Washed Up ≫ A.I

Chapter [34]

[Charlotte Kendall]
Day 21

I was carrying back stream water in the two tin bottles we've managed to keep all this time. I was alone but nothing out here hasn't scared me enough already. I just couldn't stop smiling. Not for any silly reason, not because Ashton looked at me in a certain way or because Michael had found Benson but because Emma was awake. She was finally awake after several days of panic from me and the rest of the group and after the doubt that she'll make it alive. She was certainly alive and up straight, waiting for me to return with the water. Of course that is the reason that I can't stop smiling.

I walked out of the jungle one last time and was greeted by the campsites smoky fire and two other girls left on this island with me. One including my best friend. . . my living best friend.

"I have your water." I chimed into their conversation, diving in beside Emma and handing both her and Denise their waters. "We should really find other things to use as water bottles, two isn't cutting it for all seven of us." I decide to joke halfheartedly even though I was still very effected by the stranded feeling of this island.

"Don't you mean all eight of us?" Denise asked with a small smile after taking her lips away from the bottle.

My face froze and I dropped into serious panic, "The boys found Benson?" I asked even though I was afraid to hear the answer out loud.

Denise brushed back her blonde bangs behind her ear and tugged a little at her loose ponytail. She licked her wet lips as Emma's eyes widened. "Oh?" Denise squeaked, completely off guard and catching on moments later, "Oh no I-I just meant like figuratively." She put her hands up to reassure Emma and I.

Benson was a touchy subject to Emma and I considering he left her for dead. Of course she didn't die and Denise and Brandon were able to help save her life before any other terrible damages. But it's besides the point, Benson was a bad man and everyone was catching onto his games. As soon as Emma was stable to be carried back down the beach, we were going to take the risk right away.

The boys have been out everyday looking for Benson ever since and I'm not sure what they plan on doing if they find him. Recently, Michael has offered take them to the Northern beach yet when Emma woke up everyone stayed behind that day to look after her one at a time. Today they set out again, facing the jungle in order to find a missing Robert Benson. God knows if he's even alive and I am ashamed to silently wish that he wasn't. That man has back stabbed this group so many times that I find it hard to believe that the boys are out looking to bring him back safely. I know Michael still holds his grudge and Tyson. . . well Tyson was played best of all.

Emma dropped her empty bottle to the grass and swallowed tightly suddenly. I took her hand and watched her eyes flicker before she squeaked her lids shut to fight whatever was happening to her, "Emma?" I asked instantly. Then her eyes opened.

"I'm fine. . ." She said very quietly before taking my hand into hers. Denise leaned forward and picked up the tin bottle before something in the distance caught her attention. Emma looked behind me as well with a new perplexed expression.

"Wh-"

"Dee!" I looked and saw Brandon running towards us girls, waving his arms up to get our attention. In an instant Denise was up on her feet and running to meet her brother. Seconds later Ashton and Michael came running out behind them and I stood up to get a better view, "Is Tyson here?" I heard Brandon gasp as he ran to grab Denise's shoulders.

She shook her head quickly and watched Ashton and Michael run past them without acknowledgement, "Hey, what the hell is going on?" I ask as soon as Ashton stops by our setup.