Scott has no idea what to do, he cannot believe after all their dads' warnings about storms he has led his brothers into such terrible danger. Checking his phone, he is dismayed to see that there is no signal, the storm must have affected the reception.
Alan jumps as another thunderclap roars above their heads. Burying his head into Scott's back he starts to cry.
"Scotty I wanna go home" He mumbles into his jumper, sobbing quietly.
Virgil peels him away, picking him up and holding him tightly, looking at Scott, trying to keep calm, to avoid his younger brothers panicking.
"Scotty I'm cold" Gordon adds his own complaint. The temperature has plummeted, and they know that they can't stay here, but they have no idea where to go, or how to get home again.
"We need to find shelter, ride the storm out and once it has stopped, we can try to find our way back" Scott tells them, trying to take control of the situation.
"Where though?" John asks, looking around. They are exposed to the elements where they are standing, and it isn't only Gordon who is cold, and he is still getting over a serious infection and should not be out in these conditions.
The rain is getting heavier the longer they stand there, the crackling of the lightening against the blackened sky is followed by another low rumbling of thunder, which again causes Alan to jump, struggling against Virgil's hold on him.
"It's okay Allie, I have you" Virgil tells him comfortingly. His crying is dying down into heart felt whimpering.
All 5 boys are already soaked to the skin, Gordon is starting to shiver uncomfortably, glad Scott made them bring jumpers as he looks towards his oldest brother for guidance.
"Come on, we can't stay here we will just try to find somewhere to hide." Scott tells them bravely making what he hopes is the right decision, as he takes Gordons hand in his left and Johns in his right. Virgil taking Gordons other hand together they start the walk, with Virgil still carrying Alan.
Scott has no idea if he is even heading in the right direction, he is simply happy to be doing something, anything.
They walk for what feels like hours, trudging their way forward, not speaking much, each concentrating on their own pain. The blistering pain in their feet, and the bitterly cold wind whipping their exposed hands and faces. Virgil feeling like the arm supporting Alan is going to fall off as his brother gets heavier and heavier, but he can't complain, he knows his brothers are equally exhausted and frightened.
"Give me Allie for a bit" Scott offers, picking up on Virgil's fatigue.
"I can't walk any further" Gordon announces. His hair is plastered to his forehead, raindrops are dripping from his eyelashes making it even harder for him to see. Looking at his brothers he can see they are all as exhausted as he is feeling.
"I could use a break too" John tells them.
The rain is not letting up, and the cold is seeping into their bones, but Scott knows that stopping is not a good idea. They have to keep going. If they stop now, they may find themselves unable to continue.
"We have to keep going." Scott insists, taking Alan from Virgil.
"Virgy?" Gordon pleads, tears mingling with the rain now.
Virgil lets him climb up on to his back, forgetting the dull ache in his arm, and he falls into step behind John, who is following Scott and Alan.
And they keep walking.
*TB*
Jeff was also caught out by the storm, only moving indoors when the warning Klaxon sounded waiting anxiously for the boys to walk through the door. As the minutes tick by, a gut-wrenching feeling is being shared by the room, as they begin to realise that something has gone wrong.
"Does anyone have a phone signal?" Jeff asks, trying to keep calm.
"No" they all reply, checking for messages, realising that Scott won't have a signal either.
"I am going to check theirs and Tanushas rooms, make sure they haven't just come back and fallen asleep" Jeff announces, eager to do something, anything no matter how futile. The quick search of the house confirms his worst fears, his boys and Tanusha are outside in a storm that is threatening to become a hurricane.
"Jeff, they are sensible, intelligent kids. They would have found shelter, we can't go out in this all that would happen is we would put ourselves in danger" Grandma tells him, watching her son pacing up and down the lounge.
Jeff knows she is right, but he can't stop pacing. The worst scenarios are playing over and over again in his mind, including taking shelter in the jungle and getting bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion or getting swept out to sea or falling and getting hurt. Hoping that they are at least all together and vowing to get outside and start a search the second the weather allows it.
*TB*
"What's that noise Scott?" John asks, it sounds like an animal in pain, and it is coming from somewhere on their right.
They all stop to listen, realising that whatever it is needs their help.
"It sounds like an animal" Scott replies, changing direction to head towards the noise, still carrying Alan, who, cold and exhausted is starting to drift into a fitful sleep.
They stop suddenly when they come the edge, and there is a sudden 6 foot drop down. Scott allows John to take Alan, who wakes up at the disturbance and starts to complain about being cold and hungry almost immediately. John puts him down on the ground and joins Scott in trying to find out the source of the noise.
A shocked gasp comes from Scott, which gets Virgils attention too, who lowers Gordon to the ground and joins his brothers to find Tanusha lying on the ground 6 feet below them.
Scott doesn't hesitate to jump down beside her. Checking her over for any injuries.
"Tanusha, are you hurt?" he asks, nothing is obviously broken, for which he is relieved.
"My ankle Scott, it really hurts" She tells him, moaning in pain as he helps her roll over and gets sat up.
"We have got to get you out of here, can you stand?"
