So I'm pretty pleased with the number of readers I've gotten so far, but I'd be really pleased if I could get some feedback. I have a feeling I'm going to have a slow start so bare with me and don't hesitate to let me know what you think works and what doesn't!
After Claire's contractions stopped it looked as if most everyone had calmed down a bit and gotten a safe distance away from the wreckage. The wreckage itself wasn't looking as precarious either- I figured most of what was going to fall apart had done so I decided to see if I could find Claire and I's luggage. I glanced through the bags that had been scattered along the beach and spotted a pink child-sized suitcase that had busted open, sending little girl's clothes in every direction. My heart broke for a moment thinking of someone's daughter that would never make it to her parents' arms. When I didn't see Claire's blue and white duffel bag or my zebra striped rolling suitcase I figured I'd have to go into the fuselage. It didn't seem like a very appealing option but after grabbing a thin headscarf and wrapping it around my nose and mouth I braved the overpowering smell and surprising heat to drag her duffel out on top of my suitcase.
"Oh my god you found it!" Claire grabbed her belly and rolled herself upright. "Thank you!"
I let the suitcase fall over into the sand between her and where I tumbled into the beach. "Figured what was the point in making two trips?" I grinned, finding the sunscreen I brought. "It's pretty awful in there too- the less people that see it the better."
She removed the button up shirt she was wearing and shoved it in her bag. "The rescue boat will probably handle it. Could I borrow some sun block?"
By nightfall the adrenaline stores had run out and the shock was setting in for all of us. I stayed with Claire until Hurley, the heavyset guy with long curly hair, passed out the food. Most people discarded the trays the food was in so I gathered them up and stacked them in a neat pile.
"What are you keeping those for?" Claire tilted her head curiously. "The trash piles over there I think."
"For catching water." At her raised eyebrows I explained. "The Pacific's a big ocean and a rescue could be a while. Doesn't hurt to have fresh water on hand."
She bobbed her head as she chewed thoughtfully. "Good idea. I'd have just thrown it all away."
"I was a girl scout." I grinned. "I know you're sick of me asking but how are you feeling?"
She swallowed. "Better- I think it was just the stress ya know?" She lowered her head and gently touched her belly. "I haven't felt the baby move since though."
"I'm sure it's fine," I replied, "It was traumatic for both of you and it's probably recuperating. Were you stopping in L.A.?"
She looked into the fire and nodded. "Yeah, I was meeting a couple that was going to adopt my baby. What about you?"
"I'm headed home to Seattle. Wonder if my boss will let me go back to work a day late?" I giggled and Claire replied with a small smile. A smile that was replaced by a look of utter fear when a huge noise sounding vaguely metallic but also something not unlike Godzilla came from the jungle further down the beach. We both stood, after I nearly fell backwards over the log we were sitting on. "What was that?" I asked shakily.
"Maybe it's Vincent!" I heard a little boy's voice from somewhere near the plane wreckage.
"I don't think that's Vincent" A man, presumably his father replied. The noise came again, louder this time, moving the trees in the distance. Claire and I grabbed each other's arms as if we could protect ourselves from the gigantic metal Godzilla monster.
I noticed the cute guy I met earlier- Boone- standing and walking towards the noise around the bend of the beach. "Boone! Wait!" His sister called angrily, stomping her foot.
Claire and I stayed completely still as trees begin to move in the opposite direction of the water and I started letting out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding.
I hear a British voice mutter "Terrific," and the terrifying moment is thankfully broken. People begin to sit again or look for somewhere to sleep. Our little campfire was dying down so I stuffed it full of the medium sized branches we had piled next to it. We filled Claire's duffel bag with our t-shirts and used it as a pillow, situating the zipper between us as we fell asleep head to head.