Chapter 14: How to Survive a Shipwreck
"What's happening!?"
"The ship's sinking!" Iseul screeched.
"Oh god! Please tell me the crew has a plan B!" I yelled, panicked.
"I don't know!" Ishan shouted back, his voice trembling.
Just then, the captain's voice crackled over the intercom, "I'm asking the passengers to please remain calm... and proceed slowly to the lifeboats on the right side. I repeat, the lifeboats are on the right side."
"Save yourselves, people!" Laurent shouted, sprinting past us.
A wave of fear surged through the crowd as we all bolted towards the right side of the ship, the sense of urgency driving us forward.
"Careful! Y/n!"
That was it. The boat started tilting, and I slipped. I tried to grab onto something-anything-but the only thing within reach was a rubber duck. Not exactly life-saving material, but hey, I wasn't going down without a squeak.
"Y/n, are you trying to reenact Titanic?" Taehyung shouted, laughing so hard he almost fell over himself.
Just then, a gust of wind caught the sail, and the boat jerked violently. I managed to grab onto the mast, holding on for dear life. But as I looked up, I saw the seagull-yes, the same one that had been following us all day-staring down at me with a judgmental look.
"Seriously?" I muttered. "You're judging me right now?"
"Why do we have to face Titanic!" Kiara Screeched, as she held onto Jimin's arms
Ishan managed to regain his composure and reached out to help me. But instead of pulling me up, he slipped on a stray piece of seaweed and ended up in the same predicament as me. We both hung there, dangling like a pair of mismatched Christmas ornaments, while the seagull squawked in what I could only interpret as seagull laughter.
"Well, Y/n, if this sailing thing doesn't work out, we could always join the circus."
We both burst out laughing, the kind of uncontrollable, belly-aching laughter that only comes from surviving a ridiculous situation.
"We're losing our balance guys! Byee!" And with that Ishan and I held onto each other and jumped on the sea. I flailed around like a fish out of water, my feet slipping and sliding as if I were auditioning for a slapstick comedy.
"Jennie! I'm joining my man. Jimin I hope you can handle these 2 ladies on your own. BYEE!" With that Taehyung too jumped
Meanwhile, on the other side of the boat, Jimin was orchestrating a rescue operation. With the boat tilting dangerously, he had somehow convinced Jennie and Kiara to hold onto a rod hanging precariously over the edge.
"Just hang on tight!" he yelled, his voice barely audible over the wind and waves.
Jennie and Kiara, looking more like circus acrobats than passengers, clung to the rod with white-knuckled grips. Jimin, with the agility of a seasoned gymnast, slid down the tilted deck with remarkable grace. He reached out and, in one fluid motion, grabbed the boat's edge without falling into the water.
"Careful, Jimin!" Jennie cried her face a mix of fear and admiration.
"Don't worry, I've got this!" Jimin replied, flashing a confident smile.
"Ishan! Get me the rope that's floating on your right!" He ordered. As we passed it to him, he secured the rope around the boat's edge with his free hand, steadying it and gradually bringing it back to an even keel.
"Alright, Y/n, Taehyung, and Ishan let's get you into the small boat first," he directed. He helped me climb over the edge and carefully lowered me into the small boat, making sure I didn't take an unexpected swim. Taehyung and Ishan followed, albeit with a bit more clumsiness, but Jimin's firm grip kept him from falling into the water.
Once we were settled in the lifeboat, Jimin looked up at Jennie and Kiara. "Okay, your turn! Just slide down carefully and I'll help you get into the boat."
Jennie and Kiara exchanged nervous glances but trusted Jimin's assurance. One at a time, they slid down the tilted deck. Jimin expertly guided them, catching each of them as they reached the edge and helping them safely into the lifeboat.
"Are you all okay!?" Fred yelled
"DO WE LOOK LIKE!?" Taehyung answered
"Mr. Jeon shared with me the location of the nearest Island! Follow Me!" He explained. As we sailed back to shore, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, a little bit of chaos was exactly what we needed.
"Nice! A bonus vacation!" Jimin exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Are you kidding me?" Iseul and I yelled simultaneously.
"We're stranded on this godforsaken island. There is probably no civilization within a 50-mile radius. And you call this a BONUS VACATION?" Iseul snapped, her frustration palpable.
"Well... at least we're all safe and sound, right?" Jimin offered, trying to lighten the mood.
Iseul turned around and stomped off, rolling her eyes. "Where are you going? Bruh! The way she reacted, you'd think the shipwreck was my fault," Jimin muttered.
"Hey! I had a talk with Jungkook, and we've decided that we should split up," Taehyung announced, striding over with an air of authority.
"WE?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"Kiara and I. We're going to collect firewood. Laurent volunteered to write the 'HELP' sign in the sand," Taehyung explained.
"As useful as always, I see," Jimin commented sarcastically, earning a few chuckles from the group.
"The contestants are trying to catch a fish or are collecting berries," Taehyung continued.
"Why?" Jennie asked, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Because we have to eat something tonight," Taehyung answered, his tone serious. "And who knows how long until they find us."
"Great, we're turning into survivalists now," Ishan muttered under his breath.
"Okay, everyone, let's get moving," Taehyung instructed.
"I will take charge of the firewood. Kiara, you're with me. Jennie, Y/n, and Ishan, you start looking for anything edible. Jimin, keep an eye on Laurent and make sure his 'HELP' sign is big enough to be seen from the air."
"Roger that, captain," Jimin saluted mockingly.
We all dispersed, each group taking on their assigned tasks. As Jennie, Ishan, and I ventured into the forest, the reality of our situation began to sink in. The sun was setting, casting long shadows through the trees, and the sounds of the island grew louder.
"Well, this is turning out to be quite the adventure," Jennie said, trying to stay positive.
"Adventure? More like a nightmare," I grumbled, swatting at a mosquito.
"Hey, if we stick together, we can handle anything," Ishan said, trying to bolster their spirits.
As we searched for berries and any signs of edible plants, I couldn't help but think back to Jimin's words. Maybe, just maybe, this unexpected detour would bring us closer together and give us stories to laugh about for years to come. For now, though, survival was the priority.
When we returned to the beach with our meager findings, we found Taehyung and Kiara with a decent pile of firewood. Laurent had indeed crafted a large 'HELP' sign in the sand, using rocks and driftwood to make it stand out.
"Okay, team, let's get this fire going and see if we can make the best of our 'bonus vacation,'" Jimin said, clapping his hands together.
As night fell, we huddled around the fire, sharing the few berries we had found and trying to make light of the situation. Jimin's optimism, though sometimes misplaced, was infectious. We laughed, and told stories, and for a moment, the island didn't seem so daunting.
"To our unexpected adventure!" Taehyung toasted, raising a makeshift cup of coconut water.
As the flames flickered and the stars emerged overhead, we eventually drifted off to sleep, the warmth of the fire and the comfort of our little group lulling us into a sense of peace, however temporary.
Next Morning
When morning came, I woke early, the first light of dawn just beginning to filter through the trees. Beside me, Lisa stirred, and we exchanged a silent nod. It was time. Quietly, we slipped away from the others, our footsteps barely making a sound on the soft earth.
The jungle loomed ahead, thick with dense foliage and the unknown. My heart pounded with a mix of curiosity and trepidation, but we pressed on, determined to find any signs of life-or at least some answers-on this mysterious island.
As Lily and I ventured deeper into the jungle, the once distant sound of the ocean grew faint, swallowed by the thick canopy above us. The dense foliage made it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead, and the trail, if it could even be called that, was nothing more than a winding path of trampled leaves and twisted vines.
"This is so pointless. We've already passed this log three times in the last hour. We aren't going to find anyone," I huffed, stomping my foot in frustration.
"You think it's the same one? All logs look the same to me, to be honest," Lisa replied, glancing around with a shrug.
