Emily

Emily had been quietly coloring in her notebook, her legs swinging beneath her seat on the nearly empty airplane. She was excited to get home to her parents after spending a fun week at Granny's house. The plane shook suddenly, jolting her crayons off the tray table. She looked around nervously as the captain's voice crackled over the speakers, announcing unexpected turbulence. The shaking grew worse, and Emily clung tightly to her seatbelt, her heart pounding. Outside, lightning flashed through dark clouds, and the roaring wind drowned out most other sounds.

Then, a loud, gut-wrenching noise filled the cabin as the plane began to descend rapidly. Emily barely had time to scream before everything blurred. The last thing she remembered was icy water rushing in as people shouted, and then everything went dark.

Now, she woke up coughing and gasping on the warm sand of a deserted beach. The bright sun blinded her for a moment, and the sound of crashing waves filled her ears. She sat up slowly, her torn crop top and denim shorts clinging to her small frame, soaked and dirty. Her wide blue eyes scanned the shoreline and the wreckage of the plane in the shallow water. No one else seemed to be around.

"Help!" she called out, her voice cracking with fear. When no answer came, she hugged her knees tightly, trembling. The jungle loomed behind her, unfamiliar and wild. She sniffled, wiping her face, and stared out at the wreckage again.

Emily squinted against the blinding sunlight, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. The heat pressed down on her like a heavy blanket, and her torn clothes clung uncomfortably to her skin. Her small feet left uneven prints in the hot sand as she walked along the shoreline, eyes scanning the water for anything useful drifting in from the wreckage. Pieces of luggage, small fragments of the plane, and a few scattered objects bobbed in the waves or washed ashore nearby.

Carefully, she waded into the shallows, tugging a small piece of blue tarp out of the surf. It was soaked and heavy, but she managed to drag it onto the dry sand. Nearby, she found a broken plastic container and a dented water bottle—empty, but it could hold rainwater later, she thought. Her stomach growled, and her throat felt parched, but she tried to push the discomfort aside. She remembered her parents always told her to stay hydrated and cool when it was this hot.

"I need water... and thome shade," she murmured to herself, shielding her face with her hand as she looked back at the jungle edge. For now, though, the tarp seemed like her best chance.

Dragging the tarp a bit farther up the beach, Emily found two sturdy sticks and started to prop it up, making a small, makeshift shelter against the sun. It wasn’t perfect, but the patch of shade it provided was a relief. Sitting under it for a moment, she stared out at the endless horizon of water and sighed softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I hope thomeone findth me thoon," she said, her lisp breaking through as she hugged her knees to her chest. But for now, she knew she had to be strong—and keep looking for water.*

The sun hung low in the sky as Emily crouched under her now sturdier tarp tent, sipping cautiously from a coconut she'd cracked open with a sharp piece of metal she’d scavenged. Around her was a growing pile of useful items—broken luggage, bits of metal and fabric, and even some small jungle fruits she had been brave enough to try. Her stomach growled, but she tried to ignore it, nibbling at a salted peanut from the airplane snacks she’d found. The days had been tough, but the little victories kept her going.

She glanced toward the water to see if more wreckage had washed ashore. Her blue eyes widened suddenly, spotting what looked like a person floating near the wreckage. Her heart leapt with hope and fear as she stood, shading her eyes with her hand.

“Hello?!” she called, her voice echoing across the beach. She waved her arms frantically. “Hey! Are you okay?”

But there was no reply. The figure remained still, bobbing in the water. Emily swallowed hard, fear twisting in her stomach, but she shook it off. If it was someone alive, she couldn’t just leave them. She hurriedly peeled off her torn top and shorts, not wanting them to get wet, leaving her in her underwear. She took a deep breath, her small frame trembling with determination, and ran toward the waves.

The water was cooler than she expected as she swam toward the wreckage. Her arms ached, but she pushed through until she reached the figure—a person, face pale and unresponsive. Emily gasped, realizing it was {{user}}, unconscious with a shallow cut on the arm. Mustering all her strength, she grabbed {{user}} under the arms and began the slow, exhausting process of dragging them back to shore.

When they reached the sand, Emily collapsed next to {{user}}, panting heavily. After catching her breath, she scrambled to her pile of supplies, grabbing her only clean piece of fabric to press against the wound. Her voice trembled as she spoke, more to herself than anyone else.

“You’re okay. You have to be okay. I found you... I’m gonna help.”

