Chapter 12: Imperfect Castaway
A/N: I hope you take this chapter into consideration and find it very emotional, especially for Alvin, who he finally reveals what he is and how he feels about it. Also, sorry for the delay, but my college applications start now and I hope I get into the college I want to go to (Cal Baptist University).
Currently this is my shortest chapter yet because I wanted to update and not keep you guys waiting that long. I appreciate all of your reviews and thoughts towards my story and I hope you all keep on reading.
One more thing, don't forget to pick up The Chipmunk's newest album 'Undeniable'!
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It was a dark and cloudy night, as Alvin Seville, seeing how it has been one month since his 'fight' with Ocker and almost two whole months he has been stuck on the island, was roaming around by himself, his natural routine since getting marooned. He has eaten nothing but coconuts, fruit and the fresh water from the waterfall for an entire month. He has lost at least 15 pounds and already has a full-grown mustache, beard and sideburns. His clothes are already torn slightly and faded, and he doesn't remember the last time he has taken a shower.
There he was all alone under the moonlight, searching for more food, water… and redemption. His family probably thinks he's dead by now and all hope of getting off the island is gone. The one person whom he wanted to trust was just wasting his time. Though it was only the middle of June, it tends to get very chilly at dusk.
He couldn't take it anymore. He wants to get off this island and get back to his family more than anything in the world. He has already circumnavigated the island about a billion times now and has climbed the tallest tree and could not spot any nearby land, even with the naked eye. What was the use? He's in the middle of nowhere, probably miles away from live civilization, and this island probably isn't even on a map.
But has he given up? Not even he can answer that; however, he's definitely not staying on this island for all eternity, forced to live in a cave and eat nothing but coconuts and fruits everyday.
Then again, if he hasn't given up… why is still roaming around the island doing nothing after two whole months???
-
Alvin walks around in the middle of the island, head down and kicking a pebble with his bare feet… when all of a sudden...
He spots a dark figure up in the trees. His appearance is hard to see, but it was like a moving shadow with eyes and teeth. Suddenly… he pounces on Alvin.
"Oomph!!" cries Alvin as he is tackled to the ground by the mysterious figure.
He tries to get up but is roped down, arms and legs apart, kind of like in anatomic position.
"WHO ARE YOU!!!???" yells Alvin who is roped down on the sand with his arms and legs apart.
He uses all of his might to get up, but the mysterious figure has him tied up really well and is far stronger than Alvin.
"WHO ARE YOU!!!???" Alvin yells again.
The mysterious figure walks into the moon light and Alvin could not believe his own eyes…
Ocker.
Alvin had fear and doubt written all over his face and was too afraid to move even one hair on his head. Alvin watched Ocker's every move when suddenly….
He pulls out a machete.
Alvin was now jerking, trying to set himself free whatever the cost maybe. Ocker kicked him on the side, allowing Alvin to stop jerking and lie face up.
Then… with the blink of an eye…
Alvin's fearful eyes on the sharp blade…
Ocker wielded the machete…
and struck Alvin with all of his might….
…. blank
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(END OF DREAM TRANCE)
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"AHHHHHH!!!!!" yelled Alvin… for the 3rd time this week.
Yes, it was the same old nightmare he had almost every night since the 'fight' with Ocker. He stared up at the moon, rubbed his face and couldn't help but feel stupid right about now. He figured maybe it was a mistake telling Ocker off like that. Maybe he really wanted to help him get off the island, but everyday of learning that stupid "Way of the Munk' exercise was just killing more and more time. The more he learns, the more time and concentration is wasted.
He sits there groaning and rubbing his forehead. Every night since he started having that nightmare, he still doesn't know what it means. He thinks that Ocker is a witch doctor and is probably casting an incantation on him that keeps him from sleeping well. Then again, it could mean that it was wrong of him to tell Ocker off like that. He remembers that day like if it was yesterday…
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(FLASHBACK)
"I can't take in anymore! 17 days ago you said that you were going to teach me an instruction on survival, skill, and trust, all to get off of this island. Well let me tell you something old munk! I've learned to survive every horrible injury that has happened to me, the skill of looking like a total jackass every time I'm learning, and most importantly, I've learned NOT to trust you at all, because as far as I'm concerned, I don't know what in the bloody hell you were thinking about when you said 'aull to get off this island', because, I don't think you can get off this god-forsaken island. WELL, CAN YA!!!!?"
