Chapter One: The New Captain

"Fuck" Zack muttered under his breath. The reality of the situation hitting him.

Cody, and Bailey were arguing.

"Now, if we set a course to the North, we should hit Japan" Bailey determined

"Actually..." Cody began. Zack rolled his eyes. He knew that tone well enough to know that Cody thought he knew best, and there was no compromise. "Due to the South-Pacific Subtropical gyre and the Coriolis effect, we will reach land much sooner if we head Due West" he countered

"Cody, sweetie" Bailey replied in a sickly-sweet tone. This time, London rolled her eyes. The patronising voice Bailey was using was one where she would not back down. She was adamant and headstrong that she was right. "I don't think the Coriolis effect applies here"

Zack and London exchanged a look. They knew the couple well enough to know that a fight was inevitable, and being stuck on a lifeboat, they could not avoid it. The best they could do was to try and break the tension, try to remind them of the situation

"Uh excuse me" Zack said, drawing the couple's attention. "What's the Coriolis effect?" he asked. Both Cody and Bailey scoffed in a moment of unity, Zack, for a brief moment, let himself enjoy the belief that the fight was diverted. Woody seemed to catch on to Zack's plan and chimed up himself.

"Yeah, and can we eat it?" he asked, again, attempting to remind them as to the severity of the situation. Unfortunately, the pair decided to ignore woody's question. Bailey visibly rolled her eyes at them.

"The Coriolis force acts in a direct perpendicular to the rotation axis and the velocity of the body in the rotating frame and it proportional to the object in the rotating frame" Bailey explained. Silence met them.

"We no speak your big smart talk" London replied. Once more trying to call the attention back to the situation at hand. Alas, it was to no benefit, as in an Alpha-male ego strike, Cody, the self-declared Captain, decided to take action.

"I'm the captain. I say we head due west. Jib Ho!" he remarked. Thus, begun the back and forth of moving the tiller to aim the ship, which ended up nearly knocking London unconscious, and pushing Woody into the water.

Amazingly, because for a moment, Zack doubted even Woody's imminent danger would not stir the couple from their fighting, they worked together, and eventually got Woody, and some of the food, back into the boat.

Woody back on board, the fight resumed. Whilst Cody and Bailey returned to their argument, this time a little more reserved, sat down on one side of the boat, and Woody was permitted to snack on one of the Jerky packets he had rescued.

London and Zack sat at the opposite end of the boat to Cody and Bailey, engrossed in their own conversation.

"There must be something closer than both Cody and Bailey's ideas" London sighed. The ship had three days until it was next due to dock. It also had engines and was out of sight of the lifeboat within twenty minutes of them being released into the water. Quite a daunting fact considering the vast ocean was so empty the curvature of the Earth could be seen. Yet, so soon after being released, the ship had disappeared from view.

If a ship moving that fast could find land in three days, it did not bode well for the wind-driven lifeboat.

"How long will it take us to find land?" London asked Zack, an air of sadness in her voice. Zack sighed and put his hand on her leg comfortingly. She placed her head on his shoulder, in return. The comfort in one another feeling alien given their current situation, and yet so welcome.

"Longer than we could stay alive" Zack replied quietly. Voicing the truth which neither wanted to admit. "And that goes for Cody and Bailey's ideas too" he added. London sighed, he felt her body shudder against his and he squeezed her thigh comfortingly.

"London?" Zack asked after a few moments of silence. Well, silence between them. Cody and Bailey were still very much arguing. And despite the waves crashing lightly against the side of the boat, they were unable to drown the fight out.

"Yeah?" she asked, welcoming conversation

"How much do you remember about geography class?" Zack asked. This caused London to pull her head off Zack's shoulder and look at him in disbelief.

"Seriously?" she asked, both amused and curious with a raised eyebrow. Seeing the sincerity in his face, she lowered her eyebrow. "Not much" she replied, honestly and disappointedly. Zack was unfazed by her response.

"You remember how Tutweiller always puts her hand on the map, and you insult her manicure?" Zack asked her

"This isn't the time to make me feel bad, Zack. I know we'll never see them again; I don't want to spend my last few days living in regrets" she muttered

"No, I'm sorry I didn't mean to..." Zack begun. "But you know where abouts on the map she places her hand?" he asked

"Yeah?" London replied slowly. Not sure where Zack was going with this

"She always puts her hand around these waters, because then she's not going to cover any countries" Zack explains

"So, there's no land for a while … Look around you, Zack. I could have told you that!" London replied. Zack smirked his mischievous smirk which London knew meant he had something up his sleeve.