"Look around, Lisa. Does this place look like a human-made park to you?" I asked, exasperation creeping into my voice.
"Well, no. You do have a point. I've never seen such vividly colored mushrooms before," she mused, eyeing a particularly vibrant cluster nearby.
"And that jaguar that's been following us for ten minutes already," she added casually. I froze, my heart skipping a beat as I gulped.
"Where!?" I screeched, whipping my head around in panic.
"Got ya," she laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Come on! It's not funny," I groaned, feeling the heat of embarrassment rise to my cheeks.
"Lmao, sorry. I'm kind of bad at this."
"At what?" I asked, still trying to shake off the lingering fear.
"Social interaction. Which sucks because I'm supposed to find my husband here... or risk disappointing my best friend," she sighed. Her tone shifted, revealing a hint of vulnerability. So that's why she's here- her best friend had enrolled her.
"Do you have someone on your mind already?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"I think so... I'm not sure if I like him or not."
"Really!? Who is it?" I leaned in, eager for details.
"I can't tell you. But he's rich... and funny... and really good-looking."
"That sounds like every guy here," I chuckled, rolling my eyes at the generalization.
"I know," she sighed, a small smile playing on her lips.
"But what if he likes you too?" I asked, my tone more serious.
"I don't know... We've talked a few times, but he was probably just being polite," she said, her uncertainty evident.
"You can't know that," I replied, trying to reassure her.
"I hate this feeling. How do you even know if someone is into you? I didn't know this in high school... And five years later, I still don't have a clue," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Don't worry. Nobody has it figured out," I said, trying to offer some comfort.
"I'd never say that about you, Y/N. You always look like you've got everything figured out," she said, looking at me with a mix of admiration and envy.
"But now you've got me thinking... Do YOU like someone on this show?" she asked, turning the tables on me.
"Maybe... Maybe not," I teased, enjoying the brief shift in focus.
"Fair enough," she laughed, shaking her head.
"Anyway," she added, her tone suddenly curious, "what's that thing over there?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, following her gaze as she pointed to something in the distance.
"It's something yellowish... paper, I think? It's attached to that tree's trunk," she explained, narrowing her eyes as she tried to make it out.
"It doesn't look like it's supposed to be here," she added, a hint of intrigue creeping into her voice.
"Let me get it," I said, pushing through the underbrush to reach the tree. My heart raced as I brushed the dust off the paper, revealing its contents.
It's... A TREASURE MAP!?
"Treasure map?" I whispered, barely able to believe my eyes.
Lisa moved closer, her breath catching as she saw it too. The crude drawings and faded ink marked out what looked like a path leading to... who knew what?
Suddenly, the jungle didn't seem so pointless anymore.
"Let's get back. It would be more fun to follow this map with everyone else than just by ourselves," Lisa suggested, her eyes gleaming with excitement. I nodded in agreement, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
We started retracing our steps, or at least, we thought we did. But as time ticked away, an uneasy feeling began to settle in the pit of my stomach.
"Does any of this look familiar to you?" I asked, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.
Lisa glanced around her confidence from earlier wavering. "I... thought it did. But now... everything's starting to blur together."
The more we walked, the more disoriented we became. It felt like we were going in circles, and despite our best efforts, we couldn't find any sign of the path we had originally taken.
"Something's not right," I muttered, more to myself than to Lisa. My heart began to race as the realization dawned on me: we were lost, and the map that had once filled us with excitement now seemed like a cruel joke.
Lisa's face mirrored my concern. "We should've been back by now," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I know," I replied, trying to keep the worry from my voice. "But we can't be too far from camp. We just need to retrace our steps."
I nodded, swallowing hard. Every rustle of leaves, every crack of a twig felt like a warning that we were straying further from where we needed to be.
"Let's try heading back in the direction of the sun," I suggested, trying to keep my voice steady, though the growing dread was hard to ignore.
At first, we tried to keep our spirits up, exchanging hopeful glances and whispering guesses about what we might find. But as the minutes turned into hours, that initial spark of excitement began to fade. The jungle was an endless maze of greenery, every turn looking the same as the last. We pushed through the underbrush, our clothes catching on thorns and our legs growing heavy with fatigue.
"This... isn't what I imagined," Lisa murmured, her voice barely audible over the rustle of leaves. I could hear the uncertainty creeping into her tone, mirroring the doubt that had begun to settle in my own mind.
But as we turned, it hit me- everything looked the same. The towering trees, the thick vines, the distant chirping of unseen birds. There were no markers, no signs, nothing to indicate which way we had come from.
Lisa's eyes met mine, wide with the same realization. "Y/N... I think we're lost."
I wanted to deny it, to tell her that we'd find our way back, but the knot of fear tightening in my chest wouldn't let me. We were lost, and the island, once so full of promise, now felt like a vast, unyielding labyrinth.
"We'll figure it out," I said, though my voice wavered. "We just need to stay calm and stick together."
But even as I said it, I couldn't shake the growing sense of unease. The jungle seemed to close in around us, the vibrant greens and deep shadows suddenly more menacing than mysterious.
Just as we were about to push forward again, I felt something grab my hand. A scream tore from my throat as I whipped around, my heart leaping into my mouth.
"Y/N! It's just us!"
I blinked, my vision settling on familiar faces. It was Jimin and Ethan, both looking a mix of relieved and startled by my outburst.
"We've been looking everywhere for you two!" Jimin said, his usual cheerful demeanor tinged with concern.
Ethan nodded, his expression serious. "You had us worried sick. Are you alright?"
I let out a shaky breath, my pulse still racing but now more from the shock of seeing them than from fear. "We... we got lost," I admitted, feeling a bit foolish for panicking, but immensely relieved to see them.
Lisa stepped forward, clutching the treasure map in her hand. "We found this," she said, holding it out to Jimin and Ethan. "But then we couldn't find our way back."
Jimin's eyes widened as he took the map from her. "A treasure map? Well, this just got interesting."
"Let's head back together," Ethan suggested, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We can figure out our next steps with everyone."
I nodded, still shaken but grateful. The jungle that had felt so ominous moments ago now seemed a little less threatening with the four of us together.
"I was wondering..." Ethan began, his tone thoughtful as he caught our attention. We all looked at him, curious.
"What if the four of us are the only ones to search for the X on the map?" He suggested, and we exchanged glances, the idea hanging in the air between us.
"Honestly..." I started a hint of caution in my voice. "It feels like a trap."
Jimin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
I hesitated for a moment before voicing my thoughts. "What if this shipwreck, this mysterious island, and this map are all part of some plan? What if it's something Jungkook orchestrated? There could be a huge reward waiting for us at that X, but it could also be something else entirely."
"She has a point," Lisa chimed in, her brow furrowed in thought. Ethan nodded, the idea clearly taking root.
"In that case," Jimin asked, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips, "should we take this adventure into our own hands and explore it ourselves?"
"We should!" The words came out almost in unison from me, Lisa, and Ethan, our resolve strengthening with each passing second.
"Okay, let's get it going then," Jimin agreed, his usual cheerful demeanor now tinged with excitement.
"Wait," Lisa said, holding up a hand. "Let's grab some fruits first. The other contestants are definitely going to question us about where we've been, and we'll need an excuse."
She was right. Disappearing without a reason would only raise suspicion, and the last thing we needed was a bunch of curious eyes following us.
We quickly gathered some fruits, making sure our story would hold up. Jimin, ever the quick thinker, had left subtle marks on our path earlier, and with his guidance, we retraced our steps back to camp.
"WHERE WERE YOU BOTH!?" Jennie screamed, her face a mix of worry and frustration.
"We're alright. We just went to get us some breakfast!" I quickly assured her, holding up the fruits in our hands as evidence.
