Samantha+S

__A Trip to Remember: __ __By: Samantha Sheppard__

__Chapter 1: Unpredictable Waters __

"So this is what it's like to be drowning," Samantha thought to herself, her mouth and throat filling up with water from her feeble attempts to call for help with no luck. She saw remnants of the island that she had called home for the longest time shrink away as she slowly gave up the fight, sinking under the water.

Samantha woke up with a start and found herself covered with a thin layer of sweat clinging to her skin, a strong reminder of her vivid nightmare. Disorientated, Samantha blindly felt around her night side table looking for her glasses, and as she felt the familiar shape of the frames, her alarm went off, startling her. She chuckled softly and turned off the loud buzzing sound that so many people, including herself, despised. “ I must be more worried than I thought about the boat trip today." She quickly got ready, reaching the marina to find the others waiting on the boat for her. When she got aboard Ty's boat, she found Dalpreet looking worried up at the sky. "What’s the matter Dalpreet? You look really worried, I mean, this isn’t the first time we have been on Ty's boat." "I know, but look at the water, it looks pretty rough today... They were saying on the weather that there was going to be a storm." Samantha looked out on the water and saw waves far out on the water, quickly remembering her nightmare. Samantha pushed those thoughts aside and said " It should be fine, don’t worry." Both of them walked up to where Ty and Cooper were standing, checking over everything one last time. Dalpreet had walked over to talk to Cooper, so Samantha thought it was a good time to talk to Ty about Dalpreets concern about the storm. "Hey Ty, did you hear about the storm warning?" "Yea I heard something but I’m not too worried. The water is just a bit choppier than usual.” “Yea Dalpreet is pretty worried about it not being safe today. I told her that it should be fine, but then again, it is Australia so you never know about the storms here." “Yea will everything will be fine." Ty said, making it very clear he didn’t want to talk about it anymore. With that they quickly set sail, heading out pretty far before starting their usual loop. "Cooper, would you mind passing me my camera?" Samantha was rarely found without her camera. She had dreams of becoming a famous photographer one day. Cooper passed it to her, barely looking up from his book. All four friends each had their unique quirks: Samantha liked photography; Cooper was a reader and a artist; Dalpreet loved basketball; and when Ty wasn’t on the mainland you could find him out on his boat or out on the water " Finally," Samantha muttered to herself, as her picture came into focus. She was about to snap it when a huge wave hit the boat, jolting Samantha backwards onto the deck. "What was that?" Cooper called out from the other side of the boat. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">"Uh guys I think I found the storm..." Ty said looking out onto the ocean. The other three then looked to were Ty was pointing, and their eyes widened when they saw was waves crashing onto each other, creating one giant wave. Rain started to pour down, pelting all of them making the deck impossibly slippery almost sending them sprawling onto the ground. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">"What can we do to help?" Dalpreets voice was just a faint whisper over the howling winds and the loud pelting noise the rain made against the wooden floors of the deck. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“See that line over there?” Ty called, holding onto the wheel as if his life depended on it, “ we need to pull it to release the other sail.” Cooper and Dalpreet rushed over to the other line and pulled it, releasing the other sail. When the sail caught wind, they started to turn into areas full of coral, which looked dangerously sharp to them. They heard a loud scraping noise and then heard cracks as water started to come through the cracks the coral had made, leaving them exposed to the elements. The friends then turned into panic mode, grabbing things they saw that would be important. Samantha grabbed a tarp in the passing when she saw all of their safety supplies swiftly going overboard with the rope quickly going after them. Samantha ran and lurched towards the rope holding on for dear life. She felt the rope slipping and couldn’t do anything about it as the roped slipped through her hands and into the water. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">“The boats capsizing!” Coopers voice rang out over the noise of the storm, and she heard Dalpreet yell for help as they were pitched overboard. Each of them popped up breaking the surface of the water a few minutes after they fell. “ Is everyone okay?” Ty asked, looking around at the damage and seeing his precious boat for the last time before the ocean swallowed it whole, and let one giant bubble surface after it finally hit the ground. Cooper, being the logical one, asked <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">” Okay what exactly do we have for materials?” Each of them held up one item: Ty a rope, Dalpreet a first aid kit, Cooper a knife and Samantha a tarp. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">“ Well its official! There is no way we can do anything now,” said Samantha in her usual pessimistic tone. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Maybe not” Dalpreet said, happily pointing to something about ten yards away. In the middle of the crash was a float in its package floating in the water, calling their names. Ty quickly swam over pulling the string making it inflate. Each of them climbed on, hoping it would hold all of them until they were found. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Samantha woke up a while later to a sharp pain in her leg. Looking down she saw that bits of coral had embedded itself into her leg. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">”I wonder how that got there?” She then answered her own question when she saw their float ripped to shreds in the coral beds. Looking around Samantha saw no one else near her. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Guys were are you?!” She then grew panicked, standing up and starting to wander in hope of finding the others, but wanting to quit because of the stinging reminder of the coral in her leg. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">She heard a twig snap behind her, and Samantha whipped around, not knowing what to expect. She let out a sigh of relief when the others stepped out from a large amount of dense trees. After they talked, they headed back to the beach where Samantha washed up. When reached there they saw that a bucket had washed up onto the beach after she left, <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Umm Dahlpreet do you still have the first aid kit?” <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Yea why?” <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Samantha gestured to her leg and then sat down onto the sand and started to pick out pieces of coral. She then swiftly bandaged her leg to the best of the abilities before saying <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">” I guess we are stuck here for a bit.” as they all looked around the island their future was starting to look bleak. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Well, we should make some shelters,” Ty said, trying to take charge. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Samantha just looked at him and said” Oh, and how do you propose we do that?” They all looked at each other realizing that they were in a lot of trouble.

