Date: Thu, 18 Jun 1998 13:46:27 GMT From: Robyn Harris Organization: Wesleyan College Subject: Re: INT:GP: If you were trapped on a tropical island.... J. Hall,jhall@lemoorenet.com,Internet writes: > We didn't die. The plane did. > Long after, I would remember the feeling of utter helplessness as the >ground rushed up. Somewhere an angel, maybe it was Carole Lombard herself, >helped flatten the dive and turn the nose paralell to the beachfront. And >long after, I would remember Reinie's hand locked over mine on impact. > Lareine came to consciousness slowly. There was blood on the wheel in front of her. It had dried into a maroon brown. It didn't take long for her to remember what had happened. She sat straighter, wincing at the pain. Her left eye didn't want to open. She wiped at it and realized it was "glued" shut with blood. She tried to wipe it all away at the eye opened. Jeff was hunched over the co-pilot's wheel. She touched his neck, feeling his pulse and turned back to Lexie. Lexie had somehow managed to stay in the seat. Her complexion was grey and her breathing shallow. Reine forced her way to the back and fed Lexie her pills. Then slowly, mechanically, extracted the older woman from the wreckage. Her head was pounding, from the smoke and from the large cut on her forehead. Once Lexie was safely in repose under a tree, Reine went back for Jeff. The plane smelled like hot metal, it lay crumpled like a broken child's toy. The glass had shattered out and the noze was buckled into the cockpit. Extracting Jeff, unconcious dead-weight, was a feat. But her adreniline held out and she managed to get him into the shade with Lexie about 40 feet from the wreakage. Emulating something she had seen in a movie some time ago, she flipped all the switches off in the cockpit. And then, she began her search for the first aid kit. It wasn't much: A few bandages, some salve, a couple rolls of gauze and A bottle of aspirin. She walked back over to her two companions, popping a few aspirin. Reine bandaged Lexie's minor cuts and checked her pulse. It was faint, but it was there. She then moved onto Jeff, who seemed to have sustained more than a few cuts a bruises. Her headache was receeding. She sent up a prayer of thanks. Once she had covered most of the wounds, she looked around for fresh water. She had been a Wilderness Girl, and knew what they would need to survive. First and foremost water. She tucked the nitroglycerin into Lexie's limp hand and entered the grove of trees. Fresh water had been about 100 yards into the interior. Actually, it was more than fresh water, it was a paradise oasis. The water was crystal clear and the sun filtered down through the leaves into the water and lighting the pale sanded bottom. There was also a large rock formation that Reine assessed would be just big enough for the three of them to lie comfortably, more than enough if two of them cuddled. She wound her way back through the trees, discarding her useless pumps and shredding her jacket to mark the way back to the lake. She would have to wait until Jeff woke up. Hopefully, he would be able to help her get Lexie down here. The thought of the woman gave Reine a pang of guilt. If it hadn't been For her, this wonderfully colorful and vibrant woman wouldn't be lying near death on a deserted beach. She picked up her pace, trying not to step on anything that might bite her through her shredded stockings. She emerged onto the beach. Lexie was sitting up, her eyes open. "Lexie!" "Well, what in the hell did he do to my plane?" Her voice sounded weak, but there was no way her tone could be mistaken. "I'm glad your back with us." Reine walked over to her, "Unfortunately, I don't know where we are." "I Imagine we are on one of the islands in the pacific. I mus have set us a little to far off course to hear Jeff's tale." "Off ocurse? Is there any chance of rescue?" "I'd have to check the radio," Lexie began to stand up. "Oh no," Reine gently pushed her back down. "We can stay here a while. There's a, well cove for lack of better word back there. I marked the path. We just need to get there. There is fresh water and I'm sure we can find food. some place this lush can't be totally uninhabited." "You'd be suprised." "Have faith. I know my luck will get better," she turned toward the ocean, looking like a lost little girl. "We aren't going to die here, anyway. I'm sure of it. Besides, we have too much to live for." She pulled her hair back. "I don't suppose you keep clothes in that plane?" "As a matter of fact..." to be continued.... ************************************************** Robyn Alyson tHe OnLy DiFfErEnCe BeTwEeN FaNtAsY aNd ReAlItY iS pErCePtIoN