"I can try" she replies, tentatively trying to put weight on her left ankle, collapsing against Scott, her face going pale as the pain shoots up her leg. "No" she confirms, her voice barely audible, letting Scott hold her.
"We have to get home, how long have you been out here?" He asks.
"Since this morning, I was spying on you again, but I lost you. I was heading back to the house when the storm hit, I thought I knew where I was going but I must have got to close to the edge without realising it. Scott I'm sorry, I never gave you guys a chance and now look. We are never going to get out of here" she tells him.
"We will get out of here, I promise you Tanusha I will get you back to your father" Scott tells her. "Virgil, I am going to lift her up, get ready to catch her!"
Virgil nods his approval, steeling himself, as Scott helps her up onto his shoulders and Virgil takes hold of her arms and with Johns help, they get her up on to the cliff top. Before Scott scrambles up to join them.
"Tareeki, you're okay!" Alan exclaims, throwing himself into her arms. She is so relieved to no longer be alone, she doesn't even bother correcting him and allows him to cuddle into her.
"You said you were following us" Scott asks, "Do you know how to get home from here?" after all she has spent a lot longer on the Island and does know it a lot better than they do.
"Yeah, but it is about an hour away from here, and I can't make it. I can't put any pressure on my left foot".
"We can't leave you here" Virgil tells her seriously.
"You have too, there is no way I can make it on this ankle" She insists.
"No you don't understand, we have no idea where we are or where we are going!" Virgil replies grinning. "Tanusha, we need you".
She is still sitting on the ground, Alan pinning her to the floor refusing to get up. Gordon has joined them and has his head rested on her shoulder. Both of them are done, they can't go any further. They are filthy and freezing cold. Gordons teeth are rattling so hard it is hurting his jaw and he wants nothing more than to lie down in the mud and sleep for a week.
"You know this area better than we do Tanusha, is there anywhere near by we can take shelter?" Scott asks, knowing that they have been exposed to the storm for too long.
"Yeah, there is a small cave further down this path, that's where I was heading when I lost my balance and fell. We will be safe there until the storm passes." she tells him.
"Alan, Gordon get up please" Scott tells them. Alan gets up onto his feet, swaying slightly, his eyes not even fully open anymore. Gordon following him, wishing he was at home in Kansas more than ever.
"Okay, I am going to lift you up, apologising in advance if this hurts, squeeze Virgil's hand if you need too." Scott tells her, knowing that he will have to carry her and that she is right, there is no way she can walk unaided.
"Put your arm around my neck Tanusha" Scott tells her, kneeling on the ground next to her. "I will be as gentle as I can, I promise". Virgil helps get her comfortable in Scott's arms. Scott apologising repeatedly as she cries out in pain when he accidentally touches her ankle.
"Right, where too?" Scott asks her once he is ready to move.
"Keep walking in this direction, and we will come to a fork in the path go left there and there is a small cave built deep into the rock" she replies, her voice is starting to grow weaker, her breathing is shallow and raspy as she struggles to stay alert.
"Come on you 4" Scott says to his brothers, "we will get to the cave, and then as soon as the storm is over, we will go home"
Buoyed on by the promise of home, and all that it brings with it. A warm bed, hot chocolate, food and more importantly their father and grandma, there is a renewed energy among the group. Alan agreeing to walk as long as John agrees to stay with him and hold his hand. He doesn't jump at the sound of the thunder anymore, being out here for so long, and being so tired he could fall down and sleep in the mud has overcome the initial fears he was feeling.
The wind is still howling, there are periods where it is difficult to keep walking and avoid being blown over, Virgil keeping hold of Gordon to avoid him being pulled away.
"THERE'S THE CAVE!" Alan exclaims a wave of excitement and energy coming over him now as he drags John over to it.
Inside it is dark, and not much warmer than being outside, but it is dry towards the back where the rain can't penetrate.
Settling down on the floor, Gordon crawls into Virgil's lap, snuggling against his chest desperate for the warming hugs his brother is famous for. Virgil obliges, both arms wrapped around him. "Try not to fall asleep" Virgil tells him, knowing that he has been exposed to the cold for too long and is in danger of contracting hypothermia. They all are.
"How did you know this was here?" Scott asks gratefully. Looking around the small dark space, using his phone as a light source.
"I have been here longer than you have, I have had a lot of time to explore. I don't start at the school until September" she replies. Leaning back against the wall.
"Well thanks, I am really glad you are here" Scott tells her, sincerely.
"I am really glad you are too. I don't understand, I have been really horrible to you all, but you still stopped to help me" She replies. "Why would you? After everything I have said and done?"
It is John who answers her. He too has sat down on the floor in between Scott and Tanusha, and his lap is home to Alan, who is watching the scene with interest. "We aren't bad people Tanusha, and I don't believe you are either".
"That's not what you said the other day" Alan tells him, turning towards Tanusha "He said you were a cow with a pole up your ass and a chip on your shoulder" He tells her honestly.
Scott snorts with laughter at the embarrassed look look on Johns face. "Sorry, we are still teaching him tact!"
