Island of the Unemployed

NO TIME

They weren't just building a raft. They were building hope. Hope for a better life. Hope for a better place. It was a hope that now felt like a thin blade of grass they clung to, while hanging from a tall cliff.

Sasha, Deja, and Lum joined in the effort to prepare the raft for launch. Unfortunately, their 'help' only served to make the worksite chaotic.

A constant barrage of questions kept the only two people who knew what they were doing from doing it. They needed more rope, but there was no time to teach someone how to make it. What rope they did have was often not properly applied correctly, and had to be redone. Nervous hands shook in fear while attempting to fashion logs into oars.

While the frenzied activities at the worksite took place, Vladi and Kylee prepared a meal that promised to be their last before attempting their escape. Vladi wasn't much help, as she had a deer-in-the-headlights look to her all morning.

"You better give that knife to me," Kylee said to her. Vladi's hands shook so badly, Kylee was afraid she'd hurt herself.

Cian suddenly appeared. Running into camp. He stooped, with hand on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

"What is it?" Kylee asked. "Are they coming?"

"Tell the others...ta launch the raft." Cian forced the words from his mouth between breaths.

"Oh, my!" Vladi exclaimed. "Oh, my!"

"You go tell the others to launch the raft," Kylee said. Vladi nodded, and ran toward the worksite. "Be careful of the booby traps!" She turned to Cian. "She's been a complete wreck the entire morning."

"Ye should go too," Cian said.

"What about you? Shouldn't we both be leaving?"

"I'm goin' ta stay 'ere an' keep an eye oot," he replied.

"Okay. I'll stay with you, then."

"Kylee, I'll be fine. Ye need ta be goin'!"

"It's okay. It's not like I'm all that anxious to jump on the rickety old raft. I mean, just wait 'til that big lug Lum hops on!"

"Ye don't huv worry aboot that," Cian replied.

"No?"

"Na. He's na getting on the raft."

She paused, and gave Cian a suspicious look. "Oh. I see what's happening. Well, aren't you two something? You're not getting on the raft either, are you?"

"Kylee, yi'll be needin' ta go noo!"

"I'm not going anywhere." She crossed her arms, and tapped her foot.

"Don't be stubborn. There's na point in ye stayin' 'ere."

"I can slow those soldiers down just as well as you. I never wanted to get on that raft anyway!"

They heard voices in the distance. "This way!" someone yelled.

"A'right. Ah guess it's ye an' me then."

"I guess it is," Kylee replied, maintaining a brave façade, hiding the terrifying knowledge she was about to die.

Cian picked up Deja's spear. His heart pounded, as he raised it into a throwing position.

"Better make it count," Kylee said.

"They're coming! They're coming! The soldiers! They're coming!" Vladi yelled.

"We need to get the raft to the beach," Kadee said. "Lum! You get on one end, and the rest of us will pick up the other."

"Where's Mila?" River asked.