Driftwood

[Original_Cyn2]

Cyn

She felt Toni’s presence beside her, heard the splashing footsteps of the young man behind them both and crept closer to the body beneath the overhanging embankment. It wasn’t until she was three feet away that she saw his chest rising.

In her mind she’d suspected he was dead so that when he opened his eyes she’d let out a soft gasp of surprise and stepped backwards.

Pulling shredded nerves together, another common reaction for her lately, she’d scrambled forward, dropping to her knees at his side.

“Are you alright…what hurts? Can you move?” She glanced up and behind her to Toni and the young man, her eyes mute with apology for her behavior earlier, all sense of comedy evaporated from everyone’s demeanor.

 

[Peewee12]

OOC

I just wanted to say that I will be out of town for a few days feel free to continue writing my character along, just please don't kill him lol

be back sunday night

 

[Hybrid4life]

"Where am I? Is this heaven?"

Everything was blury but from what I could tell the women standing next to me were beatiful. I tried to sit up again but she pused me back down.

 

[Original_Cyn2]

Cyn

OOC

Could we work on our spell checks a little bit harder, kids? There is an edit button too, just in case anyone doesn't know that.

 

[msboy8]

OOC: I agree with Cyn, even though I haven't posted much he he, proper spelling and grammar makes the story more enjoyable. And after all, we are, or claim to be, writers.

IC: Jeff limped slowly along the coast. Every few minutes, he tripped and fell, requiring a rest before he could get up and head off again. He was very tired, hungry and thirsty. But he kept going, determined to find someone else even if they were dead.

Jeff took a particularly bad fall and cried out. He thought, that's enough for right now, maybe for today.

 

[IM1_RUASLUT2]

OOC : Hey msboy8 check your last post.. you changed names.

I felt the water rush around me as the plane went down. My scream died in my throat as the metal cracked and went down into the depths.

Being a semi strong swimmer and living years in the Poly isles made my struggle to get to shore seem like a piece of cake. Boy was I wrong, as the waves became more turbulant.

The waves picked me up and crashed my body against the rocky cragg at the shore. I had to get out of this current before I got pulled under by the swirling suction. I started to paddle towards the rocky beach but my arms ached from getting to where I was.. which was questionable already.

Maybe the old gods of the seas took pity on me and the next wave lifted me and tossed me like a rag doll just past the rocks and dropped me on the sandy shore. I spit as the rough grit coated my lips. "Ewwwww yuck."

I crawled a few inches away from the surging tide and glanced over my body. I had several scrapes which must have come from the rocks. A gash on my left arm, might have been from impact I mused. Several aches in the rib cage.. from impact and the waves I guessed.

My head throbbed as I tried to stand and my new heels were a thing of the past. My two piece dress was now a tattered skirt that barely covered my ass and v-ed at the front. My bright green french cut undies peeked out from the crotch. My top was ragged and my bra was visible and torn hardly worth leaving on. I kept shoving the top to cover my left shoulder. I automaticly reached for my first aid kit that I carried in my pocketbook and groaned as it was gone.

I started to shake in fear as that meant my medications were lost. I was ready to scream my bloody head off when I noticed a little grey box slapping the rocks. I crawled over and reached out for it. It wasn't mine but it couldn't have been a better godsend when I opened the lid and found three vials of insulin and a pack of needles. There was no way to tell how high my sugars were but I knew that I normally took a shot each morning.

It was impossible to draw the medication so I just picked up the box and held it close to my heart. I knew I had to find someone as well. That was when I noticed the odd looking fish in the small tidal pool. It was eating on another dead fish and that made me retch violently.

The trees seemed to stretch along the beach and a rocky cliff was at least sixty feet from the beach.

"HELLLLLLOOOOOOOO" I called but heard nothing in reply. I felt the hot sting of tears as the possibility that no one survived plummetted my hopes into dispair.

I moved up into the lush jungle-like tree line. I shoved back the large leaves in order to get to a clearing of some kind and then I had to find some form of help.

