Eye of the Storm

Chapter 9

PART 2 - THE ESCAPE

With Ethan’s death looming over everyone’s heads, escape becomes more of a need than a want. We’re not only physically exhausted, but mentally. Doubts and sadness overcoming even the strongest of us. Some people have given up on surviving, just lying in the sand, their hopes shattered. Lorenzo being one of them. I can’t even talk to him anymore, he just looks through me, his eyes deader than Ethan’s lifeless body somewhere in the ocean. Out of everyone, I didn’t expect him to crack. I don’t know what’s going on in his head, he won’t tell me. Perhaps he feels like he failed as a leader. Even though none of this was his fault.

“They’re losing it,” Leo says, coming up behind me. Lorenzo, Charlie, Emerald and Alexia lay there in the sand, wet and cold. Staring into nothing. I nod.
“You need to talk to Lorenzo,” Dan interrupts, coming in front of me.
“I’ve tried, I really have,”
“Try harder!” Dan’s eyes are the opposite of Lorenzo’s. They’re awake, alive. Wild.
“Why don’t you try?” I ask, trying to keep the heat in my heart out of my voice. Dan just looks at me with an expression I’ve honestly never seen before.
“Try. Harder.” He walks off.
“What was that about?” Leo asks.
“You don’t know?” I guess it never came up in conversation before, never needed to.
“Know what?” I grab his hand, pulling him to a spot I know Daniel can’t hear us in.
“Dan likes Lorenzo,” I whisper. Leo’s eyes widen.
“As in, like that?” I nod quickly. “Well… ok,”

Days merge into each other, each more tiring than the last. I can feel my head exploding, everything swirling around ready to burst! I know I need to stay strong, though. Everyone is dropping off, one by one. And if I lose it, we’ll be doomed. I sit down against a tree, my head leaning on Leo’s shoulder, his fingers running through my matted hair.
“They still haven’t come for us,” I sulk, crossing my arms. Leo doesn’t reply, only sighs, pulling me closer. I nuzzle my head into his chest, his heart beating fast against my ear.
“I’m sure they’re looking and are just as frustrated as we are,” he murmurs. I nod slowly. I know it’s stupid but it feels like they’re not coming anymore. My hope is fizzling out like a candle. I don’t even remember the sound of my mum’s voice, or Clara’s, which is utterly heartbreaking.
“If you say so,”

Lorenzo and Alexia lay on top of each other, they haven’t moved all day. Their eyes are open but their minds are asleep. Seeing them like this has crushed Daniel down to the ground, making his eyes have the same asleep look, his mind broken. Leo holds my hand tightly.
“You’ll be fine,” he murmurs, reading my mind. “Stay strong,” he looks at me. His face tells me something words could never express. He needs me to stay strong. Not for me, not for everyone else. But for him.
“Ok,” I look down at his hands over mine, my eyebrows arching. “We can do this… we’ll make it through,” if I’m honest I don’t know if I have any truth in those words, but if I say it out loud, perhaps it’ll convince me.
“Yeah… you’re right,” our eyes meet and we both instantly know.
We just know.
We’re never going to make it off this island.
We’re never going to get back home.
We’re not going to survive.
This is the end.

Leo’s hands softly caress my cheeks, bringing my forehead onto his.
“Leo…” I murmur. I grab onto his shirt tight. I want to give up so, so badly. And if I wasn’t holding everyone up, you can bet your bottom dollar I would. “What are we going to do?” I push him back, making sure his eyes reach mine perfectly.
“I don’t know,” we stand there staring into each other for what feels like an eternity, before letting go, and letting reality crash back in.