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This was written based on a selection test where you are given 14 people, each one who has a few advantages and a few disadvantages. The rule is you can only save 7 people (you can not take the advantages or items from the people you sacrifice). Well, I did this for my Lit. class, except we had to write a short story about what would happen to the people we chose. Thus, this story was born.
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Chapter One

The sound of seagulls and ocean waves crashing on the shore awoke me from my sleep. Yawning, I turned over and blinked, rubbing salty tears from my eyes. It was that dream again. That horrible, recurring nightmare when the cruise ship I had been on went down, leaving behind only one lifeboat and fourteen terrified people… myself included. I had thought that all of us would make it out alive and to the small, glimmering island against the horizon; our only hope in a sea of despair.
Yet it was only moments later did we realize one horrifying fact: the boat was overcrowded, and would sink within minutes. There was just one thing that needed to be done to guarantee survival. Somebody had to go.

And I sentenced seven people to die all for my selfish desire to live.

But, as the saying goes, sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

“Ashley?” came a tentative voice at the door, startling me out of my stupor. I looked up to see Melissa at the opening of my tent, her eyes wide and curious. She must’ve noticed the tears on my face… I shook my head and grinned, closing my eye briefly. “Yes?” I answered. I knew she was in here to ask me about something. Probably to gather more information on her pregnancy.

Melissa was a small Korean woman in her mid twenties; eights months pregnant and completely useless in her current state. She was one of the seven people I decided to keep alive. Something in my heart told me not to throw her over the side of the lifeboat and into the murky depths of the Pacific Ocean. Or maybe it was just my conscience speaking, forcing to me realize that if I killed her, I would be killing her unborn child as well. And slaying two birds with one stone was not what I had in mind.

It was probably because I felt guilty. Not because I knew her, but because I had tried to hit on her husband onboard the ship. Sadly, he did not make it, choosing instead to stay behind so that his wife and baby could live. It was a sacrifice made in unconditional love, and for a brief moment I had envied Melissa. At least she got to love and have a true man in her life, however short the time between them was. It was more than what I could ever be blessed with.
“Um, Mr. James and Dr. Safavich are going to the shore to look for shellfish. I’d like to go, b-but I’m not so sure if it is a good idea…” Melissa said softly, her accent making it more than obvious English was not her native tongue. My grin broadened. “Well, that depends on if you really want to go. Do you?” I replied, confident enough that the tears had dried so I could look up at her. She said nothing and instead averted her gaze to the ground. Again I heard gulls crying over the crashing of waves.

But then I felt a little sympathetic towards Melissa; she wasn’t used to doing things on her own without anyone telling her what to do. Survival on the island was an ordeal she had yet to fully adapt to. Too bad for her everyone else had accepted their fate and were trying to make the best of it.

I yawned again and rose to my feet, stretching my arms above my head. I sighed in content as the tension in my muscles began to fade, leaving behind a feeling of renewed strength and vigor. Melissa was still looking down, obviously lost in thought. Either that, or she was completely unsure of herself. I was betting on the latter. She jumped when I placed a hand on her shoulder and her eyes flew to my face in open shock. I smiled in reassurance. “Toughen up, girl. You’re free now to do whatever you want. Go and follow your heart… or something like that.” I said, feeling a little uneasy under her scrutinizing gaze.

Melissa smiled, her dark eyes shining brightly. “Thank you. You’re right.” She said, bowing low before turning on her heel and exiting the tent. I sighed, tilting my head up to look through the openings in the roof of my tent. The tent was made fairly simple; planks of wood nailed together and supported by sturdy branches tied with twine made from the fibers of plant vines. Not even James the carpenter would have figured that out if it weren’t for Melissa. It seems Korean women were familiar using such a thing in their homes and for their household items.

And because of her talent, seven small tents littered the cool shade of the palm forest centered alongside a small flowing brook, our only source of fresh water. The island, as we soon found out, was full of natural resources, exotic plants, animals, and shimmering blue lagoons filled to the brim with a variety of shellfish, mussels, and sea fish. Even the occasional crab could be seen scuttling across the beach.
The island was indeed a tropical version of Eden, our own personal oasis lost in an endless liquid desert.

Snapping out of my reverie, I turned my attention to the task at hand. While I had anonymously been chosen as an ‘Alpha’ for the group, it was my responsibility to support and nourish my pack until help came… if it ever would…

Sighing and shaking my head, I left my tent and stepped into the golden warmth of the sun. Its rays bathed me in light and further heightened that wondrous feeling of happiness and vigor in my soul.
I gathered up my shoes and decided to talk to Lance, a flamboyant homosexual who happened to be a very skilled paramedic. Helping people out was his greatest passion, and despite the beliefs of Dr. Safavich and Stanton, an amusing (and sometimes stupid) comedian, Lance fit in with the group well enough. No one really paid attention to his melodramatic rants on poor health or his overly-chipper personality. The truth was, Lance was a good man at heart, and his desire to please all and serve as a comical relief were aspects that were truly valued at this time. It’s hard to move on and overcome grief when there is no light to seek out in the darkness.