I could feel the beating rays of the sun as my fair complexion turned pink. I was sweating already dispite the tropic breezes that cooled the island. I could feel my heart race as I kept moving thur the foliage. When I came to a small clearing of lush green grass, I fell to the ground and closed my eyes, falling into a deep sleep making the aching pains of my forehead disappear.

I was lieing on my left side and my raven tresses fanned over my shoulder like a cape. My dark lashes seemed darker as they graced my pink face. In this curved position it was hard to tell that I was five foot eight. Yet to another's eyes, it might look as if a jungle nymph was dropped to the earth, as my broken bra wasn't covering the pair of thirty-eights.

 

[msboy8]

Jeff Lind

As I was lying there I heard a voice call out, "HELLLLLLOOOOOOOO". It was coming from somewhere off to my left. I managed to drag myself to my feet and limped to my left.

The way to the voice led through some rather dense jungle foliage. That was OK with Jeff, because he actually move faster by hanging onto the plant's thick leaves and pulling himself along. Jeff stumbled into a clearing and fell flat on his face with a thud. He looked up to see what looked like a jungle nymph walking towards him.

 

[IM1_RUASLUT2]

When I awoke I wasn't sure how much time had passed but only that I wasn't alone anymore. There was this guy lieing nearby.

"Ohhh thank heavens somebody else made it out okay!" I reached out and hugged him happily as sandy tears drizzled down my pink cheeks and stung harshly.

I heard him let out a groan and realized in my glee to find I wasn't alone I hadn't thought about if he had any injuries.

"I'm sorry.. where does it hurt?" I chirped nervously. It was then that I got a good look at his face... I recognized him from the plane. He was with someone.. a girl that .. oh gosh.. he was that guy that was engaged or something.. I didn't want to throw doubt at him at the likelihood but I also felt compelled to be realistic. I never said one word about any one not surviving!

 

[msboy8]

Jeff

I couldn't believe that the jungle nymph was hugging me and crying. First of all, it hurt my legs, arms, and back were burnt raw from the fire. I mean, come on, my ears looked like overdone toaster pastries. I groaned and she backed off. It was then that I recognized her from the plane.

Jeff said, "You don't have to cry, you didn't know about my condition. From now on, just be careful where you touch. I heard you shouting may be we can walk back the way I came and we can try to find someone else. What you say?"

 

[IM1_RUASLUT2]

"Sounds good to me.. but how bad are you? Can you walk okay.. I mean I can help you if you need it." I offered in sincerity.

As I helped him along to a higher spot I rattled on. "You're Jeff... Kincaid.. right?"

I didn't wait to hear his answer as I rattled on. "I think if we get a little higher.. we might be able to spot others.. or maybe find help, don't you agree... Do you know any of the names of the other passengers? Maybe we can call out thier names and we could sortof congregate to one spot.. ya know..."

 

[msboy8]

Jeff

Jeff said to the vision before him, "Yes, I can walk, but only slowly. I remember my girlfriend Toni, no one else comes to mind, just flashes of faces screaming. You are right, my name is Jeff and my girlfriend is Toni... or did I say that already? I'm very tired, I don't think I can climb up any hills."

Jeff sighed in pain and fatigue, "What did you say your name was? If you told me I don't remember."

 

[Original_Cyn2]

Cyn

With Toni and Ed’s help the three of them pull young man out from under the bank. As tall and muscular as he is it’s a struggle for all of them, lifting him up, across the streambed and finally into the warmth of the sun heated sand. His eyes have slipped closed and there is no reaction from him to their efforts.

“Perhaps…it’s time to make a plan?” Cyn glances over at both of them, taking in there winded breathing and her own. “We need so much…food, shelter, to know what happened, where we are and who else is here. To scavenge what we can from the wreck if anything has washed ashore. But we’re going to need a home base.” Her eyes take in their surroundings, the gentle slope of the sandy beach, the rocky outcrop of the waterfall and pool, the lush jungle in the background. If there was anything large and predatory on the island it would probably water here, but she’d seen no sign of anything large so far and besides, with four of them now, it was unlikely anything would brave their camp at least while they were in it.

