Crash Landing

Samantha

"Hey… Hey…. Please wake up…"

I heard my heart tick before I heard my shaky breathing. I rolled my head from the left to the right, uttering a groan of pain.

I felt a wave of salt-water splash into my body, soaking my back.

"Please open your eyes…. Can you hear me…?"

I heard the girl's voice. It sounded familiar but I couldn't place it. It was distant, and dream-like.

I slowly opened my eye and looked up at the bright blue sky. Another wave splashed into me, and I shivered. I opened my other eye and slowly propped myself on my elbows, gritting my teeth.

"Well, at least you survived…."

I blinked twice and slowly turned my head to the girl.

She wore a blue long-sleeved shirt with the symbol of ice over her chest. Her jeans were black, formal style. She was barefoot, and had long brunette hair. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires.

She held a hand out to me. "Here, I'll help you up. I have a camp not to far from here."

I stared at her bare hands and noticed how soft they looked. I looked up at her eyes again and took her hand in mine. She slowly pulled me up as I forced myself on my feet.

I cringed as she carefully set me against a tree trunk that had been dropped in the sand. The girl walked over to a pile of branches that she must have gathered. She looked at me.

"Are you cold…? I found you in the water… so you must be."

"No. I am ok. Please do not waste your firewood on me." My voice was scratchy, either from lack of water or from the surprise of my savior.

She sighed and walked over to me, and sat down. I stared at my hands.

"You said you found me in the water…. I… I do not understand how I survived…. I ran out of air…."

"I don't know. I woke up this morning and when I went to find something to cook… I found you."

I sighed and stared at the girl's eyes. "Who are you?"

"I am Samantha, Sam for short. I was the girl on the plane. I was the flight attendant you gave the tip to."

"Well, it is nice to be properly introduced to you. You may already know this, but I am Zane. Zane Julien."

"I thought so! Oh man, I cannot believe I am talking to you!" She said happily. I jumped in shock, and gave a yelp. "Oh! Sorry, you must still be jumpy from the crash…. I am just so happy to see you! I'm a huge fan of the Ninja, but naturally you're my favorite. I mean, who can't love a kind, calm ninja. Even if he is a robot."

I cringed at her last statement and stared back at my hands.

"Oh! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean…."

"It is ok…."

"But…. I…. Ok."

We sat silent for a few moments before I tried to stand. I yelped and fell back onto the stump. Samantha gasped and placed a hand on my back as I sat up.

"Zane! Are you ok?"

I grit my teeth and forced myself to sit up.

"I…. I cannot stand…. I am too weak."

"It's ok. I can take care of you until you can. I can survive out here for a while…."

"But…. Do you really want to do this? I am but a burden to you…."