"Except" he begun. "Maybe there is" he added "Since you pointed out her bad manicure, I saw what I thought was a spot of nail polish on the map. But a few months back when I had detention, she made me clean the board, and I saw it was the tiniest spec of land" Zack explained. London looked up

"Do you think we could get there?" London asked hopefully

"I think we have a better shot at getting there than we do to Japan or the Philippines" Zack replied

"If it's that small, it's going to be so hard to get to without a map or compass. And it wouldn't be watched, monitored. No one would know if we even got there. At least the few miles off the Japanese coast would have guards and military watching it" London replied

"At the rate we're going it could be a month before we get there. We don't have any food or water left, and nothing to keep warm. I think we have 24 hours before we start dropping. 48 at the most" Zack replied, solemnly. London studied Zack for a few moments before nodding.

"You seem to know what you're on about" she smirked at him, he winked at her in response.

"Even if it instils just a little bit of hope" Zack said softly "It's much better than this" he said, gesturing to Cody and Bailey who were both still deep in argument.

"I agree" London said, watching the fight in disgust.

"What are you guys talking about?" Woody asked, having finished his jerky and was now too getting fed up with the fighting.

"I'm taking over. These two are getting nowhere, and I'm running out of patience" Zack said

"Thank you" Woody replied sincerely. The three turned their attention back to the fighting couple now, comically both with hands on hips, trying to intimidate one another, and both failing quite miserably.

"You think you're so much better than me, just because your names first in the register. It's the alphabet. M comes before P Get over it!" Bailey complained

"At least I didn't have to make up a grade to make myself feel better. A plus, plus! Who are you kidding. Yourself!" Cody retorted, answering his own question.

"Enough!" Zack shouted standing up so quickly both London and Woody nearly lost their balance. Surprised by the interjection, Cody and Bailey turned to the suddenly vocal fellow student. "Neither of you seem to be able to come up with a plan we can all agree on. You-You know what, I retract my vote earlier" Zack stated

"What?!" Bailey cried in outrage. Zack chose to ignore her.

"I'm taking over command" Zack finished

"No way!" Cody objected

"You? The guy who slept through every geography class we've had?" Bailey asked, outraged

"If you want to kill us Zack, just push us over the side of the boat. Don't try to take over and kill us slower from dehydration" Cody added. The retorts at Zack from both Cody and Bailey before Woody interjected

"SSHHHHHH" he hissed with a finger to his lips, they both complied

"Can you two agree on anything?!" London asked. Once more, they began to argue

"Japan"

"Due west"

Japan!"

"Due west"

"Japan is only 600 miles" Bailey explained

"The wind is in our favour if we go west. It will be quicker, sooner!" Cody replied

"No. You can't agree. Right, let's take a vote then. Who wants Cody as captain?" Zack asked. Cody prominently raised his hand. But no one else did. "That's one. Who wants Bailey?" Zack asked. This time, only Bailey raised a hand.

"One each. And who wants me to be Captain?" Zack asked. This time, London, Woody and Zack all raised their hands. "Three. I'm captain"

"I object. I was already Captain" Cody explained

"Self-declared captain. Bailey actually won the last vote. Neither of you had a plan, we're just floating round the abyss now. I'm taking charge" Zack said

"I always knew you would kill me, Zack" Cody replied, angry. Zack chose to ignore him. Cody sat down next to Bailey, turning to her "We've been sentenced to death by the stupid" he muttered, rolling his eyes.

Zack ignored the comment, a little hurt. He was sure that Cody would never see it from his perspective. Cody would have taken over, found land somewhere and played the hero to Bailey. He couldn't see that Bailey was getting more and more infuriated and hurt that Cody didn't trust her, and Zack knew that him taking over probably just saved their relationship.

"Shut up" Zack quipped quickly to Cody before turning to everyone. "Who has phones?" he asked

"Oh. Good idea, Zack. If only we'd thought about that already" Bailey taunted sarcastically. Again, Zack chose to ignore it.

"I know we don't have any signal now. But when we find land, we might get lucky, or if a boat passes. But we need to preserve what we have. So, we all have phones, right?" Zack asked. They all nodded taking their phones out. "How much battery do you have?" he asked

"89%" London said

"42" Woody added

"58%" Zack finished. The three turned their attention to the scowling couple opposite, who had reluctantly taken their phones out when requested.

"98%" Bailey replied with a smirk.