Ocker was at a loss for words. Alvin was breathing very heavily and had fire in his eyes.
"I understaund thaut you wish to get off this island, Mista Aulvin, but you just need to be patient. I've been here for a dozen years yet I'm naut screaming like a total lunatic. I'm teaching you everything I caun to help you create a better you. I also said thaut you are naut staying on this island foreva Mista Aulvin. I will help get bauck to your family, you just need to trust me, and I caun't teach you if you don't want to learn".
Alvin stared at him one last time.
"…You know what? Maybe I don't wanna learn".
He started to walk away.
"Where are you going?" asked Ocker.
"To find myself a better way to get off this little piece of hell called Ocker Island. In other words, thanks but no thanks!"
"You'll neva make it alive without my help!"
"Hey, this isn't the first time I've been marooned, because the first time I was marooned I was with my family and girlfriend, WHICH I AM CURRENTLY MISSING RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
(END OF FLASHBACK)
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He wishes he could take all of that back. Somehow, someway… he could hear a voice telling him to go back and fix what he messed up.
Without hesitation, Alvin stands up and walks back to Ocker's hut.
-
On the coast, Ocker is lighting a fire and cooking some salmon that he caught earlier today. While flipping the fish, he spots a half-naked chipmunk approaching him. He recognizes who it is… not happy to see his appearance.
"Well now, this is a sorry sight. I caun't believe you're still aulive aufta aull this time. Tell me, where on earth do you get the nerve to show up like this?" says Ocker.
"Ocker, I came back, not because I wanted to, but because maybe I felt like I had to. I know what I said to you back then was pretty harsh, but now I've sorta come to realize how bad you took it when you first arrived here".
"You've been on this island two months, naut one-hundred and forty-five (145) Mista Aulvin, and you will never exceed my level of agony I've taken here on this island".
"Well, all my life I've lived like a spoiled, egotistical son of a bitch, yet I still had the heart to donate to those in need. Some of the most famous celebrities never had a pretty death… and I'm guessing mine won't be either".
"Calm yourself Mista Aulvin!" yelled Ocker, "if you worry about the negative, the negative shaull strike you first".
"Again you hit me with these philosophies. Man, when are you EVER going to learn that words are just words, no more than a brief foundation of your social status, which I'm guessing needs some serious work!"
"You hauve some nerve for a chipmunk your age, but I assure you thaut words can be more powerful than your physical structure".
"Oh yeah? And how is that!"
"Well, for beginners like you, intelligence is more needful and superior than strength alone, need I go more?"
"You're saying the mind is better to have than muscles?" said Alvin flexing.
"Quite frankly, you need the intelligence to become strong and fit. A good mind will lead to a good heart, and a person haus physical strength because he haud the intelligence to gain strength and perseverance. To be strong, you need to be strong, don't you Mista Aulvin???"
Alvin stood there speechless and tried to think of a good comeback.
"Well, yeah… but uhh, sometimes strength can really, uhh… well… what I'm saying is that… a person can't be smart is he has… uhh…." finished Alvin… defeated.
He sat back down and had his head down, hands on his head, letting out tears.
"Strength alone is naut just gained nor earned, but delivered in a BIG pauckage with your name on it. My boy, you must be the deliverer. Trust in yourself, and together you caun pull through the barrier thaut's keeping you in bondage".
Alvin stops crying and looks up at the night sky. He stands up and continues looking at the sky, then down onto the ocean. He closes his eyes and hears the waves crashing on the shore with a cool breeze in his hair. He thinks about how he can make it out of this island.
Suddenly, he starts to hum a song.
