Dr. Cody Martin got up from the white sand after laying flat on his stomach for two hours. His knees cracked under the pressure as he got up. He was in complete pain. Cody brushed off his khaki pants and arms then picked up his only bag. He flung his camelback over his left shoulder and looked around. Dr. Martin took in his surroundings and saw a lush rainforest just ten feet away from him. He looked toward the shore and saw a glimmer of diversity of reef. Cody knew at that moment that he was on an island and had to make most of his time on the floating landmass if he wanted to survive and eventually get back to America. He would want to eventually return to his old life with a firm hold of his job and back in his comfortable Boston home. He wanted to be back in his living room in his favorite chair with the fir blazing at night reading his favorite book on American Law and Government. Cody was a history buff and an avid fan of law and order, not the TV show, but the reality of rules of society. Most of his free time, Cody would read Law and meditate and do some yoga to relax his muscles. He would take a daily five minute shower, but on occasion when he was especially stressed, he would take a bubble bath.

Cody came back to his current situation and thought of what he should do to ensure his survival on the island. The first thought that popped into his head was that he had to designate rules for himself to follow. Cody began thinking to create rules in case of any situation of either facing danger or meeting a person. He also knew that he would have to find an open space to make a camp so that he could stay away from danger as much as possible. As Cody walked along the shoreline, he formed a list of guidelines and decided to label it Island Government.

Island Government:

-All and any washed up, dead bodies must be given a proper burial

-Designate a location for meetings or meditation if alone

-Put absolute necessities such as food, water and shelter, above all other worldly comforts such as a bed and leisure time

-In case of chaos, only look out for yourself and those you can trust

-If under attack by outsiders, work with others as a team

-Keep track of days since arrival

-Be resourceful, don't waste anything that might be useful in the future

-Stay alert at all times

-Worry about hygiene when necessary

-If possible, find companionship for mental health

-Sustain livable accommodations until possible rescue or escape

-When time permits, build a boat

Once Cody made up his own guidelines for surviving on the island, he thought of the three main tasks that he has to complete before the sun would set. He would need to find food and water and he would need to secure a good camp area that was safe. He also would need to map out the area of the island so he could recognize places that were safe to travel near or around and where he could find fresh, clean water and where to get plenty of food. Cody kept walking along the shoreline until he reached a cove. He was satisfied with his location and dropped his camelback on the sand. Five feet in front of him was where white sand met black sand. Cody could tell that it was volcanic black sand which was an indicator that there is a volcano on the island or there used to be volcanic activity from deep within the sea. Cody looked around until he found an opening to the inside of the rainforest. He treaded sand behind him and entered into the thicket.

On another part of the island, Dr. Bailey Pickett woke up from her slumber and got up. She wiped off some sand from her body and picked up her backpack. She took in her surroundings and recognized the landmass as an island with a rainforest. The island was lined with a biodiversity of reefs. Bailey had some information about her current location, but she didn't remember which island she on. Her guess was that the rainforest was tropical since that was the most common type of rainforest in the world. She sighed as she knew what conditions she would be facing in the rainforest: wet and warm. Bailey knew that she needed food, water and shelter before the sun would set in the west. Bailey immediately went inside the rainforest to find some food and water.

~Time Elapsed~

As Cody was foraging for fruits and nuts in the rainforest, he spotted a shadowy figure that was twenty feet away from him. He picked a few more fruits as he watched the figure. It appeared to be coming closer toward him. Dr. Cody Martin didn't know to do and so he panicked. He spun on his heels and darted back to the empty space that he had designated as his camp area. Cody glanced back over his right shoulder as he hopped over tree roots and dodged bushes to see if the figure was following him and it was. Cody increased his speed and within a few yards he could see the shoreline and his camelback backpack. He was so close to bursting out of the brush but he glanced back once more and saw that the figure was gaining on him. Without seeing where he went, Cody tripped over a low branch of orchard and skidded on the white sand where his backpack was. He dropped the fruit and nuts and lost his balance. In one swift movement, Cody had managed to drop his food and then trip again, this time, over his camelback. He landed face first on the sand. He got up and faced the entrance of the rainforest ready to confront the figure. The bushes rustled and then the figure revealed itself or rather herself. Cody was in awe and surprise to see another human no less a female! He was glad to see another person on the island. He knew form that moment that he wouldn't be the only human on the island. He could possibly become companions with the woman. The woman in question approached Cody slowly. She wore form-fitting, black slacks, black laced vans, a gray tank top and a short sleeved, collared pink shirt. She also had her brown hair put up in a ponytail. Her brown eyes fixated on Cody's surprised face.

"Who are you?"

Cody stuck out his hand for the woman to shake. She took his hand and shook it as he introduced himself.

"I'm Doctor Cody Martin. Who are you?"

Bailey had let go of Cody's hands as she introduced herself.

"I'm Doctor Bailey Marie Pickett."

"Well, nice to meet you. Um, you wouldn't happen to know this island would you?"

"No. I was casted away on here. What about you?"

"I, too, have been stranded on this island. I guess we may as well stick together if we want to maximize our outcome of survival. We could survive individually for the purposes of providing food, water and shelter, but it's advantageous to have companionship to maintain mental health."

"You do have a point there, Dr. Martin. I suppose since I bothered to chase you all the way here that I should just stick with you. Besides, I have my backpack still on my back."

"So, will you will stick with me?"

