Hera's Smile...
or...
A "Family" Reunion...
You'd be surprised as to just how much mileage I can get out of the Grecian Theme. The last two were obvious references. Can anyone guess why I chose Hera, though?
Shout-out to Joucelin Hades, who's successfully reviewed with every update since she started reading. Much kudos and thanks!
Cave...
The 29ers were all in a daze, mostly asleep. Gradually, Daley sat up, shaking herself. The air felt heavy with humidity, the kind she was so familiar with, that settled right after...
Was it true? Could it be?
Daley looked out of the cave to see water dripping at the entrance of the cave, but passed that, there were clear skies. The moon shone through the black blanket of the skies. She smiled, standing up.
The leader of the 29ers began to systemically shake and wake the others, loudly declaring that the storm was over. Happiness flooded through them. Finally, a chance to move. Finally, a chance to be on their own. Finally, a chance to sleep peacefully.
Despite all the hours of sleep they had attained over the storm period, they felt so tired. Sleeping during a roaring storm on a rough cave did little for the body.
"Time to go home?" Taylor asked.
"Yeah," Daley said, "Grab your sleeping bags and what fruit you can carry. We're going home."
Hotel Tango...
Ian and Jory had been idly chatting for about twenty minutes, when Abby and Eric walked back in. Only, there were some differences.
For one, they seemed to be happier than they had been lately. Two, their hair was a mess; worse than it should've been, considering that it had been raining five minutes ago. Three, their clothes were horribly disheveled. Eric's shirt was backwards and Abby's was inside out.
Ian gawked at them, realizing what had happened almost immediately.
"Jeez, what took you guys so long?" Jory asked.
"Uhhhh..."
While Eric stumbled over his speech, Abby was busy looking down, preoccupied with something. Ian could've sworn she was staring at her stomach. He shook his head, clearing his head of such thoughts.
"Eric, wasn't your shirt facing the other way...?"
Horrifying realization hit Jory, and she immediately turned red and began giggling in that "this isn't genuinely funny, but at the same time it is" fashion. Ian began to crack up with her.
"I'm glad you're amused," Abby said.
"It's so hard to believe, yet it fits so well," Ian said.
Eric shrugged, still grinning lightly.
I'll be damned if it wasn't good, though.
Beach...
Six pairs of feet arrived on familiar territory.
Six pairs of eyes sweeped the beach, viewing the damage.
Six hearts fell, horrified at what little remained of their home.
Six sighs issued, a representation of the dread to come.
One tent remained standing; the others torn to shreds or gone entirely. The fire pit was strewn about, but Lex smiled when he saw the fire-starter several feet from its original position. He rushed to it, finding there was a light crack in it, but little to worry about; it would still function. The other 29ers continued to inspect the camp.
"Our shower's gone," Taylor said.
"One of our jugs is cracked. The other is fine, though."
"Our fruit pile is gone, and our fishing pole is destroyed. We'll have to make a new one," Jackson said.
"We've still got one of our spears, at least," Nathan said.
"I've got my boomerang," Lex said, waving it.
"Okay. We can survive," Daley said, "Definitely."
"In one tent?" Taylor asked.
"Well... that could prove difficult. We'll have to figure out something. Maybe the airplane... It doesn't seem to have moved. In any case, it's late. We need to sleep," Daley replied.
"I'll sleep outside," Nathan said.
"Me, too," Jackson said.
Melissa smiled lightly, "I'll-"
"No, Melissa. You stay inside, where it's warm," Jackson said, smirking.
Melissa frowned. He smiled back. She stuck her tongue out at him, then smiled.
"Alright."
Daley creeped into the tent, calling for Lex. Taylor followed the boy, thinking of what Allyson would say if she told her that she slept with two girls and a guy while on vacation- at the same time. She chuckled, seeing Allyson's shock in her mind, then envisioning herself explaining.
"Good night, Nathan. Good night, Jackson," Melissa.
"Good night, Mel," they both said, smiling, though Jackson's eyes seemed to have an extra... glimmer in them that made his smile all the more special to Melissa.
Smiling, she entered the tent.
Nathan and Jackson laid down on the damp sand, their hands under the head. Staring at the stars, they made a few remarks of gratefulness for the end of the storm, and a few ironic remarks of gratefulness towards the storm itself.
Quickly, they all were shepherded into the pasture of dreams.