I entered Lance’s tent, and no sooner had I stepped inside then my ears were assaulted with a piercing shriek. “Ashhllleeeeyyy! Hey girlfriend! How are you doing today? Are you sleeping well and eating right? What about--…” I was quick to slap a hand over his mouth, to stop the wild flow of pointless drabble spilling from his lips. My ears rang loudly in pain. “Lance, I’m happy to see you as well, but try not to blow out my eardrums next time, okay?” I said, and he nodded energetically. I cautiously removed my hand.

Lance smiled brightly and took a seat on the blanket behind him. “So, what did you want to ask me?” he said, that overly-feminine tone dancing in each word. I bit back the laugh in my throat. It was rude to laugh at someone because of their accent… even though he was an American just like me.
I ran a hand through my hair, wincing slightly as I pulled on a snag. “Well, I wanted to know if you’ve kept up on the statistics of everyone’s overall general health. I’ve been especially concerned about Dr. Safavich lately. He’s been real combative towards Sally and I was wondering if it is because he is still overcoming his ‘lack of good brandy’.” I said, and Lance’s brow furrowed for a moment before he answered.

“That’s strange. He should’ve adapted to life without alcohol a week ago. Perhaps he’s going through a mood change or is suffering from emotional constipation. It’s the most logical response I can come up with now!” Lance exclaimed, throwing his hands up for a dramatic effect. The laughter I had been holding back broke free, and we both erupted into a fit of giggles.
A few minutes later, when the attack had subsided, I breathed deeply and wiped the tears from my eyes. My sides hurt sooo bad, but I didn’t care. As the saying goes, laughter is good for the soul…. And my soul was thriving.

Grinning, I nodded my head and, wishing him a good day, and stepped out once more into the blazing rays of sunlight streaming down through the massive leaves of palm trees.

Hours later, I found myself wandering aimlessly through a dense jungle of luscious green grasses and wavering stems. I was far from the camp, and I could no longer hear the roar of the surf or the cry of sea birds. I tilted my head and gazed up through the canopy, shielding my eyes from the glare of the sun overhead. It was getting late. I’d have to start heading back to the camp if I ever planned to reach it before dark.

Sighing, I decided to take a quick break, sitting down and leaning back against the base of a large tree. Exotic birds chirped and squawked above me in the trees, and some came close enough where they were only a hand’s length away. The jungle was really moist, and perspiration had begun to form on my brow. Wiping at it, I jumped as a loud splashing sound reached my ears followed by a couple of snarls and a high-pitched yip.


I jumped to my feet and went in the direction of the sound, curiosity overwhelming my senses. Normally, I could care less what went on in my surroundings. Pushing back a large fern, my heart skipped a beat at the sight before me. A pack of wild dogs had turned on their pack leader, pushing him into a deep ditch filled with water and snapping at him whenever he tired to climb out. The whole point of it was to drown him when he grew tired of fighting. Compassion swelled in my heart, and without thinking, I snatched up a large branch and rushed at the dogs, swinging wildly and screaming at the top of my lungs.

The dogs must have been so surprised to see a strange noisy creature charging at them from the brush, because no sooner had I come close than they yelped and took off running, tails tucked between their legs as they disappeared into the brush like brown and black specters.
I dropped the branch once they were gone and breathed heavily, my heart pounding savagely in my breast like African drums. I turned my attention back to the defeated pack leader and gazed down at him in the ditch. Cold, gold eyes stared back at me calmly, as the dog regarded me with complete distrust. My eyes swept over the dog’s figure, and I realized he had to be a white shepherd sheepdog of some foreign origin. Settlers must have come to the island at one point in history and left the dogs here by accident. Such a thing was fairly common when explorers scoured the seas looking for new land to conquer.

The white dog was injured. My throat tightened as blood stained his magnificent neck and chest, flowing down in tiny rivulets to drip steadily into the water. I had to act quickly and bring the dog back to the camp or else he would surely bleed to death. I scooted closer and the dog growled. I smiled sadly. “Look here dog, I’m not going to hurt you. I want to help you. Even though you don’t know me, just please, trust me this once.” I said softly, trying to impress upon him my intentions.

I tried again to get closer, carefully climbing down into the ditch. Much to my relief, the dog didn’t growl or try to shrink back from me, but his eyes never once left my body as they absorbed each and every single movement I made. I held my hand out slowly, and the dog took a careful sniff of my palm, his muscles tense in case I tried to catch him unaware. I whispered more sweet nothings to the canine and place my hand upon his head.

The dog jerked as though he had been electrocuted by my touch, but quickly settled down as I began to rub his ears gently in a slow, soothing motion. All of sudden, the dog gazed deeply into my eyes and I gasped. I felt so vulnerable suddenly under his gaze, as those golden orbs pierced down to my very soul. But the moment was fleeting, as the dog let loose a small sigh before collapsing, and I quickly grabbed hold of him to prevent him from falling muzzle-first into the water.



I scooped the dog into my arms, shrugging off the feeling of dirt and grim rubbing against my skin and clambered out of the ditch, heading back in the direction I came. The brush around me rustled, and I could’ve sworn I saw several pairs of canine eyes gazing back at me.


