Breanne+K

=**  Now, Now Every Children   **= By Breanne Kelly I’ve only ever been on a plane once before in my life. I was too young at the time to remember the flight though. However, I do remember my mother grasping my hand until I’d fallen asleep. It’s safe to say that I was terrified when I got the news that I, Breanne, would be flying with 11 strangers to Australia, a country which I’d never been to before. My window is shut, for I cannot bear to look out into the sky. Despite the beauty that awaits on the other side of the glass, the soft white clouds, circling the plane’s wings. The ground so far down below: becoming visible between the clouds. This I feared. There is a woman I have never seen before beside me, fast asleep on my shoulder. Her fiery, red hair surrounding me as she curls up close. Escaping is next to impossible for now. I hope she is comfortable enough for the both of us, considering the intensity of the pain in my neck. Maybe if I fell asleep as well, I would be comfortable. I could forget about where I am and all my pessimistic outcomes of the result from today’s ride. I close my eyes and begin to relax, thinking thoughts about my home. The sound of a whistle, blaring from the television, accompanied by the smell of dinner filling the room. Suddenly, just as sleep is about to drown me in dreams, I start to shake. No. It’s not shaking. It’s the plane. The plane is shaking. Why is the plane shaking? My eyes jerk open to view panicked faces on their calm hosts. Shaking turns into dropping. Panicked faces form into screams and tears. “What’s going on?” The woman beside me mumbles as she wakes in shock. My stomach is flipping, I feel as if I’m going around and around on a roller coaster. I lean against the closed window only to have my skin seared by a boiling heat. I open the sliding cover of my window to expose a bright orange flame spreading itself across the left wing. I push back as far as I can from the flame, only a steaming wall separating the flame and me. Others turn to see where my horrific stare is directed. Passengers rise from their seats, rushing to the right side of the plane, avoiding the extreme heat of the fire. My hearing becomes fogged and movements turn slow. The last thing I see as my surrounding goes dark, is the dirty rug covered floor rushing up to meet me. An icy coating surrounds me as I gain consciousness, filling my lungs with a cold burn. Becoming aware of the water I am lying in, I lift my head to see the plane swamped with the dark murky death. Everyone is trying to find his or her way off the plane to safety. Doing my best to stay calm, I make my way to a double window in the back that has not yet been submerged. Frantically searching for something to shatter the window, my hands come in contact with a cool, sleek metal. The hot salty tears falling from my eyes are making it difficult for me to see. I hear the window shatter as my weapon I’m pacts the glass on final time. Holding onto the object, I fight against the force of the water streaming in. Pushing off the plane, I shoot myself towards the surface. The water above is calm despite the airplane slowly descending to the sea floor. Taking in the situation, I realize the object in my hand to be a black handled switchblade. Folding it into my pocket, I slowly allow myself to drift through the water, wherever it may take me. ***      I wake to the scorching sun beating down upon my skin. The rays of light blinding me from the world, only allowing me to see the terrifying visions of the crash. I do not know how long it took me to reach shore, but now that I’m here, I am beyond exhausted. Sleeping seems to be the only logical option. I am on a beach, with sand as white as the tropics and trees as tall as a redwood. The ocean waves are subtle and smooth as far as the eye can see. Taking in the beautiful scenery, I can’t help but believe this is a tourist spot. Everything about this place screams fantasy vacation. So why am I not excited? “Hello?!” I project, doubting a reply. “Is anybody out there?” Silence is my response. Feeling more alone than I ever have in my life, I decide to stroll around, maybe find some evidence of other survivors. For a moment, I hear the sound of something that reminds me of footsteps. Slow, heavy footsteps, but they’re getting further away. I run after them into the forest. My feet are in agony, but reaching the owner of those footsteps is all I can concentrate on. I can’t stop now. I pause to listen, find the direction they’re leading me. Silence is all I receive. Once again, I am alone. ***      The sun is setting across the ocean, changing the waters colours to shades of pink and orange. A cool breeze of wind dances across my skin, leaving a single shiver behind. Miniature crabs creep by my fingers in the sand as I reach down to grab a navy and violet sea shell. Its edges are jagged, giving off a dangerous threat, yet to beautiful to fear. I glance about to find some sort of shelter for the night. I spot a few boulders circling each other near the water front a few meters away. I move towards them only to have it reveal a convenient space in the center large enough for myself to curl up in. I climb over the rock and slide inside. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I let today’s event flow through my mind. Visions of the victims drowning faces I could not help begin to pass by as the feeling of icy water starts to engulf my lungs. My eyes are burning, tears threatening to trickle down my cheeks. // What’s happened? // I wonder to myself. // Where am I? //I begin to panic, knowing it is the last thing I should be doing, but it seems to come uncontrollably. I lie down on my side, tears puddling beneath my head, and close my eyes allowing sleep to take its role for the evening. I feel a freezing moisture splash my skin, waking me into a state of shock. I blink my eyes open to see the inch deep water surrounding me inside the boulders. I rush to my feet, up to the top of the rocks where I sit viewing the tide that has come in. The sun is at its highest in the sky and brighter than I have ever witnessed. // It must be at least one o’clock in the afternoon by now, I must have slept in. // I thought, // silly...how could I sleep in when I’m stranded on some island off the coast of who knows where! So now what...? //     I turn towards the jungle behind me, full of shadows and unknown creatures, I head towards the darkness. I pause at the foot of the trees, peeking through to find some light in the distance; I hesitate to take the first step forward. I begin to move faster, my confidence building with every stride I take. Picking up my pace, hesitant steps turn into a jog. Soon enough I am sprinting forwards, towards the light. My imagination runs wild with ideas of what I would face when I reach the beaming lights. Civilization perhaps? A shower, a warm bead and a phone call home? Closing my eyes, I push myself to a max for those last few stretches, and burst through the darkness and into the light. I stand in silence, attempting to comprehend what I am witnessing. An opening, a meadow, flowers cover the earth’s floor, birds swoop down, grazing the tall grass, as it blows with the wind, but what I cannot seem to lift my gaze from, is the short, chestnut coloured, curly haired girl, facing me. We stand in silence starring each other down for what seems like hours. My throat goes dry as I open my mouth to speak, and only silence comes out. Her eyes widen as if only now realizing I was indeed real, and right in front of her. “Hi,” she began. “I’m Michelle.” “Breanne.”, I manage to choke out. “Were you...on the plane?” Shock ran across the girls face as she silently nods. Tears begin to flow down her cheeks as I approach her. Hesitating I rest my hand on her shoulder as comforting gesture. She lifts her head to mine. “Are there others?” She asks with a sob. “I don’t know”, I answer honestly. “I hope so.” ** Chapter Two  ** :  __ D ____ iscovery __ It’s been two days since Michelle and I crossed paths, and let me say am I ever glad we did. Michelle is your typical outdoorsmen, only a woman. She’s already started making us a shelter. Of course I am doing everything I can to help her, but she mostly sends me off to find food. I’m good at that though; there are many foods to choose from here. Coconuts, bananas, fish, crab, berries, nuts, if it wasn’t for the knife I had held onto, I wouldn’t be getting much luck. I guess I’m sort of the provider here, bringing home the bacon you could say. Michelle thinks there’s others here, that were are not the only survivors. I like to think so too, but she’s a lot more optimistic about it. I wake up to the sound of rocks clashing together. I gaze around to put a cause to the sound only to find a girl with long, dark brown hair kneeling by a while of twigs and coconut husks. The sun still bright and beaming down heat, my forehead begins to sweat. I can hear the waves from the ocean slamming against a cliff. I rush slip towards the girl, glancing down below at the face of set human. From the corner of my eye I see Michelle approaching with a load of logs in her arms. I creep up beside her to help her carry the wood to her freshly made pile. “Breanne,” Michelle smiles “you’re up! Good. We need your help.” “Right,” I pause, “Sure thing.” “This is Taylor by the way,” Michelle states nodding to the girl with the rocks. “She’s another survivor.” “Oh,” I gasp, “nice to see you’re alright.” “Thanks.” She gazes up to me. “I’m glad as well.” Taylor turns away to continue her attempt at starting a fire. “So”, I hesitate, “what can I do to help?” “Well”, Michelle thinks, “I need you to come with me to chop down the banana tree leaves for the roof of our shelter.” “Sure,” I smile, thankful for an easy job, “not a problem.” Michelle and I make our way into the jungle, searching for the perfect sized banana leaves. Cool shade blocking us from the suns blaze. Silence hangs between us as we push bushes and vines out of our path. I find a tree with decent sized leaves and start to climb my way up, knife in mouth. Straddling a branch, I begin to hack away and the steam of the first leaf. Not long later, Michelle and I commence our journey towards the beach, back to our shelter where, hopefully, a warm fire will be waiting. Concentrating on the fire, I hardly realize Michelle has stopped behind me. I turn to see her eyes locked on something behind me. “Michelle,” I panic, “what is it? What’s wrong?” “Nothing’s wrong,” she whispers. “Look.” She points in the direction of a small faded path. I follow the path until my vision is blocked by a pair of small, mucky feet. I lift my gaze only to lay them upon a small boy. Stepping forward, he falls to his knees, breathing heavily. He collapses in the sand, giving up. Michelle rushes to his side, and with my help, we carry him back to our shelter. I scurry over to fetch the boy a drink as Michelle splashes water across his face. Becoming aware of his surroundings, the boy slowly rises as I hand him the drink. Hesitating, he takes the beverage and sips it slowly. “Keenan.” He mutters. “Excuse me?” I ask confused. “Keenan,” he repeats, “my name is Keenan.” “I’m Breanne,” I waver, “and this is Taylor and Michelle.” “We were on the plane that crashed.” Michelle chimes in, “We’re you?” “Yeah,” Keenan sighed, “I was.” “Well, where have you been for the past few days?” Taylor