__ Chapter 2: Hidden Dangers __

Samantha woke, with the grainy texture of the rough sand rubbing her cheek raw as she moved. She sat up observing her surroundings from under the security of the tarp, that was currently being used as a house for the four friends. “Dalpreet where did they guys go now?” Samantha asked, her voice still lined with sleep. “ I have no idea when I woke up they were already gone, but I heard some movement behind us so maybe they went into the forest.” Before Samantha could say anything both Cooper and Ty emerged from behind a bunch of trees carrying armfuls of fruit towards their ‘campsite’ before dropping it. Not saying anything the four friends fell upon the fruit eating ravenously as if they hadn’t eaten for days. No one said a word until the food disappeared leaving them looking at each other wondering what to do next. Samantha stood slowly, shielding her eyes with the back of her hand as she looked up at the sun. “So what do you propose we do know? We have no stable shelter, a good food source or anyway to keep warm during the night.” Samantha’s voice went a octave higher as she grew more panicked. “I don’t know how you can just sit there and pretend like nothing bad is going to happen to us! We can’t last long on our own!!!” “Samantha, you have to keep calm I don’t think you understand that we are going to stick together and nothing bad will happen.” But when Ty looked over he saw Samantha standing over by the ocean looking out completely tuning him out. “ Samantha did you hear anything I just said?” Samantha suddenly turned “ No sorry what did you say?” “ I said nothing bad will happen because we will stick it out together.” Samantha just nodded and looked out again onto the vast blue ocean. Later Samantha and Dalpreet were making more stable shelters when Ty and Cooper decided what else they could find as a food source apart from fruit. When Dalpreet heard Ty cry out in happiness, the girls just looked at each other and took off in a sprint towards the beach. When they reached the beach Ty and Cooper both held tow massive fish from each hand, smiling like kids in candy stores. Rolling her eyes Samantha said, “ Well that’s great but what do you suppose we do with the fish it’s not like we are going to eat it raw.” “Well lets make FIRE!” Ty said excited. So the friends headed to the beach and gathered all of the wood they could find and threw into a giant pile, proceeding to stare at if as if their sheer hopes of a fire would make it appear. “ Samantha pass me your glasses, maybe I can start a fire with them.” Cooper said looking at the angle of the sun making calculations in his head, wondering if this would work or not. Samantha just shook her head, muttering to herself as she tossed cooper the glasses. The three friends then watched in pure amusement as Cooper tried to start a fire. “Aw come one Cooper this won’t work and you know it” Dalpreet said standing, “ I’m heading back to the shelter.” As she walked away suddenly a thin flame appeared from within the giant pile of wood. Quickly Cooper made the small flickering flame into a roaring fire and the friends let out a elated cheer of somewhat disbelief seeing the fire grow in front of them. After they finished their feast of fish the friends decided to look around the island to see what other resources they could find. As they were walking back Dalpreet let out a cry about how they lost Ty. Samantha left the group to find him and soon found herself completely surrounded by shrubbery. She then heard a snap behind her, breaking out into a run she sprinted losing her balance and pitched forward over a small cliff. Grabbing onto the edge she screamed for all she was worth for help. Over and over. Hearing crumbling below her she closed her eyes tight and whispered to herself, “ I thought you said everything was going to be all right.”