"Thank goodness," Fred sighed in relief, visibly relaxing.
"Also, I contacted our emergency department, and they'll be here in a day or two," he informed us, his tone calm.
"Gre-WAIT, WHAT!? A DAY!? OR TWO!? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" Iseul exploded, her voice rising in panic. "I'M NOT STAYING HERE FOR THAT LONG! NO WAY! GET JUNGKOOK ON THE LINE NOW! I NEED IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THIS SHIPWRECK-THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!"
Ishan, leaning casually against a tree, smirked. "Relax, Iseul. If you scream any louder, you might just scare the rescue team into getting here faster."
As Iseul's outburst echoed through the jungle, a ripple of laughter spread through the group. Even Fred, who had just delivered the news, couldn't suppress a chuckle.
"Calm down, Iseul," Taehyung said, shaking his head with a smile. "We'll survive another day or two. Besides, we've got breakfast!"
Ishan snickered, nudging Iseul playfully. "Think of it as a tropical vacation. Just with less room service and more coconuts."
Iseul huffed, crossing her arms, but a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. The tension in the air eased as everyone started to relax.
"Alright, let's head back to camp and eat before all this fruit goes to waste," Jimin suggested, holding up the basket of colorful, freshly picked fruits.
"Yeah, let's go," I agreed, leading the way back to our small makeshift camp.
As we walked, the sound of laughter and lighthearted banter filled the air. The group's earlier anxiety began to fade, replaced by the simple comfort of being together. Despite everything, there was a strange sense of camaraderie in our shared predicament.
Back at the camp, we spread out the fruits on a large leaf and settled down to enjoy our impromptu breakfast. The morning sun peeked through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the ground, and for a moment, it almost felt like we were just a group of friends on an ordinary camping trip.
Almost.
As we settled around our small campfire, everyone began grabbing for the fruits. Jennie reached for a particularly ripe mango, but just as she was about to take a bite, Taehyung swiped it from her hand with a mischievous grin.
"Hey! That's mine!" Jennie protested, her eyes narrowing.
"You snooze, you lose!" Taehyung teased, taking an exaggerated bite of the mango. The juice dribbled down his chin as he chewed with mock satisfaction.
"Oh, you're so dead!" Jennie launched herself at him, trying to wrestle the mango back. Taehyung laughed, holding it just out of her reach, but she was determined.
The others watched with amused expressions, munching on their own fruits as Jennie and Taehyung's playful struggle escalated. Jennie managed to grab a handful of his hair, yanking his head down toward her level. "Give it back, or you're going to regret this!"
"Alright, alright! Here, take it!" he surrendered, holding the mango out to her, but just as Jennie reached for it, he tossed it over her head to Jimin.
"Not cool, Taehyung!" Jimin said, barely catching the mango, but unable to resist joining in the fun. "Jennie, catch!" He lobbed it back to her, but Jennie ducked at the last second, and the mango sailed straight into Iseul's lap.
"What the-?" Iseul stared down at the mango, then up at everyone, her confusion quickly turning to mock anger. "Oh, you did NOT just throw this at me!"
"Well, you wanted immediate action," Jimin quipped, stifling a laugh.
Iseul stood up, holding the mango like a weapon. "Alright, who's getting pelted first?"
Before anyone could answer, Iseul hurled the mango back at Jimin, who barely dodged it. The fruit landed with a squishy thud on the ground, spraying juice everywhere.
"That was a perfectly good mango!" Jennie lamented, throwing her hands up.
"Blame Taehyung!" Jimin pointed, laughing as he scooted away from the impending retaliation.
"Traitor!" he shouted, grabbing a handful of berries and launching them at Jimin, starting a full-on food fight.
Squeals and laughter filled the camp as everyone joined in, hurling fruit and dodging sticky projectiles. For a few minutes, the island's dangers seemed far away, and the group was just a bunch of kids having fun.
By the time the frenzy died down, everyone was covered in juice and fruit pulp, breathless from laughing. Jennie finally reclaimed what was left of the mango, holding it up triumphantly.