Chapter Two

Two weeks passed and the white dog, now named Kuna, made a miraculous recovery. The wound, which had been a deep bite to his neck, healed quickly and he was now aiding James on hunting expeditions or keeping guard of Melissa’s newborn child, a baby boy she named Kiel; the name of her late husband.

Melissa was now able to do her share of work on the island. All day long she wove together baskets made from tall, thin grasses along the coast or helped cook meals with Ms. Mary, an English teacher whose skills at teaching were not needed on the island, but she was an excellent cook and turned her mentoring abilities into that of a semi-counseling talent. She served as a motherly figure in the group and looked out for the safety and happiness of all.

Then there was Sally, a young woman who had the beauty and grace of a Goddess, though she had been nothing more than a fashion model for the cover of a popular magazine in South Africa. She was not the brightest crayon in the box, nor was she strong enough to do a lot of manual labor, but her vicious attitude towards the men in the group helped to establish a sort of pecking order… the men stayed below her while the rest of us stood above her, which in a sense helped lessen the risk of any one particular male developing a dominant, controlling attitude over people in the group.

Everyone had adapted to life on the island and we lived like an ancient Indian society, our ‘village’ small and centralized, our resources used to their fullest, and even a few ceremonies had been created to make life tasteful and interesting. Every other day at night we would all gather around the fire and share stories, whether they were about a person’s past or classical tales common in their country.
Sally was the main storyteller for each and every ceremony; her tales of African culture and tradition were vibrant and full of profound meaning. Places and people could be splashed together in an array of color while each event served as a perfect stroke of feeling to create a beautiful, elaborate painting. Sally spoke from her heart.

But good things do not last forever. Good things will always, inevitably, come to a bitter end.

I awoke from my sleep by the sound of screaming and hysterical crying. I twisted on my side, struggling to get up, my heart pounding wildly with the sudden flow of adrenaline. Kuna was already on his feet, ears pricked forward as he listened closely to the fuss. I dashed from my tent to see everyone already out of theirs, packed close together in a circle.

My throat had dried like the desert and my skin felt chilled, even though the air was unbearably humid. I placed a sweaty palm on Lance’s shoulder, and he turned to me with a solemn expression. I looked past him to see a sobbing Melissa crouched on the ground, and my mind froze in horror as I realized what was wrong.

But I couldn’t force myself to approach her. My legs were heavy like lead, and every step I took was in agonizing slow motion.
After what felt like an eternity later, I stood before her. I crouched down low and placed a hand on her shoulder. Melissa’s eyes shot to my face, and the sight of me seemed to make her cry even more. I felt bad for her, and held her close while patting her back in a reassuring manner. It was several minutes before she was calm enough to choke out an explanation. “M-my baby… they took my baby…” she gasped, as two small rivers coursed down the trails on her cheeks.

I understood perfectly what she meant. The wild pack of dogs I had run across before had snuck into our camp and spirited away her infant child. Kiel was the only person she had left in her life, and the thought of losing that one precious thing would be absolutely unbearable. So I did the only thing that would offer a small token of relief…

“Melissa, listen closely to me. I will take Kuna and I will get your baby back, no matter what. I promise you.” I said with a firm softness, and she gurgled out a wet thank you. I rose to my feet and turned to James. “Where are the spears you and Dr. Safavich use when hunting? Bring them to me now please.” I commanded, and he tilted his head in agreement before turning on his heel and dashing towards his tent.

He was back seconds later, as though he had never left in the first place. He handed to me five wooden spears crafted from thin yet sturdy branches, the tip carved to a deadly point. I felt grateful for a brief moment that he had taken with him a small pocket knife; its use had yielded weapons for food, protection… and now revenge.

With a whistle I called Kuna to my side, and he responded obediently with a short yip. I gave one last look at everyone; Ms. Mary, Sally, James, Stanton, Dr. Safavich, Lance… and Melissa. I could only hope I wouldn’t come back empty-handed.


Chapter Three

The jungle appeared thicker and wilder from what I last recalled, and my frustration mounted as looming ferns and unyielding branches held me at bay. I cursed under my breath as I stumbled over an invisible root, loosing my balance and crashing painfully to the ground. I felt like giving up. I would never find Kiel in time. I wasn’t even sure if he was still alive. What were the odds of me finding him unharmed, frightened but well, in this villainous jungle? What were the odds of me getting out of here unharmed?



A wet nose brushed my cheek and I looked up into the amber eyes of my companion. His piercing gaze once again stirred within me an unknown emotion. A sudden wave of strength and inspiration struck me, and I rose to my feet. I gave Kuna a hearty pat on his head, and he wagged his tail. I had forgotten I had him with me. Kuna knew this jungle better than I did. He even knew the pack of wild dogs that had taken Kiel. After all, were they not the ones to turn on their leader and leave him for dead? Who could forget such a bitter betrayal?

