Island of the Unemployed

MAN IN FATIGUES

Finally, Deja had someone she could actually call 'company'. Someone she could have a real live conversation with. It was time to leave to find food, but, for once, she was anxious to return.

"You'll be okay, right? If I'm gone for a few hours?" She gave River a concerned look.

"Sure."

"Good. Stay here and I'll see you in a little while." She turned to leave. Then stopped, and turned back, again.

"Hey! I have an idea. Why don't you come with me?"

"Me?"

"Yeah!"

"You mean...fishing?

"Yeah!"

"In...the water?"

"Yes! River! Fishing! In the water! Do you want to come?"

"No thanks." The thought of going in the water was terrifying. He wasn't sure why. It might have had something to do with a vague memory of almost drowning, but more likely it was because he had no experience with being in the water before, that he could remember.

"What are you going to do, then?

"I don't know."

"You'll get bored just sitting around all day." Deja scratched her head. "You know what? You should come with me." She found a long stick, sharpened one end, and gave it to River. "Here. This is your spear."

"Okay." I hope she doesn't expect me to go in the water.

They had only walked ten yards when River suddenly stopped. "Wait a minute." He noticed chaffing on the inside of his knees from the crotch of his pants. It hung so low, it was wearing his skin away. "I just have to do this one thing." He hiked his pants up as far as he could, placing the crotch of the pants tight against his. He adjusted his pant leg down, accordingly. He took a few steps. That's better! He turned back to Deja.

"Okay. I'm ready."

"You're gonna hold those pants up like that?" Deja gave him an incredulous look.

"Yeah. Why?"

"All day?"

"Yeah."

She shook her head. "Okay. It's up to you, I guess."

It was about a fifteen-minute walk to the ocean. Deja caught River up on what had happened since they were taken from their work pods.

"And then I broke his neck, and we escaped," Deja said, concluding her explanation.

"Wait. You broke his neck?" Did I hear that right?

Deja pointed to River's pants. "River, really? Let's put your pants back the way they were."

"Why? What do you mean?"

"What do I mean? I mean you look ridiculous!"

"I don't think it looks so bad." He looked offended.

"Okay, sure. Never mind."

They stood on the beach, facing the ocean. River felt the wind gusting in his face, eyeing the body of water before him. It was enormous! It went on for eternity! I'm not going in there!

A wave surged up the beach. "Look out. It's coming after us!" River tried to run, but Deja grabbed his arm.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you."

The water rushed past his feet, high enough to make his pant legs wet. He shifted from one foot to the next trying to avoid the water. It felt so cold! The worst part was when it receded back to the ocean, he felt a tug. Oh, my God! It's trying to pull me in!