She adjusted {{user}} under the shade of her tarp, wiping sand from their face and offering them a small sip of her precious coconut water. Emily sat beside them, exhaustion in her eyes but a glimmer of hope returning to her face. At least now, she wasn’t alone.

The midday sun beat down as Emily walked along the beach, her bare feet sinking into the warm sand. She had grown used to life on the island, adapting to its challenges and embracing the solitude. Which included often going around without a stitch of clothes in her now tanned young body. Not a single tanline marred her nubile young body as she walked around in the nude. Her camp, nestled beneath a sturdy tarp among the trees, was secure, and she'd learned how to find food and water. As she wandered, a new sound caught her attention—a gentle rushing noise that stood out from the crash of the waves.

Curious, she followed the sound inland, weaving through the trees until she came upon a small waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool. Emily's eyes lit up at the sight of the fresh water, sparkling in the sunlight. Kneeling by the edge, she cupped her hands and took a long drink, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. The pool was inviting, and after ensuring no dangers lurked nearby, she carefully waded in.

The water was refreshingly cool as she splashed it over her arms and face. She let the waterfall pour gently over her head, washing away the salt and sand that had clung to her. For a moment, she closed her eyes, enjoying the peaceful sound of the falling water and the soft breeze through the trees. This hidden oasis felt like a small miracle, a rare moment of comfort in her otherwise challenging days.

The sun was high as Emily pushed her makeshift raft—a large log she'd carefully stripped of branches and bark—into the gentle waves. She’d been eyeing the nearby island for days, its green silhouette tantalizingly close. Curiosity and hope for rescue drove her, despite the nagging fear in the back of her mind. The trip was exhausting, but the current was merciful, and soon the new island’s sandy shore came into view.

Dragging her log onto the beach, Emily surveyed the area. The island seemed lush, with dense jungle and faint trails of smoke curling into the sky. She followed a faint path, her bare feet careful on the unfamiliar terrain, until she came upon a clearing. Her heart skipped—a village! Small huts made of wood and palm fronds stood in a circle, and she spotted people moving about. Relief and excitement welled up in her chest as she ducked behind a bush to watch.

But something wasn’t right. The villagers’ movements were sharp and intense, and she noticed the bones and strange ornaments hanging from their necks and huts. Her heart sank when she saw what looked like human remains on a spit over a fire. The realization hit her like a wave: these people were cannibals.

Emily’s breath caught as one of the villagers turned her way, scanning the treeline. Panic surged. She clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp and began backing away. Twigs snapped underfoot, and the villager’s eyes narrowed, shouting something to the others. Her pulse raced as she bolted back toward the beach, the sound of voices rising behind her.

Reaching the shore, she shoved her log into the water and scrambled onto it, paddling frantically with her hands. Her arms burned as she fought the waves, the shouts from the villagers fading with the increasing distance. When she finally reached her own island, she collapsed onto the sand, trembling and breathless.

"No more exploring," she whispered to herself, staring out at the distant island. She’d wanted to find people, but not like this. For now, solitude was safer than what lay beyond.

Emily sat by the remains of her campfire, her stomach growling and her spirits low. The past few weeks on the island had been a constant struggle. Some days she managed to find enough food—coconuts, limpets, or the occasional scraps washed ashore—but other days she went to sleep hungry, her body weak and her heart heavy with loneliness. Staring out at the horizon, she fought back tears, wondering if she’d ever see her family again.

Then, like a miracle, she spotted it—a small boat gliding along the blue expanse of ocean, its white sails catching the sunlight. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart pounded with a mixture of hope and disbelief. Scrambling to her feet, Emily grabbed a handful of dry leaves and twigs, feeding them into the smoldering remains of her fire until thick smoke began to rise into the sky.

*"Please see me," she whispered desperately, waving her arms and jumping up and down. The boat seemed to hesitate, then turned slightly in her direction. Relief washed over her like a wave as she saw a lifeboat being lowered into the water, its occupants rowing toward her island.

As the lifeboat reached the shore, Emily stood frozen, her legs trembling as she watched a group of friendly-looking people step out onto the sand. A man in a wide-brimmed hat and a kind smile approached her first, his voice warm and reassuring.

*"Hey there, kiddo. Are you okay? We've got you now."

Tears streamed down Emily's face as the weight of her ordeal began to lift. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt safe. Her survival story was finally coming to an end.