Stranded (GirlXGirl)

Chp. 4

I awoke suddenly, seeing a dim fire that was running out of fuel. I scrambled to it, throwing dried leaves to spark it up again, and then another couple pieces of wood. I saw Claire's sleeping figure next to the fire, a large shirt thrown over her as she lied in the sand.

Had she accidentally fallen asleep tending the fire? And why hadn't she joined me in the den I had spent all day making?

It had to be almost day light, and I knew the sun was coming up slowly. Tomorrow we would have to find some source of food, I was starving.

And I was really thirsty.

It looked like a pretty big island, but exploring it was dangerous and a serious task. We could get hurt, and without proper medical assistance, we could die.

But we needed fresh water, and I knew this island had to have it somewhere.

I curled up in the den again, bringing my body into a fetal position to preserve warmth. Tomorrow it would be really hot, but until then I would only have the warmth of the fire.

I laid there, thinking about what everyone at home would be thinking. My parent's, the parent's of all my friends and classmates...

Mallory.

My best friend, she was most likely dead... and the pain in my heart was nearly unbearable. Why had I lived? Why was it only me and Claire that survived the crash? Why did this have to happen to us on our senior trip?

I felt my eyes lids growing heavy as I continued to lay there, knowing it wouldn't be long till I fell back asleep. I glanced at Claire's figure, she was still asleep, and I wondered what was going to come about with us being in this situation.

Because this could either make us or break us.

~ ~ ~ ~

"Alex."

I opened my eyes slowly, seeing Claire come into view, groaned, "Yes?"

"We need to find food."

I nodded, sitting up slowly, "And water."

Instantly I smelt myself, and I stunk bad. I needed to find somewhere to bathe, we had soap, even though it was only supposed to last two weeks for one person. I had packed really almost everything possible, and I was suddenly really grateful for that.

I climbed out of the den, standing and stretching my body out. I sighed, "Put your hiking shoes on."

Claire dug in the guys bag and luckily found some shoes, because my flip flops and sandals would do nothing in this vast jungle. She laced them and stood, her skin was red from the sun and I knew we would have to stay out of it for awhile to heal or we could get sick.

I was already majorly dehydrated and weak, and hopefully we could find food easily without having to put out excessive energy. We started into the jungle, walking carefully as we watched every step we took, hoping not to run into any snakes or dangerous looking bugs.

Claire stayed next to me, closer then I expected actually, as we made our way through the thick green vegetation. My stomach was cramping, and even though I was scorching hot, I wasn't even breaking a sweat.

Which was a really bad sign.

Then Claire slipped beside me, her hand gripping mine as I steadied her quickly. Her legs were buckling from weakness, and I knew we didn't have long till at least one of us passed out.