“Kuna.” I said, and his eyes shot to my face, “Go. Lead me to Kiel. Search.” I ordered, a command he knew well. By asking him to search, he would track down whatever prey we were hunting… and we were hunting dogs…
Kuna replied to the command by placing his nose to the ground, inhaling deeply before journeying forward a few steps. He was searching for a lead. He took several meticulous steps in each direction before lifting his head and quickly bolted to the left. He disappeared into the overgrowth like a snowy shadow, and I had difficulty keeping up with his pace.

Leaves blinded me and thorns slashed at my skin, yet still I pursued my faithful pet, knowing in the end I would be rewarded with the object of my goal. Trees pressed in on me from all sides, and the humidity left me gasping for breath. Roots reached up from the ground like ghostly talons, grasping at my feet. I bounded over them as though I had wings, running so fast my feet barely touched the ground. I spotted a white blur in front of me, and fought to reach Kuna and his incredible speed. I never thought a dog could run like the wind.

Suddenly, the jungle brush gave way to an open clearing, and I stopped to catch my breath. My heart pounded in my throat, and every gasp of air suffocated my lungs. Kuna stood a few yards off. I turned to him and my face paled.
Ahead of us stood the wild dog pack, and in the center of their circle was Kiel. The dogs faced us with contemptuous snorts, their attempt at mockery.

My blood, originally frozen with fear, boiled into burning hatred. I hated these dogs for what they done. I hated them! Not just for what they had done to Kiel, but for what they had done to Kuna, and also to Melissa. ‘These bastards have caused nothing but pain and grief for everyone!’ I thought furiously, my knuckles turning white with the grip on the spears. I let loose a ragged battle cry, the sound wild and mindless as my body lurched forward within sudden momentum.

Time seemed to come to a standstill as I descended upon the dogs, my own version of Divine Punishment, as I released spear after spear from my palm.
Two dogs fell victim under my rain of fury, and the remaining four turned tail in an attempt to escape. Alas, one must reap what you sow…


I pursued them into the shadows of plant growth, breathing fire at their heels. A white figure shot past me, and I realized Kuna was here not just to aid me in my quest, but to get his own revenge as well. His grudge against them ran deeper than what mine ever would. I watched in horror as Kuna’s teeth sank into the shoulder of the smallest dog, ripping deep into the muscle. The dog whirled around in self-defense, realizing too late that turning towards his attacker left him open to a fatal bite. Kuna’s fangs disappeared into the neck of the dog as the body slumped to the ground.

By this time the three fleeing dogs decided to fight for their survival, ricocheting back to Kuna, their primary target. “No!” I cried, as two sets of teeth sank into my companion’s throat and spine. I hurled a spear with all my might at the first dog, a black mutt and cursed violently as I missed my mark. The dog averted his attention to me after the attack, snarling, teeth tinted pink with my dog’s blood. The anger that had withdrawn upon the vicious attack at Kuna, resurfaced into bitter resentment and I dashed forward, swinging another spear in my hand and shouting savage words laced together with the deepest malice.

The dog, sensing the imminent danger, shrunk back. He was planning to run again. But I was quicker. I sank the spear deep into the black heart of the dog and he released a scornful bark, his dark eyes glittering with profound hatred and resent. My feelings were the same, though his hatred could never reach the level mine was seated on.

I turned back to Kuna to assess the damage, and sighed in relief as the other dog lay finished before his feet. “Kuna.” I called softly, and his ears swiveled in my direction. He did not face me though, and that struck me as rather peculiar. He always answered me when I called. I approached my pet and leaned down to stroke his head. My hand froze midway, however, and my heart seemed to stop completely. I gasped, as though my breath had been sucked into a soundless void.

Kuna’s back, once straight with pride and strong with confidence, now was slumped like a wilting flower. His coat was painted with dark crimson, and his pants became wheezing gasps with every minute that past by. “Oh Kuna.” I said muttered, feeling the choking wetness of sorrow in my throat. The corners of my eyes stung with unshed tears. Kuna whined and licked my hand, taking a shaky step forward towards me. He still wanted to please his master. But the step came to a terrible price as his strength gave out and he collapsed.

I grabbed his head between my hands and brushed his cheeks with my thumbs, mumbling incoherent words that were meant to be soothing. I had a feeling he was crying invisible tears for me…
“Good boy, Kuna. You did a good job.” I whispered to him, my words spiked with pain. I wanted to hurt just as badly as he did. I couldn’t stand the sight of my dog suffering alone. Suddenly he reached up, as though being held by invisible strings from God, and licked away the tears that I hadn’t even realized were on my face. Then, his body drooped and his head fell upon my knees. I could only watch in open shock as my companion breathed his last breath, as the light began to fade from his eyes. Good-bye, my friend…

My eyes were blurred. I have no idea how I managed to make it back to the clearing, but I did. My mind had ceased to function, the death of my companion still heavy on my heart. Every step I took whispered guilt in my ear. I wasn’t fast enough. I thought that by holding on to his body, I could prevent his soul from leaving. I wasn’t fast enough. I wasn’t…

I reached the spot where the dogs had left Kiel and bent down to pick up the little boy. Much to my surprise, he was alive. His wide black eyes gazed up at me from the confines of his blanket. It was probably the blanket that had saved his life. Wrapped around him so tightly, the dogs had been unable to get to him inside. I held Kiel close to my breast, in a sub-conscious effort to squeeze out the pain. How could I forget the way he trusted me to the very end, only to fall because of my carelessness? That image of light fading from his eyes still played out before mine…

