Stranded

Mystery? Luck?

(Autumn's POV)

I was standing over the girls dead body. Staring at the horror and the fear.

"W-Whatever d-did this-" I started but couldn't continue. Luke put his hand on my shoulder.

"I know. We have to go." Luke said. I refused to leave the girl.

"No.." I whispered. Then came a rustle in the bushes.

"Autumn, Please." Luke pleaded. I turned around to see the fear and sympathy in his eyes.

"Okay." I looked at the girl. one more time before I headed back the way we came.

Codie was laying on some palm leaves when Luke and I went back to him. I grabbed Codie's vine leash and the 3 of us were back on our way. The walk was silent, but thats what I needed.

We walked over logs, grass and over growth. Luke finally broke the silence by falling down a steep short hill. He tumbled down the small hill while I kept my balance.

"You okay?" I asked, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, I'm-" Luke was cut off.

"Luke?" I asked shakily.

"Whoa," Was the last I herd of Luke.

"Luke!" I screamed down the steep hill. No response. After a couple minutes of waiting, I tied Codie back up again and carefully made my way down the hill. I made it to the bottom and looked at the path ahead. It was all leaves and other growth that i didn't know. I carefully stepped through the thick over grown plants until I saw the imprint where Luke landed.

"LUKE?!" I called through the thick forest.

I heard a response from him but I couldn't understand him. It was just a murmur of words. I was walked when my head hit a branch over head. I fell to the ground.

"What the hell-" I started. I herd a rustling from the bushes and I stopped silent. I was frozen from my head to my feet. I suddenly became very cold. But then, a bunny hopped out of the bushes.

I sighed at my own silly fear of a rabbit and I continued walking forward towards the way i herd Luke's voice.

"Luke?" I called again. No response. I ran my fingers through my knotted hair and continued walking along. I walked for what seemed like hours when I came across a cavern. I stood at the mouth of it and peered inside.

I called Luke's name again. And I got a response from inside the cavern. I guess I have to go in there, I thought and stepped into the dark pathway. The cavern was semi-lit up but the little sunlight that came in, but it was enough for me to see the rocks and the bats. I called Luke's name and I got no response, so I decided to turn around and go back. But, just before I turned around Luke came into sight covered in dirt and mud.

"Are you alright?" I asked when he approached.

"Yeah. C'mon," Luke grabbed my hand and pulled me further into the cave.

"Where are we going?" I asked him finally.

"I found something." Was all he said. We finally stopped when I saw a large opening to a fresh water pond. It was still in the cavern, but the sunlight gleamed through the little cracks in the cave top. Luke finally let go of my hand and went over to the side of the pond.

"What is this place?" I asked as I looked around.

"I actually don't know. But I found a dead body." Luke said. I was stunned by the words he just said.

"You found what?" I asked.

"A dead body. But its cool c'mon." Luke ventured to the left side of the cavern.

"Cool?! What is cool about a dead body?" I asked as I followed him.

"Just follow me." Luke said. So, I listened and followed him silently. We passed many little pockets of water and cob webs, and I almost got crapped on by a bat. Just before I was about to ask Luke where we were going, he stopped dead. And that made me bump into him.

"Here it is," Luke pointed to the skeleton slumped against he wall. I gasped and covered my mouth.

"I guess you were telling the truth." I said through my hands.

"But thats not it." Luke walked over to the skeleton and knelt beside it. I did the same.

"Theres a piece of paper that literally scared me." Luke picked a piece of paper over of the pocket of the dead guys jacket and handed it to me.

"It says: No rescue, No help, No survivors, No hope, No more.'" I read aloud.

"Yeah. Which makes me think that we'll never leave this island." Luke looked at me. I could tell the fear in his voice, and to admit, I was scared as well. I looked back at the note.

"Look through the guys pockets." I said.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Look through his pockets." I said again.

"You want me to steal from this guy?" Luke asked. I sighed.

"First of all, he's dead. Second of all, he won't care. What he has might help us." I said.

"True enough." That was all the convincing that Luke needed to search his pockets. Luke handed me everything from the dead guys pockets. We got twenty dollar bill, a lighter, 12 matches, a survival book, a pocket knife, and a note in a folded up envelope. I had to say, the dead guy had some pretty good stuff.

"What does the note say?" Luke asked.

"I don't know. Lets check." I said and unfolded the envelope. I opened it and it was a note to his wife.

"Dear Michelle, I'm so very sorry I couldn't make it for our anniversary. On my way back from my expedition of Australia, the plane's computers went crazy and we crashed. I survived but the pilot didn't. I savaged things from the plane but I didn't find much. I don't know how long I can survive out here. This jungle feels like no other. I've herd things, saw things, but never had trouble finding food or water. But I am currently sitting in a cave, but I don't think I can survive much longer. Just remember, I love you and I won't forget you. Love always, Bill." I read.

"It was a note to his wife." Luke said.

"Yeah. And it was never delivered." I said.

"Well, this guy has been go to us for supplies." Luke said.

"Yeah. So, In return I'm going to find his wife and give her this message." I made that a mental promise and pocketed the note.

"Do you wanna go back?" Luke asked.

"Okay. Lets go." I said and got up. When we started walking I looked back at the skeleton and sent a mental thank you. And continued with Luke.