The Island

(Chapter 12) Never Too Late (Revised)

The light in the sky shines down from above, as if god taunts me with his love.

Lifting myself up, I look around to find Melissa and Henry cuddled together. For some reason this sends a shiver down my spine, like a sort of jealously has taken hold of me. I shove my feelings to the side and hop down the tree.

I start the day by carrying our empty bucket of water down to the river. I hastily fill the bucket and head back. I've come half way back to the tree house when a shadow appears to my right.

I shake in fear, "Come on, what now? I did what you asked."

The figure moves forward and enters my view, he laughs, "You should see your face." Henry shoves me, "Where you expecting someone, buddy?"

I set the bucket down, "You son of a -"

He puts out his hand, "Don't finish, she's not a bitch. Remember, she's your mother too."

I then throw the bucket of water on him, "Next time you do something stupid, get ready for some consequences."

He laughs while wiping away the water from his eyes, "Let's go refill that bucket."

The silence between us as I am filling up the bucket makes me unconformable, so I ask, "So, what is going on with you and Melissa?"

He smiles, "Not really much, it was cold last night. You didn't seem all that bothered, but Melissa and I were freezing our asses off."

I nod, "Well, it was cold in the city, I think I just got used to it."

He sighs, "She talks in her sleep, I think she was having a dream about her parents, something about not wanting to disappoint them." The walk back is silent, Henry doesn't say a word until we arrive back at the tree, "I'll go wake her, we need to find some food soon, I'd like to die on my own terms, not of starvation."

He climbs back up into the tree, before I know it, Melissa, Henry and I have begun our journey to find food. We make sure to mark our way back. The forest is quiet, but not too quiet, just this eerie feeling that something is watching. Something has its eye on us, waiting for the right moment to attack.

We've arrived at a clearing when suddenly the ground beneath us begins to rumble. It trembles in bursts, but we know whatever it is, its getting close. A shadow appears to my left, it cascades over the surface of the ground. Before I could ask what was going on, the body of the figure comes into view. It's long, very long, its tail reaches far behind it, almost like a whip. It's neck is long and stretches in front of it. Spikes run down its back, reaching all the way down to its tail. It is a very beautiful sight to behold. Beside it comes another one, this one smaller, but limping. It cries out in a low bull horn sound. Before long it collapses down. As the bigger one calls at it, about 5 small figures makes their way out into the clearing. They surround the body like flies. The big one slaps its tail around, swinging it violently, trying to hit a target, but coming up short. After about 2 minutes of this, the big long neck and tailed creature walks off, crying out. Henry, Melissa and I just watch in horror as the tiny figures rip into the body, tearing it apart.

In our horror Henry climbs down the tree and begins to run back the way we came, back toward the tree.

Melissa and I finally catch up to him trying to calm him down, "Get it together."

He points back into the direction he just came from, "Those things took down a huge fucking dinosaur. That could be us at anytime of the day. . ." Henry tries to breath, but his breathes quicken with every inhale, ". . . We are going to die here. . ."

I punch him across the face and grab his shoulders, "Listen. . . WE are going to get out of this. Do you know why?"

Henry begins to cry, "How? If they can take that big thing down, how easily do you think one of those. . . things. . . can take one of us down. It's over, we might as well just season ourselves and be served on silver plates!" He falls to the ground, "I give up."

I hit him again and lift him back up, "They aren't going to do shit. DO YOU HEAR ME! THEY are not going to do SHIT! REPEAT IT!"

He desperately tries to repeat, but is overcome by his tears and fears.

I take his hand and hold it for dear life, "Stay with me! Your not giving up on me, do you hear me? Your not giving up! It's never too late."

Henry pulls me in and begins to cry on my shoulder, he whispers into my ear, "I don't want to die, but I can't do it anymore."

I embrace him even tighter, "I won't let you die." We stand there not letting go of one another, totally safe in each others words of comfort. Our brotherly love that will not fade, that will never die. As long as we live, I will hold him as much as I can. Why? Because we our brothers, we will do anything for family.

( This one was dedicated to my dearest friend, whom I couldn't save with my words nor my actions. "I will never forget you. Don't you ever forget me. One day I'll see you again, but this time, happy." -David Miles )