"You guys are ridiculous," Lisa said, wiping a smear of berry juice from her cheek, still giggling.
"Ridiculously fun," Ethan corrected, grinning despite the pulp stuck in his hair.
As we settled back down, sticky and laughing, the earlier tension seemed like a distant memory. Even in the midst of chaos, we managed to find a little bit of joy.
At Night
The night settled over the island, the sky turning a deep indigo as the stars blinked into view one by one. Everyone was exhausted. We huddled around the dying embers of the campfire, our laughter fading into the soft murmurs of conversation as sleep began to pull at our eyelids.
By 3 or 4 AM, the camp was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant crash of waves against the shore. Everyone had drifted off to sleep, sprawled out on makeshift beds of leaves and blankets, the day's antics having finally worn them out.
But for Jimin, Lisa, Ethan, and me, sleep was the last thing on our minds.
I gently nudged Jimin awake, careful not to disturb the others. He blinked up at me, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "It's time," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the nighttime sounds.
Jimin nodded, and we both quietly roused Lisa and Ethan. The four of us exchanged determined glances in the dim light before slipping away from the camp, careful not to make a sound.
As we made our way back into the jungle, the familiar thrill of adventure surged through me. The darkness was thick, with only the faint glow of the moon filtering through the canopy to guide us. We moved cautiously, relying on the map we'd found earlier to lead us toward the mysterious X.
"This is it," Lisa whispered, holding the map up to the moonlight. "If we follow this path, we should get closer to the X."
"Okay, let's go!" Jimin exclaimed in a hushed voice, excitement bubbling up as he took a step forward. But before he could go any further, I quickly grabbed the back of his collar, yanking him to a halt.
"Dude, that's the wrong direction!" I whispered urgently, pulling him back toward the rest of us.
Jimin blinked, looking sheepish as he realized his mistake. "Oh... right," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Good catch, Y/N."
Ethan stifled a laugh, trying to keep quiet. Lisa chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I think we need to keep a closer eye on our fearless leader here."
"Hey, I'm just enthusiastic!" Jimin defended himself with a playful smirk, though he couldn't help but join in the laughter.
With the direction corrected and everyone back on track, we resumed our careful advance into the jungle. Ethan took the lead, using a small flashlight to illuminate the way ahead. The jungle was eerily quiet at this hour, the usual chatter of birds and insects replaced by a heavy, almost expectant silence.
"Stay close," Jimin muttered, his eyes scanning the dense foliage around us. Despite the excitement, there was an undercurrent of tension. None of us knew what to expect when we reached the X, but we were all too invested to turn back now.
We trudged through the underbrush, our footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath us. Every now and then, the sound of a snapping twig or rustling leaves would make us freeze, our senses on high alert. But we pressed on, driven by curiosity and the tantalizing possibility of uncovering whatever secret the map was hiding.
After what felt like hours, we finally reached a small clearing, the trees giving way to a patch of moonlit ground. Lisa checked the map again, her eyes wide with anticipation.
"We're here," she whispered, pointing to the spot marked with an X. "Look at the lake... It's so beautiful"
We all stared at the lake, our hearts pounding in unison. Whatever was buried here, we were about to find it. The adventure had just begun.
"I'm sure there'll be a mark around this lake. Let's search for it," Ethan said confidently, his eyes scanning the area.
We spread out, combing the shoreline, turning over rocks, and peering into crevices, but after more than 15 minutes of searching, there was nothing. Frustration began to set in, and one by one, we sat down on the grassy bank, exhausted.
"No sign of anything," Jimin sighed, wiping sweat from his brow.
I stared at the calm surface of the lake, my mind racing. Suddenly, an idea struck me. "Wait... what if the sign isn't around the lake but in it?" I pointed to the water, my heart pounding with the possibility.
They all turned to me, intrigued. "You think it could be underwater?" Lisa asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.