"99%" Cody added, happy to have one upped Bailey. Zack momentarily wondered if he could use their competitiveness against one another to promote cooperativeness. But knew morally he could not do that to his brother.

"Everyone but Cody, turn your phones off. We'll keep one on in case we get signal, when Cody's phone dies, Bailey will turn hers on and so on, lowest battery last, until we all run out. And hope we get rescued before that" Zack explained. They agreed and complied. Setting into a bit of silence, as they felt a little more secure in that someone had a plan. Or at least, control.

"So, Captain Zack" Cody spat "Which way do you suggest we go?" he asked angrily

"Southwest. There is a small island at the end of the Mariana Trench" Zack replied, ignoring the distaste in Cody's voice.

"How do you know that?" Bailey asked, a little impressed, whilst still dubious.

"He thought it was nail varnish" London replied. Bailey's jaw dropped.

"I demand a revote!" Cody said standing up.

"Seconded" Bailey added, standing too.

"Nu-uh. Nope. Not going through this again" London said standing up. "Zack stays. Now, you to stop it before I throw you overboard and you both know I will!" she added, threateningly.

The sun had begun to set, and after Zack had finally positioned the sail where he wanted it, and the boat started sailing at a reasonable pace, he suggested that they got some rest. He had offered to stay up, on guard to make sure nothing happened whilst everyone else got some sleep.

"It's late. We're hours from any land. You all need to get some sleep, save your strength. I'll stay awake, make sure we stay on course and keep an eye out for any passing ships" Zack assured them all

"What if we do come across one?" Cody asked

"We grab the oars, row like fuck, make some noise, flash some lights and hope that they see us" Zack explained

"And hope they're not pirates" Woody added. Zack looked to him and nodded. Wondering whether it was a little delirium from the situation, or just Woody being Woody.

"Exactly" Zack agreed.

Everyone was tired, stressed, hungry, thirsty, and not prepared to fight him on this one. They looked between themselves before, settling themselves in for the night. One by one, they all went to sleep, and about an hour later, as Zack was looking out over the moonlit water, watching the gentle ripples and waves bounce the light around. He was lost in thought.

He saw movement from the other side of the boat, and his eyes darted, softening as he recognised London, who walked over to him. He wrapped his arm around her waist as she put her head on his shoulder, cuddling into him, wrapping her arms around him for safety.

"Are you alright?" Zack asked her softly. She nuzzled her chin against his neck

"I'm scared" she admitted

"Me too" he replied

"But you're so calm" she said in disbelief

"Someone has to be" he replied "Come on, I know there's more on your mind. Talk to me" he said, brushing a strand of her beautiful silky brown hair from her face, and tucking it behind her ear.

"This" she replied softly.

"What?" he asked, wanting her to elaborate

"We've managed to keep our relationship hidden for almost a year now. How are we going to keep it up now?" she asked. Zack mused over her question for a moment, the silence unsettling them both.

"Well" Zack begun, pausing after his word, thinking of a reply. London looked at her boyfriend expectantly, hoping he would have at least some words of comfort. "We wither outlive the rest, and die in each other's arms" Zack offered

"I don't like that one" London pouted

"Or we find land. Depending on the situation, we take it as it comes as to whether we tell everyone straight away or let it build over time" he finished

"Isn't it just better to tell everyone now?" she asked

"They already hate me enough for taking over. We don't want them to hate us both for keeping it secret" Zack said sadly

"So, let's say we find land" London begun. "Then what?"

"Then we get their forgiveness and tell them. Or we build it up over a few weeks, so to them we're just starting" he offered

"I don't think I could go a few hours without you, let alone a week" London said sadly.

Zack placed a finger under her chin and brought her lips to his, kissing her softly. She held her lips against his, her body pushing into him lightly. He took his hand off her chin and placed it on her thigh, stroking her softly, kissing her back. She moaned lightly into him.

"We'll find ways to be together" he promised her "I can't be without you either" he assured her. As his words left his lips, his hand slipped under her skirt, to the top of her leggings, and she helped him pull them down. Pooled around her upper thighs.

He slipped his finger between her wet folds. She moaned lightly at his touch. So delicate and yet so powerful. He knew just how to work her body

His fingers worked their magic inside her, knowing just where to stroke, hitting her sweet spot. His eyes looked down on her, half-lidded with lust as she bit her lip, trying to stifle the cries she needed to let out.

His thumb toyed with her clit as his fingers stroked her G-spot. Over and over, delicate flicking little circles. She tensed one leg, feeling herself getting close already. Zack had this elegance, in effortlessly making her cum, quick, easy. Hard!

