Lost Together -> James Conrad

05

"Stay tight." James ordered.

"What the hell is this?" Slivko questioned.

We came across a ruin of some sort. Thick walls used to be there. But they looked like they collapsed. Tree rots wrapped around pieces of it. It had a ancient vibe about it.

We carefully stepped inside. Yellow symbols were painted on the walls. It was both creepy and beautiful. Mason gasped in fear and I looked her way. A person appeared out of the rocks. Its attire used for camouflage.

Suddenly, dozens of them surrounded us pointing their spear weapons. Some had symbols engraved in them and seemed to be made by them. Everyone who had a weapon pointed it at them.

"Nobody shoot. Nobody shoot." James demanded.

I looked at these people warily. I don't know why but I didn't feel threatened by them. Brooks loaded his gun and I gulped. Then a man in his late forties came running towards us.

"Woah, woah, woah." He mumbled.

His beard was overgrown and he didn't seem like he had shaved or bathed in a really long time. But he looked more like us than the people pointing their spears.

"Everybody keep your wigs on now." He stated.

His eyes went over all of us happily. As if he was waiting for this his whole life. I tilted my head while farrowing my eyebrows. This was the last thing I expected on this island. I seem to be saying that a lot.

"I didn't believe it when they said you were coming. I was up all night just thinking about how me and Gunpei dreamed of this moment." He stated.

I furrowed my eyebrows confused. What is he talking about? Hell, who is he? I don't remember him being on the helicopters with us. No, he seemed like he was from the island. But the way he acted was way too normal for here.

"Now here it is. Twenty eight years, eleven months and eight failed attempts to get back to the world. Instead the world comes to me, ain't that a crack." The man commented.

He laughed as he turned to look at the people around him. They were so different from us. Wait, did he say twenty eight years? He's been stuck here for that long? That doesn't sound hopeful for us.

"They never smile." He commented.

"Did you crash here?" Mason asked.

A hint of curiosity in her voice. He straightened as if only now realising she was there. I tensed at his sudden movement. He could be a danger to us. He didn't seem like it, but this entire island was misleading.

"Oh, sorry miss." He saluted.

That got a smile on my face. Some things never change. For a stranger, he's very cheerful and outgoing. I guess being stuck with ancient people who don't smile does that to you.

"Lieutenant Hank Marlow of the Forthy-Fifth." He introduced.

A smile spread across his face as he pointed at us. So we finally get a name. Hank Marlow. It doesn't mean anything to me, but at least I won't have to refer to him as the crazy old man.

"You are more beautiful than a hot dog and a beer at Wrigley Field on opening day." He stated.

He gestured with his hands then stared at his imaginary food. I'm starting to question his sanity. He seems like a charming man, just a little lost in time. I keep wondering if I should trust him or shoot him.

"But you're real, right?" He questioned.

"Last time I checked." I stated.

He smiled and turned to the other people. They didn't seem like they were going to attack. There was an aura of calmness around them that made me feel at ease. As if I was safe.

"I told ya, didn't I? It's fine." He told them.

They lowered their spears and I relaxed even more. As much I find them charming, I feel better they won't actually try and attack us. Faith can only get you that much.

"There's something out there, man." Slivko retorted.

"Oh, there's a lot out there. Now come on. We have to get home. You don't wanna be out here at night." Hank retorted.

He led us through the ruins and we reluctantly followed. I've learnt that the people were called Iwis. They had a small village where they grew their food and where they were protected from everything out there.

"You probably noticed a lot of weird things on this island. As long as we stay in here where the people live, we'll be alright." Hank explained.

A giant wooden wall stretched from one mountain to the other. Like a barrier between the Iwis and the gorilla. Though it didn't seem strong enough to stop it from coming through.

"That wall. Is it supposed to keep out that thing?" Mason questioned.

"Nah. He's not the one they're trying to keep out." Hank retorted.

My mind went back to the conversation Brooks and San had. They said there were creatures under the surface. Why do I get the feeling they were referring to whatever is that the Iwis are trying to keep out?

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"These people live on top of the trees while we're down on the roots. Some of them don't even seem to age. No crime, no personal property. They're past all that." Hank explained.

They seemed to be living a simple life. Eating fish making their homes without power conflict. Yet they don't possess the same human feelings we have. Or at least don't show them.

A group of Iwis showed up in front of Hank. They didn't say anything. Only nodded their heads slowly. My eyes narrowed at their way of interacting.

"Thank you." Hank told them quietly.

I frowned. Is that the way they communicate? Without words? Technically, it's possible. Humankind has done it before but millions of years ago.

"So good news, they say you can shack up here." Hank stated.

I noticed James looked utterly confused. The whole communicating without speaking thing must've made him confused. Danny used to tell me that he met a tribe which communicated only with hand gestures. They didn't their voices to understand each other.

"I didn't hear them say anything." He pointed out.

"Oh, they don't speak too much. When you've been here as long as I have, you start to understand. You'll see." Hank stated.

Victor passed by him and stood at the front. He looked disoriented by all this. Considering what we've been through, it's completely normal to feel like you want to go home. I wanted that to. I just dealt with it in a different way.

"Wait, wait. We can't stay here. We have to get off the island, to our lives. I have a life." Victor mumbled.

I noticed the desperation in his voice. Perhaps he has a family that he wants to go back to. How do we pretend that we're going to make it? We don't know that. I wonder how James pretends to be so confident so easily.

"Nieves, now's not the time, alright?" James told him.

"What lands here tends to stay here." Hank stated.

But not us, right? We have a exit window. We just have to make it to the North side of the island. Oh my God, I am as bad as James. I keep reassuring myself yet I can't comfort others.

Hank led us further and James noticed the panic on my face. He went to me and lifted my chin up. My brown eyes meeting his blue eyes. How could he be so calm?

"Hey, it will be alright." He reassured me.

His voice was soft when speaking to me. I looked at him in disbelief. This man has been here for years trying to get out yet he tries to tell me we'll have better luck? Screw his optimism.

"Do you actually believe that?" I inquired.

Bitterness laced my voice. He seemed surprised at my question. I was right when I said he was scared. He kept the hope going but did he actually believe we were gonna make it off?

He's like a beacon of hope for the others yet it seems he doesn't believe in it. And at this moment, it's clear that all he gives is false hope. And that's not gonna help me in the long run.