Brianna+M

Brianna M **__Escaping Reality__**


 * __Chapter One__**
 * __Falling And Fighting__**

I found myself on my knees. I found my head bent, shaking with sweat pouring down my peeled forehead. I found myself trying to swallow, but could not since my throat was so terribly dry. I found myself wanting to break down and cry but not having the power or even the strength to do so. I found myself hurting in places I did not know could hurt. I found myself aching for a cold breeze to envelop my body and bring me peace for just a second. I found myself starting to die.

The lady walked down the aisle for the third time. Confused, I turned my head to see a boy no older than I with dark eyes and hair, looking up at her. After their quick conversation, she sighed and went back up to the front of the plane. I rolled my eyes at the immaturity. I tried to focus my eyes back on my book before I got distracted again. My eyes flickered towards the sound of two old women gabbing very loudly. A young girl with blond ringlets sat, squished in between them. //Poor thing// I thought right before the rain started pouring down mercilessly.

I was about to drift into a deep slumber when the plane shook. My heart leaped into my wet throat as I lurched into the seat in front of me. My head smacked into the hard plastic. Goosebumps ran up and down my arms. A flash of colour went off outside the windows. The pilot went on the intercom but was cut off because of the storm. The clouds surrounded, us leaving no gap for our plane to escape. Darkness poured into the cabin, and I shivered. We lurched back and forth. My pounding head flung around my shoulders as I tried to regain my surroundings. Another flash went off in the distance. It was freezing now. The flashes came stampeding towards at a pace that seemed unreal. I was waiting. Waiting for the lightning to hit us. Waiting to be thrown however far we could be thrown. I shook. I could not close my eyes. I attempted to think back to those crazy stories Uncle Carter would tell me. I racked my brain. All he ever talked about was science and I could not think of one little thing about planes. //What if I never see him again?// I was terrified. Cringing, I held my breath as the enormous beast came closer and closer.

Finally, it happened. A large yellow bolt came crashing down as if it was Zeus commanding it to destroy us. The plane shot into flames. We went spiraling. Spiraling down into the great unknown. Through an opening, the boy with dark hair was flung out and disappeared into the darkness. The Goosebumps traveled to my legs as we went down. My seatbelt broke, and I was pushed across the plane. As the ice feeling hit my body, soaking my clothes, I heard someone scream. A scream, which frightened me. It was the last thing I heard before I went into the dark water.

I saw flashes of black and orange all around me. It was as if the night and the flames were battling for dominance. Waves crashed against my body, swallowing me up. Helplessly, I tried to stay above the surface but had no such luck. The water pushed me back down. When I shot back up, I saw a glimpse of something yellow. I went back down. Coming back up, I saw it again. //Must. Get. There.// I started swimming over to it before the water took control of me again. Getting closer, I noticed a girl was on it, shivering. I kicked my legs harder. I had to reach that raft.

Finally, I was there. By this time, the girl had noticed me and reached out her thin arm to try to help me. I lifted my hand. However, the water yanked me back down again as if it was trying to drown me. I mustered all the strength inside of me and tried again. This time our hands touched, and I gripped onto her wrist. It was the first time I put all of my trust into the hands of a stranger. My other arm went up to the rope hanging on the raft and with our strength combined, I made it onto the raft. I collapsed. The girl fell onto the cold yellow material beside me and we both laid there for there for a long time. We drifted wherever the winds wanted to take us.

Salt filled my nostrils. The hot sun poured down burning into my skin. Warn breezes swept my hair around my face. The surface on which I was laying was rough and wet. My arms ached, and I did not know if I could move or not. I heard a moan beside me and slowly opened my eyes. A girl with brown hair, chopped to her shoulders, slept. Head pounding, I sat up. As I opened my eyes, the sun blinded me, forcing my eyes to close again. I sat up and saw where I was. A long beach stretched for miles in both directions. Trees, as tall as skyscrapers, grew from the sand. A jungle filled with mystery covered most of the area. In a distance, a rocky mountain towered down on us. I turned to the girl beside me. I slid my hand over to her and shook her shoulder.

“Hey. Are you okay?” I questioned. She scrunched up her face and slowly turned over. Big brown eyes stared up at me. She slowly moved her head around, apparently sore like me. Confused, she looked at me with wondering eyes.

“Where are we?”