“What if we base here? Spend the day hunting for food, putting together a shelter of some sort and perhaps tomorrow we can start heading out, two of us at a time, one remaining here with ...” her helpless gesture takes in the unconscious young man.

 

[EbonyVenus]

Toni

Toni looked down at the young man they had dragged across the hot sand, her ankle was killing her, but she refused to allow it to stop her. The pain reminded her that she was alive, and well. She could have been in this guy’s condition or worse dead. Toni agreed with Cyn they needed a plan.


"Your right, I will help with building the camp while Ed searches for other things we might need, you go look for food Cyn."

She quickly gathered rocks in a circle formation to create a fire pit. Surprisingly the ember they had in the coconut was still warm and they were able to get the fire blazing. While Ed went to scavenge for things from the wreck to bring back to their ‘home base’ Toni help build a the camp, keeping herself busy, pushing herself until she was exhausted. After they had set up a camp site and gathered food and clothing Toni went and checked on the man who had no name. His vital sign were steady, his breathing was slow and non labored. He looked as if he had been in a world champion fight with Mike Tyson and needless to say he lost. But none of his injuries seem life threatening. He seems to be in a deep sleep, and Toni knew that was what he needed to heal.

Gently she applied the cool cloth to his handsome face. Gently bathing his injuries, knowing the coolness of the cloth would reduce swelling. He was so handsome, so tall, so much like Jeff. Toni closed her dark eyes for a second blocking out tears, she thought for sure this guy would be Jeff, but he wasn’t and now she realized that this was not a Island resort an Jeff was not around the corner waiting with a margarita. He was most likely dead. Silent tears poured down Toni’s dark face as she gently bath her patient her back to the other hiding her grief.

 

[dcraz]

Ben

OOC - Ben Masterson 45 years old. 6’2” and 200 #s. Trim and athletic. Hazel eyes. Brown hair with encroaching grey cut short. Salt and pepper goatee. A very successful business man and born leader, Ben is coming home from Polynesia after a much needed month long vacation. Recently surviving a bitter divorce, Ben headed to Polynesia to recharge his physical and mental batteries. After 30 days of hiking and swimming, he felt energized and ready to take on the world. At least as far as business was concerned. At this point in his life, he would just as soon avoid women for the time being.

IC - The plane ride was getting rough and folks were getting nervous. But not Ben. He was a professional traveler, flying the world over negotiating million dollar deals. A few bumps in the air were nothing to worry about. After having a spent a month of R&R, nothing was going to get him excited. He was totally relaxed a ready to take on any and all challenges.

Suddenly, Ben felt a shudder run through the plane. This was not normal and he knew the plane was in trouble. The flight crew came on the speaker telling everyone to prepare for a ditching when suddenly, the plane took a vicious nose dive throwing the entire plane into chaos. Most of the folks were screaming as the plane raced to the ocean. As the pilot managed to regain control, he pulled up hard flaring the plane just in time to ease the impact with the water. Still, the contact with the water was sudden and severe as luggage and people began flying throughout the cabin.

By the time Ben regained his senses, he was all alone tossing about in a rough and stormy sea. The pitch darkness and stormy, starless clouds prevented him from seeing further than two feet in front of his face sky as he struggled to keep his head above the pitching seas. Ben knew the end was probably near, but he was a fighter and a survivor. He was going to fight for his life until his very last breath. Sometime well into the night, the seas began to calm and Ben fell unconscious laying on his seat cushion.

Ben was awaken as the surf gently nuzzled him onto a pristine white beach. Although the morning was young, the sun was already beating down on him. He took a few deep breaths and slowly rose to sitting position to take stock of himself. His clothes were tattered. His khaki slacks we shredded and his navy blue dress shirt was in no better condition. Sore all over, but no apparent broken bones. Although he had suffered a sever gash in his left arm that was still bleeding and needed immediate attention.

