Free Island Rush by Marien Dore

that’s all he got out of what I said.  “You are this… robot. Always going through the day with what you’re supposed to do with no feeling.  You are never excited or happy about much. And your hair and face, I mean, why—” I cut myself off in a sigh.
    Luckily, what I told him was plenty. “I can give you a detention for that.”  Did he even hear what I was talking about? 
    “Yeah, but it doesn’t matter. You’re no longer my teacher,” I rolled my eyes.
    “Yes I am. When we get out of this place, I’m moving into teaching the seniors. So there is a good chance you would still have me as a teacher.”
    “There is barely any chance. First, there may not be any ‘out of this place’ to speak of.  If we did make it back though, I still could receive a different teacher.  I’ll have to survive home too,” I mumbled to myself.
    I noted right then… that he never really responded to what I said about his behavior. We only switched the subject.  It was clear he knew where I was coming from and was just avoiding it.
    I started shivering and took two shirts from my pillow pile and draped them around me. “It’s too late for a fire isn’t it?”
    “Yes.”  I could hear the chill in his voice.  “As time goes on, it will get colder so we should get used to this. I’ll make a fire tomorrow night.”
    Tomorrow night. How many nights would we be here? How many will we last?  I slid as carefully as I could over to my pillow and laid my head against it.  The rest of my body hugged the cold Earth since I had to be on my stomach. I shifted the shirts on top of me, getting as comfortable as I could.
    I was already cold, hurting, hungry, and thirsty. All left was to get scared, and I knew if I laid awake much longer, I would be petrified. The forest was pitch black now.  There seemed to be noises everywhere. I needed to keep in mind that Mr. Rush was here.  It felt better when I heard him lay down too.
    Silence fell between us, and I was surprised to feel myself already drifting off. I guess I had nothing to worry about that would keep me up. This was better than being home, and I would take the physical pain over my dad any day.
    We lasted our first day here so far, and a lot happened. A lot. I played it all out in my head.  From waking up this morning in my bed to falling asleep on the cold ground in pain.  I couldn’t imagine what else would come. 

     
    I woke with sweat clinging to my skin and the smell of nature around me.  I could see that the sun was just starting to rise.  The shirt I used as a cover last night, it was discarded beside me.  I also saw Mr. Rush wrapped around a few articles of clothing.
    I cautiously started to move and sit up.  But I wouldn’t test how I felt yet.  I just moved up and leaned my back against the tree.  My eyes looked down to my side towards him.  It was a very captivating sight.  
    The man’s soft snores reached me as I took in his messy features. His hair was sticking with the sweat running down him.  I could see some bruises on his body.  There was also dirt under his chipped nails.  He looked more human. 
    I saw him stir and flash his eyes open, looking confused.  As if he forgot why he was waking in the woods.  When his face caught mine, he sighed.  “So it wasn’t a dream,” he whispered sadly.
    I pursed my lips before shoving aside my sympathy for him.  “First the staring, then ripping my clothes off, now you’re dreaming about me?” I asked, teasing.
    He didn’t respond to that, knowing I knew exactly what he meant.  Instead, he asked, “How is your back?”
    “Better so far but I haven’t really tested it.”
    He looked down at himself, noticing the clothes wrapped around him. He flung it all to the side and stood up, pulling me to my feet with him. “I should check it before we move.”
    He did just that.  He untied the belt around me and checked it, only to find that it didn’t look any better or worse.  After