__** Chapter 3: RESCUE **__ <span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -1.25in 0pt 0in; text-decoration: none;">

Holding onto the edge of the cliff as if he life depended on it, Samantha screamed for help over and over again. Finger by finger she was slowly slipping knowing if she fell it would be the end. Suddenly she saw a huge shadow loom over her and she figured that it was the end. Suddenly, Samantha found herself flying up over the edge. Fixing herself as she stood, she looked up at Ty and let out a bubble of laughter.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">" I don’t see how you think this is so funny. There isn't anything funny about it."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">Samantha was doubled over in laughter, and all she could offer was a shrug of her shoulder. She then stood up and took a deep relaxing breath. “It’s not like I meant to fall over the edge. It kind of just happened."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">“You would be the one to do that, though."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">Samantha Just shrugged her shoulders and headed back into the dense forestry. Finally, Samantha and Ty reached the long strip of beach that they had dubbed their home for the past two agonizing months.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">“Where is Dalpreet? I haven't seen her in a while," Samantha said, biting her bottom lip looking worriedly around the sheltered area.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"You are overreacting again, Samantha. I don’t know why you are so worried," Ty said rolling his eyes. Over the past month, Ty's demeanor had changed drastically, turning him from an easy going person to a angry sarcastic person whose moods could turn on a dime. Samantha reached carefully down to the knife sitting by Ty's Leg,

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"What do you think you’re doing?" Ty snapped as her hand extended to the knife.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">“Well, I need it to cut the star fruit so we can all have some."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"That’s funny. Nice try. you aren’t getting this knife. This knife is mine, so you can't have it."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"What are we, five again? Didn't your mother tell you sharing is GOOD!"

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">The birds that were nested in the tress above them quickly flew up into the air at the sound of Samantha's scream. Emerging from the bushes, Dalpreet and Cooper covered in dirt had smiles plastered on their faces as held up three giant fish. The smiles quickly dissipated off their face as they saw Samantha glaring at Ty.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"What happened this time?" Cooper let out a sigh as he waited to hear the he said she said stories they usually gave when something happened.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"Ty thinks that the knife shouldn't be used by anyone except for him. Which I disagree with completely."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">Suddenly Ty snapped looking up his eyes filled with hatred and anger, “You guys don’t understand!! Two months! Two months! We have been here for TWO MONTHS AND IM TIRED OF IT!!!!" I can’t do it anymore just pretending that everything is fine and dandy when it’s not!"

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">After hearing his yelling, Samantha stood off and darted into the forest followed by Cooper and Dalpreet. They ran for what seemed like hours until they felt safe. When they finally regained their breath they three of them heard a loud mechanical whirring sounds. They looked up and saw a helicopter flying above them lowering down a ladder.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"Come on, we have to go!" Dalpreet called.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">Samantha looked back at where they had came from, " Get on the helicopter and get the driver to go to the beach we can’t leave Ty." Samantha then ran. Even though he had snapped he had saved her life which she could never forget. When she reached the beach, she saw Ty sitting on a log looking out on the vast open waters.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"Ty ,there is a helicopter! We are being rescued. We have to go." She grabbed his arm trying to get him to move be he just shrugged her away. “We have to go ,Ty, there is someone that is going to rescue us we are getting off the island. Don't you understand!"

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">“Yea, I understand. You guys go without me. It’s no hope."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">The snake of a ladder uncoiled in front of them and Samantha looked at him pleadingly to get on. When he shook his head Samantha climbed the rung ladder and took a seat next to her friends. They were leaving the island when Samantha looked back and saw Ty running waving his hands in the air in their general direction.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"We have to turn around and get HIM" Samantha yelled at the driver.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"Miss, I don’t think that’s possible the winds are too strong."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">“I don't think you understand how close we are." Samantha stopped in mid sentence looked at Ty, and then taking one deep breath opened the door to the helicopter and threw the ladder down.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"I can’t reach!!." Ty yelled as the rope sailed past his fingers.

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">Samantha quickly climbed down the rung of the ladders and extended her hand screaming at him to grab on. Ty jumped just barely grabbing Samantha's hand. When all four of the friends reached the main stretch of beach in Australia they were greeted by all of their friends and family, who quickly bombarded them not letting them speak. Ty then laughed looked at his three friends and said

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">"Next time we fly to wherever we are going."

<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; tabstops: 6.5in; tabstops: 6.5in;">The friends just laughed in agreement.