questions. “On a connecting island just across that gulch.” He explains, “It’s a whole lot smaller than this though.” “So,” I pause, “why did you decide to come here?” “Figured it’d be safer.” He replies without thought, “There’s a swamp on the far side of the island; full of alligators.” “Is that how your leg got all bloody?” Michelle asks. Turning to his leg, we all gasp at the deep gouge taken out of his skin below his knee. He winces in pain as Taylor pours salt water across his wound. Crying out, he begs Taylor to stop, blood staining the white sand underneath. The smell of rust and salt encase my senses. I need fresh air. ***      “You’ll never guess what I found washed up on shore last night!” Taylor screeched. Everyone turns to stare waiting for her to tell us. She just stands there, hands behind her back waiting for a reply. “Well, tell us!” Michelle begs, “We give up now tell us.” She brings her hands around front to reveal a blue, folded up plastic. An enthusiastic grin stretches across her face. “A tarp.” =  Chapter Three:  __ D ____ estiny __ = // Day twenty-seven  //, I think, as I engrave another line in the rock. It’s been 27 days since our plane crashed, 27 days we’ve all been fighting for survival. Before, I never would’ve thought 27 days could seem like such a long time. It felt as if we’d been here for years. I couldn’t take it anymore; the sitting around day after day doing nothing, not even trying to get off this island. I needed to try, needed to do something before we all came to an end. Today was the day, before my 28th day here ended, I will have accomplished something. And as for everyone else: the more the merrier. Keenan stayed behind, still not able to walk well because of his leg. Michelle decided he shouldn’t be alone and stayed behind to tend to him. Taylor came along with me to destroy the island. Neither of us had ever been further than the meadow in the center of the jungle. Today, that would all change. “So what do you think we’ll find?” Taylor asks curiously. “Well,” I ponder, “maybe civilization, or other survivors.” “Civilization?” She questions, “No offense but I highly doubt anyone is living on this island.” “Thanks,” I say sarcastically, “definitely needed to hear that.” “Sorry,” she sighs, “just don’t get your hope up too high.” We carry on through the jungle, past the meadow, and follow a path deeper into the unknown. “Look!” I cry, pointing at light in the distance. I begin to sprint over to the opening, Taylor soon catching up beside me. “I’ll beat you there!” She challenges, picking up speed. “Never!” Laughing, we both race towards the opening, the light becoming brighter and brighter. One stride ahead of Taylor I break through the barrier coming to a stop. Taylor slips as she comes to a stop and slides to the edge of a cliff in front of us, looking over the ocean. “Taylor!” I scream grabbing her hand. “Breanne!” She cries, “Help me!” “Don’t let go! Just don’t let go.” I can feel her hand slipping through mine, sweat slithering between our hands. I grab a tree stump behind me for support as I attempt to pull her back up over the cliff. Her cries becoming quieter with every second that passes by. Her hand slips through mine and I hear her scream. “Taylor! I shout, ‘Can you hear me?” “Yeah,” She chokes, “I can hear you.” I gaze over the cliff to see her hanging onto a tiny rock, just out of my reach. “It’s going to be ok”, I try to comfort her. “I know.” Our eyes meet as her tears fade away. Understanding replaces the fear in her eyes as she blinks away the last of her tears. My own eyes filling with tears, blurring my vision. I whip them away fast, knowing she doesn’t have much longer. “I’m glad I met you.” Taylor pants, “Glad I wasn’t alone. Tell Michelle and Keenan that ok?” “Taylor,” I cry, “you’re going to be ok. Stop talking that way.” “Be strong for me.” She smiles, “get off this island. Go home and tell my family I love them.” “Taylor,” I choke. Her smile replacing all doubt from her face, she lets go of the rock and falls to meet her end. ***      “So she’s gone?” Michelle asks, unable to understand the news I have given her and Keenan once I returned alone. “Yeah,” I stare blankly, “she’s...gone.” We all sit in the cool sand, starring at the fire emotionless. “We have to get off this island.” Keenan states, “For her.” ***      All night is how long it took. It took all night to gather all of the necessities to be rescued. Banana tree leaves, coconut husks, wood. We wrote S.O.S in the sand as big as you could ever imagine with our necessities. Fire burning bright beside us, we wait until we receive some sign of a boat or plane to light the letters. We each took turns staying up, watching out for a sign. I was barely asleep when Michelle started shouting. Heat searing my arm as she lit the letters. Jumping back from the fire I searched for our sign. Four blinking lights flew across the night sky. It circled around the sky a few times until finally leaving. “COME BACK!” Keenan shouts. “SAVE US!” Michelle joins. “He can’t hear you.” I cry, “But he saw us! He SAW us! He circled around the sky, he saw us! He probably called for help!” “You’re right!” Michelle chimed, “they’ll be back.” “So now we wait.” ***      Heavy, cold wind blew across my body. My hair blowing in my face and getting caught in my mouth. Gazing above at the helicopter circling the morning sky. Thinking of how much has changed in such a short time. How I wish things would’ve been different. Wishing nothing will change, but knowing it will. Change is inevitable, it’s not hard. Accepting it is the true challenge. Standing here, watching my destiny draw closer, I accept my changes.
 * Chapter One:  **__ D ____ escending __