Grounded On Juniper Island

Send Lorne!

The arrival of the afternoon sun was an ominous warning. Sadly, Erasmus would soon be at Junipo. The temperature had cooled, though it was nearly impossible to tell due to the stifling humidity. The Bounders had pushed themselves to the limit, cutting half an hour off Lorne's initial prediction.

The group gathered a quarter of a kilometre from the entrance to Junipo. They were replenishing themselves with whatever water could be found in Lior, Lorne and Tina's flask.

"Why didn't bring yours with you?" asked Tina to Oleg.

"Yeah I wondered that too," added Lorne. He wiped his mouth with his hand and motioned towards Oleg to answer.

"It's really embarrassing," said Oleg muttering to himself, "but being the friends that you are, I guess I have no choice to tell you."

"Spill the beans mate," said Lorne flicking his eyebrows up and down.

"Okay, I just don't like the coldness it gives me around my thighs, if you know what I mean."

Lorne and Tina looked at each other and couldn't stop themselves form laughing. Lior held his palm to his, while Jane and Hudson stood there silent unsure how to react or what to say.

Oleg was used to being seen as a joke, but their mockery of him was out of jest. Being with Lior and most recently Tina and Lorne, allowed him to realise it was okay to feel silly. He had learnt everybody has their own faults; you learn to live with them and try not to take it to heart.

That's why friendship became such an important lifesaver. It had truly changed everything.

"Oh come on that's enough now," said Oleg pushing his hands down to calm the situation. Tina and Lorne mimicked one another instantly, by covering their mouths and muting the laughter. Lior looked up and pulled his mouth towards his cheek. Jane and Hudson remained the same.

"I told you it was embarrassing," said Oleg with a sigh.

"Mate, honestly being called an oaf pretty much all your life, would be nothing to you," said Lior.

"You're not wrong," said Oleg smiling to himself.

It was nice feel content, but a familiar voice broke the jovial occasion.

Help! I am dealing with a wicked creature brother.

The cry of Dom sent a zap through Oleg's spine and forced Hudson to hide his neck into his chest.

"Bounding Bananas!" cried Lior, screwing his face up. The random spasms had caught him off guard. "Well that was strange." But how could it be? he thought. This was nothing compared to rock apes, manipulated roots and discovering who the true natives of Juniper Island were.

"It's Dom isn't it?" asked Jane.

"Yes it is, I'm afraid. He says he's dealing with some sort of animal."

"A gnarl root," said Lorne letting out a sigh. "I forgot to tell him to cover the waterhole."

"Of course," added Oleg, "They're bound to come out in this heat."

"Me want to know what a gnarl root is," said Hudson tugging on Lorne's arm.

Lorne crouched down to his eye levels. "Little fella, they're like crossed between a snake and tree root."

Hudson replied with a gasp. He ran off and hid behind Jane.

It's getting rowdy man. Is Lorne coming? There was a hint of exhaustion in his voice.

Hang in there. Lorne will be there soon, replied Oleg calmly. He had the upmost faith he would be okay. Gnarl roots were manageable if you knew how to handle them. It was just a matter of patience and timing.

On the goodness of Grewir, I hope he does.

"Will he be alright?" asked Jane with a small whimper. He knew Oleg was talking to Dom again. He squinted each time his thoughts entered his head. A concerned look fell upon her face. They had all come too far to lose him. She felt a chill travel across her body. This newfound uncertainty didn't sit well with her.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine. I can get to him before nightfall."

"Why, what happens at night?" Oleg wrapped his arm around her side. Jane placed her hands upon his chest and stared at Lorne, begging for an answer.

"Let's just say.."

"They can get feisty at night," interrupted Tina. Lorne rolled his eyes at her. She had stolen her thunder but was happy she said it in a much better way. Lorne wouldn't have sugarcoated it. "But as Lorne said, he'll be fine. I trust he'll be able to rescue him."

"Of course I will honey." Lorne pecked her on the lips. Tina looked at him and gave him a sweet smile.

Please hurry!

His pleas thumped in Oleg's head.

"On that note, you better get going. I just heard from Dom again," said Oleg.

Lorne pursed his lips and gave Oleg a nod.

He is coming now, said Oleg to Dom.

Grewir has answered. Oleg could sense his relief. It made him breathe a little easier, particularly for the sake of Jane.

The group wished Lorne good luck and watched as he bounded back into the forest. Hudson waved enthusiastically. Eventually Lorne was seen no more. It prompted Oleg to separate from the group and take Jane to one side. Lior heeded the message and urged the others to walk ahead.

"Trust me, Lorne will pull through for Dom," said Oleg. He gently raised Jane's face. A tear dribbled down to her cheek.

"I know," she said, sniffling, "but I don't feel well." I was born only a few days ago and now I fear I am going to lose you all." Jane hid her face into his chest, whimpering like an injured animal. It broke his heart to see her this way; even he felt like crying. But he knew he had to have faith. It was the only thing he could hold onto.

"You won't lose any off us," he said in a commanding tone. "Erasmus doesn't know who he is dealing with. When you mess with The Oaf you better watch out."

Jane stopped whimpering and looked up at Oleg. Her eyes glistened with tears. Red had coloured under her nose and cheeks. "Wait a minute," she said softly, "doesn't oaf mean you're silly?"

"Yeah it does," he said proudly. He frowned, forcing the most confident face he could muster.

"Oh Oleg, you funny thing," Jane wiped away the tears with the back of her hand and let out a sweet chuckle. Oleg couldn't be more happier. She was happy and that was what mattered to him.

Oleg closed his eyes and pressed his lips against hers. It was as if the sun had reappeared after a miserable day. Once they had finished their kiss, the pair stared lovingly into each others' eyes. Oleg still couldn't believe how beautiful her purple irises were. They shone brighter than any other gem he had ever seen.

For a moment, all the issues, danger and dilemmas around them ceased to exist. Time was not a concern.

If she didn't give you hope, thought Oleg, than nothing else would. She smiled at him as if she had read his thoughts.

The couple broke away from their embrace, held hands and began to walk towards Junipo.