Island Rush

by Marien Dore

  I felt a woman grab my arm, and I jumped, scared. All I wanted was to see Casey, be with him and know he was okay. However, the lady that took my arm came up to me and whispered quickly over the shouting questions.

  “Come with me. Don’t give them a word.” She took my hand, dragging me through the crowd of obnoxious people. My head hurt, my heart ached, and my chest was heaving with deep breaths, surprise, and fear. She pushed through the crowd, yelling at them to back off as I followed behind. I knew if we broke contact, I would be lost among all those reporters. I caught the sight of a few cameras off to the side as well as portable lights brightening this crazy scene taking place.

  “How did you get out of the plane?”

  “Tell us what happened!”

  “How old are you?”

  “Was the crash accidental?”

  “Who was that man? Your teacher? Are you his student? Is it true that you two are lovers?”

  I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to see all those people. It made me question where we were even! I was guided by the woman out of the crowd, and she pulled me along. I opened my eyes as we jogged to a door I hadn’t noticed. Following her through it, she shut the door, and all those greedy voices disappeared. Taking deep breaths, my gaze became lost. I was looking at nothing in particular with my pounding chest. That was when the woman led me down a hall.

  “I’m so sorry about that. That was not expected, and they were not allowed up here,” she sighed. “Are you alright? Do you need anything?”

  It took me a bit to answer. I wanted to tell her that I wanted to see Casey. I wanted to know he was okay. More than anything, I wanted to be with him. Then, some of those questions screamed at me a moment ago, came back to my mind. I realized it could be dangerous to see him. With us being the only two that survived, people would start to talk about how we must have been together on the island. This was making news across the country, and we would be watched carefully. If they found out the truth… Casey would be ruined. Regardless, his life was more important.

  “Yeah, some water and food please,” I said in a daze. Oh god. Food. More than berries and fish.

  “Are you in need of serious medical attention at the moment?”

  I shook my head. That would be even worse and would probably delay me from getting to see Casey despite everything. “I’m okay. Just hungry and thirsty.”

  She led me down the hall quietly and turned down a darker hall, guiding me until she stopped at a wooden door. Opening it, she led me into the room I was now sitting in, gesturing me to sit down if I wanted. She told me some people would be coming in to talk to me, but they were not reporters. Well, she used the words, ‘not exactly reporters.’ That wasn’t the best of signs.

  She said she would be back with food and water, but it wasn’t here yet. Figures. I’ve been waiting patiently for a while now, replaying everything in head. It was so quiet, and the cold atmosphere of the room wasn’t exactly welcoming. There was a long table in front of me, a few chairs on the other side facing me. After a minute, I laid my head down on the table.

  Casey told me we would be okay if we come back. It was going to be harder than we thought. We didn’t think about the public’s reaction to the crash. Didn’t think we would be under a spotlight like this. This was going to be very hard to deal with.

  It seemed like forever but finally, the door opened. A slim man in a suit came in, looking to be in his early forties with brown hair. His eyes were green and observing. His gaze even warned me that he would be watching everything. He had a smooth mustache that rested above his lips. The rest of his face was clean and tan. He took a seat across from me.

  I glanced up to the other man that walked in. It was the pilot, I noticed. Under the bright lights, I could take him in more. He was bigger with muscles along his arms. He had kind blue eyes, his thin lips smiling slightly up at me as he sat down next to the other man. He had short brown hair too and looked to be in his mid-thirties. He didn’t look as serious and professional as the other man, which calmed me.

  The second I saw him, though, my chest jumped. I didn’t realize that everything would be crazy as it is. Didn’t think people would suspect that Casey and I are lovers. Some people were assuming that. I didn’t think that would happen, but I should have realized that it could have. Because now, the guy across me didn’t need to be doing any assuming.

  The pilot saw. He must have. He landed and approached us. Saw me with Casey on the beach with his head on my lap. He probably saw him kiss my hand. And then when we got on the helicopter, space was small. He probably heard me telling him to look at me and that I loved him.

  He knew… he must have. He didn’t say anything to the reporters; all he said was that he found the two of us. Hopefully, he would keep his mouth shut if he knew that he was my teacher, and I was his student. Chances were he already knew that.

  “Hello,” the man with the mustache said to me. He gestured to the pilot and smiled. “This is Jeff. I think you two have met.”

  I stared at them as they waited for me to say something. I knew I had to be cautious with my words. They were probably recording this. I spoke politely to the pilot, Jeff. “Not officially,” I said softly and shook his hand when he extended it out to me. “I’m Janice.”

  He smiled but continued to stay quiet as the other man went on. “We would like to ask you a few things. Would that be okay?”

  I thought about it before nodding. They did need a story. I might as well give them one and make it… satisfying enough. For how worried and nervous I was for Casey, this would be a welcoming distraction too.

  “Good,” ‘Mustache’ said. He smiled tightly, and his grin was obviously fake unlike Jeff’s. “Could you tell us your name?”

  “Janice Reeves,” I answered.