"It might be dangerous," she added, glancing at the still water with a wary expression.
"But look at the water," Ethan said, leaning closer to the edge. "It's clear, and there are only small fish swimming around. It doesn't seem too risky."
"Let's check the depth first," Jimin suggested, standing up with renewed determination.
We all exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between us. Jimin and Ethan took the lead, cautiously stepping into the lake. The water was cool against their skin as they waded in, the gentle ripples spreading out around them.
"Careful," I warned, my eyes fixed on the two of them as they moved further in. The lake's bottom was visible through the clear water, and Jimin reached down, feeling for any sign of a clue.
As they ventured deeper, the tension grew.
"I feel something-an uplifted shape! It feels like an X!" Jimin exclaimed, his voice echoing across the quiet lake.
My heart skipped a beat as I leaned forward, trying to get a better look. "Y/N, can you pass me those sticks near the tree?" Ethan called, not taking his eyes off the spot Jimin had found.
I quickly grabbed the sturdy sticks and carefully waded into the water, handing them over to Ethan. The tension was palpable as they began digging into the soft lakebed, their movements deliberate and focused.
Jimin's eyes widened as he felt something solid beneath the surface. "I feel something! It seems like... a box!" he said, his voice filled with excitement as he carefully lifted it from the muddy bottom.
"YES! We've found it!" We all erupted into cheers, the thrill of discovery electrifying the air.
"Bring it to the shore!" Lisa shouted, her voice carrying over the water.
With a grin, Jimin and Ethan carefully maneuvered the box, making sure not to drop it as they waded back toward us. The anticipation was overwhelming as we gathered around, our excitement barely contained.
"Let's see what's inside!" Ethan urged as they finally set the dripping box down on the shore, water pooling at their feet.
"A mini fridge?" we all groaned in unison, our collective disappointment hanging in the air.
"All this hard work, just for a fridge?" Ethan bellowed, frustration evident in his voice.
"This was all a setup!" Lisa exclaimed, her eyes wide with realization.
"Like I said, this whole shipwreck business was staged!" I added, feeling the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together.
"I don't think they'd be that cruel," Ethan chimed in, his skepticism evident. "I mean, come on, who would do something like that?"
"Then who left the treasure?" I questioned, the doubt gnawing at me.
"Obviously, the producers," Jimin said with a knowing look. "But think about it- this island was probably planned as a fun, interactive treasure hunt after the cruise. They wouldn't actually sink a ship on purpose. Ships aren't exactly cheap, you know."
"You've got a point there," I admitted, nodding slowly as the tension eased. The idea that this was all part of a grand plan made the situation a little less terrifying and a lot more intriguing.
Lisa sighed as she scanned the note inside. "It says we're supposed to share the food with the other contestants. But get this- we earn bonus points, which could help us during the elimination dome session."
"So, it's hinting at the next elimination challenge?" Jimin speculated eyebrows raised.
"Great. Let's just unpack this thing already," I muttered, grabbing one side of the fridge.
"Let's go," Lisa said, as the boys moved forward in sync. But something caught my eye.
An envelope, wedged at the bottom of the box.
"What's this?" I wondered aloud, slipping it out and carefully tearing it open.
"Mon-money?" I whispered, barely audible, so the others wouldn't hear.
I had no idea why, but something told me to keep it. Maybe Jungkook had a plan, something that involved this cash.... a little secret paper.
As I stuffed the money into my bag, I heard a voice behind me.
"Y/N, what are you doing?" Lisa asked, her tone tinged with suspicion.
"Nothing, just... leaving," I replied quickly, catching up to the group, trying to hide the flutter of guilt in my chest.
As we rounded the bend and the beach came into view, the first thing we noticed was Taehyung, standing rigidly with his arms crossed, his expression a storm of anger and impatience.
"WHERE WERE YOU FOUR!?" Taehyung yelled, his voice brimming with anger as he stormed towards us.
