wake up
When you open your eyes, you are startled by your surroundings. Then
you remember where you are. It is still dark, and the fire has died
into glowing embers. You sit up on your elbows to get your thoughts
straight. Kerri's purse did not have anything useful in it, but your
backpack held a lighter, a piece of flint, a pocketknife, three
granola bars, a plastic bag holding extra fishing line, and a
flashlight. You also had a blanket, two fishing poles, a tackle box,
an empty picnic basket, and the mast from your boat. The mast was a
metal pole, about six feet long. Kerri had her cell phone, but there
was no signal. You start making a mental to-do list. You have to
find food and fresh water, and build another shelter. It would be
rather awkward to have to sleep in the same tiny shelter as Kerri.
Your thoughts wander to when you first met Kerri. It seemed to be the
perfect day for fishing, but after you had rowed to the middle of the
lake, the sky darkened. Recognizing the signs of a storm, you began
to row madly for shore. One huge gust nearly toppled the boat, and a
wave smashed into your side. You shudder as you remember the terror
of knowing you could not ride out the storm. You abandoned all hopes
of reaching shore and instead focused on surviving until you reached
the island. You knew exactly where it was because you spent most of
your long summer days there. Your mother had taken you there often
when you were young, but that was before she disappeared in the rapids
beyond the island. You were startled out of your reverie as an oar
was torn from your hand by the angry waves. Your boat spun wildly,
careening towards the rapids. Then suddenly the island was looming
before you. You strained your shaking muscles to steer the boat
toward the island. The boat caught on the rocks by the island and
capsized. For a moment you thought you were dying. The waves tumbled
you around, offering no mercy from the rocks. Then a hand seized your
arm and dragged you up onto the sand. When you finally caught your
breath, you sat up, wincing from the wounds on your bare chest. You
scanned the island, looking for your savior. A girl sat a few yards
away, watching you without interest. Her long hair was plastered to
her face and shoulders, and for a moment she reminded you of a
mermaid. Her large brown eyes were vacant of expression. You watch
as the sun rises above the shimmering water of the beach. Now you
know which direction is east. You smile as you remember your struggle
to befriend Kerri. She was the only person he had ever met that
refused to trust anyone. When he finally won her friendship though,
she proved to be the best friend one could have. She still had a
fiery streak of independence and refused to talk about herself or her
life, but you did not mind at all. You look up and see Kerri crawling
out of the shelter. She smiles at you and says cheerfully, �What do
we do first?�
