Chapter Text
The storm hits us like a freight train. One minute, everything’s calm—the ocean lapping gently at the shore, the fire crackling, and the next, the sky rips open, and the wind howls like it’s trying to tear Poguelandia apart.
“Get to the shelter!” John B shouts over the roar of the wind, his voice strained with urgency. He grabs Sarah’s hand, pulling her along, as we all rush for cover.
The storm rages around us with an intensity that feels almost personal. I’m completely freaked out, my heart racing with every whirl of the wind and crash of thunder. The storm is relentless, battering our shelter and shaking the makeshift walls with a force that seems almost malicious.
I try to focus on getting through the storm, but the sound of the wind and the torrential rain make it hard to think clearly. JJ is beside me, his face taut with worry as he does his best to keep the tarp from being ripped away by the gale. His hands are cold and wet, his body pressed against mine for warmth and stability.
Every crack of thunder makes me flinch, every flash of lightning seems to slice through the darkness. I know I should be helping, but my fear roots me to the spot. My chest tightens with each gust, and I can’t help but think of how vulnerable we are, exposed. .
“You okay?” JJ’s voice cuts through the chaos. I glance over and see him bracing himself against the wind, trying to secure the edges of our shelter. His face is set with a determined look, but I can see the worry in his eyes.
“I’m fine,” I lie, though I can hardly hear myself over the roar of the storm.
He nods, though he doesn’t look convinced. “Hang tight. We’ll get through this.”
The storm rages on, and eventually the tarp starts to give way. I watch as JJ, John B and Pope work together to reinforce the shelter. They’re drenched and exhausted, their faces set in grim determination. John B shouts over the wind, “Pope, tie that rope tighter! The wind’s ripping through!”
Pope, his face etched with concentration, yells back, “I’m on it! This thing’s going to hold, just keep those bamboos in place, JJ.”
Cleo and Kiara are scrambling around, trying to prevent more leaks and secure anything that might be blowing away. “We can’t let anything get lost,” Cleo shouts, her voice nearly lost in the storm. “Keep everything weighted down!”
Kiara, her hair plastered to her face, adds, “We need to make sure the firewood’s safe. We can’t lose that!”
As the storm’s fury intensifies, the boys manage to stabilize the shelter, but the damage is evident. The storm’s howl is deafening, and as I peek outside, it’s a wreck. Our supplies are scattered, and debris is shredded everywhere. I can barely see through the rain, but the destruction is clear.
I’m on the verge of panic, tears streaming down my face. I’ve always been afraid of storms, but this one is unlike anything I’ve faced before. I’m shaking uncontrollably, and the noise is overwhelming.
John B notices me, his face softening as he comes over. “Gracie, breathe. It’s going to be okay. Just focus on me, alright?”
I try to nod, but my body is shaking too violently. “I can’t… I can’t handle this.”
John B wraps an arm around me, pulling me close. “Hey, it’s alright. We’re all safe. We’re getting through it.”
JJ moves closer, his gaze worried but calm. He’s trying to keep it together, but his concern is evident. He puts a hand on my shoulder, his voice soothing. “We’re together. We’re not letting anything happen to you. I’m right here.”
I lean into JJ’s side, trying to find some comfort amidst the chaos. The storm outside continues to batter the camp, but with John B’s support and JJ’s presence, I start to calm down.
Eventually, the storm’s intensity begins to wane, and I feel my exhaustion catching up with me. JJ moves closer, wrapping his arms around me. I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body and his protective hand resting on my stomach.
As the storm outside slowly dies down, I fall asleep against JJ, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. His grip is firm but gentle, and I can’t help but find peace in his presence. Despite the devastation around us, I know that as long as we’re together, we can face whatever comes our way.
…
When morning finally breaks, it’s a somber gray. I peek outside the shelter, my heart sinking as I take in the damage. Our camp is a wreck—tarps ripped to shreds, our supplies scattered and drenched, and the signal fire we worked so hard to build is nothing more than a pile of debris.
“No,” I whisper, my voice cracking. I step out into the wreckage, my legs feeling like lead. “How are we going to get out of here now?”