He had no way of knowing how long he had been in the water or how long he had been bleeding. But he needed to stem the flow of blood. Ben took off what was left of his shirt and quickly fashioned a compression bandage as he headed into the shade cover of the trees. After sitting down for a moment, Ben suddenly realized just how weak he was. He needed water first and foremost. Then shelter. Then food. One thing about old Ben, he was focused and methodical. But best of all, he was a skilled outdoorsman.

After catching his breath, Ben struck off toward the interior searching along the way for anything that would help him survive. Oddly enough, he really wasn’t even worried. Maybe he had lost more blood than he thought. But deep down, Ben knew he could take care of himself. But he had to get started right away.

It wasn’t long before he happened upon a wild game path. Ben knew this was a good sign. A sign of food eventually, and fresh water as well. He continued inland following the path until he came across a small stream. Pausing to quench his thirst and rewrap the dressing on his arm, he set out a plan. He would move to higher ground for a better vantage point of the surrounding area. Maybe he would spot a town or village. Or even a harbor or boat on the horizon. He would follow the small brook upstream . Along the way, he would keep a keen eye out for wild game or a good place to build a temporary shelter.

 

[Original_Cyn2]

Cyn

Cyn found herself relieved to be heading back toward the dark inner growth, relieved to be doing something. They all needed answers and perhaps with a full belly over the heat of a campfire tonight they could focus on putting some of the jumbled pieces together. Hopefully, someone in the group had a practical grasp of geography. Not for the first time, Cyn gnashed mental teeth against her deplorable lack of geographical knowledge.

Keeping the small freshwater stream to her left, she stepped into the damp heat of the jungle. She’d taken the time last night, while sitting at the fire to sharpen a piece of hardwood, mahogany, if she wasn’t mistaken, into a strong point in the fire. For protection, had been her initial thought, although deep in her mind she acknowledged that it would work for hunting as well. Right now it was doing duty quite happily as a walking stick and she wondered wryly if she’d really be able to use it against a living animal. Following a small game trail she also began collecting the thin, tough vines, some type of liana, twisting them into a serviceable carry all. Bananas, coconuts, and breadfruit, were profuse the further in she went. At least they wouldn’t starve.

She’d been walking for several hours, enjoying the profusion of plants and wildlife, huge gardenias, pure white and unlike anything at home and tropical orchids twisted into a fragrant necklace, laced through her hair, when the sounds on the path ahead of her stop her in her tracks. Although not terribly loud, something around the curve ahead had stepped on something that made a cracking noise…big, whatever it was. Like a startled hare she bolted silently into the dense foliage off the path, dropping the fruit at the base of a stand of bamboo, scrambling up the huge, gnarled trunk of a mape tree and resting silently in the huge bowl of it’s expanding limbs.

Her mouth opens in a soft moue of astonishment as below her on the trail a tall, fit and tattered man steps around the corner like a ghost. Older than her own thirty-two years he looks rugged and capable and she feels the warm rush of tears to her eyes at the sight of another survivor.

“Oh…” in the rush of emotion she’d forgotten where she was perched, tumbling the ten feet of trunk between her and the ground in a single breathless rush, curling her body into a ball to avoid the worst of the impact and sprawling nearly at his feet. Again she finds humor bubbling up within her, a relentless spirit, glowing from her eyes, shaping her lips in an impish grin as she looks up at him. “Hello.”

 

[dcraz]

Ben

Ben trudged on through the dense undergrowth. The deeper he trekked, the darker it seemed to get. Looking up, he could see the great canopy above becoming ever thicker as he pressed onward and upward. Following the path, he paused every few minutes to be sure he was within earshot of the stream. What ever he did, he knew he needed to stay within easy reach of this precious resource. For fresh water may not be as plentiful as it seemed.

As he rounded a bend in the game trail, Ben came across a dense, thick stand of underbrush. The trail proceeded forward, but through a hole no larger two feet wide or tall. Pausing for a moment, he decided to proceed, pushing himself through the thick brush, occasionally having to resort to a good deal of force. The rough vines and thick limbs tore at his exposed skin, scratching and clawing to the point of drawing blood in long gentle curves across his arms and chest. Not deep gouges, but enough to cause a fair bit of pain and more than a little frustration.

Just as he was about to retreat, he broke free of his jungle bonds and stumbled into a clearing. Suddenly off to his left, Ben heard a rustling in the brush. He froze to listen for further movement as he peered into the brush looking for any sign of wild animal. Ben knew he would likely scare off anything he happened upon. And it was important for him to see and identify the type of wild game that might be available as a food source. But he also knew he should proceed with caution. Any animal feeling trapped could quickly turn aggressive.

Moving forward slowly, Ben suddenly realized what he was looking at. He was not just looking at some wild jungle fruit. He was looking at a varied collection of bananas, coconuts and breadfruits scattered about the ground with no native trees in close proximity. They were also intact. ‘Now how in hell did they get end up there?’ he muttered out loud.

‘Oh’ came the cry from overhead as Ben instinctively looked up to see what made such a noise though not really expecting it to be of human origin. When suddenly, out of the sky came a woman form crashing to the ground at his feet. Now it takes a lot to catch Ben off guard, but all he could do was stand there staring dumbfounded with his mouth agape. There, laying at his feet, was a woman in clothing, if that is what you would call it, as tattered as his own. Slowly, as if checking to see if anything was broken, she began to unwind from her fetal position, glancing up at Ben. The woman leaned back on her haunches, broke into a cautious smile and said , ‘Hello.’

“Are you ok?’ Ben asked the woman, leaning forward to offer her his hand as she stood shakily.

‘Uh, I think so’ she said. Then looking down at her tattered clothes, sunburned skin and scraped arms and legs, she held her arms out to the side and added, ‘That is, if you call this ok!’ She immediately began sobbing uncontrollably as she collapsed into Ben’s arms.

‘Hey. Hey, it’s going to be ok’ Ben said as his arms gently wrapped around her comforting her and pulling her into his chest. ‘Listen. We are both still alive. We are both relatively uninjured. And now we have each other for support. Things could be a lot worse. You could be all alone and injured. Or even dead. So you see? There are plenty of reasons to be thankful today.’ Cyndi continued sobbing, wrapping her arms around Ben as if she were afraid to let him go.

‘My name is Ben. Ben ,Masterson’ he said as he slowly began caressing her hair and rubbing her arms for support. ‘And what is your name dear?’

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Ian Hammond

Ian was a graduate student on his way to his new university. He had all the "necessities" with him on the plane: CD player, snacks, his own soda. He was bobbing his head to some Bob Marley when he saw everything on his tray fly up into the air. The next few minutes were a blur of noise, grinding and blood. That's all he can remember. The next moment, he is blinking up at the sunlight filtered through his sunglasses. How they stayed on he couldn't figure. He struggled to his feet in the shallow pool and spies his backback floating toward him: another miracle. He snatched it up and checked it's contents. His books were still in there with a few bottles of soda. He frowned at the thought, but pulled his books out and ditched them on the bank. As much as he had a thirst for knowledge, he would most likely need that space for life-giving materials. He walked out of the pool and felt a breeze against his legs. He looked down and found his pants burned quite badly up to his knees. He frowned at the way it looked, but he knew that he would need as much clothing covering his body as he could in such weather.

He sighed and spun the caps of the soda. He felt the wind go out of his sails as he poured the contents on the sand. As much as he could go for one right now, he knew that it would only dehydrate him. Hopefully, he could find some fresh water soon. After peeling off his outer shirt off leaving his thin tank undershirt on, he tied it around his head to provide his head and neck with shade. He struck off down the coast, hoping to find a stream or river that empties into the ocean. After an hour, he followed the sound of water running to a spring. He hummed and smiled as he filled his soda botles with the clear water. He tossed them into his bag and set off again. As much as he could hang out here, he needed to see if he was alone. This was the first time that he had really been alone. The last time was during Boy Scout camp when he was 14. He hated it; he must need people around to feel normal.

He headed back to the shore, looking up and down to see if anyone else washed ashore. He must have walked about 4 hours, finishing his first bottle of water in the process, when he spied a circle of rocks. "A fire pit?" he mumbled to himself as he started jogging to the area. 'If this is here, someone else must have survived,' he thought to himself as he stared down at the ashes in the fire pit.

 

[IM1_RUASLUT2]

"Ummm no I never told you.. I'm Leigha.. Tsunaka... I just was traveling back home from visiting friends.." I eased my pace not wanting to strain his aches and pains.. but I still was grateful for the company.

An unusual scent caught my nose and I turned to face another direction. "Hey! Smell that.. it's burning wood... and coconut!" I gathered my excitement and tried to encourage Jeff along.

Unsure of direction but honeing in on that sweet scent of coconut. Hallelujah we're aren't alone anymore!

 

[Original_Cyn2]

Cyndy

Shaking, sobbing, in a stranger’s arms, Cyn let go of the emotions bottled up inside for the last two days. Crying like a child she soaked the tattered remains of his shirt, her face pressed into the warmth of his shoulder, her cheek lying against the warm throbbing pulse in his neck. She’d never felt so vulnerable, or so protected, his strong arms supporting her, the soft croon of his voice a subtle, tender empathy.

How long she stood there like that, she didn’t know, a soft heated blush of color staining her cheeks as she lifted her head a glanced up at the man in front of her. His calm acceptance and soothing words made her nod her head in agreement. They were alive and they weren’t the only ones on the island. Taking a deep breath she fought for control, her breathless sobs reduced to soft hiccups, bright green eyes resting on his trustingly.

“I’m ssssorryy,” her voice breaking on the word, new tears filling her eyes. “I’m not usually like this. My name is Cyndy. C..c..cyndy M.m.morgan. There are others…”

 

[dcraz]

Ben

‘There are others?’ Ben asked somewhat shocked by Cyndy’s statement. ‘Are you sure? How do you know? Where are they? How many are there?’ Suddenly faced with the prospect of other survivors, the questions came so fast, poor Cyndy could not respond even if she wanted to.

Ben finally realized what he was doing. ‘I’m sorry. I know hard this must be for you.’ and pulled her back into his chest as he gave her another reassuring hug. Finally pulling her away, Ben looked down into her eyes as a father would a child he was protecting. ‘Cyndy, I want you to understand something ok? Everything is ok. You are ok. We will both be ok. Do you understand me?’

Cyndy nodded tentatively, still a little unsure of herself and her predicament. But she was comforted and relieved to hear someone else say the very things she told Toni. For what seemed like an eternity, Cyndy had been the strong one. The secure one. The confident one. The one that had all the answers and would do what was necessary to ensure she and Toni’s survival. Now she had an opportunity to hand that burden over to someone else. Someone who seemed not only willing and more experienced, but also more capable than she. For that, Cyndy was relieved and grateful as she slumped to the ground.

‘Right now, I want to hear everything that you can remember from the time of the crash to the time you fell from the tree. I need to learn as much as I can about the things you have seen and learned since you have been here. Every detail could be vitally important. If you have been here for two days, and I have only been here for one, I must have been unconscious for nearly 24 hours. It is important that I learn as much as I can from you. Do you understand me?’

‘Uh huh. I think so’ Cyndy nodded again, only slightly more confident than before. She was still overwhelmed by the magnitude of everything that had happened. But she was feeling better now with him here. And she wanted to help him, knowing that everything she could tell him would be used by him to help her.

Ben listened intently as she described her own harrowing experience of survival stopping her only occasionally to ask a probing question, yearning for details. Ben’s questions intensified when she described her experience finding Toni and helping her with her injured ankle. He was curious to know the specifics of the first aid she offered and nodded as if in approval. When she described the fire she built, he became even more animated mumbling ‘Great job’ and ‘Excellent’ under his breath in a barely audible tone. This increasing sense of approval brought a smile to Cyndy’s face as she went on to continue describing how she and Toni found the others and the breath taking waterfall.

