Lost Lagoon

Chapter 2: A Rough Awakening

The sun was rising when Orm finally sat up, her entire body aching from the previous night's ordeal. Wet sand clung to her clothes, and her hair was matted with salt. She glanced around, taking in the empty beach and the dense line of trees just beyond the sand. Panic surged through her as she realized the yacht was nowhere in sight. Instead, there was only open ocean stretching toward the horizon.

A groan beside her pulled her attention to Ling, who was stirring, her usual confidence replaced by exhaustion and confusion. Ling slowly propped herself up, rubbing her forehead as she took in their surroundings.

"Where... where are we?" Orm murmured, her voice a mix of fear and disbelief.

Ling shook her head, still dazed. "I don't know. But it looks like we're alone."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the enormity of their situation settling in. Stranded. With no sign of rescue, no sight of the yacht, and no idea if anyone even knew where they were. The beach was quiet, save for the gentle lapping of waves, as if mocking the chaos that had brought them here.

Ling, always the first to act, pushed herself to her feet, brushing sand off her clothes. She took a few tentative steps down the beach, scanning for anything useful—a washed-up piece of the yacht, a bag, anything they could use.

"Hey," she called back to Orm, "do you remember what happened?"

Orm nodded, getting to her feet with some effort. "The storm. And then... we got swept overboard." She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering at the memory of the cold waves pulling her under.

Ling's gaze softened, just for a moment, as she noticed Orm's discomfort. But she quickly covered it with her usual nonchalance. "Alright, we're here now. Panicking won't help. Let's look around and see if we can find anything to get by until we're found."

Orm's brows furrowed, her anxiety rising. "What makes you so sure we'll be found?"

Ling shrugged, feigning confidence. "Someone's bound to notice we're missing. They'll send a search party, maybe in a few hours."

Orm wasn't convinced, but she followed Ling as they began to explore the beach. The sand was dotted with broken branches and bits of seaweed, but otherwise barren. It was a beautiful place, with tall palms lining the edge of the beach and lush greenery just beyond. Under different circumstances, it could have been paradise.

The two walked in silence, both too consumed by their thoughts to make conversation. Orm's mind was racing with worry. What if they weren't found for days—or even longer? She glanced at Ling, who seemed outwardly calm but was likely thinking the same thing.

Finally, Ling spotted something. "There!" She pointed to a small pile of debris caught in the sand, likely washed up from the yacht. They ran over, each hoping for something useful. But all they found was a single, half-full water bottle and a tattered towel.

"Great," Orm muttered, her shoulders slumping. "That's going to last us all of half a day."

Ling rolled her eyes. "It's better than nothing. Here." She handed Orm the water bottle, forcing a smile. "Sip it. We don't know when we'll find more."

Orm took the bottle reluctantly, surprised by Ling's uncharacteristic patience. She took a small sip before passing it back. "Now what?"

"We explore," Ling replied, already turning her gaze toward the jungle. "There might be freshwater further inland, and we'll need shelter before nightfall."

For a moment, Orm hesitated. She wasn't exactly an outdoorsy person, and the thought of venturing into the dense jungle was daunting. But then she saw Ling stride confidently toward the trees, her posture unbreakable despite the circumstances, and it gave her a strange sense of reassurance.

As they walked, Ling's usual cockiness faded, replaced by a practical, determined side that surprised Orm. She'd always seen Ling as reckless, always focused on herself and her next conquest. But now, Ling seemed focused and prepared, her confidence transformed into something far more capable.

"So... what's the plan, then?" Orm asked as they pushed past hanging vines and low branches.

"We find water, maybe some food, then set up a place to sleep," Ling replied, her eyes scanning their surroundings. "Basic survival stuff."

Orm huffed in frustration. "And you know all this how?"

Ling smirked. "My dad sent me to all sorts of survival camps when I was younger. Said it would 'build character.' Guess he was right, huh?"

Orm's eyebrows rose in surprise. "I didn't know that. You don't seem like the type."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Kornnaphat," Ling replied, a hint of mystery in her tone.

They continued in silence, Ling leading the way, stopping every so often to inspect plants or follow animal tracks. Eventually, they found a small, clear stream, and both sighed in relief. They refilled the water bottle, each taking turns to drink their fill. Orm was beginning to feel a cautious gratitude for Ling's presence, even if she'd never admit it.

By late afternoon, they had found a sheltered spot beneath a large, twisted tree. They gathered branches and leaves, creating a rough bedding to cushion against the ground. It wasn't much, but it would keep them warm when the temperature dropped.

As night fell, they sat together, watching the sky turn dark. The ocean before them was calm now, a sharp contrast to the chaos of the previous night.

Orm finally broke the silence. "Did you mean it?"

Ling looked at her, puzzled. "Mean what?"

"That... we'll get found soon."

Ling's face softened, her usual mask slipping. "I don't know, Orm. I hope so. But... if not, we'll figure it out. Together."

A quiet, intense moment passed between them. For the first time, Orm could see past Ling's reputation, past the playboy image, to something more genuine. It made her feel vulnerable, yet strangely comforted.

As they settled in for the night, Orm found herself feeling a mix of emotions she hadn't anticipated. Ling was no longer just the notorious player she'd avoided all these years. Out here, alone on an island, she was something else—someone who, despite her flaws, made her feel a little less alone.

But as she closed her eyes, Orm reminded herself that this was only the beginning. They were far from safe, and the days ahead would be a true test of survival—and whatever else might be building between them.