The Islanders

Marooned: Chapter Six

Chapter 6

The flames were bright and warm and inviting. They managed to boil a fare amount of water and store it in various places before it got dark. Everyone became tired, hungry, and dehydrated from a long day in the sun and a number of people managed to get a sunburn, including me, yet no one complained. Even though I broke down earlier I felt peaceful and as I glanced around the fire, it appeared I wasn't the only one.

Jack sat to my left and talked to Nick while checking up on me every once and a while. He kept close and every time I moved or tensed up he would get anxious but would relax as soon as I did. I can't help but feel a sense of security around him, it's just how he makes me feel. In no time everyone was dozing off and a couple people fell asleep right where they were sitting. My legs started to lose feeling so I told him I was going to walk along the shore.

"Would it be okay if I came with?" I could find no reason as to why not so I let him tag along.

We kept a slow pace and at times our steps would be in sync but no words were said. I was enjoying the sound of the waves and the very distant noise of crackling fire when Jack stopped walking. He sat down in the sand and motioned for me to do the same with his head. When I did so, he must of felt that we were too far away from each other so he moved in closer.

He put a heavy arm around me and let his hand rest on my shoulder. I didn't move or do anything to show that I didn't like it so we sat there for at least ten minutes without a syllable to be uttered. I gently rested my head on his shoulder and quite honestly, almost fell asleep but was awoken by a bit of water hitting my foot. I felt a sudden chill creep up my neck so I wrapped my arms around my legs while Jack put both of his arms around me. Gently, he rubbed my arm as I listened to his heart beat.

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The morning sun forced my eyelids opened and blinded me. Slowly, my eyes adjusted to light being poured in at far too quick a rate. Rays were reflecting off the white sand and there were few footprints to be seen in them. Some people were still sleeping when I awoke but not many. I assumed they'd all gone to look for food but the theory seemed to fall apart with each long moment that passed by.

I called out for Jack a couple times but with no response and that's when I realized that all the bodies that once surrounded the dead fire were there no more. In fact, I was standing in the middle of a desert - alone. Fear started to well up inside with such immense force that I forgot how to breathe and fell to the ground grasping at my throat like it will somehow help me. I gasped and tried so hard to make air reach my lungs but nothing would happen. My eyes closed as if to say, "I know this is the end."

That's when I felt gelid water poured over my face and a hot hand on my arm. I opened my eyes wide and saw four dark figures standing around me. The sun was barely peeking over the water so silhouettes and parts of faces were all I could see. I could tell by the voices that those around me were Jack, Lillith, Bobby, and the fat man who's name is apparently Robert.

"Are you okay, Ivy?" Asked Jack in a caring tone.

"Of course she is! She actually got sleep unlike me. And if I don't get my full night's sleep then I'll - I'll . . . I'll do something." Robert looked at me when he threatened his last few words. I was confused as to what everyone was talking about so I turned to Lillith with a look in my eyes as if to say "help". She understood and knelt down next to me while Bobby and Robert argued.

"You were screaming out Jack's name for a few minutes which caused a lot of us to wake up. It wasn't a large help either that you started kicking sand everywhere." She gave me a look of pity but I didn't accept it. I apologized to everyone and decided to go for a walk by myself.

Being stranded on an island was still proving to be too much for me.