"Please" she breathed, desperate to be pushed over the edge. He was giving her just enough to keep her teetering. Just enough to hold her on the edge, but not quite enough to push her over.

"Please, what?" he replied, wanting her to say it. Her eyes opened wide, begging

"Please make me cum, Zack" she whispered. Before she had even managed to get his name out, he had increased his pressure, his speed. His fingers once again working their magic on her.

Her mouth dropped open in a silent scream, eyes held closed. Holding her breath in every attempt to keep quiet. He felt her tighten around his fingers, she always got so tight when she came. His hand getting much, much wetter! As she came down, and started to relax a bit, he could once more move his fingers inside her, as her vice-like grip weakened.

He made sure to keep stroking her lightly. Letting her rock and work her orgasm out on him

"You're amazing" she muttered once she could finally make a coherent sentence. He smirked softly at her.

"You're still better" he complimented her, as she reluctantly pulled her leggings back up. She watched as Zack brought his fingers to his lips, sucking her juices off them carefully. She moaned lightly watching him. Sitting down next to him, he then placed his fingers on her lips. She opened her mouth obediently and sucked them too. Tasting both herself and Zack on them.

"Go and get some sleep" Zack whispered softly to London. She smiled at him, and stifled a yawn as she pressed her lips into his once more "Please" he added

"I love you Zack" she said, settling herself on a pile of her clothes beneath Zack's feet,

"I love you too, darling" he replied softly, hearing the change in her breathing, indicating sleep

Zack was still awake as morning broke. As the sun rose over the distant horizon, he felt a little defeated. He was sleep-deprived, dehydrated, hungry, He had not seen any land, nor any ships. His faith that they would be rescued was diminishing, and if they did find land, London's concern about their secret relationship was becoming more and more of a weight on his mind.

Then, a glimmer of hope. There was something in the distance. Too still to be a boat, but perhaps an island. The wind was strong, they were making good progress. Zack predicted they were about half an hour from being able to row over to it, or as a worst case, abandoning the lifeboat and swimming, if the boat could not get close enough. It was a risk, but a risk certainly worth taking.

He wanted to get a little closer before he woke everyone up though. They were still soundly asleep, exhausted, as he was, and with no food or water to wake up to, the last thing Zack wanted was to give them false hope. He decided to wait until they were able to make it, before alerting them.

Twenty-five minutes later, with some steering from Zack as they drew closer and closer to the island, Zack was beginning to plan. Looking at the Island, it was a fair size. Noe huge, you could probably walk around it in a day. But there was sand, a few large rocks around the outskirts, which Zack knew would be good for catching fish, lots of trees for materials and protection from the sun. He was hopeful.

It was a sight of beauty.

The boat had started to rock rather violently. As much as Zack had tried to counter the movements with his oar, it was to no avail. Cody was the first to stir from the movements, sitting up, dazed, he looked around, confused.

Woody was next to awake, more awake than Cody, clearly.

"What's going on?" Woody asked

"Why is the boat rocking?" Bailey asked, cradling her head, as she supported a headache.

"Because we've reached land. Grab an oar!" Zack shouted. This seemed to spark the others into action. Woody grabbed the oar with Bailey helping him, as London walked over to assist Zack. Cody, stood in the centre of the boat, looking for a landing spot. Zack appreciated his ingenuity and felt a little relieved.

He did not realise until then that part of his stress was caused by worry that he had pissed off his brother. They had not always seen eye to eye but had always been close. He hated the thought that Cody would resent him or hate him for taking control. He took Cody's assistance now to be a mutual respect, and of forgiveness.

"To the right, there's a gap between the boulders" Cody shouted. Pointing. Zack had to agree with him, and using everything his tired muscles had left, he helped to row the boat into the Island. Jumping out when the water was so shallow the sand was starting to catch on the bow, Woody, Cody, Bailey and London followed suit.

The water was surprisingly warm around their feet, it was oddly refreshing, or perhaps it was the security and safety in knowing that if they were off the lifeboat, out of the endless expanse of the water, they had something of a chance of survival.

Boat pulled onto the island, they all stood on the sand. Stepping back in a unified silence, looking out over the water. Waves crashing against the boulders at the front of the Island. Nothing for miles. No other islands. No boats. Nothing but stillness. Quietness. The sun rising over the water.

They turned, Zack first, the rest following his lead, to look at the Island. Sand covered the beach, up to a mossy-grass area, behind which was trees, a thicker forest to the left, thinner to the right. Behind that, a large, rocky mountain.

This was their new home.