Once everyone was awake we told them. Well, the 4 most mature ones that is.

Iggy frowned, his eyebrows drawing together, while Sam looked shocked, his eyes darting unbelievingly from Fang and I to the grave. Dylan paled, looking dolefully out to sea. And Maya, as I expected, with one sorrowful look understood what I had gone through, without going through it herself.

"I'm sorry," she lamented, "I saw 2 when I was higher up, but they were out floating in the water."

I shivered involuntarily. How many people had actually made it off the boat? It couldn't be just us, could it?

For the rest of the morning we hung out at camp. Maya and I caught up and boy did it feel good to have her back. We were a nice balance to each other, what, being twins and all. I am a little more headstrong and tough and she was a little more gentle and thoughtful. We made a good team. We could usually tell exactly what the other was thinking, so it came as no surprise that she noticed how antsy I was. I kept pacing and looking for things to do. There was always things to do, the only problem was that everyone was already doing them.

"Max," she said gently, "I think you should rest for a bit."

I stopped mid pace to look at her.

"You know me, I'd rather keep busy."

She nodded, already having anticipated my response.

I sighed and she sighed. I resumed pacing.

A few minutes later I heard a 'bye', to my left. Fang was leaving to search for people again. I paused, looking guiltily at Maya. She was already looking at me from her seat on a rotted tree log.

"It's okay," she replied to my unasked question. "It's okay if you want to get away from here. Your ankle must have known you'd need to get away today."

I smiled ruefully at her. Bless her for understanding. But I couldn't really go, could I? Maya had just gotten back.

"Go on," she insisted with a flick of her hand, "he's leaving you behind."

I hesitated a moment more before hugging her.

"I'm sorry," I said, hating that I was selfish enough to actually leave even though she just got there, "I just can't stand to be here right now."

"I understand."

I didn't know how, but I was going to find a way to make it up to her.

I jogged lightly, looking back over my shoulder once to wave at her.

"Is it cool if I come with?" I asked, slowing to Fang's pace.

He looked surprised for a moment, but it slipped away easily after he looked at my face. He knew why. Of course he knew.

For Pete's sake, was I really that easy to read?

"Like I could stop you."

I narrowed my eyes at him. The corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile.

Ladies and gentlemen, Fang: The Silent Sass Master.

I told him as much. I was rewarded with a sudden burst of laughter. I don't know how else to describe it other than it was like an unexpected fart, but a lot more pleasant. And that's when I realized I had internally compared his laugh to a fart. Dear goodness. I mean, they both had to do with air. Anyways, that was not the point. The point was that I was leaving the camp.

The water containers strung across our shoulders thudded a little as we walked. I had turned back and grabbed one before we left the beach. Someone had thought to wrap vine around the containers so that they could be worn. Other than that it was quiet.

I looked at Fang, still thinking about the bodies.

"It won't help you know," he said, not looking at me, "it won't help you sleep better, knowing who's dead."

"If you told me then I could stop agonizing over who's missing."

Fang stopped, turning to look me right in the eye, his face tight.

"Trust me when I say it would not help you to hear about the little kids I had to bury. Please don't make me relive that."

Needless to say, I never asked him about it again.

We had decided to cut through the thick of the island as opposed to following along the beach. Dead leaves and twigs crunched under foot as we made our way in silence. Birds cawed every once in a while, peering down at us from the foliage. The whole center of the island was covered in a thick, lush forest. It was quite pretty actually. I personally found it prettier when I didn't have to push my way through it. Fang pushed on though like he had been doing this whole life. Overachiever. I was pushing a big leaf fronds out of my face when he stopped dead in his tracks.

"What is it?"

He lifted a finger toward where he was staring. I walked around to the other side of him to get a look. Behind a big tree about 10 yards away poked out 2 little legs, clothed in green cargo pants.

"Fang?" I questioned.

His jaw clenched and unclenched as he stared. The rest of his face was a mask of emotionlessness. I was about to ask him what was up when he took off running, flying over rocks and rotted logs.