My chain of remorse and regret was broken by the feeling of Kiel squirming in my arms. Sighing, I gathered up three of the spears I had left in the clearing and began to head back to the camp. I refused to gather the remaining two… they could serve as Kuna’s protector now, since I had failed…


Chapter Four

The days passed and things fell back into their original routine. Everyone had been deeply affected by Kuna’s passing, though they quickly recovered and went about their business. They were never as close to Kuna as I was. They couldn’t possibly understand my pain, and for that… I envied everyone. At least they were capable of moving on…

I found myself staring out at the sea a lot more, choosing a secluded spot upon the shore… farthest from the jungle. Here, the ocean tossed and churned like a writhing snake, sea gulls filling the sky at all times. This sort of unruly natural chaos served as the perfect distraction. Isolated from all, yet open to anything… to everything. I just didn’t know how to get away. Even here, I felt as though I were trapped.

I nearly bolted out of my skin, however, when I felt a hand place itself upon my shoulder. I spun around, nearly loosing my balance in the process, to come face to face with Melissa. I sighed a breath of relief and my heart began to beat at a normal pace. I gave a fain-hearted half smile.

“Yes Melissa?” I asked, and she removed her hand from my shoulder. “I was worried about you. You haven’t been yourself lately.” Melissa replied, her tone low and soft, “Is there something bothering you, Ashley?” All traces of warmth and false happiness fell from my face. I shuddered, drawing into myself. I was much too vulnerable in my emotionally-distressed state to disclose my true feelings, my real concerns. I was the Alpha. The Alpha! What great leader shows their fears and insecurities to their subordinates?

No sooner had I finished that thought than I mentally slapped myself. Subordinates? Since when did I see everyone as weaklings? What the hell is wrong with me?!

Somewhere in my mind, I felt Melissa draw closer. She called my name again, though it sounded faint, distant, as though it were being muffled by a pillow. Perhaps it was because of the sound of the ocean…

I shook my head, coming back to reality. My mind felt heavy and drowsy, as though it had been submerged in an icy fog again and again. I wrapped my arms around me, suddenly cold and tired. I needed to lie down in my tent. I faced Melissa and noticed the open bewilderment in her features. A trace of fear was there, and I realized I must’ve frightened her terribly with my unexpected reticence. I forced a smile upon my face, not sure how I managed it, and spoke with a voice much too calm and even to be mine, “Don’t worry, Melissa. I’ve just been really tired a lot. I’m sorry to have worried you… I’ve got to go now. I’ll see you with everyone tonight at the ceremony, okay?”

I turned away and began walking back to the camp, not even giving a second glance to see if Melissa had moved.

Hours later, I awoke from a deep sleep, turning over and staring up at the sky through my tent. The sky was a dark blue, and I could see several bright stars twinkling merrily back at me. I yawned and rubbed my eyes. I’d slept for probably five hours, if not more, and yet, I still felt incredibly tired. Where had all my strength gone?

I wasn’t left to ponder on that thought as James entered my tent. Since I was still lying on my back, he appeared upside down as he towered over me. His expression was one of disdain and impatience, a look I hadn’t ever seen on his face before. Suddenly he kicked me in the shoulder. “OWWWW!!” I snarled, bolting upright and turning to give him a venomous glare. If only looks could kill right now…

“Don’t give me that look, oh ‘fearless leader’.” James sighed in exasperation, “The Story Ceremony is about to start and everyone’s waiting on you. I suggested that we should just go on ahead without you, but Melissa and Sally said it wouldn’t be the same.” He paused to give me another look before continuing his trail of thought, “So, now that that’s all said and done, get off your ass and join the others.”

I glared at his retreating back, rubbing my shoulder in the spot where he’d kicked me. He probably left a bruise…
I didn’t want to be around anyone right now, but it seemed I had no choice. Growling like a wolf, I rose to my feet and quickly slipped on my shoes. They were starting to wear down, the bottoms scuffed beyond repair. One side had even started to peel.

The night air was cool and refreshing, and it soothed my nerves somewhat. The last thing I needed was to have a complete breakdown in front of everybody. Feeling a bit more confident, I headed towards the campfire, the flames twirling and twisting in the air as they sought to reach higher.

Without saying a word I took a seat besides Lance and he jumped in surprise. He must have not heard my footsteps. I smiled apologetically and patted him on the back, and he returned the gesture with a brilliant smile. “Girl, I’m so glad you came! I was sooo worried!” he cried, sniffling like a child. A chuckle escaped my throat. Lance always knew how to chase away the darkness and bring forth a smile. Perhaps he was an angel… a very gay angel…

I felt a pair of eyes on me and looked up to see Sally with a grin on her face. She looked relieved about something, though what it was I have no idea. She rose to her feet and cleared her throat loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Excuse me everyone, I have a very important announcement to make.” She said, and all whispers immediately stilled. Once she was certain she had gained acknowledgement, she continued. “I know a lot has been going on for everyone these past few days. Life has become harder now ever since the departure of our good friend Kuna…”

I froze. I hadn’t anticipated that she would bring him up. The very mention of his name brought a wave of pain crashing down on my heart, and I swallowed the painful lump in my throat. ‘Life is more than hard, Sally. It’s down right unbearable.’