I’m overwhelmed, my hands trembling as I look at the mess. Tears blur my vision, and I can’t help but feel like all our efforts have been for nothing. It’s as if the storm has washed away any hope we had.
JJ comes over, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay,” he says gently. “We’ll fix this. We’ve been through worse.”
But his words don’t ease the weight in my chest. I shake my head, tears streaming down my face. “How can you be so calm? We’ve lost everything.”
He gives me a small, reassuring smile. “We haven’t lost everything. We still have each other. We’ll be fine.”
I’m about to respond when I see John B and Pope already clearing debris and gathering what’s left of our supplies. Kiara is working to re-secure the shelter, her face set with determination. The sight of them working so hard stirs something in me. I know I can’t just stand here.
As I start picking up scattered items, JJ follows me, his face clouded with something I can’t quite place. “Gracie, wait,” he says, his voice firm.
I look at him, confused. “ What?”
“Just take it easy, ok?” he says, frustration creeping into his tone. “I mean, the signal fire’s gone, but so what? We’re managing. We’re all okay.”
I stare at him, shocked. “Are you serious? We need that signal fire! It was our only hope for being spotted. Without it, how are we going to get rescued?”
JJ shrugs, a hint of defensiveness in his posture. “Look, maybe we don’t need to be rescued right away. We’re good. We’ve got food, water, shelter. You’re feeling better now. Why not just make the best of it?”
I’m taken aback. “Make the best of it? JJ, this isn’t a vacation! I’m having a baby. I can’t have a baby on a deserted island!”
His expression shifts from frustration to something softer, though still conflicted. “I know. I didn’t mean it like that. I just think we need to think about our situation realistically. We can’t always control what happens.”
“But you’re not seeing the big picture. JJ, open your eyes,” I insist, my voice rising. “We don’t have time to just sit around and wait. We need to be proactive, to do everything we can to get out of here. I have to get out of here.”
JJ’s eyes narrow, and he takes a deep breath. “I get that you’re scared, and you have every right to be. But if we keep pushing ourselves too hard, we might just end up making things worse. I don’t want us to lose hope, but I also don’t want us to burn out.”
Pope, who has been working nearby, finally speaks up. “Hey, JJ, lay off, okay? Gracie’s right. We need to focus on getting that signal fire back up and running. We can’t just hope for the best.”
JJ looks at Pope, surprise and frustration in his eyes. “I’m just trying to keep everyone calm.”
Pope shakes his head, stepping closer to me. “Gracie, breathe. We’ll get through this. I know it’s tough, but panicking won’t help us. Let’s focus on what we can do.”
John B steps in, looking from JJ to me with frustration. “JJ, come on. This isn’t the time to be so laid-back. We need to get that signal fire back up. The storm wrecked everything, and we’re running out of options here.”
Sarah, joining the conversation, adds her voice, “John B’s right. We have to keep pushing for rescue. It’s not just about us anymore. Gracie’s pregnant, and we have to think about her and the baby.”
JJ’s face hardens, and he defensively retorts, “It’s my baby too, you know. So you really think I don’t get it? I’m not stupid, Sarah. I’m just saying maybe we need to rethink our approach. We don’t know how long it’ll take for someone to see that signal fire anyway.”
Kiara, her eyes set in determination, chimes in, “What are you suggesting, JJ? That we just wait it out? We can’t afford to do that. Every day counts, and the longer we wait, the harder it gets.”
JJ’s face flushes with frustration. “Seriously? I’m not saying we should just wait around like this is a vacation. I’m saying maybe there’s a reason we haven’t been rescued yet. Maybe things aren’t going to be any better back home. We’re scraping by here, and who knows what we’re going back to!”
“Have you lost your mind?” I exclaim. “What are you even talking about? You seriously think we’d be better off staying here? I’m having a baby, JJ! I need to get out of here, not sit around and hope things magically work out!”
John B steps in, his voice laced with frustration. “JJ, what’s going on with you? You can’t really think that staying here is better for any of us, especially not for Gracie and the baby.”
JJ’s face turns red, and he snaps back, “You know what? Forget it.” He storms off, his footsteps pounding the ground with anger.
