Taken (On Hold)

Chapter 7

We sit for the longest time, staring at the charred remains of our raft.

Of our only hope.

"So this is it, then," Eri says finally. "We're trapped here. Forever." For the first time, she sounds totally hopeless.

"No, we'll find a way out of here. I'm sure of it," I say, but it sounds weak, even to me.

Amy Rose looks at the two of us nervously. She seems unsure of what to do, but then suggests, "We may as well make the most of it. We should scour the island. Maybe we can find some clues as to whatever the heck's going on here."

Wow. Talk about a complete reversal of roles. I did not see this one coming. The day when pessimistic Amy Rose had a more positive attitude than Eri, the bright and cheerful girl, and me, the strong, unofficial leader.

Well, we have nothing better to do, so Eri and I agree.

But hours pass, and we find nothing new. The only things we found were stretches of the same old scenery: sand, rocks, and palm trees - your typical island setting. We didn't even run into other kids. This must be a pretty big island then, since there were so many of us.

"Why do you think they brought us here?" Eri asked after a long silence. She looks so weary, but coming from Altruisme, she hasn't complained once. "I mean, what do they want from us?"

"I don't even know," Amy Rose shook her head. "But it reminds me of one of those American reality TV shows we watched in film studies two years ago. That one about surviving on an island. Think it has anything to do with that?"

"I wouldn't have thought of it, but I suppose it is possible," I admitted. "But didn't the teacher say those people actually signed up to be contestants? 'Cause I don't remember signing up for any of this."

"Oh yeah," Amy Rose said with a frown, her forehead wrinkling as she pondered this. "Then I have absolutely no idea. None."

"No one does," Eri sighed. "At this rate, we'll just live out the rest of our lives stranded on this island."

Amy Rose's stomach growls loudly, and she flushes. "Uh, yeah, speaking of living, anyone hungry? I think I saw some coconuts or something back there. I'll go get them." Then she slips away as quickly as she can, her cheeks still pink.

Turns out, she was right about the coconuts. When she comes back, she hands one to me and one to Eri.

Gosh, with all the chaos I didn't realize until now that I haven't eaten since we woke up on this island. It's been around a day now. As soon as I realize that, the hunger attacks me. I'm just lucky my stomach doesn't protest like Amy Rose's did. That would be embarrassing.

We find a sharp rock on the ground and attempt to use it as a knife to break open the coconuts. Doesn't work too well, but it gets the job done.

After going for so long without food, the coconut is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. I devour it hungrily.

"This is heaven," Amy Rose moans happily.

"I know," I agree. "Amy, because you found me these coconuts, I forgive you for everything you've ever done. Even that time when we were twelve and you 'accidentally' dumped your tray of paint on my new dress."

"It was an accident!" she protests loudly.

I roll my eyes. "Sure it was. Whatever makes you feel better."

She opens her mouth to retort, but she is cut off by a piercing shriek cutting through the air. It was definitely a girl, and it sounded close by. My blood chills, and I shiver involuntarily.

I don't recognize the voice, but Eri does. Her eyes widen, and she shouts, "Amala!" She takes off in the direction of the scream, letting the rest of her coconut fall to the ground.

Getting to my feet, I call after her, "Wait!" just as Amy Rose yells, "Hey! If you didn't want that, I would've eaten it!"

I shoot Amy Rose a quick glare before jogging after Eri. "Are you coming, Amy?" I call back without slowing or turning.

"Nah." she answers. "I'll wait here. Just fill me in when you get back, 'kay?"

I nod, though I'm already far enough away that she probably can't see it.

When I reach Eri, she is standing beside a short Indian girl. The girl is in hysterics. "I found him like this," she chokes out, her words almost incomprehensible between her sobs and her thick accent.

And then I see it, lying at their feet. The body of the dead boy.