Hotel Tango...
After a few more minutes of talking with the others, which they found to be a bit awkward, Abby decided it was time to sleep. She and Eric rolled over and were out in a matter of moments.
Jory and Ian, however, had a bit more difficulty.
"Glad the storm's over?" Jory asked.
"Couldn't move before it, during it, or after it, really. Not much of a difference to me, aside from the ambience. Though, being by you for that much time was a bit of a plus," Ian said.
Jory blushed.
"Well, when you put it like that, I suppose the storm wasn't all bad."
"Heh. It ended well enough for Abby and Eric."
Jory closed her eyes, in a disgusted manner.
"Yeah. I suppose it did."
Jungle...
Abby and Eric walked out towards a nearby spring to collect water to boil.
Abby began to fill up the pot, while Eric walked off, after making a promise to be back quickly.
When he was certain he was out of earshot, Eric turned around and looked the blonde girl leaning against the tree.
"What do you want?" Eric asked, "And don't give me some Grey's Anatomy "I'm here for you" bullshit."
Eric, Abby's not the best thing for you. Think about it; she's been cruel to you before. Why would she suddenly fuck your brains out?
"Shut up, Taylor. She's been here for me, when you weren't."
I wanted to be. But I couldn't just follow you into the woods, when you had no idea what you were doing. I figured you would give up after a little while and come back.
"Yeah, well, look how that worked out for you."
I'm sorry, Eric... but that's not important right now. What is important is that you get out of here while you can. You've got to come back to us. I still feel cold... Abby is obsessed. She's bent on surviving. If that meant killing you, then she'd do it.
"That's not true! She cares about me!"
She cares for what you stand for. You just gave her the seed for her ultimate goal.
"No! That's not true!"
Move along.
"But... without her..."
Even when your hope is gone... You have to keep moving. So move.
"No!"
Please, Eric...
"I'm staying with Abby! You can't stop me! Just go away!"
Eric... You're hurting me...
"Then go! Just GO!"
...
The specter dissolved into the winds, and Eric stood there, shaking, tears streaming down his face.
Beach...
The next morning seemed to come far too quickly. Lex had elected to go back to bed, the poor sleep in the cave and the extra hours he put in preparing the storm had finally caught up with him. Melissa, ironically, felt she could use a walk and decided to scout how much other fruit had survived the storm. Nathan and Daley made their own excuse to run off which left Jackson with the one person he wanted to see.
"Taylor."
"Yeah, Jackson?" The blond peered up momentarily from her sticks, then went back to her task when no reply was made.
"I wanted to talk to you."
"About what?" Taylor inquired, exasperation stinging her words.
Whether it was the conversation or trying to get sparks going he wasn't sure.
"I owe you an apology."
"Jackson, that-" The tinder ignited, causing her to cut herself short and tend to what she was doing.
"No Taylor; it is necessary. I was an ass. I judged you and that was wrong."
Taylor blinked several times, then replied, "And Eric was a rat, Melissa's been overemotional, Daley's a Nazi in training, and I totally messed with your emotions. Nobody's been saintly around here so chill. It's all good."
Jackson chuckled lightly. "You know," he said as he grabbed the remaining water jug, "I had forgotten how much I'd missed you."
Taylor smiled, though Jackson can't see as he was already walking out of sight.
"Finally something uncomplicated," Jackson whispered to the sky.
Hotel Tango...
Abby walked into the camp with Eric in tow. She set down about ten coconuts, their stockpile, each sloshing inside, spilling a bit of water. Eric sat down ten more.
"We've got ten coconuts on us, to keep us through for a while," Abby said.
"What? Why?" Jory asked, obviously quite confused.
"We need to find a way off the island," Abby answered.
"You're... you're leaving?" Ian asked.
Abby nodded.
"Would you like to come with us?" Eric asked.
"With Ian like he is?" Jory asked, "There's no way we can. I have to stay here with him."
"Sorry," Abby said, with a shrug, "We have to get help."
"So... twenty coconuts of water?" Jory said, almost desperately.
"You can refill it. There's a spring not too far off," Eric said, "Use rocks to mark your trail or something."
"But... we might never see you again. Please... wait a little while," Jory pleaded.
"I'm sorry, Jory, but we have to get rescue. The waiting's starting to crawl all over me," Abby said, coldly.
Jory looked down, sighing, as she cried.