“Who knows,” I shrugged. “Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, I think.” I looked back towards the blue sea that seemed to stretch forever. “Oh, and thanks for saving me back there,” I told her.

“Yea, anytime,” she joked. “My name is Trisha.”

“Brianna,” I replied. “What do we do now?”

“I don’t know,” she sighed. Trisha stared out at the island. I followed her gaze and wondered if we would ever leave.




 * __Chapter Two__**
 * __Conquring Mountains__**

We both stumbled out of the raft. My toes dove into the dry sand, taking away any moisture that was in my feet. Glancing at the dark haired girl walking along beside me, I racked my brain trying to think of where I’ve seen her before. //Why is she so familiar?// This sucked. I hated not knowing who somebody was, but right now I had a bigger problem. I had to survive.

We walked along--or tried to walk--the white beach. The strong ocean winds created spirals of sand around my feet. The tropical trees stood still on my left and the crashing waves fell to my right.

Trisha stumbled in front of me, wobbling on her weak legs. I looked down at my own legs. Bruised and shaking, they tried to hold my body. I have never felt this weak in my life. Fascinated with my legs I didn’t see the two bodies on the beach a few yards ahead. “Look!” Trisha called out excitedly. “People are over there,” My head jerked up. I didn’t think.

My legs took control and sprinted down the beach. Trisha’s footsteps pounded behind me. The closer we got the more worried I became. //What am I doing?// My pace slowed down. //I don’t even know these people.// My head wanted to stop but my feet kept moving. Trisha flew by. Picking up the pace, I caught up to her. Reaching the two people sitting on the sandy surface, I recognized them from the airplane. The blonde girl, who was sitting between the two old ladies and the dark haired boy that flew out of the plane sat before me out of breath.

“Hey.” I panted. “Are you guys okay?” I questioned concerned.

“I am,” the girl replied. “But he cannot remember anything.” Trisha squatted down next to the boy and I followed her down. Dark brown eyes stared at the three of us. Silence filled the atmosphere. //What am I supposed to do? Ask him the date? I don’t even know what day it is.//

Finally someone spoke,” you don’t remember anything?” The blonde girl asked.

He shook his head.

“At least you don’t remember the crash,” I stated staring at the ground. Memories flooded my brain. Lightning. People screaming. Hands reaching out for help. The powerful water taking the lives of innocent people. I shook my head attempting to escape the images. Sitting down on the beach I tried to relax. //Calm down.// Somehow I had to trust these people. Sure I did not know them, or at least two of them. But I am here and there is nothing I can do about it. We sat on the beach for hours. Talking or siting in silence. Slowly, the sun went down and we all fell asleep on the beach.

Licking my lips, the taste of sand entered my mouth making it even drier. Opening my eyes, I looked up at the bright sun which was high above. I turned my sore body around to a sitting position. Lying in front of me was the boy, who was sound asleep. Noticing that Trisha and Tessa, which I learned her name the night before, were gone I wondered where they could be and looked around. Over to my left I saw the two of them standing near the forest.

Pushing myself up with my hands I wandered over. My legs felt stronger than they had the day before and I took confidant strides up to the forest. “Hey” I called, but soon lost my voice after seeing what lay ahead. The plane. Scratched and broken, it lay on the forest floor. The strength and might it once had was long gone. Carefully I walked up to one of the shattered windows and peered inside. Seats torn up covered the ground. Luggage was scattered around the cabin floor and the oxygen masks hung helplessly from the top.

“Is anyone in there?” Tessa asked with a shake in her voice.

I moved to the next window before replying,” No, but there’s food.”

Trisha and Tessa ran up to the windows on either side of me. Their eager eyes scanned for the bags of pretzels which lay on the floor. Trisha’s chapped lips broke into a wide grin. //I know that smile.//

“Well, let’s go get some then,” Trisha said with glee.

We started moving along the side of the plane. Trisha forged ahead, while Tessa and I stumbled along the rocks and sticks. We stuck to the side of the plane, trying the find the end. I ran my finger along a deep cut in the side of the plane. All of a sudden Trisha stopped.

“This is hopeless!” she cried. “This plane is huge and who know if we can get in a door or not.”

I looked back at the wing that stuck deep into the ground behind us. Above it was a window. And above that, maybe a way in. I staggered back a few feet and placed my hands on the edge of the wing. Then I pushed myself up as if I was lifting myself out of a swimming pool. Swinging my feet around, I stood up.

