The Island

(Chapter 8) Melissa (Revised)

When I come too I find myself tied down to a tree. Melissa trying desperately to keep the fire alive.

My head aches and my nose itches, "Melissa, untie me."

She looks over at me with disappointment, "You going to try to kill yourself again?"

I shrug, "Maybe."

Her face tightens, "Your not leaving me alone."

I feel nauseous, "Henry is on the island, your not going to be totally alone. Anyway, I've dealt with enough in my life, death would be a release."

She tosses a twig into the flames and stands up, "Really? You've dealt with enough? What have you gone through that you want death?"

My eyes find the ground, "I have gone through a lot."

She sets herself next to me, "Well. . . Enlighten me on your difficult life, David."

I sigh in contempt, "Have you ever been homeless?"

Her head shakes, "No."

I nod, "Well, I have. Half of my life was on the streets. Days seem like weeks and when your hungry, your body begins to eat itself. I was six years old and 85 pounds. 12 years later I was 18 and 115 pounds. Now, I'm back to being hungry and afraid, but this time I'm alone."

She shoves me a little, "Your not alone."

I shrug, "I guess so, but what have you gone through that tops that?"

Melissa seems to smile in a way that makes it seem like she would kill you in your sleep, "Well, if you want to know so bad, my dad murdered my mother. I was thrown into foster care, but because I was such a trouble maker, I'd be moving around a lot. One of the foster parents I lived with at the time I was 16, thought it would be beneficial if I was put into a program aimed at making children prepared for when they joined the military, almost like a boot camp. I was there 2 years before I decided that taking out my anger on the enemy would be a healthier way of dealing. . . The battlefield isn't like in the movies, it's a little more real. Its loud as hell, not only do your fellow soldiers scream like they have a giant shit to get out, but it feels like an explosion has to go off every second. You feel trapped in all your clothing and armor, running to and from cover feels like an eternity. I haven't seen anyone die on either side, but that's probably because I didn't look. I guess I was too afraid of seeing death. I was shot down while my team and I were doing a supply run. Two enemy soldiers popped out and started tossing hand grenades at the trucks. I was shot in the gut because I decided that the vest I was wearing was too uncomfortable. My commanding officer said that he'd never seen stupidity like that before. So, I was sent home. I lied to my foster parents and told them I was a hero. About a month later they showed me tickets to a cruise, said it was a reward for my service." She picks at the dirt, "So, I guess we came from two different battlefields." Her hands reach behind me and untie the ropes.

I lift myself up and help her off the ground, "What are the chances that two homeless dudes would get stranded on and island with a soldier."

She tilts her head, "So, Henry was homeless too?"

I nod, "He's my brother."

Her eyes turn toward the sky, "Well, we should find him. Hopefully, your brother hasn't died yet."

I agree and kick dirt onto the fire, "Those Raptors hunt at night so, we should tread softly. I'd like to keep my insides where they are."

In the darkness Melissa sighs, "Well, it would have been best not to kill the only light source we have, but I guess there's no turning back." I then hear her footsteps leave to my right, a loud thud following a groan, "Maybe we should wait until we can see our own hands."

I lay back down on the ground and say, "I agree, hopefully I'll see you in the morning."

Before the dreams take me away from reality, I hear a faint scream in the distance.