The Islanders

Marooned: Chapter Four

Chapter 4

Aside from me and Jack, there's only 3 other people that appear to have made it. One was a dark haired, middle-aged woman, the same one I saw by the pool yesterday; she looks like she could rip someone apart but be classy while doing it. Then there was another man, about 50 or so; doesn't seem to be the type to skip out on a chance of eating a whole buffet - or a good deal on cliche vacation clothes. And the last one I noticed, a small boy who probably belongs to someone else, sat on the sand with a solemn look on his face, like he was trying to hide his true emotions as he ran through the memory of what had happened not too long ago.

It was probably about 5:00 am so I suggested to everyone that we should look around.

"Are you kidding me? Do you know how tired I am and how long of a walk that would be? And also, I don't want my arthritis acting up again.'' Yelled the old man, pointing his chubby index finger at me as he sat up on the sand.

''Well then you can stay behind. The rest of us will search.'' I used the same tone he did, surprising Jack a little, and even myself.

''So you'll just leave me alone here to die of thirst and hunger?'' I hope so.

''I'll stay with him,'' said the woman. ''And I don't think the boy should go either, he's too young.'' Everybody nodded. Despite her rough look, she also seemed like the kind of person who'd bake cookies and make everyday better by just smiling.

So me and Jack headed toward the unknown that lied ahead waiting to devour us only to try and fill it's bottomless pit of a stomach. The trees stood tall, awakened by the sounds of mine and his footsteps that seemed to snap every twig that was below our feet. The rocks looked plump and strong like they guarded what was to become of Jack and I. The strange thing was, I couldn't see any animals, just bugs. It was a relaxing thought while also being my biggest fear - which reminds me, I wonder if Jack is afraid or not right now.

                                                                                           ***

Between every heavy breath and needed sigh, there were many words to split them up. By talking to Jack like this it made it seem like we were still back home.

''What about that one time when you fell on your butt in the mud puddle and it looked like you crapped your pants?" chuckled Jack.

''Oh yeah, I remember that. Probably the worst trip ever. Do you remember what they called me for a while?"

He let out a laugh. "I remember. I might start that up again."

"Oh, please don't!"

"Don't worry, I won't."

"Yeah . . . Um, do remember anything from last night?"

"Not much. Why?"

"You were holding me pretty tightly and I was just wondering if there was a reason why. Did you have a nightmare?"

"No, and even if I had I wouldn't of been scared." He sounded frustrated. I can't believe he's not giving up on that no fear thing he has.

"I think you were scared, whether it be of your nightmare or something else. What were you afraid of?" I said really wanting to know.

"I wasn't afraid of anything!" He said yelling. We stopped walking to nowhere and faced each other.

"You were, too, afraid of something. What was it?"

He lowered his voice."It's - this is stupid." He said slightly raising his voice again.

"It's fine to have a fear, trust me when I say no one will think less of you. Is that what it is?" I asked thinking that must be it.

"No, and I'm not afraid of anything."

"You must be. Are you afraid of snakes?"

 "No. I'm afraid of - of nothing."

"Of what?" He turned away from me and took a few steps toward where we came from and stopped. He said something faintly.

"What?" I said while straining my ears to hear what he said.

"I said, of losing you . . . I'm afraid of losing you." He repeated it quietly.

I felt bad for prying it out of him but I had to know - didn't I? I walked over to him and hugged him. Not because I wanted to be close to him but because it was a way of saying sorry and also to let him know that it's not that bad to be scared. But before I let go I whispered in his ear, "You won't."

*SNAP!*

"What was that?" I whispered to Jack. We crouched down and waited for another sound. Next was a mushy stomp. This time it was closer.

"Stay behind me. It might be something dangerous." Whispered Jack as he guided me with his arm behind him. There was a strange noise, much like a mutter or animal call. Finally in view, we could see what was making disturbances and I don't think it was what Jack or I were expecting.

It was a group of people, probably from the ship. There was about 11 in total. I could see only 6 people from my class among them, one of them was Lilith; Clarice and Bobby were no where to be found.