Chapter 4

Kane I Day 128 20:01 (Southern Jungle)

The night lights quickly became a blur of moving people and fading music. The wine was certainly stronger than he had anticipated. And yet he didn't care; he joined the people as they danced and danced. A bonfire was lit in the middle of the village. Cooked dodo meat was laid out on a makeshift wooden table, roughly 12 feet long. Everyone was there. At least 100 people are fishing and drinking. A woman next to him bumped into him as she strode over for more food. She turned around and examined him. Kane was met with a slow smile.

"Oh damn lady, I didn't see you there."

She smiled even more. "Neither did I, but I guess that's the gist of things around here. Bumping to people and all. You have a name?"

"Yeah, Kane with the K." He returned to his drink.

She nodded her head. After a few uncomfortable seconds, the two stared at each other awkwardly. The woman looked like she expected him to say something. But he just stared back at her. "Jasmine, thanks for asking." She finally replied with an annoyed expression. She walked away.

I think she likes me. "You have a nice night too, ma'am." Kane drunkenly swung his arm in her direction as her figure faded into the distance. He looked up, and the sky melted into something resembling something akin to a Vincent Van Gogh painting. Who the hell was that? But Kane wasn't going to let fatuous questions interfere at this moment.

The music crept behind his ears, sending a shiver down his spine. Fireflies came out of their hiding spots and decorated the areas. His feet forgot the Earth, and with his arms stretched out, he flew. Fall back into place. They were random words. an incoherent line of thought that strangely gave comfort. As this was intended. The Island, all of it It was for something.

It was Liam. His face was pale, cold, and dead. Liam

His body was shredded, lifeless, and marked with the stink of death.

Liam.

He was falling. Faster and faster. He could reach out his hand to fly. But he couldn't at the same time. If that made sense. No, it didn't. None of this is remembered.

No. He never flew. He was sinking. Fall back into place. Liam.

Please let me fly; I need to be free.

Liam.

"Kane, get your ass up!"

Kane's eye snapped open to see Rosa standing over him, her hands appearing to have assumed the slapping position. He jolted up before she took action, or another one, as his left cheek was sore.

Her face was an interesting sight. Was it her red hair covering her face? No, it was blood. Maybe she tripped?

He got a closer look at her face. A thick cut from her left cheek to her chin. Damn, she really is clumsy.

"And good morning to you, sunshine." Although it was more of a snarky comment, Kane was really happy to be alive. That's it, God, I'm a changed man; I won't drink anything but water. I'll start a new commitment. Wait till they see me. They'll call me Kane. Sober Kane- smoke.

There was smoke in the air, but it wasn't from the bonfire. Then a smell of cooked, rotten flesh greeted his nostrils. The sound of people moaning and groaning as compies tore at their skin Their bodies were too weak to fight them off.

I'm not sober. I'm still not sober.

But Kane's eyes told him something else. So he shut them up.

Just

fall

back into place

Liam III Day 129, 06:02 (Southern Jungle)

"Jezebel, what the hell is a medium-sized crop plot, and why is it in every damn crate?

Liam panted as he stretched out his hand to embrace another tree branch. Hoping his foot would connect to the tree trunk, he shifted his body towards the tree.

" Because."

He grunted as he heaved himself onto the new branch. And then watched her do the same.

" Oh…okay."

They hopped onto the tree and peered down below to watch for hopeful raptors.

"Jezebel, you said your name came from the Bible? What's in the Bible? And why does everything come out of my mouth perfectly, and I don't understand? Does the Bible have something to do with this?"

" -Liam!" She turned her head at him in frustration. And then, realizing how loud she was, she lowered her voice. "I don't know."

He nodded his head. They'd been collecting drops around the area since last night. Their bodies were tired, but the Troodons roaming around convinced them otherwise.

Finding no closer tree available, Jezebel grabbed her hide flask and took a swig. Liam followed suit.

"I'm going to look where we are. Stay down here and stay alert."

"You mean stay up here, and first of all, isn't that a bad idea? Jezebel!"

"I'm climbing as high as I can get; these trees are damn sturdy and should support my weight." She gritted her teeth as she lifted her body onto another branch ahead of her.

"Should and could are two different words."

" Liam I'm in no mood to discuss semantics."

"And I'm not particularly fond of examining human entrails."

"Liam.. hmmpf.. just shut up."

An ear-splitting scream echoed in the air. It came from above.

Jezebel! Liam's head immediately faced upward towards her. Her hand was pierced by... an arrow?

Tamed Level 45 Female Raptor Day 129 05:48 (Footpaw)

Consciousness.

The smell of salt Heat. Flesh. Sweet berries. Flesh.

She was still on the cliff. Peering over the water. Few memories recalled to her mind of the events prior to her great slumber. She remembered being alone, hurt, and wild. In the wild, being alone and injured was a death sentence. And yet no signs of injury could be found on her feathery body. Her legs were healed and fit to run.

The creature cocked its head sideways. A small, naked pink monkey covered in dried fiber.

The creature's stomach rumbled as it contemplated feasting on the vulnerable creature. She could feel her mouth watering. However, upon recognizing its scent, something clicked. This was not stray prey. She would not and could not eat it. It was safe. It was master.