"Yes."

"Oh, good! But I must warn you, Dr. Pickett, I already have established some image of how I would have survived on the island."

"We're two adults, Dr. Martin. I think we can adapt to each other's habits and how we should manage our camping grounds."

"Yes, but you don't know me! I may seem high maintenance to you."

"I doubt that."

"I'm just warning you that I have a few idiosyncrasies."

"Big whoop if you have a few quirks. I have quirks too."

Cody was a little dumbfounded by Bailey's comment.

"Um…Okay. If you're okay with my odd behavior or mannerisms then I'll be okay with yours."

"Anyway, may we get to business?"

"Oh, right! What can you do?"

Cody scratched his head as to think what he hasn't gotten for his….or their camp site. They have food and water. They need a fire and a shelter. Bailey waited patiently for Cody's response. He dropped his hand and looked back at her.

"You can help me collect wood for a fire and shelter."

"Fine."

Bailey took off her backpack and set it down next to Cody's camelback. Then she walked back toward Cody.

"Ready to go, partner?"

"Yes."

Cody and Bailey re-entered the rainforest together. For an hour and a half, they searched for wood and carried it back to their camp site. Cody constructed a shelter while Bailey made the campfire. By twilight, they had a stable shelter and a kindling fire. They sat down across from each other and ate the fruit and nuts that Cody collected and drank the water from Cody's camelback pouch. Everything was so quiet and felt mundane. Cody felt bad that he couldn't strike up a conversation with his new companion, Dr. Bailey Pickett. She seemed tense for a reason and he wanted to learn what the source was so he could help her loosen up.

When night time came, Bailey grabbed her backpack and brought it with her to underneath the shelter that Cody made and plopped down on the sand. Cody picked up his camelback and joined Baily under the shelter. He sat down and placed his bag on his side. He turned his head toward her.

"Dr. Pickett, is there something wrong?"

"No."

"Then why can't you look at me?"

Bailey turned her head toward Cody.

"Is this better?"

"Yes. Thank you. So, what's wrong?"

"Well, I was supposed to be on an overdue vacation but instead I get stranded on an uninhabited island."

"I know that sounds bad but is there something else that's bothering you?"

"There is."

"What is it?"

"I don't feel comfortable talking about it."

"Why not?"

"The topic is of a very personal nature."

"Oh. Well, maybe as we get to know each other better that you might feel more comfortable opening up to me?"

"Maybe."

"Well, um, I know our situation isn't the best one, but at least we have each other. At least we have someone to talk to."

"You're right, Dr. Martin."

"Thanks."

"By the way, what kind of Doctor are you?"

"I just have a Doctorate degree. I was formally a forensics specialist, but now I'm just an anthropologist. What about you?"

"I'm a Medical Doctor who specializes in Occupational Medicine."

"Ooh…! A real doctor."

Bailey turned her face away from Cody's and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her left ear.

"Well, you're not so bad yourself, Mr. Anthropologist."

Cody placed a gentle and friendly hand on Bailey's shoulder which made her redirect her stare back to his face. Cody gave her a small, comforting smile.

"I guess we're going to make a great survival team."

"I guess so."

"Do you feel better?"

"A little bit. Thanks."

"Sure. We are going to look out for each other, Dr. Pickett."

Yes we will, Dr. Martin."

Cody then slides his hand off of Bailey's shoulder and then takes out his journal and pen. In the meantime, Baileys puts her backpack underneath her head and lays down. Then she folds her hands over her flat stomach.

"Good night, Dr. Martin."

Cody looks over at Bailey and sees that she rolls on her side so that her back faces him.

"Good night, Dr. Pickett."

Bailey is completely silent. Cody turns his attention back to his journal. He finds the next blank page and writes down his newest entry.

Journal entry #39

March 15, 2020

Today was an interesting day. Two entries in one day! The first entry was ruined because the schooner, Hydra, went down. I got stranded on an uninhabited island. It has white and black volcanic sand. There is a diversity of coral and the island is cloaked by a tropical rainforest. Lowland, equatorial evergreen rainforest to be exact. When I came to this island, I landed in the early afternoon and awoke two hours later. Afterwards, I walked around and found a nice open space near the shore. I went to work getting fresh water and brought it back to my camp site. I am glad that I have my camelback to help me store water in the pouch.

Once I left my water behind, I went back in the rainforest and foraged for fruits and nuts. I was successful in my search for food but encountered a figure that chased me back to my camp. Luckily, I was in no harm because the figure was a woman. As soon as I saw her, I felt relief wash over my body. I now have a female companion and her name is Dr. Bailey Marie Pickett. She seemed a little on edge after meeting me and making a partnership with each other, but she must be scared and uncertain of her surroundings. She probably is keeping her guard up because she doesn't know me very well. I don't blame her. We don't know each other at all except what our professions are. But I don't intend to harm her at all, I just want to become friends with her. I plan on making her trust me so we can feel comfortable around each other. After all, it has only been our first day on this island together. It certainly has been a busy first day for both of us. I only have two hopes: Dr. Pickett and I survive and that I befriend her. Companionship should be beneficial for both of our time surviving on the island.

Cody then closes his journal feeling satisfied with his most recent journal entry. He puts the journal and pen back in his camelback and zips it up. Then he puts it behind his head and rests his head on it. Cody lays flat on his back and folds his hands over his firm stomach and falls asleep.

To Be Continued…