Abby and Eric slung on their backpacks and walked on.
"Goodbye, guys," Ian called out.
They turned around and gave a quick wave and a "see ya", before returning to their journey.
Beach...
The 29ers had finally all gathered at some point in midmorning. Daley stood and addressed the group.
'
'So...sleeping arrangements. I think it's obvious that we should use the plane. Thoughts?"
"Can't," Lex said quietly.
"Why not?" Nathan asked.
"The plane interior is soaked," Lex began. "Standing waters attracts insects and bacteria. And we can agree-"
"That we don't want anymore illnesses." Jackson finished for him.
"Right." Lex nodded in agreement.
"So what do you suggest then?" Daley asked.
"Well we can either expand the cave," Everyone groaned. "or stick with the arrangements from last night." A second chorus of groans.
"Lex, couldn't we empty the plane out? Bail out the remaining water in buckets." Nathan asked.
"You could but agaiting the water could spread something."
"Well let's put to a vote" Daley said brightly.
Daley, Melissa, and Nathan agreed to cleaning the plane. Lex and Taylor opposed, while Jackson abstained as per usual. To solve the disagreement. Daley suggested Taylor and Lex fix a -fruit only- lunch, and gather some new firewood.
Everyone set to work immediately. Melissa being the weakest of them had agreed to assessing everything in the plane. A set of clothes, what remained of the packaged food, and either Abby's or Jory's journal, all of which she reluctantly bagged up to be buried. Jackson had begun to cut away the flooring, pulling it up as he went. Somehow the floating chunks of carpet amused him, like a child dropping soap into bathwater. Nathan took the first shift at bailing water, and Daley began digging a new pit to contain all of the refuse.
Meanwhile, Taylor and Lex had discovered that finding even remotely dry wood to be near impossible. They had tramped about for over an hour if the sun was any calculation and only had a handful of puny sticks between them. They had chatted incidentally until Lex looked over and asked, "are you okay?"
"Yeah fine. Why?" Taylor replied casually.
"No. I mean it. Really." Lex shot her a pleading glance.
"It's just everything. We're away from our friends and family, now sickness, and storms. It just hit home you know. Something could happen."
"Yeah. I know what you mean. But still Taylor you can't just shutdown like that." She opened her mouth to protest, but he continued, "I miss you too much. We all need everyone. Including you." Taylor stopped, and shifted her bundle to one arm, pulling Lex in for a hug with the free hand.
"Hey Lex?"
"Mmhmm?"
"Race ya back to camp." The two took off squealing as they ran. This ensured that every member of the six remaining at camp were more than tired enough for an extra quiet lunch.
Hotel Tango...
The past few hours had been uncomfortable for Ian and Jory. It seemed there was nothing to say to do, just a heavy suffocating silence. The humidity had continued to steadily climb as the hotel dried around them. The dampness choking the air like their thoughts choked their words.
"So..." Ian said, hoping the lame conversational springboard would lead somewhere.
"So..." Jory replied, obviously not wanting the silence to continue, but unable to find something to say either.
"What a strange, wonderful, beautiful place we're in."
"How so?"
"It killed Bob, but taught me a lesson about heroism I'll never forget. Honestly, Jory now he'll be remembered forever. There's no greater legacy then someone to sing your song for you. And it took Abby and Eric's souls, but brought them together."
Jory shivered. "But was it worth it?"
Ian laughed. "I wouldn't know. I am not the one who..." Jory shot him a shut-up-now glance. "Okay okay sheesh."
Outside, a dangling branch finally snapped free from the tree it had once been a part of. It hammered into the metal side of the now silent building with a very loud and very unexpected thud. Ian and Jory jumped, their bodies convulsing involuntarily from the impact. For Jory, this was a short discomfort. Her pounding heart quickly returned to normal. Ian wasn't quite as lucky. His broken limb slammed into the compacted dirt sending a fresh strong jolt of pain through him.
Light blinded his vision, nausea rose in his throat, and tears sprang to the corners of his eyes. He tried to scream but the pain far outweighed his ability to scream. His mind flooded with the same thought over and over. Escape the pain. You can't escape the pain.
Jory wanted to help. Looking at Ian in so much pain tore her apart. Do something, her mind screamed. Help him. Save him. Act. Panicked, she climbed over to him, kneeled inches above his form. She watched helplessly as he squirmed and shook. Then without really thinking it through, she leaned down and kissed him.
