Shipwrecked On Emo Island

◌ Thirteen ◌

"Great! The fire's gone out. Now what?" Andy said, frustrated with Pete.

"We build a new one!" Gerard said short of breath, finishing up his "CPR" session.

"How? We can't see the sticks. And we will get our eyes poked out trying to navigate in the forest in the dark." Andy said feeling hopeless.

"Good point. Well, we don't know the time but it's really late, it'll be morning soon, we can last the night, right? Plus, tomorrow Billie Joe will make us the house." Gerard said.

"I wonder how he'll make it. Is he going to hire a construction crew? Because it sure is hell on the engine!" Andy said.

Nobody knew what he meant.

"Okay then... Well let's just try and get some sleep. Let's find our suitcases and dig up any blankets we might have, I don't know." Gerard said.

The team dispersed, everyone forming their own small groups while using the light of the moon to guide them to the suitcase pile.

"Brendon." Ryan breathed, pulling Brendon by his sleeve away from the rest of the people. "We... You... I can't believe... Brendon how could you!"

"What? What's the problem?" Brendon said, taken aback by Ryan's harshness.

"You. Did not. Just kiss Dallon."

"What? Ryan are you serious right now? That is what's bothering you? You're upset about that little kiss?"

"Oh my gosh. You have to be joking. Where were you for our talk earlier? You know how I feel about your little crush and it's n-"

"Crush! Ryan, it's not a crush I'm a grown man! I'm married, I love you!"

Ryan felt enraged. "Exactly! You're married, you can't go around kissing other guys!"

"It's freaking truth or dare! It's a freaking sin to not participate practically! Did you never play it as a kid? It means nothing!" Brendon shot, trying to keep his voice down.

"Oh if it meant nothing then why did you seem to enjoy it so much? That lasted way too long! Twenty one seconds!"

"Wow you counted? Jealous much? Wow Ryan you need to calm down. You've always been way too overprotective. Even when we were just dating!"

"Overprotective? That's it! Now you've really done it, I'm out!" Ryan said before stomping off.

"Ryan! Ryan, come on! Please don't..." Brendon called after him, frustrated. Why did Ryan have to act like it was such a big deal? It was an innocent, playful kiss. Truth or dare was not meant to be taken seriously, Ryan was out of line.

Brendon walked closer to the water's edge. He sat down heavily and let the water wash over his sneakers, soaking them. He lit one of his many invisible cigarettes. After taking a long drag, he found himself struggling to stop thinking about Dallon and Ryan. He loved Ryan, why else would he have proposed? Yes, Dallon was attractive but not to the point where he would forget about Ryan. Then again, he did think about Dallon in a way that was probably more... intense? Acute? No, what was the word? What ever it was, he had strong feelings for the man who was practically a stranger to him.

He took another drag and closed his eyes. Today had been terrible. They were stuck on a remote island in the cold rain with no help. Well, aside from The Emo God's promise to help them, they had no guarantee of making it out. Coughing a bit, he laid down and got comfortable. The waves rushed up and grabbed at his thighs, causing him to shiver.

He threw his cigarette in the sand and buried it. making a mental note to stop smoking as soon as he got home (if he ever got home), he clutched at his sides to stay warm. The waves crawled up his body and arrived at his shoulders. He continued to contemplate deeply, not truly realizing the passing time.

Minutes later, Brendon was jolted awake by the sudden feeling of a mouthful of water. He sat up quickly, soaked all over, and spit out the saltwater. Even though his mouth was empty, the pungent taste remained.

He then realized he was treading water.

Alone.

The island was nowhere in sight.

Brendon had sleep-swam and there was no way to know where the island was now.

~~~~~~~~~
Shortly after
~~~~~~~~~

"Woah woah woah so you're telling me you think he's so far out in the ocean to the point where we can't even see him?" Pete asked Ryan, shaking his head.

"Well it's possible! I mean, we can barely see in front of our own feet, it wouldn't be too hard for him to..." Ryan trailed off feeling stupid. "All I know is that I left him here and now he's gone."

"Well it's been like what? 30 minutes?" Joe said, trying to help.

"We have no idea of knowing exactly but probably around that time." Ryan said, swallowing hard.

This was it. His husband was gone and it was all his fault. He sunk down into the sand and brought his face to his knees. They've only been married for four months. Oh shoot, almost five. Their five month anniversary was in a week. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Pete and Joe noticed Ryan needed space and backed away, leaving him alone with his thoughts. How could it be over so soon? It felt like just yesterday they met.

Ryan remembered it clearly. He had been at his usual spot. He sat under the big tree in front of the river's edge. He'd carefully dip his feet in and absorb the nature. It was his favorite spot to be. Ever since his father passed away, Ryan would find his feet taking him here. He could just scream or cry without fear of anybody hearing. Well until one day.

One day the pain was too much and he skipped work to go to his spot. He just screamed. He screamed until all the air in his lungs was gone and then some. Then he cried. Just as he began to cry, he felt a pair of warm hands on his shoulders. They felt like those of an angel, here to take him out of his misery. The person just silently sat down next to him. Ryan knew he should have been creeped out and that his "stranger danger instincts" should have kicked in but something told him this man was safe. Ryan had felt more calm just by sitting next to the mysterious stranger. He turned around and looked into Brendon's eyes. He had never seen him before but he had a little feeling in his chest. A feeling you know isn't going to go away. Eventually they got to talking and that lead to dating. Then eventually, marriage.

Now he was gone.

All they ever did nowadays was fight anyway.

Pete and Joe approached Ryan with caution. He had been sitting alone for almost fifteen minutes and if Brendon really was in danger, they had to see if there was anything they could do. "Hey buddy, you ready?" Pete said softly, offering Ryan a hand. The trio walked to the shore, just where Ryan said he had left Brendon.

"Brendon!" They called for him repeatedly.

Minutes of yelling went by and the rest of the group joined in, trying to hear a word from Brendon.

"We know he can't hear us, is there a way we could signal him?" Gerard said.

"I know Morse code!" Patrick said.

"Patrick we have no light to shine. Well, unless one of you guys has a flashlight." Andy said.

They all shook their heads.

"Actually I know a way we could find him!" Ryan said, perking up.

"What is it?"

"He uh... he really, um, likes the smell of... milk... so I can uh..." Ryan trailed off not knowing what to say. "Just let me get something."

Half giddy with excitement, half scared Brendon had drowned, Ryan ran off to his suitcase. he fumbled around in the dark and unzipped it, taking out the container of Insta-Milk. He zipped his suitcase and hurried back to the shore.

He unscrewed the cap of the container and held it high above his head. Everyone just stared at him full of utter confusion. They wondered what he was thinking. All of them were surprised when quiet splashing noises were heard in the distance. The louder they got, the bigger Ryan's smile grew.