When she was done, Ben sat staring off into space for a time as if absorbing all the information and storing it for retrieval as necessary, Finally Cyndy spoke. ‘Your arm is looks like it is hurt bad. You really need to have it cleaned and rewrapped.’ as she reached over and slowly began removing the blood soaked section of shirt Ben had tied around his arm to help stem the flow of blood. The made their way back to the stream and sat down at the water’s edge as Cyndy slowly began cleaning the open wound. She was as careful as she could be given the need to clean out the deep cut in his arm. Ben flinched and tensed his muscles from time to time in obvious reaction to the pain. But he never said a word.

When she was done, Cyndy looked into his eyes and said ‘You look hungry. Let me go get you some fruit of the fruit I collected.’ As she popped up and headed back into the brush to retrieve the fruit, Ben couldn’t help but gaze in appreciation at Cyndy’s nice round ass and firm legs.

 

[EbonyVenus]

Toni

Toni soon pulled herself under control. She had cried more in the last few days then she had cried in her life. Jeff would laugh at her if she could see her. That made her smile as she slowly looked down at the man who had yet to gain consciousness. She had done all she could for him, he need water and food, they all did. Toni frown thinking it would soon be getting dark and Cyn had not made it back yet. Toni nibbled her full lower lip in worry; Cyn had become important to her. She knew they would remain friends long after they were rescued, if they were rescued.

Toni rolled her ankle testing it. The swelling was better now that she had rested it. It felt good enough for her to walk on it she had to go look for Cyn, she could be hurt and waiting for Toni to come find her. If Toni was gone this long she knew Cyn would come looking for her. Toni told Ed what she was going to do and asked him to watch her patient while she went looking for Cyn, he protested saying he should go, but she over road him, Toni could be very dominating when she wanted to. She told him she that if she wasn’t back in 2 hours he was to come looking for them and that she would gather some leaves and use them to make a trail that he could follow.

As Toni moved slowly through the dense thick underbrush, she listened intently for any signs of Cyn. Her fear grew the farther away from the camp she moved. Toni was not a coward by nature but when a rabbit or something ran across her path she screamed bloody murder. Her hand instantly went over her heart to hold it in her chest. When she was finally able to breath again she felt stupid.

“Cyndy where are you!” she scream suddenly mad at her new friend for putting her through this. Toni stopped and picked up a big stick for protections and as a cane to lean on. As she moved farther into the brush she started singing, to scare off any wild animals that might be in the area.

“ROLL, ROLL, ROLL YOUR BOAT GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM, MERILY, MERILY, MERILY, LIFE IS BUT A DREAM!” The farther she moved away from the camp the louder she sang, and the dimmer her hopes got of finding her new friend.

 

[Original_Cyn2]

Cyn

They sat and talked for at least an hour before she'd scooted back to the place in the trail where she’d left the fruit. They’d discussed her memories of the crash, even though she wondered if it wouldn’t be better for them to wait and discuss it with everyone else, putting all the pieces together. It had been surprisingly soothing to discuss it with this man, Mr. Masterson…Ben. In many ways, he reminded her of her father.

She glanced up into the lengthening shadows and realized it was already early evening. Guiltily she looked around her and her meager contribution and hastily stood up.

“I was supposed to collect food for the group. There is a spot on the trail from last nights camping spot that the wild pigs had rooted lightly in…I’m pretty sure the entire area was wild with edible roots. There are also live crabs down at the mouth of the river, where it meets the ocean that will make a wonderful meal tonight. If we hurry we could stop at both sites and be back before dark to introduce you to the rest of the camp.”

Ben agreed and they’d hurried down the path she pointed out. Twenty minutes later they came to the area she remembered and to their mutual delight they found not only a root that resembled a potato but also a patch of wild onions. That, along with the tender young bamboo shoots she’d collected earlier would make for a well rounded and much needed meal for everyone. She was still digging the last of the onions when she felt Ben freeze next to her and then watched a warm, welcoming smile wreathe his face. She’d spun around to see a young man; his pants burned and tattered, carrying a backpack of all things.