“…. But no matter what happens, we must not let ourselves be overwhelmed by grief. We must face forward and embrace tomorrow. Things in the past cannot be changed, so there is no point in trying to change them. But you can remember the things that happened in the past. And if you choose to do that, try to remember the good things and not the bad. Those are the things that we carry with us always… past, present, and future…”

By the time Sally had finished her little speech, I was already in tears. She was right. Every single word she spoke was the absolute truth. I had just been too stupid to see that truth. This was what I needed to hear. I needed this. Now, I had my peace. Now, I could finally take that step forward.

Sally turned me, the smile never once leaving her lips, her eyes. “And now, I have the perfect story to share with you. It was told to me by my grandfather, when I had difficulty overcoming the death of my beloved pet. It is called, The Dog of Kima….”
My eyes shot to Sally. She had my attention now. I sat in raptured silence as she began her winding tale…

“Once there was a boy named Kima. He was just an average boy. He lived in a small village with his mother, his father, and his two brothers. Life in the village was hard, because there was never enough food or water. Many a time Kima’s family went hungry. But one day, Kima grew tired of this. He wanted to be able to eat every day like the people in the neighboring village, the Masati.”

“Kima decided he would travel to the Masati village and find out how they were able to eat every day and why his village could not. But he knew that if he tried to leave now, his parents would not permit it. His father would catch him and bring him back. He would have to leave the village at night when everyone was asleep.”

“So on the third night Kima put his plan into action and quietly snuck out of his home. All he took with him was a single spear; the prized possession of his father. Kima set out on his journey, the moon overhead serving as a guide in the dark. The young boy walked all night long and when the sun began to rise the next day, he finally stopped and took a rest on the trunk of a fallen tree. His feet hurt something terrible, and he was very hungry and thirsty. But everywhere he looked, there was nothing but vast plains and scattered trees.
Kima became very distraught. He began to feel that his choice of leaving the village was a very foolish thing to do. He also became very scared. He wasn’t sure if he would make it back to the village. Kima was far from his home in a land he did not know. Feeling lost and alone, the boy began to cry. Suddenly, he felt a wet nose on his cheek and looked up to see a small black dog, no bigger than an ocelot, staring back at him. The dog had probably come from the Masati village, and Kima began to feel a little hopeful. Perhaps the dog could lead him to the village. Perhaps it was not far from where he was.”

“Kima jumped to his feet and spoke to the dog, “Dog! Please, will you lead me to the Masati village?” The dog did not reply, seeing that he was a dog, but he did walk off towards the Valley in the East. Kima could only follow the dog. Hours later, however, he was still no where near the Masati and was even more tired, hungry, and thirsty. The dog kept walking along, stopping every now and then for Kima to catch up. When he did, Kima released a torrent of verbal abuse upon the dog. “Cursed beast! Where have you taken me! I do not see the Masati village anywhere! You are a worthless, useless thing!” And with that said, Kima threw his father’s spear at the dog.

“He missed, his anger having blinded his eyes. But the act was enough to frighten the little dog immensely, and the dog quickly departed from his side. At first Kima was grateful the dog had left. But after a few minutes of walking in silence, still uncertain of where he was going, Kima began to regret his actions. Perhaps the dog had been leading him somewhere; they just hadn’t reached it yet. Kima felt tears come back into his eyes. “Oh what have I done?!” he cried miserably, “I have chased away my only hope of survival!” He fell to his knees and began to cry once again, the hot glaring sun burning down upon him as punishment for his actions.

“But, once again, Kima felt a wet nose on his cheek and looked up to see that the black dog had come back. He embraced the small dog and began to spill his apologies on his coat, and the dog merely stood silently as the boy relieved himself of his guilt. When Kima had stopped crying, the dog once again began to walk off in the direction he had been going, and Kima did not protest this time as he followed the dog. Again, another hour passed by, and Kima felt as though he were about to faint from the intense heat and the hunger that gnawed at his stomach. But he was soon rewarded with the most spectacular sight he had ever seen.

“In the Valley of the East was a lush green oasis, and Kima cried and screamed and jumped with joy. The dog had led him to a place far better than the Masati village. Here was a place untouched by any tribe, and Kima had been the first person to wander across such a beautiful thing.”

“Kima spent the night in the oasis, drinking fresh crisp water from a beautiful flowing stream and ate his fill of delicious fruit from fruit trees whose boughs were heavy with produce. When daylight came the next morning, Kima decided he would head back to his village and tell everyone else about this wonderful place, so that his people could eat every day without the fear of famine ever again. Kima took with him now not just his father’s spear, but a bushel of apples and some pears as evidence and began his journey back… the little black dog leading the way once more.
However, when Kima had completed half of the journey back, he was suddenly attacked by a horrible lion that saw Kima as a tasty snack. Kima was beyond terrified, and lost the strength to defend himself. But just as the lion was about to move in for the kill, the black dog came to his rescue, biting and barking at the lion to distract him from the boy. The lion was infuriated to be attacked by such a small creature and struck at the dog with a mighty swipe of his paw. The black dog fell to the ground… and did not rise. “No!” Kima cried with disdain, “You horrible horrible beast! You savage brute! You will pay for what you have done!” Kima found himself filled with sudden strength and took up his spear. With a single strike, he brought the mighty lion to the ground and avenged the death of the little dog.”