The air is thick with tension as JJ walks away, leaving us in stunned silence. My heart races as I struggle to process what just happened. Sarah, Kiara, and Pope exchange worried glances, their faces reflecting the confusion and concern that’s beginning to settle in.
Pope finally breaks the silence, his voice quiet and heavy. “Do you think… maybe JJ doesn’t want to go home?”
Kiara’s eyes are filled with a mixture of sadness and determination. “It’s starting to look that way. This place, no matter how messed up it is, might be the most secure home he’s ever had.”
My gaze follows the direction JJ went, my voice trembling as I realize the truth. “He’s scared. This island feels safer to him than everything going on at home, everything he’s grown up with. It’s the first place where he feels like he has some control.”
John B rubs his forehead in frustration, his shoulders slumping. “We need to get him back on track. We can’t afford to lose sight of our goal. Not now, not with everything at stake.”
My hands shake as I look around at my friends, the weight of our situation crashing down on me like a tidal wave. I’m overwhelmed by the realization that JJ’s attachment to this place isn’t just about immediate safety. It’s something deeper. This island has become a sanctuary for him, a place where he feels somewhat secure despite the chaos. He’s not just fighting for survival; he’s thriving and he’s fighting to avoid the fear of what lies beyond this island. The realization cuts through me, leaving me feeling vulnerable and helpless.
…
As the days go by, we manage to rebuild the camp. With the help of everyone’s hard work, the signal fire stands tall once again, like a beacon of hope waiting to be lit. The camp may not be perfect, but it’s a shelter, a base, and a sign that we’re still fighting.
I let myself believe in John B’s determination. He’s putting everything he has into keeping us safe, and I trust that somehow, eventually, he’ll find a way to get us off this island. There’s a steadiness in his resolve that reassures me, a promise that we’re not alone in this.
In the meantime, I try to focus on the small moments with JJ. Despite the tension and the fears, I try to carve out a little bit of normalcy just for him, making the best of it. It’s not a perfect situation, but it’s a temporary peace, a moment of calm amidst the chaos.
As the sun sets, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, JJ and I sit together in a more secluded part of the beach by a bonfire JJ made for us. The warmth of the flames is comforting, but there’s a chill between us that I’m eager to bridge. JJ takes a deep breath, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of regret and vulnerability.
“Hey, kid,” he begins softly, his voice gentler than usual. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for running off like that after the storm. I freak out sometimes, but I’m trying to do better.”
I meet his gaze, my heart aching with a mix of relief and guilt. “I’m sorry too. I lost it, and it wasn’t fair to you. I know you’re doing your best.”
JJ’s eyes soften, and he offers a small, playful smile. “I think you get a free pass on this one, kid. Raging hormones and all that.”
I can’t help but smile at his attempt to lighten the mood. “Yeah, maybe.”
We lean in, sharing a tender kiss—a small gesture of reconciliation. JJ pulls back slightly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Speaking of raging hormones…” His playful grin widens as he presses his lips back to mine, deepening the kiss this time. There’s a hunger, a need to close the distance that the past few days had put between us. His hands move to my waist, pulling me closer, and I tangle my fingers in his hair, the softness of his touch chasing away the last of my worries.
He pulls away, breathless, but his gaze remains fixed on mine, his blue eyes shining with that familiar mischievous glint. “You thinking what I’m thinking, mama?” he murmurs, his lips grazing the sensitive skin of my neck.
I can’t help but laugh, a soft giggle catching in my throat as he trails gentle kisses down my neck, each one sending a shiver down my spine. “JJ, seriously?”
JJ grins, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “What? It’s not like I can get you double pregnant.” His kisses continue along my collarbone, but he suddenly pauses, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face, turning serious for a moment. “Right?”
I laugh softly, resting my forehead against his, pulling him closer as our noses brush. “Yeah, pretty sure that’s not how it works, JJ.”
He laughs too this time before his lips find mine again, more insistent this time, as if trying to make up for every argument and every fear that’s held between us. His hands travel up my back, fingers splayed against my skin, and I feel the tension in his muscles ease as he gives in to the moment. My heart pounds, and I revel in the way his touch sends a warm thrill through me, erasing all the worry, if only for a little while.