"Fang!" I cried after him, trying to catch up.

I rounded the tree to find him kneeling, shaking a boy softly.

"Gazzy?" he murmured.

After a moment Gazzy blinked awake. He sat up looking utterly confused.

"Fang?" he mumbled still half asleep.

Finally realization dawned on his face, "Fang!" he bellowed happily, jumping up.

His arms shot out about to embrace Fang, but he seemed to think better of it, letting his arms drop midway. Fang didn't really look like the most huggable guy.

Then of course, he had to go and prove me wrong. He pulled Gazzy down into an embrace. I couldn't see Fang's face, with his back to me, but Gazzy looked pretty happy, his arms wrapped around Fang's neck. The scene was akin to that of two brothers hugging. I smiled warmly, thankful that we had found him alive around the other side of the tree. After a moment Gazzy pulled back, his hands still on Fang's shoulders as if Fang would disappear if he let go. That's when his eyes began to water. I think he was just so relieved to have found someone. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like for him, being all alone on an island for 3 days. He couldn't have been more than 9 years old. Gazzy fought the tears, trying to be strong. He glanced up at me once. I don't think he particularly wanted to cry in front of a girl.

"It's okay," Fang promised, "we're here now, Gaz."

Gazzy sniffled once, his head bobbing.

"I know," he said.

Suddenly he perked up, "did you find Iggy? What about Angel?"

"They're back at the camp."

"There's a camp?"

Fang nodded rising to his feet.

"Well what are we waiting around here for?" Gazzy exclaimed fling his arms out to the side, "let's go!" he beamed.

Fang grinned, "this way," he said nodding toward his right.

"Why not the way we came?" I wondered.

"I think this way will be easier," he replied.

I shrugged, whatever you say.

"They asked about you too," I told Gazzy.

He smiled, "are they alright?"

"They're great," I assured him, "Iggy is still blind though."

He snickered and I had the vague impression that this joke would be passed along to Iggy's ears.

I could see the forest thinning and after a bit we hit a different part of the beach. By that time my ankle had really started bothering me. Not nearly as bad as before (thankfully), but it still ached. Fang noticed me lagging behind a bit, being the perceptive human that he was. He eyed me, stopping.

"Do you want to get on my back?" he offered.

"No," I declined, "I'm fine."

"We still have a bit to go. I'd say you could one-foot-it, but that would take longer."

"I'm fine," I repeated.

We were at a standstill, and by his stance I could tell he really was going to stand still until I agreed.

I huffed. Ughh, why'd he always have to save everyone? No, that wasn't it. Why'd he always have to save me?

I stomped over to him.

"You're very stubborn, you know that?" I said, clambering onto his back.

"You're one to talk," he retorted, standing up.

Gazzy giggled at our banter.

This was weird. Like super weird. All in all I could see why Lisa liked it. Fang was doing all the work, I didn't even really have to hold on. At first I didn't know what to do with my hands so I just rested them awkwardly on his shoulders. After a bit, I gave up trying to keep my distance and I looped them loosely around his neck. Now I was pressed against his back and, once again, could feel every breath he took. I wondered if he could feel my heart beating into his back. If he minded he didn't complain. He didn't say anything really and Gazzy, unaware of such adolescent dynamics, marched out in front of Fang eagerly, but still close.

"I'm sorry," I said resting my chin on Fang's shoulder, "you're probably sick of chauffeuring me around by now."

It felt like all I did was apologize these days.

He shrugged, which felt pretty weird considering I was on his back.

"I figured this would happen."

"Huh?"

"I figured you're ankle might get tired."

And yet, he let me come with him anyways. Fang really was a nice guy. But I wasn't about to tell him that.

"In that case," I proclaimed, "home Charles!"

He shook his head a little, but I think he was smiling.

"Next time I'm charging a flat fee," he quipped.

I laughed, tightening my hold on him.