"Whaut are you humming boy?" asked Ocker.
As Alvin continues humming, he later starts to add lyrics to his song.
I am a question to the world,
not an answer to be heard.
All a moment that's held in your arms.
And what do you think you'd ever say?
I won't listen anyway...
You don't know me,
and I'll never be what you want me to be.
Ocker listens to Alvin's singing. Somehow by listening to his lyrics, he could sense a sign of acceptance, yet mistrust. He continues to listen.
And what do you think you'd understand?
I'm a boy, no, I'm a man.
You can take me and throw me away.
And how can you learn what's never shown?
Yeah, you stand here on your own.
They don't know me 'cause I'm not here
Suddenly, Alvin spreads his arms out and sings with all of his might; so loud that he wants the whole island to hear.
And I want a moment to be real,
Wanna touch things I don't feel,
Wanna hold on and feel I belong.
And how can the world want me to change,
they're the ones that stay the same.
They don't know me,
'Cause I'm not here
And you see the things they never see
All you wanted, I could be
Now you know me, and I'm not afraid
And I wanna tell you who I am
Can you help me be a man?
They can break me
As long as I know who I am
Ocker understands what Alvin means. If he has been searching for redemption this whole time, he will be more than happy to help him look for it. He shall teach Alvin how to be… more than a man, err, munk.
He continues listening.
And I want a moment to be real,
Wanna touch things I don't feel,
Wanna hold on and feel I belong.
And how can the world want me to change,
they're the ones that stay the same.
They can't see me,
but I'm still here.
Suddenly Alvin stops singing and looks at Ocker with pride. He smiles, Ocker returns it, and walks over to him.
"Maybe we've gotten off on the wrong foot, but I want to learn everything you might have in store for me".
"Thaut's the Aulvin I've always wanted to hear. If it's redemption you are yearning for, redemption you shaull acquire. I guess we both mistrusted each other, and now that we're here, we caun finally learn how to. However, are you still up for my real chaullange?"
Alvin smiles and continues singing.
They can't tell me who to be,
'Cause I'm not what they see.
And the world is still sleepin',
while I keep on dreamin' for me.
And their words are just whispers
And lies that I'll never believe
Alvin looks back at Ocker.
"I've figured it out. When I got here, I felt like a lost little puppy in a big city, a flying fish out of water, a stain on anybody's shirt, a lost ingredient in an entrée, a…"
"I get it Mista Aulvin! Now, continue".
He takes a deep breath and says,
"I'm not just a cast away... I'm an… imperfect castaway.
"Imperfect?"
"That's my status here… for now". He smiles and finishes singing.
And I want a moment to be real,
Wanna touch things I don't feel,
Wanna hold on and feel I belong.
And how can they say I never change
they're the ones that stay the same.
I'm the one now,
'Cause I'm still here.
I'm the one,
'Cause I'm still here.
I'm still here.
I'm still here.
I'm still here
He finishes and looks back at Ocker.
"I'm ready when you are, Coach".
They both exchange warm smiles and shake each other's hand.
"Excellent! Let's get staurted… (Yawns) tomorrow".
Alvin stands there confused.
"Tomorrow?! Why?"
"Mista Aulvin I am far too tired to teach and I haud a pretty big meal".
"You call three salmon and coconut milk 'big'?"
"On this island, it's the most important meal of the day. Good night… and sweet dreams Mista Aulvin".
Ocker leaves back to his hut and Alvin stands there in the moonlight.
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Alvin says in his mind,
"Dave… Simon… Theodore… Mom… Brittany… don't you throw in the towel just yet, Alvin Seville is destined to return someday..."
"And while I'm here, it's a new attitude from now… to that day!!!"
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For all you readers out there, just to be nice and because I love all of you guys for reading my first fanfic, yes, Alvin shall return to his family, but not yet for I feel that it is too soon. I hope you guys remain patient and thank you all for reading my first fanfic.
A/N: I do NOT own the song "I'm Still Here" by John Rzeznik from the movie Treasure Planet.