“Kima knew there was nothing he could do for the dog. He could not bring his companion back to life and instead cried a river of tears for the dog and made him a proper burial. Kima was unsure of how he would make the rest of the journey back without his friend. He had grown so attached and dependent on the dog that he began to feel lost and alone all over again. He prayed to the Eternal God of Life, praying that he would be granted the revival of his friend. But nothing happened. There was nothing poor Kima could do but move on. But I’m sure we all know exactly how hard it is to move on. Moving on is a frightening first step that we are always afraid to take, for fear that we will forget everything that has happened behind us. But nothing is forgotten. Things are eternal, and Kima knew he would never forget the wonderful time he had spent in the company of the black dog, even if the time between them had been incredibly short.”

A muffled sniff distracted me from Sally’s story and I turned to Melissa as she sought to bury her face in her baby’s blanket. My words of before resounded in my head: ‘At least she got to love and have a true man in her life, however short the time between them was…’ Oh Melissa, you and I share the same pain now.

I think I was beginning to understand the inner feelings of everyone in my group; the trauma we all shared when the ship sank, the horror at witnessing the death of seven people, and where the brutal struggle to survive meant you had to depend on people you did not know. It’s been hard for all of us here. A sudden idea popped into my head, and without thinking, I jumped to my feet and acted on it.

“Excuse me Sally, I know I am being very rude to cut you off in the middle of your beautiful story, but I have an idea that I think I should share with everyone here…” I blurted out, giving a quick bow in apology to Sally, who seemed frozen with sudden shock. She quickly recovered, however, an shrugged her shoulders, taking a seat.

But now that I was standing with all eyes upon me, I began to grow uneasy. My balloon of confidence began to lose its air. I cleared my throat and brushed invisible fuzz from my pants, even though I knew there was nothing there. “Yeah, so, um… I have this idea ya see… and um, it’s about…” I shifted my gaze back and forth between silent faces, before I kicking myself mentally. ‘I’m such an idiot. Here I am wasting my time beating around the bush and everyone’s waiting for me! I’ve got to be strong! If not for myself, for them!’

I hardened my features and straightened my back, pulling myself to my full height… of five foot two… “Everyone, I’ve had enough of living on this God-forsaken island. I think it’s time we start making a boat.” While everyone gasped and shook their heads in disbelief, I began to wonder about my own sanity…

Chapter Five

My words had left quite an impression on everyone and there had much talk and debate for several days afterward. But now the final conclusion had been reached: we would build a boat and leave the island.

I assigned everyone a single task to guarantee cooperation and success. Sally was assigned to gathering food, such as bananas, coconuts, and strawberries. Melissa’s talents of weaving baskets and making rope were put to the test. Lance gathered mussels, shells, and fish at the coast while Ms. Mary stored as much fresh water in coconuts as she could. The guys, however, had a more daunting task: cutting down lumber and putting together a raft big enough to support seven people. At night when the girls were asleep, I’d go down to the shore to see them still working tirelessly on their project, fueled by a force I could not guess at.

Two weeks went by until the ship was finally completed, and I held a meeting on the shore in front of the boat to assess just how prepared we were. There was no room for second-guessing. I gave a role call. “Sally.” I said, indicating that I would like to know how much food she had gathered. “37 bananas, 22 coconuts, and 62 strawberries.” She replied, imitating a responding soldier to their drill sergeant. I smiled and moved on down the line.
“Ms. Mary.” “44 coconuts have been filled with water.” “Melissa.” “10 baskets.” “Lance.” “36 shells with 47 slivers of dried mussel and ten dried fish.” I stopped and gave a warm look to the guys. “James, Safavich, Stanton, you three are the greatest men I have ever had the honor to know. Your hard work and determination have lead to the survival of every person standing here today, and it is because of your persistence we will continue to stand tomorrow.” Everyone was pleased with how well my plan had worked, and I truly believed that we would make it off the island and back into human society again.

Yes, that was my belief sixteen days ago. Now, we were stranded on the raft somewhere in the ocean where a thick fog had settled in. So thick was this fog, that I had difficulty seeing Melissa two feet in front of me. Since there was a risk of someone falling overboard at any moment, Sally had suggested we tie a rope around each person and loop the rope together That way, if someone went down, the person they had been closest to would be able to pull them back onboard. Sometimes I was rather impressed with Sally’s sudden intelligence.

The sound of a baby crying startled me from my thoughts as Kiel awoke from his nap. Melissa attempted to nurse him, but he refused. The little boy continued to wail, thrashing in his mother’s arms, as he fought to break free. His cries made me feel uneasy, for they just started clean out of the blue, but it was as if he could sense an ominous cloud hanging overhead, reading to pour upon us unpleasant tidings. I heard someone shift in agitation.

