooker, and she worried it might be the breaking point. That night, she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as memories flooded back—shouting matches, broken objects, a fear that had seeped into her very bones.

"Ryan?" JJ's voice cut through the darkness, startling her from her thoughts. "You awake?"

"Yeah," she replied, sitting up. "What's up?"

"I was just thinking about the trip," he said, his voice low. "You sure you're alright? You've been quieter than usual."

"I'm fine, JJ. Just thinking about the adventure," she lied, feeling the weight of her words. She didn't want to drag him into her darkness, but the shadows felt overwhelming.

"Okay, but remember, I'm here for you," he said softly. "You can tell me anything, right?"

Ryan felt tears prick at her eyes. "Yeah, I know," she whispered, wishing she could just let go, wishing she could share her pain. But fear gripped her heart, and she remained silent.

As the night wore on, the shadows of her past whispered in her ear, drowning out the light of her friends' laughter. She knew the camping trip would be a test—a test of her strength, her resolve, and the bonds she had built with the Pogues.