Chapter 1- Anniversary
- - - - - - - Nathan;s Video Diary - - - - - - -
"Day 56."
(sighs)
"I just can't believe that it's been 2 months since we crashed. 2 months since we've seen the others. It seems like so long ago that Captain Russell and the others were leaving, promising they'd be back soon (so much for that).
"So much has happened since that day. What with the storms and sicknesses and injuries and drama, the time we've been stranded here has gone by so fast, it's hard to believe. In the past 8 weeks so much has changed, but they all haven't been good changes. And it might just be a coincidence, but it's our 2 month anniversary, and things are starting to get pretty strange around here."
- - - - - - - End of Diary - - - - - - -
That morning everyone was finishing breakfast when Daley addressed the group: "Alright, I've got jobs for today. We're running low on firewood and food, so Jackson, Nathan, you are going to be in charge of collecting some wood." Jackson and Nathan nodded. Daley continued, "Taylor, your job is going to be fishing, and Mel,…"
"I'll find some fruit," she said.
"Okay," Daley said, "Lex is going to work on the shelter, and Eric, your job is lugging water from the well."
Eric sighed. He had known what was coming.
- - - - - - - Eric's Video Diary - - - - - - -
"Why do I always get stuck with that stupid job? I'd take just about anything else right now…. Why is it always me?"
- - - - - - - End of Diary - - - - - - -
29DWN
Daley heard shouting as she emerged from the tent and sighed when she recognized the voices- Taylor and Eric were arguing for some reason or other.
Really, she thought, the rest of us don't have time to listen to their stupid arguments.
She paused when she thought of two people who used to argue even more than Taylor and Eric did.
She and Nathan had been in competition for as long as she could remember. Whether it was class elections or elections for leader of the castaways, the two of them had fought over everything. Nathan and Daley had only recently made an aggreement not to argue anymore, and since then Daley's feelings for Nathan had changed….
- - - - - - - Daley's Video Diary - - - - - - -
"When Nathan and I were in competition, we couldn't have a simple conversation without an argument breaking out, and looking back on that now, I realize how ridiculous we were. I'm so glad we're friends now, but I still don't know what to think….
I really like Nathan- and I mean I really like Nathan- as more than a friend. But you already know that.. And now that I feel this way, my head is spinning- could underneath all the fighting have been my strong feelings for Nathan, hidden all along? And does he still like me the way I like him? I wish I knew what he thinks of me now, or what he's been thinking at all- he's been so distant lately.
I just….. Oh, I don't know what to do." Daley sighed and turned the camera off.
- - - - - - - End of Diary - - - - - - -
29DWN
"Nathan, I could use a hand with this wood."
Jackson and Nathan were searching for wood in the forest. Jackson had found some, but Nathan seemed to be lost, sitting on a rock and staring into space.
"Nathan!"
"Wha- What?"
"The wood- could you help me out?" Jackson repeated.
"Oh, right. Sorry, I just-…"
"It's Daley, isn't it?" Jackson asked with a small smile.
Nathan looked at him in surprise. "How'd you know?"
"Well," Jackson said, "because you've been so out of it lately, and whenever Daley's been around you've been acting so weird." Jackson paused as he sat down next to Nathan. "And because I've been going through the same thing with Melissa."
"I'm glad I'm not the only one," Nathan told him.
"Me, too," Jackson replied, and they both sighed.
They sat there in silence for a minute, and then Jackson asked Nathan, "So, any ideas?"
"No," Nathan sighed. "What about you?"
"Not one," Jackson answered.
29DWN
Lex was sitting on a log back at camp, staring at his updated shelter blueprints in confusion. He just couldn't understand it- why wasn't this working?
I knew it- I made it too complicated, Lex thought. Now I'll have to start all over again.
He sighed as he folded up the paper.
"Lex!"
Lex turned around and saw Daley running toward him.
"Lex, you've gotta see this!"