Texas Was You

Venturing Out

Miranda's pov

I can't believe Jason's plane is missing.  I've been crying and terrified all day. What am I gonna do?! Hanna hugs me. "He's tough. He'll be okay." "They could be dead!" I whimper, crying against her shoulder. My older brother brings me something to eat. "I know you're upset but think of the baby." I sigh and nod, forcing myself to eat. I turn on the news but they don't have an update.

Jason's pov

I'm getting off this island if I gotta swim it! I'm pacing, trying to think of something anything to get me home! I need to get home to my babies! "We nee to build a raft." I say. "No, what we need to do is get water and filter t out for Mike." Tully says. "Wats filtered water gonna do?!" I gape, frustrated. "We gotta clean the cut out man! He'll die if we don't!" "Ok. How do we filter the water?" I can tell they don't know. I don't either. "We can't use unfiltered saltwater cause they're could be microorganisms in it." Kurt says. I don't know. I pick up the axe. "You guys figure that out. I'll work on getting us outta here." I find the biggest tree I can find. I cut it down and into smaller pieces. "Now how can I tie these together?" I mumble. I walk back to try beach, trying to come up with something. I see Tully doing something with a sock and the seawater. Well at least they figured something out. I look down at my feet and an idea hits me. "Our shoelaces!" "What?" "I can hold the wood together with shoelaces!" I gasp running over. Mike screams in pain when Tully pours the water on his leg. "Guys give me your shoelaces! We can go home!" "A raft will not work! Mike can't make the trip!" "How do you know that?!" "He'll be bleeding which will attract sharks!" He shouts standing up and brushing sand off his clothes. "WELL WE'VE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!! YOU SAID IT YOURSELF!! HE'LL DIE ANYWAY WITHOUT MEDICAL ATTENTION!!" I am infuriated. "Fine then you go and get help. Bring them back here. We'll try to keep Mike alive til you get back." My heart pounds faster. "I can't leave you guys!" They take their shoes off and hand me the laces. "Guys!" "One of us has to do it. Mike is counting on you!" My breath catches. I take a deep breath and run back to the logs. I put them together and tie it. "Please let this work." I whisper. Rich helps me carry it to the water. I look back at my friends, worried. "I'm so scared to leave you guys." I shakily say. "Go." Tully says hugging me. "Stay safe." I say. He nods. "I won't fail ya, Mike!" I shove the raft into the water and climb on, grabbing a stick to use as a paddle. I look back at my friends. They look back at me. "I love you guys!" I shout. They wave. I paddle.

*Hours later*

It's so damn dark. I can't see anything. My driving force is Mike and my babies back home. I've gotta keep going. I hope I'm going the right way. Suddenly something hits my raft from underneath. I tense up caught off guard and terrified. I try to ignore it and keep paddling. But something hits it again. "Please don't be a shark." I whisper. To calm my nerves, I whisper sing a song. "You don't know how bad... I wish I was home... Can't wait to get back.... But while I'm gone... Y'all carry on-" It hits the raft again, making me freeze midsentence. I almost fell off that time. "D-Drink one f-for me... F-For all the old times." I look around the vast ocean, looking for a fin or something. I can't die right now. My friends are counting on me. I row on.

*The next day*

I groggily open my eyes, the bright sun beating down on me. I must've fallen asleep. I've lost my paddle. "Dammit!" I mutter annoyed. At least it hasn't stormed again. I'd have been doomed. I don't even see land anywhere. What am I gonna do?! I could be rowing further out to sea! I shield my eyes from the sun and splash water in my face. I'm so hot. And thirsty. "I can't drink the water." I mumble, using my hands to paddle. How did Tully make the water drinkable? I don't remember. Too tired. I'm just gonna have to take the risk. I was about to scoop some water in my hands when something hit the raft. I'm so scared. What if it's a shark?!! I can't even paddle now cause it could bite my hand!

*Hours later*

I've just been drifting. Too scared to dip my hands in the water again. I'm so hot and soo thirsty. I can't take much more of this. "I'm sorry.. Mike." I whisper, losing consciousness.