Idol Island

Why Me?

My eyes slid open to a glaring sun, my face being bathed in its warmth. I was lying on cool sand, its tiny grains pressing into my exposed skin. There was a faint pounding in the back of my head. It felt like I was being baked alive.

Just how on earth had I ended up here?

I slowly sat up, leaned back, and looked around. The sun hovered well above the horizon, but a cool breeze was blowing across my face. It must have been late morning.

I sat in a wide, open beach, spread out to either side, going onward until it curved out of sight. Dark rocks speckled the yellow sands along with the occasional tidal pool. There was water gently lapping at the shore, surprisingly clear. I twisted back, but only saw palm trees behind me, swaying in the wind.

I looked back down at the sand beneath me, and squeezed a fistful out of nervousness. It was the kind that was scratchy and gross, not fine and white like the type I was used to from my summer vacations. I let it sift though my fingertips and stared ahead in confusion.

Where the hell am I... I wondered to myself. Obviously it was a beach, but where? And why was I here? Was this some vacation mishap, or worse?

It was sinking into me that I could be in serious trouble, and it was safe to say I was having some regrets.

I tried my best to think back to what I had been doing before this. I was confused for a few seconds, until suddenly, everything came back to me.

My teacher, the fight with Jisoo, the van, the injection...

Oh my god.

Was I kidnapped?

It was all very strange. I didn't want to think about what had happened, so I decided to work with what I knew. Which was useless, because I pretty much knew nothing.

I heard my stomach groan and I realized was so hungry, so damn hungry that it was starting to hurt. But I would have to worry about that later.

I stumbled towards the waves, hoping to cool myself down. I kneeled down and eagerly splashed water onto any available skin. It burned a little, which was confusing until I saw my arms, which were a bright shade of red.

"Ouch.." I muttered. I brushed my fingers over my face, only to jerk back as it stung. I must have been laying there for quite a while.

I looked around the beach, my head feeling stuffy and heavy. It was beautiful, although quite plain. I had never been to a beach that felt so eerily quiet and alone. I scanned the shore for anything useful but saw only seashells and driftwood, until a smudge of black caught the corner of my eye.

I turned and stared at it for a second before realizing it was a large metal box, and then ran towards it. I quickly picked it up, desperate for an explanation. It was kind of heavy, and cool, probably from sitting out all night. My name was inscribed on the top. Jia. Weird... so whoever did this definitely knew who I was.

I pressed a small button I found on the side, and the lid popped open. Laying inside was a letter on a plain white piece of paper with some typed words, neatly printed in Korean:

Welcome! You have been selected for Idol Island. I hope you enjoy your stay here(you probably won't).

You are one of 17 people that are stranded on this deserted island. You have 13 kilometers to roam. Each of you have been placed at different places throughout this island, some close, some not. Don't worry, soon you will be allowed to play with each other. :)

You may be wondering exactly why you are here. This is a reality show which will be featuring you and 16 Korean idols, 8 boys and 8 girls. Your job is to survive long enough to get rescued.