A Nightmare In An Island

Prologue

"Stranded"

I opened my eyes slowly, squinting as the sunlight bounced off an endless stretch of ocean. The sea was vast, stretching out to the horizon in deep shades of blue and green, each wave shimmering under the morning sun. But I had no time to admire it. I didn't know where I was, or how I'd gotten here, but one thing was clear: I was on an island-alone, deserted, with no familiar sign of life. My head throbbed as I tried to piece together how I ended up in this place, but my mind was a blank slate. Nothing but flashes, memories scattered like broken glass. Useless. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of uncertainty settle on my shoulders.

Focus, Kiara. Get it together.

I stood up, shaking off the fog in my mind. I had to find a way out of here, fast. Reaching into my pocket, I felt the cold, lifeless rectangle of my phone. Of course, it was dead. "Useless!" I spat, shoving it back into my pocket. Frustration bubbled up inside me, but I pushed it down, standing tall. I wasn't going to waste time sulking. Not here. Not like this.

"Alright, Kiara," I muttered to myself, scanning the beach. "Let's do this."

With a deep breath, I set my sights on the dense forest up ahead. Tall trees stood like silent guardians, their shadows stretching across the sandy shore. Each step toward the forest felt like a challenge, but I pushed forward. No amount of fear would stop me now.

As I stepped into the forest, the air became thick, heavy with the scent of earth and leaves. Towering trees surrounded me, their twisted roots forming barriers on the ground, while vines hung like silent serpents from their branches. A shiver ran down my spine, but I straightened my back, setting my jaw. I wasn't here to be intimidated by some trees and shadows.

"Come on," I whispered fiercely to myself, moving forward with steady, deliberate steps. "This is no place to be weak."

Each step I took was cautious, every sound around me magnified-branches cracking, leaves rustling. I was alert, ready for anything. Survival was my priority. My eyes darted left and right, taking in every detail, every piece of the forest that might offer a clue to something useful. Food. Shelter. Water. Anything.

As I went deeper, I stumbled across a small, clear stream, its water glistening under the dappled light filtering through the canopy. I knelt down, dipping my hand into the cool water, feeling its refreshing chill against my skin. A momentary relief, but I knew I couldn't stay here for long. Taking a few handfuls to drink, I stood up, scanning my surroundings once more.

"This is good," I muttered to myself, nodding. "But I need more. Shelter. Tools. Something."

Pushing forward, I found myself in a small clearing, with wild plants and low shrubs all around. The place was calm, but something about the silence felt thick, almost eerie. My instincts sharpened, and I remained alert. Even in moments of quiet, I knew I couldn't drop my guard.

The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch toward me. Time was running out, and I needed to act fast if I was going to survive the night. I grabbed a fallen branch, testing its weight in my hands, turning it over. It wasn't much, but it would have to do for now as a makeshift weapon. I smirked, feeling a surge of determination rise within me.

"No one's saving me here," I whispered, gripping the branch tightly. "I'll save myself."

With my head held high and my heart steady, I pressed on into the thickening forest.