Ian's mind flooded with the new sensation and endorphins rushed to where they were needed. The pain eased and he relaxed, then Jory straightened up.
They stared at each other. A soft gentle stare full of compassion and perhaps even love.
Silence wasn't so bad after all.
Beach...
With plane destruction going well, everyone sugested they pause for a break. Jackson and Nathan washed off in the surf, Melissa went for another walk, and Daley decided to look for Lex. She found him slumped over the flooded muddy tarp which once was the vegetable garden. As Daley neared him, she found him shaking, unvented emotions traveling the length of his small body. She pulled him into a hug as his speech muffled against her shirt.
When she finally allows him a chance to breathe and step back, he merely managed to say, "It's gone."
"I know you worked hard, but you couldn't have done anything about it."
Daley gave him a sympathetic smile.
"You don't get it."
He turned away from her, stomping for emphasis.
"It's not about the vegetables, Day."
"The chicken then?" Daley guessed. "Listen Lex. I know it's hard but everything dies."
"Would that have been good enough when your mom died? That everything... everyone dies someday."
Her brows furled her face contorted as anger spread through her. "You did not just equate our parents with an animal."
Her rage startled Lex to his breaking point. He burst into tears as he spoke.
"No! I was referring to," he stopped to suck in snot trailing from his nose and sob a few times.
"I was referring to whoever died out there. But apparently I am the only one who remembers."
With that he sprinted off headlong into the woods, leaving his stunned sister to call after him.
"Lex. Lex! Wait!"
Daley felt as if he punched her in the stomach. She had forgotten. She sunk to the ground for her own good cry.
Jungle...
Although Eric and Abby had set out a long while ago, each was lost in their thoughts.
Underneath dragon Abby, monster Abby, survival is paramount Abby, her... task... was beginning to get to her. She could feel her own hestation about it now.
Much like swallowing the first insect. The moment itself had been purely instinct, but afterward there was that pang of guilt, of self loathing at the life she had crushed between her teeth. It was almost too much to handle.
She had locked her old self in a tight box to prevent it from feeling the pain. She was on the tightrope now; thinking too much would mean she'd lose her nerve. She would fall, and there was no net. And no turning back.
While Abby had been trying to do anything but focus on her feelings, that was all Eric wanted. He wanted any part of himself back. As the girl struggled to maintain her teetering balance, all Eric could desire was ending the fall. That was what insanity felt like, endlessly falling as the strength was pulled from his body and spirit. Then as the sheer panic overwhelmed him, he'd black out. If the others weren't putting him on, then that must be where he slipped into characters.
But all Eric could remember was the exhaustion afterwards. He didn't want to go there again. He wouldn't. So he focused on Abby. Trying to reconjure every detail, every sensation, from last night. Her smell. Her taste. Her touch. Her voice.
Wait. She's actually saying something.
"Huh. Wha?" Eric asked.
"I said we're almost there."
Abby sighed at having to repeat herself.
"Well then maybe we should talk. About anything. Last night?" He waggled his eyebrows in classic confidence, even though Abby (who was walking ahead) couldn't have possibly seen the gesture.
"Eric. Shut up."
He frowned and their journey resumed without further exchange.
Beach...
Having finished cleaning up the plane, the 29ers settled down for dinner. Lex and Taylor prepared this one as well, making it up out of clams and fruits, gathered on various trips throughout the day, during their boredom, when they weren't able to assist in the plane clean-up.
"Well, now we've got a giant hunk of metal, but it'll shield us from the wind and rain," Daley said.
"We need a replacement for the covers, or else it's useless as a bed," Jackson said.
"If we get enough leaves, it would be livable," Lex said.
"Alright. We'll gather some leaves for tonight, then gather more tomorrow. We'll have to keep on eating fruit and clams for a while... since we've got so much other stuff to do, fishing just seems unimportant," Jackson said.
"I've missed the fish," Nathan said, shrugging.
"Oh, dear sweet vampire Jesus, did you fuckers seriously lose this much spine without me around? Fruits and clams? Come on, now."
Six pairs of eyes locked on the intruders.
Six hearts stopped.
Six gasps echoed out over the beach.
"E-Eric...?" Taylor whispered.
"And that's not all," Eric said, "Tada!"