  “You are one of the students from Flight 279 that were going to the Bahamas, correct?” he asked, opening a folder.

  “Yes, that’s right.” God, I just wanted to know if Casey was okay! I knew not to bring that up yet. Not because I cared what people thought at this point. I was giving a statement, and they wouldn’t want to leave until they are satisfied with what I tell them. It was bullshit. That was what it was. I wasn’t dying, but it wasn’t like I was in the best shape either to be doing this. The reason I was calm was because food and water were on its way.

  “Could you tell us what happened? What went wrong on the plane?”

  I shook my head. “I really don’t know. The plane started to shake, but a flight attendant came over the speakers and said it was only turbulence. The plane didn’t stop shaking, and it got worse. Then we were falling and hit the water.”

  He nodded. “How did you survive?”

  Now it was time to be creative. They couldn’t know Casey saved me or why. I had to think. I knew though that if Casey gets better, I’ll have to tell him what I said so our stories match.

  My mind raced for an answer. “The plane shot down into the water. Then it started sliding along the bottom until it stopped. Most people were dead instantly from the impact. Others died from screaming when the water rushed in.” Now, it was time to stretch the truth. “For the very few that were hanging on, I think they were strapped in and couldn’t get out. They were stunned. I forgot though to put my buckle on, and that’s how I made it out. I swam out either from an opening on the side of the plane or the windows up front. I can’t recall.”

  “The others couldn’t just take their belts off?”

  I shook my head, improving on my improvising. “No. Like I said, most were dead instantly. The ones that initially survived the impact were so stunned I think that they couldn’t handle it. I can’t give you a definite answer when I was half out of it as it was. I’m surprised I made it. And it also had to do with how close the plane was to the surface. It was in shallow water.”

  “What about the man?” Mustache asked. “Where does he fit in?”

  “I swam up to the shore of this island. Like I said, the plane was very clo
se to shallow water. Then I passed out on the beach. When I woke, I found him down the beach passed out like I was.”

  “Is it true he is your teacher?”

  Glancing to Jeff, I saw unfortunately that he didn’t know that. His eyebrows jumped quickly up, and eyes widened slightly. He quickly composed his face. Now that he really knew, would he keep his mouth shut? I hoped so.

  Looking back to the other man, I was glad he didn’t notice that small look since he seemed like he would be an observer. “Yeah, he is,” I answered him.

  “And what is his name?”

  “Mr. Rush.”

  He nodded. “Mr. Rush? Don’t you know his first name?”

  My stomach twisted as his eyes met mine. “I think it's Casey,” I said. “He mentioned it once but I always just called him Mr. Rush.”

  “Hmm.” He leaned back in his chair, getting comfortable. “How did he get out of the plane?”

  I shrugged. “I asked him, and he doesn’t recall. He remembered hitting the water when the plane went down then he blacked out he said. When he woke, he was on shore.”

  “Maybe his unconscious body ‘drifted’ through one of the very small passenger windows. Then he floated up to the surface, unconscious, and happened to drift to the island,” he stated, a hint of sarcasm laced in his words. It was clear he didn’t believe me. “Maybe that’s what happened.”

  “Are you calling me a liar?” I asked before I could hold back. I was getting angry at this guy.

  He smirked, shrugging. He wasn’t as professional as I initially thought. “I think it’s a little… unbelievable.”

  “I do not care what you believe. That’s what happened.”

  Jeff stepped in. “I would take her word for it,” he said, looking at him and then me. “She just went through hell! She doesn’t need people questioning her on things that do not matter. All that matters is that she is okay along with the other survivor. You need to listen to her because that is your only story. Who else are you going to ask?” he snapped, looking to Mustache, who was not too happy at the moment.

  I smiled towards Jeff, happy he was helping me with this. Looking back to the guy, I saw that he faltered a little but was quick to go on. “Speaking of who to ask, I do need to ask you a few things,” he said to the nice pilot. “You were part of the group searching for them, correct?”

  I blinked, a little shocked. They actually were looking. It was something I always wondered. I always dismissed the idea because I would have thought they would have found us sooner if they were looking. I guess not.

  I cut in, needing clarification. “You were looking for us?”

  I glanced back and forth at the two men. Dude with the mustache nodded. “The plane went off our maps that day. It disappeared a few minutes after the plane was over the water. There was a wide range of where the plane could have crashed. We looked from the coast of the country to areas around the Bahamas. We never found you and it wasn’t a surprise from how much area we needed to cover. After considering giving up on such an impossible task, a lot of parents and friends of those that were on the flight pushed for us to keep going. So as more people got involved, we were forced to not stop yet. Then, we find you. It was by chance. Like I said, we had no idea where to look, not getting a reading from the time it dropped off the map.”

  I nodded, following along with his words. It made sense, for the most part. Having no clue where the plane crashed didn’t narrow where they needed to search. That was just it, though. “Why was that the case? When it dropped from your maps, didn’t you assume it crashed the place it had dropped?”

  I sure didn’t expect to learn what I did. Mustache took a deep breath, eyes blank in mine. “Do you know why I am here and who exactly I am?”