“What are you doing?” questioned Tessa. “Trying to get in,” I replied while I slowly moved forward. Placing my feet right in front of the other, I carefully made it up the wing. As I neared the top, I stretched out my hands and attempted to reach to window. I missed and slid down the hard metal. The other girls gasped and ran forward to the side of the wing. //Never give up.// Uncle Carter’s words echoed in my head. I gritted my teeth. Placing my feet as I did the last time I made it up once again. Clinging on to the side of the plane, I inched my fingers up toward the edge of the window. //Never give up.// My skin burned from the rubbing. Standing on my tiptoes, I gave one last effort and reached my arms as far as they would go. I clasped on to the plastic lining. Thankful for the broken plastic, I gripped on and pushed my body up. Blood trickled from my fingertips. By some miracle I got my foot onto the plastic ledge and hoisted myself onto the top. A sigh of relief came from my exhausted lungs.

“Is there a way in?” I heard from the ground.

“One sec, I’ll look,” I called back to the ground. Scanning the surface, my eyes locked on a spot which seemed to go down into the plane.

Crawling back to the side I shouted “come up! I found a way in”

After a few minutes, Tessa and Trisha were on the top of the plane beside me, slithering their bodies like snakes along the cold surface. We inched along until we reached the hole. //Yes.// I silently sang. One by one, we lowered ourselves down .it was so quiet. Side by side we stood, facing away from each other. My eyes wandered from body to body. I bit my lip, not wanting to burst out in tears at the sight which lay before me. I felt a tug at my wrist.

“Come on,” a voice whispered. I followed Trisha to the front of the plane. Bending down, we picked up the bags of snacks that lay at our feet. Up at the front, cabinets were flung open. I reached my hand into one and pulled out a red case. I unzipped it and looked inside. A first aid kit. Closing it and tucking it under my arm I went to the next cabinet. Empty. I turned and saw Tessa holding a large green blanket thing. Trisha appeared holding a chunk of a mirror from the where the pilots sit.

“Let’s get out of here,” I said. “There’s nothing more we need, and we left that boy sitting on the beach not knowing anything”

“Let’s go,” Tessa agreed.

We climbed out of the hole and slid back down the wing. Holding our findings like prizes we raced out of the forest and back onto the hot sand. Spilling out our content from out shaking arms, we collapsed next to the boy. Everyone’s eyes lit up. It may not be much, but it was something. Something to give us a little piece of hope.

Days went by and all we did was rub two stupid sticks together. All of our hands were cut and bleeding. The heat from the sun didn’t help. Sweat poured down my forehead. My hands shook as I moved the stick back and forth. Back and forth. Please, //just one little flame.// Now I was talking to wood. Great. I kept moving my hands. They rub together until and great slash ran across my hand. //Perfect.//

I put down the sticks, which were now covered in blood and pulled myself up. Carefully I moved my blistered feet along the path we created. I made my way over to the ‘shelter’. Propping the yellow raft up on logs, we made a covering for ourselves. Inside piles of green bananas lined up. The tarp that we found in the plane, lay on the ground. And in the corner a first aid kit. I scurried over to it. My filthy hands zipped the bag open and I peered inside. Searching around I found a band aid. I slapped it on my hand and turned back to where Tessa and the boy with no name were trying to make fire. I looked down at the red fabric in my hand. The white packages inside. //There is always an answer.// I remember Uncle Carter telling me that every time I would get frustrated with a problem. Carrying the first aid kit, I hurried back to the fire spot.

“Here, let’s try this,” I said as I ripped the empty packages and placed them at the bottom of the stick.

The boy continued to rub the sticks back and forth. Soon Trisha came from around some trees. She sat down next to me. Smoke escaped from the bottom of the stick. It spiraled around and around making us beam. Tessa bent down and blew on the smoke ever so gently. After a few seconds, which seemed like eternity, a single orange flame rose from the mess. Smiles on all our faces appeared as I carried it over to some palm leaves. Dropping the burning sticks onto the leaves, it erupted into flames. The others were around me now. We all watched the tree burn up. Our eyes gleamed with hope. //Maybe we will get off this island.//




 * __Chapter Three__**
 * __Losing Myself__**

Droplets of water poured from the sky, running down my peeled skin.

I tilted my head upwards toward the dark sky.