He waved his arm to the side, directing the tunnel-vision of the 29ers to Abby.
The beach residents all stood up, preparing welcome for their prodigal siblings.
"Don't bother. I can fix what I need for myself," Abby said, coolly.
Six minds stopped, processing the predatory undercurrents in her voice.
"Abby...?" Taylor asked.
"Taylor... the Judas," Abby said, her eyes narrowing at the girl.
"Woah, what?"
"You betrayed Eric, as I recall. The rest of them cast him out, but he had hardly considered them close to begin with. You were the Brutus in this story," Abby said, a dangerous edge in her voice.
"Hey, all I wanted was to avoid splitting from the group. I knew it wasn't a good idea, but I knew I couldn't change Eric's mind. I figured he'd come back after a day or two," Taylor said.
Six minds wondered what had happened... They were so different.
"Eric... what's happened to you?" Jackson asked, "You look... scared, man."
"Scared? Why would I be scared?" Eric said.
"Well, something weird happened out there a couple days ago... Surely you heard that scream," Lex half-muttered.
"Sc-scream...?" Eric asked.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...!
Jory's tears.
Ian's head tossed back.
The cause.
The spear.
The captain's maddened eyes rolling back in his head.
Eric grasped his head, bending over, his eyes screwed shut.
"No, no, no... d-didn't m-mean to..."
Abby grabbed him, stood him upright, and pressed his lips to hers.
The strange display caused the 29ers to gape.
"Wh-what...?" Daley asked.
"...Woah," Nathan muttered.
The display started to turn passionate, when Daley shouted a quick, "Hey! Minor present! And we are severely grossed out by this, for the record."
Abby and Eric seperated.
"Whatever keeps you sane," Abby said, mysteriously.
Eric, for his part, was trying hard not to grin. He wasn't succeeding, but he was trying.
"Abby... did you find Jory and Ian?" Melissa asked.
Abby looked at Melissa. Two voices piped up within her.
Caring.
Weak.
Compassionate.
Stupid.
Sweet.
Dead weight.
"Yeah. I found them. Ian broke his leg. I left them with water for several days. Jory is fully capable of taking care of them both," Abby said.
"We need to get them here," Jackson said.
"Why the hell would you just leave them there?" Nathan snapped, "What is wrong with you?"
"I cut my losses and headed out, hoping to find some chance of survival," Abby snapped.
Her words sank in, horrifying six souls.
"...You would've let them die?" Jackson asked.
"I left them water. Jory can take care of herself," Abby said.
For a moment, it seemed like she was startled by her actions. Then, she re-steeled herself, and no emotion was on her face.
"Yeah, Jory had been taking care of Ian before we found them," Eric said, "So lay off."
"No, no. I believe you. I just can't believe you referred to them as losses, which you cut," Jackson said.
Abby cocked her head, examining Jackson. The refugee noticed the stare and shivered. It was worse than the counselors or the judge, who had been examining him for some form of hope. She seemed to be sizing him up as a tool.
Eric stepped in front of Abby, "Don't wanna do this, Jackson."
For a moment, every ounce of tension that had been between Jackson and Eric in their time on the island hung there between them. For a moment, both boys felt their bodies tighten as adrenaline pumped through them, and their minds sharpened and their eyes honed in on one another.
In that moment that lasted a year, everyone felt as if the temperature had dropped twenty degrees.
Then it passed, as Jackson stepped back, willing to back down for now.
"We'll need to go after Jory and Ian and get them back to camp, tomorrow. It's getting dark; we'd never make it back," Daley said.
"Alright... I'll go," Jackson said, "Abby and Eric, you'll lead me there and back."
"I'm going with you," Daley said.
"No. Nathan is," Jackson said, looking pointedly at her.
Daley's eyebrows rose, until she saw the strange look in his eyes. It was one she was unfamiliar with, but it held a great amount of warning and caution. She nodded.
"Alright, I'll go with you," Nathan said.
"Let's... get to bed," Taylor said, looking cautiously at Eric.
"Abby, Eric, grab enough leaves to sleep comfortably on. You can sleep with Nathan and I in the plane," Jackson said.
"We'll sleep on the beach," Abby said.
Eric nodded in agreement.
"Whatever," Jackson muttered.
As they prepared for bed, the beach residents' minds reeled, wondering how Eric and Abby could've changed so much.
What madness was this...?
End of Chapter Nine