JJ trails kisses down my neck, his breath hot against my skin as I shiver, half from the cool air and half from the way he holds me like I’m the most important thing in the world. For now, there’s no storm, no arguments, no fear of the future—just us, tangled together, finding solace in the one thing that hasn’t changed: the way we fit perfectly, like we were made for each other.
…
Despite the constant struggle for survival, the fear of the unknown, and the tension building in each of us, we find moments of joy and laughter that keep us going as a group. One of those moments has become our nightly ritual: Truth or Dare. It’s a game that has evolved into a cherished tradition, a way to bond and lift our spirits amidst the hardships.
We’re gathered around the fire, the crackling flames casting a warm glow on our faces. The air is filled with the familiar scent of grilled fish and the sound of our laughter.
“Alright, it’s that time again,” Kiara announces with a grin, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. “Who’s up for Truth or Dare?”
There’s no hesitation among us. The game has become a staple of our evenings, a comforting routine we all look forward to.
“I’m in,” John B says, stretching out on the ground.
“Me too,” Cleo chimes in, already making herself comfortable.
Pope, who’s been quietly fixing some gear, puts down his tools and joins us. “Let’s do this.”
JJ lounges nearby, looking completely at ease. “Count me in. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The game begins with the usual mix of truths and dares. We share secrets, perform silly stunts, and laugh until our sides ache. It’s a welcome distraction from the daily grind of survival.
“Okay, Gracie, you’re up,” Kiara says, her voice full of playful challenge. “Truth or Dare?”
I think for a moment, then choose, “Truth.”
Kiara’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “Alright, what’s the one thing you miss most from home?”
I laugh softly, thinking about the one thing that’s been on my mind for weeks. “Honestly? Peanut butter. I’d do anything for a jar of it. I dream about it. Eat it with a spoon, spread it on anything. JJ even caught me trying to make something peanut-like out of these random nuts we found. It was a disaster.”
JJ chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, didn’t work out so well. But hey, I admire the dedication.”
The group bursts into laughter, and I can’t help but feel a mix of warmth and embarrassment. It’s silly, but these small things remind me of home, of comforts I never thought I’d miss so much.
When it’s John B’s turn, he bravely picks a dare. JJ leans in, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Alright, John B. I dare you to dunk JJ in the ocean.”
John B grins wide. “Oh, I’m gonna enjoy this.”
Before JJ can react, John B tackles him, dragging him toward the water. JJ puts up a fight, but John B manages to dunk him under a wave, both of them laughing and splashing like kids. Not one to miss out on the fun, Pope jumps in, and soon all three boys are tangled in a messy wrestling match, kicking up water and shouting like they haven’t a care in the world.
Watching them, I can’t help but smile, but there’s a bittersweet edge to it. “Look at them,” I murmur to Kiara, who’s sitting beside me. “They’re just kids.”
Kiara glances at me, a gentle smile on her face. “So are you, Gracie.”
Sarah, on my other side, nods in agreement. “Yeah, Gracie. You’re just as much a kid as any of us.”
I look down at my growing belly and feel the weight of responsibility settle over me. “I don’t feel like it,” I admit softly. “Not anymore.”
Kiara squeezes my hand, her expression warm and understanding. “You’re doing great, Gracie. You’re handling all of this so well.”
I nod, appreciating their support, but I can’t shake the constant ache that lingers in the back of my mind. I’m surrounded by my friends—my family—but I can’t help feeling out of place. I’m not like them. There’s something so precious growing inside of me, and I have to take care of it. I need to get back home, to prepare and make sure everything is right. JJ may have found peace here, embracing the freedom and simplicity of our new life, but I haven’t.
As the boys continue to splash and wrestle, I try to hold onto the joy of the moment. The fire crackles behind us, the stars start to twinkle overhead, and I lean into Kiara’s side, trying to savor the here and now while holding onto the hope that someday soon, we’ll find a way home.
Rescue will come, maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow. But it’s coming.