Scarlett.
When I woke up, it was almost morning. The sky was incredibly beautiful and I took a minute to admire it, lying on my back. One side was dark-blue and full of stars, but above the ocean, the sun started to rise, putting the sky on fire.
Slowly, I got up, stepping over the sleeping guys all over the ground.
After I had done my business in the bushes, I decided to take a short walk, listening to the calm voice of the ocean.
I stared at the sandy ground underneath my feet and smiled a little, shaking my head.
How many times had I fantasized about being stranded in a jungle and becoming one with nature? Now, those fantasies seemed foolish and completely idiotic.
Never, never did I want to be stranded somewhere again. The feeling of not being able to go home at any moment, was horrible.
At the beginning, it even seemed fun sometimes. Until we weren't able to find food anymore. That was when it completely lost it's charm.
I closed my eyes for a second, letting a soft breeze touch my face. My hair tickled my cheeks and I smiled lightly. It made me remember the little things from the better times.
From before all the trouble. Before all the responsibilities, pressing heavily on your shoulders.
From the time I was still a child. A happy, unbound and carefree child.
I opened my eyes again and wrapped my arms around my upper body while continuing my little walk along the shoreline.
I moved around a group of trees and my mouth opened in amazement.
There I was, staring at the most simple, but beautiful thing I could imagine. I had seen it many, many times before, yet I had never been so happy to see it.
I walked closer to the shoreline. I had to wade into the water, but I didn't care.
My hand automatically went towards the painted wood. I was touching a boat.
And it wasn't a dream.
A boat, means people. People, means being saved. Saved, means going home.
Tears started to drip off my face. I shook my head and kept murmuring the same words.
'Thank you, thank you, thank you...'
Then, I heard rustling plants. A wide smile formed on my face and I turned around, facing a middle-aged woman, who was standing on the beach, surprise written all over her face.
'I... I...' The words were in my head, but I just couldn't get them over my lips.
'Is everything okay?' Was the first thing the woman said.
I nodded, my smile was so wide it hurt my cheeks.
'We... there are... We're saved.' I said.
'Oh, darling... what has happened to you?'
I shook my head, wiping off the tears.
Then, I made my way towards the woman, stopping in front of her.
'Can I hug you?' I asked with a choked voice.
The woman nodded and I wrapped my arms around her, crying out loud. It might seem strange, hugging a total stranger, but it didn't feel that way. It felt right.
The dark-haired woman softly stroked my hair, shushing me.
'I'm sorry.' I said, pulling away from her.
'It's okay, sweetie. Don't worry. Now, tell me, what on earth has happened to you? And your shoulder! My dear-'
'Scarlett!'
I turned my head, seeing Harry run towards the woman and me, shock in his eyes.
'You've... what... is this really happening?' He asked softly, coming closer and wrapping an arm around me.
I nodded. 'Yes Harry, we're... we're saved!'
A wide smile formed on his face as well and he shook the woman's hand. 'Harry.'
'Diane. Can somebody please tell me-'
The other guys cut off her words with their yelling, while they were coming closer.
They were all looking at the boat and the woman and their smiles were just as big as ours.
When everyone had calmed down, we all just stared at Diane and she stared back at us.
'Please, please take us to Cooktown. We want to go home.' Zayn said, begging the woman.
'But of course! Step in, I... I'll take you there.' Diane said, motioning towards the boat.
After we had all stepped in and she had detached the boat from the ocean floor, she stared at us, shaking her head at our appearance.
Harry pulled my body close to his and spoke to the woman. 'It's a long story.'

Notes

So. Wow.

They're saved.

Strangely enough, I almost cried a little when I wrote about Scarlett seeing the woman, knowing she was saved. I normally never get emotional while writing my own stories, but I could totally understand how she felt and that kind of touched me.

Did it touch you? Maybe it didn't, I would understand, everybody experiences a story in their own way :)

I hope you liked it, it was kind of hard to write about Scarlett's feelings when she discovered the boat and all. Did I make it good enough?
Could it have been better? I'm really having doubts about this chapter.
It's such an important chapter and I've got the idea that I haven't been giving enough.
But at the same time, I can't think of anything else to write in it...

Difficult, difficult.

But this isn't the end, of course! More chapters to come. Thank you for being so patient with me! You are all amazing. Cute as a button, every single one of you! ^^