“Will someone shut that damned child up?!” came a disgruntled shout from Dr. Safavich. “I’m sorry! I don’t know what’s wrong with him! Honest!” Melissa began to apologize profusely, squeezing little Kiel close to her bosom to muffle his screaming. The tension in the air was almost as thick as the fog…

A resounding boom filled the air before a violent wind cut through the fog. We didn’t even have time to shiver as the sky flashed above us and rain came crashing down on our heads. Lance shrieked in fear, throwing himself at me and clinging desperately to my arm, fearful that if he let go the whole world may self-destruct. The rope around my waist was suddenly yanked and I tilted forward on my face. Everyone was panicking, the sound of Kiel’s screams were drowned out by the frightened din of my group and the roaring storm around us.

The raft began rocking dangerously on the waves, as one side lifted up out of the water, threatening to toss us into a watery grave. I needed peace. I needed order. If this kept on, we would all inevitably bring about our own demise. I sat up and cupped my hands around my mouth. “Everyone listen to me! If you can hear me, I need you to lie down and hold on to the raft! Do not let go! Try to stay calm!!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, hoping to God my words reached all ears over the storm’s interference.

I waited a few seconds, the dread in my stomach beginning to bubble into fear. Then… my rope was tugged yet again as I saw the outline of everyone on their stomachs through the rain, and I had to stop myself from screaming in relief. They actually listened to me.

The storm raged on for hours, and by now we were soaked to the bone. I shivered violently, clinging close to the nearest person to generate body heat. Everyone seemed to get the same idea, as several more bodies scooted closer to mine and gripped at my form, trying to get warm. I turned my head and saw Melissa, her baby tucked under her as she bowed her head. I could only pray that she would be all right…

I gasped, finding it really hard to swallow. The sun burned down on me and its rays pierced through my closed eyes; I had to turn away. I blinked, struggling to open my eyes. They felt as heavy as lead, and my vision was blurred.
The taste of salt on my tongue made me choke and I started coughing uncontrollably. By the time the fit subsided as I was gasping for breath, forcing my tired lungs to work.

I looked around me to see if anyone was hurt. Six bodies glinted back at me in the sun. I sighed. Everyone was still with me. I sat up, my muscles screaming in protest, and turned to the sea. But my heart froze before I even noticed the ocean. All of our food and water was gone; it must’ve washed away in the storm.

I crawled over to Melissa, as she was the closest, and nudged her shoulder gently. She did not stir. I tried again. “Melissa, hey, wake up.” I said softly, and she moaned in pain. She lifted her head weakly. “Is the storm gone?” she replied before letting her head fall back to its original position. “Yes, it is.” I answered, “But I have some bad news too. All of our food and water is gone.” She said nothing in reply but sighed deeply. Perhaps it would have been better if I had not told her.

No one else rose upon the news. They were all extremely tired and worn out from yesterday’s events. But then, a startling conclusion formed in my mind, and I fund myself growing angry and hurt. They had given up. They weren’t rising because they were tired, they had surrendered their hope. My idea of leaving the island was foolish to them; it was because of me we had ended up like this. It was NOT my fault! It is not my decision if someone gives up and wants to die. That is their choice. Not mine. I don’t want to give up! I want to live!!

I began crying and pounded my fists on the raft, venting my frustration out on the wood. Why did this have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve such treatment? I thought I had nothing to lose. But I lost Kuna, and now I lost my team. I bit my lip to replace the creeping feeling of hopelessness with pain.

I turned my eyes to the ocean, and sighed. Suddenly, a dark figure caught my attention close to the horizon. A few minutes later, the figure drew nearer. It was dark and massive, and my heart beat faster. ‘Oh please don’t let that be the island.’ I thought fearfully, waiting with bated breath for the figure to draw close enough so I could tell what it was. But I didn’t have to, as a wavering toot of a ship filled the air. My heart jumped with excitement.

I shot to my feet and began shaking everyone brutally. “Wake up! Wake up! There’s a ship! A ship!” I shouted, and that was all I needed to say for several heads to shoot up. James looked to the sea to see if I was lying, but then shouted in joy and hopped to his feet. Within minutes everyone was wide awake and on their feet. “Over here! Over here!” Lance shrieked enthusiastically, bouncing up and down like a rabbit.



Melissa was crying and Sally put an arm around her to comfort her, though she was crying as well. I was moved beyond emotion, my mind still in a daze that we had finally been rewarded with good fortune. I sat down and placed my feet in the water, splashing them back and forth. I wistful smile placed itself upon my lips as a sudden idea came to me. It was a foolish idea, perhaps even childish, but it seemed reasonable to me at the time. ‘Kuna must have done this for us,’ I thought with content, ‘I’m so glad to have his spirit watching over us.’

As we boarded the ship and the crew began to overwhelm us with millions of questions, I turned to the ocean to say a final good-bye. I noticed a single cloud that seemed to fill the sky, and I could’ve sworn it was in the shape of a dog…

THE END

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