Free Castaways by Brian Keene

"Look at those trees bend."
    "The bugs aren't as bad either. Have you noticed? I haven't swatted at a mosquito in ten or fifteen minutes. That's what happens back home, right before a thunderstorm."
    They heard a distant drone of the helicopter. It grew louder as it approached their location, and then they glimpsed it soaring overhead, flying the last of the crew back to the freighter to wait out the storm.
    "Well," Jerry said. "That's it. We're stuck here now."
    "Do you really think it's going to be bad?"
    "I don't know. I mean, legally, I guess there's a precedent for leaving us here. Like Stuart said, we signed a contract. And I guarantee you, the drama will be good for ratings. But if it were really bad, I think the network would be more responsible and evacuate us along with everybody else. Plus, Stuart and those other guys didn't seem too worried. They were going about the interviews and stuff like it was just another day."
    Becka didn't respond. Frowning, she picked up more firewood and added it to Jerry's bundle.
    "You okay?" he asked.
    "Sure. Why?"
    "Because you're biting your lip."
    "I'm sorry. I've done that since I was a little girl. Every time I get scared."
    "You don't have to be scared. Seriously. I'll take care of you."
    "I just..." Sighing, Becka sat down on a rock. "I don't know what I'm doing here. I mean, why did I think I could do this? I can't. I'm lonely and scared and so frigging tired. God, listen to me. Now I sound like Pauline."
    Jerry dropped the firewood and sat down next to her. He placed a tentative arm around her shoulder. Becka stiffened, but then relaxed. When she didn't protest, he squeezed gently.
    "You want the truth?"
    Wiping her eyes, Becka nodded.
    "I'm tired, too. I've done okay in the challenges so far, but it's tough, keeping up with Stefan, Jeff, Raul, and Ryan. Those guys are pretty fit. Between the bugs and the jungle sounds and the heat, I sleep like shit in that shelter. Not to mention Troy's snoring."
    He tilted his head back and imitated the foul-mouthed mechanic's nocturnal noises—a cross between a snuffling pig and a lawn mower. Becka giggled, then laughed. Jerry dropped his arm, but she didn't move away.
    "That's exactly how he sounds," she said. "I tried rolling up leaves and sticking them in my ears so I wouldn't hear him, but they kept falling out."
    "He wakes me up at least four or five times a night," Jerry agreed. "By the time the sun comes up, I'm beat. And our lack of food is contributing to it, as well. That's why I did so bad in the challenge this
    morning. But I'll be damned if I'm going to quit. I meant what I said earlier."
    "I wish I had your strength," Becka said. "Your resolve."
    "You do. I can see it inside you."
    "I don't feel very strong."
    "But you are. I think that before this thing is over, you'll find out just how much." "I hope so."
    Jerry nudged her. "I know so. And I'll help you out. We're in this together now, remember?" "You promise?" "I promise."
    "And what about when it's over, and we're off the island and back home again. What then?"
    Jerry stood up and began gathering the firewood again. "Let's just concentrate on winning first. We'll worry about what happens later . . . later."
    "I guess you're right. A lot could happen between now and then."
    Jerry nodded, grunting as he lifted a particularly large branch.
    She watched him work and marveled at how much her attitude toward him had changed—and how quickly. Earlier today, she'd been cautious of him, not trusting any of her fellow contestants. Now he was the closest thing she had to a friend here on the island.
    Becka got to her feet and winced. Her tailbone hurt. She rubbed it.
    "You okay?"
    "Sure," Becka said. "My rump hurts. That's all." Jerry laughed.
    "What's so funny?"
    "Rump. Not a word you hear very often. You struck me as more of a 'butt' kind of girl." "And you struck me as an ass." "Hey!"
    Giggling, she walked over to help him. Becka noticed an olive-colored tree snake