Island of the Unemployed

PARTNERS

Cian shouted out the morning wakeup call. "Time to get up!"

While the others pick themselves off the ground, one by one, and stumbled to the fire, Mila had no intention of joining them. She was too upset. No one would help her find her father!

Things were just starting to make sense. Finally, she understood why she was on this ghastly island. Somehow, she was positioned at just the right time and place to rescue her father. Finally, she we going to meet him face to face. If only someone would help!

Cian walked over to her. "You're goin' to need to eat something this mornin', Mila. You're comin' wi' me t'day, and yer goin' to need yer strength."

"Why?" she asked. Cian was last person she wanted to spend the day with. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

Deja handed River his old spear. "Come on!"

"Come on where?" He had a pretty good idea.

"We're going fishing!"

"Fishing? I can't!"

"Yes, you can. Why not?"

"Because I think Cian wants me to help Kadee."

"So?"

"So, I think he wants me to work on the raft."

"Well, you can work on the raft later. We'll just fish for a while. Then you can help Kadee." Deja gave him a determined look. There was no point in arguing. It would be easier to count to infinity than to get Deja to change her mind about anything. He took the spear. I'll explain to Kadee later. He'll understand.

"Where are we going?" River asked. They were heading in the opposite direction of the pond. "I thought we were going fishing."

"We are."

"Wait!" River stopped. "We're going to the ocean. I thought we weren't supposed to fish in the ocean."

"I thought we weren't supposed to fish in the ocean," she repeated mockingly. "River, do you always do what you're told?"

"I'm following you, aren't I?"

"Oh. Very funny. Here's the problem. The pond is getting fished out. We're going to have to fish in the ocean. No choice in the matter, and I'm going to need you to keep an eye out for the waves."

"But what about boats? I thought we were supposed to stay out of the ocean in case a boat comes along."

"You can keep an eye out for them too. It's still early. Nobody is going to see us. Stop worrying."

Stop worrying, she says. She hasn't seen out 'getaway' boat. He begrudgingly followed her. "Did you know that Mila wants to try to find her father?"

"No kidding! That's probably the worst-kept secret on the island. Why do you think they're keeping such a close eye on her? She's just trying to use you, you know. She's just trying to get you to help her."

"Oh, I don't know. I mean, she just wants to find her father."

"Yeah, well don't do it! I have a bad feeling about that woman. I tell you, this group we got stuck with are a bunch of troublemakers. We'd be better off if they weren't here. Somebody is going to get us caught. I can just feel it."

River couldn't help but note the irony of the statement, given they were about to put everyone at risk by fishing in the ocean.

"Here we are. Don't bother pulling your pant legs up. You're going to get them wet anyway."