The dark clouds circled around just as they had a few weeks ago. Wind whistled though the trees, blowing leaves every which way. The waves that were once peaceful, hurled themselves ferocity against the sand.

Shivering, I ducked my head and sauntered into the jungle. I heard my name being called from somewhere. Shooting my head around, I saw three wet bodies huddled together beneath the tarp. I ran over. Crawling, I made my way under the yellow material. Glancing around, I noticed the dark circles under their eyes. Their tangled greasy hair, dirty fingernails, skin like prunes. Their lips so dry. I probably looked the same, or worse.

The wind began to pick up. Flashes of lightning showered down around. With every flash came a terrible memory of the storm before. The rain poured down my neck. Raindrops slipped underneath my torn shirt running down my burnt back. The rocks made sitting unbearable and the wetness made everything uncomfortable. Another gust of wind came and pushed my weak body down against the muddy surface. Three pairs of hands reached out and grabbed on to my arms. My body pulled towards their helping hands and I was sitting upright once again. Before another gust came we linked arms with no words. An unspoken bond between us was created. The four of us held on as the wind picked up once more and our only shelter was ripped away.

The yellow raft flew high into the storm, disappearing into the storm. The rain was loosening our grips on each other. The wind became too strong. Its powerful strength ripped my arms from the ones next to me.

I flew backwards. I scampered around aimlessly. Trying to find someone to hold on to. My name was being yelled across the trees.

Attempting to find them I ran. Clinging from tree to tree I made my way around. My hands became scraped and bloody from the bark. Looking at the blood made my stomach want to hurl. I shoved my hands down by my side and tried to forget about the gushing blood.

Soon the voices faded away. //No.// I ran tree to tree. //Keep calling!// I begged silently for someone to call out. Noises came from my mouth but I wasn’t strong enough to make the sounds into words.

Stumbling around, my feet carried my worn out body from the hard forest floor to the soft sand. Staggering down the beach, I slowly walked toward the water before collapsing on the wet sand and passing out.

The taste of sand filled my mouth. I attempted to spit out the sand but had no moisture left in my mouth to do so. Pushing myself up onto my elbows, I looked out at the sea. The stormy black water was gone and replaced with peaceful blue water, slowing crashing on to the shore.

Painfully, I sat up and gained my surroundings. The jungle was destroyed. Branches and leaves were layered along the floor. Trees lay down along them.

I rolled back on my toes and stood up. For the first time I noticed that I was all alone. The sun burned my eyes. Bringing my hands up to my eyes, I saw the crusted blood on my hands. The sick feeling came back to my stomach. Forcing my feet to move, I walked down to the water. Bending down, I allowed the salt water to rush into the wounds. A gentle wave kissed my hands with its salty lips. I stood up and shook the water from my hands. I staggered back up the beach. After spending however many weeks on the same beach, I didn’t recognize this part of the island.

“ Tessa!” I scream into the empty jungle. “Trisha!” I holler desperately. “Anyone,” were the last words out of my chapped lips. I began the long walk up the shore. The sun beat down, propelling its rays onto my burnt shoulders. The cuts on my feet became irritated from the dry sand. My legs ached. At home I would run for miles and my legs had never hurt as much as they do now. I felt so weak.

Wobbling, my knees clunked together. I tried so hard to stay standing. My knees gave out. I found myself on my knees. I found my head bent, shaking with sweat pouring down my peeled forehead. I found myself trying to swallow, but could not since my throat was so terribly dry. I found myself wanting to cry but no having the power or even the strength to do so. I found myself hurting in places I did not know could hurt. I found myself aching for a cold breeze to envelop my body and bring me peace for just a second. I found myself starting to die.

My head jerked up. A familiar sound went off in the distance. //A boat?// My eyes moved to the empty sea. //No. It’s just your mind playing tricks on you.//

I sank down to the warm sand. It went off again. I covered my ears as the sound blared a third time.

Curling up in a ball, I attempted to block out the madness in my head. //There is no boat.// I tried to calm myself down.

//Stop pretending.// As I rocked myself back and forth the sound slowly left my mind.

I was in lying on the sand. My throat burned.

I longed for an embrace. I wanted someone’s arms around me.

Black spots danced in my vision.

The place of between being asleep and awake came over me. I felt like I was falling. Forcing my eyes to stay shut, I wondered if there was a bottom.