“Ben Masterson, son, what’s your name?” his resonant voice, pitched low in a comforting tone drew a smile from the young man as he introduced himself as Ian Hammond.

Ben’s tone and the graceful cat-like sensuality of his lithe fit body, screaming masculinity, left Cyn reeling in a tidal pool of arousal. It took her by surprise, leaving its impression in the warmth and color of her cheeks as she strove to banish the thoughts, clinging to the comfort of the paternal similarities familiar in his demeanor. What was she thinking?

“Hello Ian,” she’d all but stammered, her welcoming smile highlighted by the warm flood of color in her cheeks as Ben introduced her. She rallied, pulling her scattered wits together and they headed back along the shoreline in the direction she knew would bring them to base camp and the succulent plethora of crabs in it’s rich waters.

She’d emptied the bag of fruits at the campfire, smiling at Ed and introducing her new companions. When she’d asked where Toni was and Ed had explained she handed the bag back to Ian, quickly checking the still unconscious man before heading after Toni.

“Where are youuuuuuuuu?” the long muted tones of the young woman’s wail came from Cyndy’s left as she headed down the path and a quiet chuckle followed her footsteps as she headed in that direction the soft refrain from a children’s nursery tune echoing eerily in the dense growth between them.

As she rounded the corner, remorse replaced the smile on her face as she took in the frantic look on Toni’s face. Moving up close to the young woman, Cyn wrapped her arms around her apologizing softly for her delayed return and they moved back towards base camp together.

 

[EbonyVenus]

Toni

When Toni heard something behind her she quickly whipped around, ready to use her stick as a weapon, her self defense classes quickly coming back to her. Toni breathed a little easer when she realized it was only Cyn. Quickly her relief turned to anger. She was happy to see her friend was ok but upset because she had taken so long to get back to the camp.

“Where the hell have you been? You go traipsing off God knows where and don’t think of returning to tell us that your ok? I was worried sick, maybe you don’t care what happens to me but I care what happens to you, I have lost Jeff and now you go and do this I just can’t…”

Toni didn’t finish her statement before she started to sob; slowly she knelt down pressing her face into her up drawn knees and cried. She was so tired, her ankle hurt and she was hungry, but worst of all she missed Jeff, her best friend, and now she had almost lost Cyn.

Soon she felt Cyn comforting arms around her and that seem to only make her cry more. Toni realized that she was exhausted and she needed to rest. Tomorrow she would be better. She listen to Cyn tell her about the two men she found, Toni looked at her and asked if they had given her the same reaction that Ed had. They both laugh as she helped Toni to stand and they slowly made their way back to camp. When they reach the edge of camp Toni told Cyn to go on she needed a little time to pull herself together.

 

[msboy8]

Jeff Lind

Leigha and I were walking when she smelled smoke. We were both very very happy, this meant that we were not the only ones left. I picked up my pace a little, even though was a little painful, I had to see if she was there. My Toni, let her be there and whole. She was the most important thing in my life, and she couldn't just be gone...

Jeff and Leigha pushed through the last bit of brush and saw a a fire. Just started yelling, "We made it, we are here..." Then he fell silent, he could not believe his good fortune. There, looking lost and forlorn, was his Toni. He could not speak, all he could do was to stumble toward her smiling.

 

[Original_Cyn2]

Cyn

Back at the fire, standing between Ben and Ed, Ben’s strong grip on a her arm makes her glance up sharply and follow his look. Along the beach, running toward them, were a man and a woman.

Glee radiates from her as if to challenge the dying sun, her eyes taking in the masculine figure running toward the tree line. From Tony’s descriptions she knows this can only be Jeff, and her heart bounds upward, so happy for her new friend who needs, badly, this type of affirmation to pull herself from despair. She explains the situation to Ben as they head toward the young woman running in their direction.