Joanshea: Same.
Pixie1913: I would have to look at my notes to see how many days, but I think it has been roughly 2 or 3 days, yes.
Mscollywogs: As you should be.
96itadakimasu96: So much worse.
Andiclauds: You'll just have to read and find out.
Ash: No, she isn't. I'll address it in this chapter, in case anyone else thought the same.
SunDanceQT: Yes. That.
Vickstik: Their time on the island is quickly coming to an end.
Unique100: Sophia was the only child - unless you count Tyler as a child.

Arrhythmia

So, give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light,
'Cause, oh, they gave me such a fright.
But I will hold on with all of my might;
Just promise me we'll be alright.
But the ghosts that we knew made us black and all blue,
But we'll live a long life.
And the ghosts that we knew will flicker from view,
And we'll live a long life.
- Mumford and Sons

Aubrey doesn't know how she ends up in the position she's in – only she does actually know, because she's the one who decides to lay down, and Beca is the closest thing to a pillow near her. It's more comfortable for her – and it seems more comfortable for Chloe too, who curls up facing Aubrey and Beca, and rests her head on Aubrey's side. She isn't completely laying down, and her eyes aren't closed, so Aubrey is content to let her be like that. She slides the tips of her fingers up and down Chloe's arm, partially to comfort Chloe, partially to comfort herself, and stares at nothing.

Outside, thunder cracks – and Aubrey wonders where the relief is. They're inside now, dressed in dry clothes, wrapped up in a warm blanket – shielded from the weather and the grisly sight of death. But her chest is still heavy, and she still finds it hard to breathe. Every breath, she smells death clinging to them – the thick stench of dirt, sweat, vomit, blood. Constant reminders that they're the only ones left, and if anyone else dies, it will be one of them. They're next.

She tries to think of something else – something that doesn't involve being trapped on this island. Something good. Like how one day – Aubrey Posen is going to have a house in Queens, New York, and it will be beautiful.

She'll have a pool, and a deck that's covered in flowers and hibiscus trees, where everyone she loves will spend their entire summer swimming, telling stories, playing fetch with their stupid fucking dog (because they'll have one of those too, unfortunately). She'll have a fireplace – and in the winter, they'll make pillow forts with giant fuzzy blankets, and fall asleep cozy and warm. But that won't be the most beautiful part. It'll be Chloe, and their gorgeous children, always loud, always running around, constantly driving Aubrey to the brink of insanity. She'll make them breakfast with their Target waffle maker every morning, and sing them to sleep every night. Wedding pictures and family portraits and cheesy 'Live. Laugh. Love.' signs will hang from every wall. And she will feel like she has absolutely everything she could ever dream of.

And Beca will be there…somewhere.

Maybe in the garage where their dog sleeps at night, because he will not shed all over Aubrey's bed.

That's the future where she'll spend the rest of her life; not this cold, dark house that belongs to someone else.

Beca adjusts the blanket over Aubrey's shoulder - reminding her of where they are right now.

One day, Aubrey is going to feel like she has absolutely everything she could ever dream of.

One day...

Just not today.

But hold me still, bury my heart on the coals.
But hold me still, bury my heart next to yours.