  “No,” I mumbled under my breath, still not pleased with him.

  “I am here on behalf of Mainstay Airways,” he said, the word ringing a bell. It was the airline we were on and the one that failed. “I was sent here by the company to try to learn more about the issue that occurred on the flight. We know why it failed. We just want more information, and you could offer it. We are also willing to work with you after learning your story. We want a better image for this company so besides getting sued, we are trying to make the situation a little better.”

  I was intrigued to hear that. To know this guy was representing the airline that failed and led to many deaths was very interesting. I was anxious to learn more, especially since he knew why we went down. “You want more information about how your planes might have failed, that’s fine,” I nodded. “I’ll help if I can, but you are going to tell me first what happened and why.”

  His jaw tightened, not appreciating my tone. He sighed before going on. “You’re right. When it dropped from our maps, we assumed it crashed right where the signal ended. We looked there and didn’t find anything so we didn’t have an answer to give anybody. Mainstay Airways went under heavy investigation. It was discovered that our other planes showed signs of possible mechanical error. When we looked closer, we discovered that this was something that could cause communication to be dropped and equipment to malfunction, which gave us our answer. A mechanical error occurred and interfered with the radar. Currently, the company is trying to fix those flaws in the designs and make sure it won’t happen again.”

  Wow. I was speechless, not because it was surprising; I knew there was a reason for why we crashed. To know why now was important. It was something I’ve wondered, and I was relieved to get an answer. Staring at him, not saying anything yet, he went on.

  “After seeing that it could drop from our maps before crashing, that’s when we realized that the plane could be anywhere. That’s why it took so long to find you, and that is why I need to ask you several more questions. Plus, as I’ve mentioned, we are trying to assist you in this hard time and learn your story,” he said, not at all looking thrilled. He was speaking on behalf of the company. It was clear he genuinely did not care. It was making me mad.

  “I said I could help you out but why now?” I asked. I understood they needed answers but why now? I couldn’t take a little freaking break? I thought talking to him was mandatory before anything else. It sure didn’t sound as important to me. “I’m getting really impatient. I’m tired and hungry! Do you not get I was on an island a few hours ago?”

  He scowled before looking to the pilot. “Tell me what happened a few hours ago.”

  Jeff looked uncomfortable. So far, he helped keep our secret. He could tell Mustache if he wanted. I guess, I would understand. He may not only be happy to end a ‘sick and illegal’ relationship if that’s how he saw it, but he would also get recognition for it if he wanted.

  He met my eyes as he answered the man. “I was flying by and moved farther away from the island. But then, before I was too far, I saw a fire. She started a huge fire to get my attention and it worked.”

  “Is that true?” Mustache looked to me.

  I nodded. “Yeah, we needed to get help. Badly. Mr. Rush was dying,” I said. “He was really close and would have passed either that night or early the next day.”

  Jeff nodded. “I saw that the man was sick. He looked half dead when I found them. I think after all they have been through, she at least deserves to see if he is okay. She saved his life, after all.”

  Mustache didn’t like that. “Why? Do you care for him?”

  My eyes went wide. “Yes! If I was stranded with anyone — even you — I’m sure I would become closer to that person and come to care for them. Just because I care doesn’t mean I’m in love with the guy. Jesus,” I muttered, sick of this already. But he needed to see, everyone did, that our relationship was harmless. It was common sense that I would care about him no matter what.

  “How did he get sick?” he asked on, ignoring my words.

  “Bit by a rat,” I growled.

  He nodded. “That would explain it,” he said easily to himself.

  “Explain what?” I asked, heart jumping.

 
He shrugged. “That explains why he is getting his arm cut off.”

  His face was blank while watching my reaction. What was worse was the fact that I knew it was true. The pilot looked as if he wanted to hit Mustache. He should be glad he never gave me his name. Otherwise, I would never forget it. Jeff looked to me, expression sad. I could only imagine mine. I took my surroundings in, but my mind was separated.

  Casey… was getting his arm cut off because of the rat bite… because help came too late… because we had to get out of bed that day. If I just let us relax in bed that day, we would still be on the island now. Sleeping in each other’s arms and completely okay. But no. He was getting his arm removed. I bit my lip, looking down. I couldn’t help a few tears from escaping as I stared down at the table, my breath increasing.

  When I looked up, Jeff spoke. “That means he will live, though. An arm is better than his life.”

  He was right about that. I was so thankful. He would live if he were just getting his arm cut off. Hopefully. “I thought it was too late and spread to the rest of his body?”

  Neither of them didn’t seem to have an answer. Jeff spoke up. “Well, I guess they found some way to get it out of the rest of his system.”

  I nodded, understanding. It was a miracle. That was for sure. “Are we done here?” I asked quietly.

  Mustache nodded and stood. I still didn’t get an answer on whether I could see him or not. It probably could not happen either way. Casey was probably getting his arm removed right now.

  After he had been gone, I looked at Jeff, who was still sitting quietly in the chair, watching the man leave. The door slowly closed, leaving just Jeff and me.