"It's okay Scott, he's not really wrong, I have said some awful things to him, and I am really sorry."
"Tanusha, I accept your apology" Scott tells her, remembering their conversation the previous evening when they were washing the dishes. Can that really have only been less than 24 hours ago? He thinks.
This time the smile she returns is shy, resting her head on Scott's shoulder. She can't ever remember feeling this cold and tired, but she also can't ever remember feeling this happy.
"Taneska?" Alan asks, still he has no idea how to pronounce her name.
And for the first time, it truly doesn't bother her. He is just a child, she realises, young and innocent and a sudden desire to protect him gnaws at her heart.
"Alan" She replies, smiling at the tiny shivering blonde in Johns arms.
"Why were you so mean to me and Gordy?" he asks, curiously.
"I honestly don't know, I guess I resented having you on the Island, taking away the only family I have left away from me, I am starting to realise just how ridiculous that sounds but I honestly thought my dad was going to replace me with you" her face ashen with shame for being so stupid and selfish.
"I get it" Scott tells her, "I felt the same way when Virgil was born, ask my dad about the time I tried to send him back to the hospital!" Scott tells her grinning.
"Did you really?" Alan asks, he has never heard this story before.
"Yeah, when he was first born, he got so much attention, and people would come to visit and bring him presents, pat me on the head, tell me to be a good boy then leave. I hated it, and I resented Virgil. He smelled and cried all the time, so I called 911, the number mom and dad told me that if there was an emergency, and there were no grownups around to help then that was the number I was to call, and asked someone from the hospital to come and get my brother. The message got mixed up somehow, and they sent round 2 police cars and an ambulance!" Scott tells them laughing.
"What changed?" She asks him.
"Not a lot, he still smells and cries all the time!" Scott replies, glad that he can't reach him to punch him as Tanusha is in the way. He can feel the glare from him though. "Nah, I got used to having a little brother, and by the time John was born looking after them both just felt natural and right. Gordon was born too early and very nearly died, he had 5 operations on his heart by the time he was a year old, and by the time Alan was born I could change a diaper in my sleep!"
"What is the best thing about having siblings?" She asks.
"They make me snacks when I am hungry" Alan answers.
"They make me laugh when I have had a bad day" John adds.
"They are there for me when I have a nightmare" Gordon tells her. "Oh, and they do your homework if you blackmail them enough"
"It is never boring" Virgil replies.
"I am a better person because of them, and I can't envision my life without them" Scott tells her.
"What is your life like?" Alan asks.
"Lonely. I was born in Malaysia, and usually left in the company of whatever nanny my mother hired that month. She was not very maternal and made it obvious that she had a child to satisfy my father and that by having me her duty was done. She was always more interested in her social life than spending time with me. My father was the only family I had, he was the one who looked after me when I was sick, and the only one who paid any attention to me.
"I remember their constant rows. They fought over everything. Money, me, events she wanted to attend with him, but he didn't want to go too. It got so bad he could say the sky is blue and she would call him a liar and claim it was pink. Sometimes it felt like I was living in a war zone."
She doesn't know it, but there are tears silently streaming down her face.
"Still I didn't think her threats to leave were serious, until one day I came down to breakfast, and she was gone. My father sat me down and told me that she was never coming back. At first I was numb, I kept thinking that if only I had been better behaved, if only I had got better grades, if only I didn't break her expensive antique lamp playing cricket in the house, if only, if only, if only…"
Taking a deep breath, trying to stop the grief pouring out, she can feel her heart pounding beneath her breast.
"At first, we tried to carry on as normal, dancing around each other and walking on eggshells. But we would both explode at the slightest provocation. Even now, it has been a year since she left, I sometimes have trouble controlling my anger."
Turning to Gordon, who like his brothers is staring at her with his eyes wide.
"I think that's why when I thought you were trying to treat me like I was your own personal maid I lost it and kicked you." Reaching out, she runs her hand gently over his cheek. "I am sorry Gordy."
"I am going to make an effort from now on, my anger got me kicked out of school, that's the real reason my dad is moving me to boarding school"
"You got kicked out of school?" Gordon asks in surprise. "Me too!" He adds delightedly. "What did you do? I put sheep in the teachers lounge"
"I put a boy in the hospital for blaming me for my mother running away. Knocked him out with a single punch" she replies grinning back at him.
"You KO'd someone with a single punch?" Gordon replies, now he is impressed. "Maybe we should call you Kayo, its easier for Alan to pronounce and it will remind us all to not piss you off!"
"Kayo?" She queries, trying it out. "I like it"
"Kayo?" Alan asks, suddenly feeling nervous about what he wants to say.
"Yes Alan?"
Cautiously, he climbs out of Johns grasp and into her lap. "We will be your family"
"Nothing would make me happier" she replies, enclosing Alan in her arms, smiling at her new brother.
"Guys, I think the storm is over?" John tells them, interrupting the peaceful silence and getting up and heading out to the mouth of the cave, into the now bright sunshine.
"Yeah I think Johns right. The storm is over" Scott replies, and he isn't talking about the weather.