We exchanged awkward glances, then burst into nervous laughter, facing Taehyung and Kiara's stern glares.
"This time, you four really had a plan to disappear and make us worry again," Kiara scolded, arms crossed.
"Calm down, everyone," I said, trying to defuse the tension.
"We brought food!" Jimin announced, a grin spreading across his face.
"And fresh water!" Ethan added triumphantly, holding up covered bowls of water.
In an instant, their angry faces transformed into expressions of relief and excitement.
"Where did you find this?" Taehyung asked, his tone now curious rather than accusatory.
"It's a secret," Lisa giggled, playfully winking.
"The rest of us failed miserably at collecting firewood and food for the day," Kiara admitted, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Ishan sprained his ankle jumping over a log, and no one else managed to gather anything-not even berries. Everyone's pretty upset right now."
"DID YOU JUST SAY FOOD?!" Ishan yelled from across the camp, hobbling over as fast as his sprained ankle would allow.
"Oh my god, tell me there's cheese!" Jennie shouted, eyes wide with hope.
"Is there any carbonated water?" Iseul screeched, her voice rising in excitement.
"OUT OF MY WAY, EVERYONE!" Laurent bellowed, charging forward with wild determination.
"Hold on, everyone!" I said, stepping in to calm the frenzy. "There's enough for all of us. No need to fight."
At my words, everyone paused for a moment, their eyes locked on the containers we had brought. The tension in the air slowly gave way to excitement, and soon, they rushed forward, eager to get their hands on the food.
"Alright, let's line up," Jimin suggested, trying to restore some order as he started handing out portions. "No need to trample each other."
Iseul was the first to grab a bowl, her eyes lighting up as she uncovered the fresh water. "Finally! Something that doesn't taste like the ocean," she sighed in relief, taking a long, satisfied sip.
Jennie eagerly reached for a piece of cheese, her face breaking into a wide grin. "Cheese! I thought I'd never taste it again!" she exclaimed, nibbling on it with delight.
Ishan, despite his sprained ankle, managed to snag a piece of bread, which he devoured as if he hadn't eaten in days. "This is heaven," he mumbled between bites, his earlier pain momentarily forgotten.
Laurent, with his usual flair for drama, made a show of tasting the food. "Ah, the sweet taste of survival," he declared, savoring each bite as if it were a five-star meal.
Taehyung, still holding onto his frustration, finally accepted a bowl from Ethan. His frown softened slightly as he took a sip of water. "You guys really pulled through," he admitted grudgingly, though the gratitude in his voice was undeniable.
As the group settled down to eat, the earlier tension seemed to melt away. Laughter and conversation replaced the grumbling and anger, and for the first time in what felt like ages, there was a sense of camaraderie among us.
"Not bad for a day's work," Lisa said with a smile, watching as everyone dug into their meals with renewed energy.
"Let's hope we can keep this up," I added, feeling a mix of relief and determination. "We're going to need every bit of strength for whatever's coming next."
And with that, we all ate together, savoring not just the food, but the small victory we'd achieved in an otherwise chaotic situation.
"Honestly... I hate this show. I hate it!" Laurent exclaimed, his voice tinged with raw frustration as he threw his hands in the air.
"I wish I'd never applied. Being shipwrecked on an abandoned island? Could it get more catastrophic than this?" he continued, his words dripping with resentment.
"I'm sure they didn't mean for this to happen," I offered, though my voice lacked conviction.
"We don't care!" Iseul snapped, her eyes blazing with anger. "They shouldn't have let us board that ship if it wasn't safe! Those stupid producers and their idiotic ideas... They can all just-"
"Iseul!" Jimin cut in sharply, his voice rising above the brewing chaos.
"What?!" she shot back, glaring at him.
"Something's blinking... behind you," Jimin said slowly, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of it.
"Where? I don't- Oh, that? Is that a-"
"Camera. Yes," Lisa confirmed, her voice steady, though her eyes betrayed the knowledge she already carried. "We're being filmed."
The group fell silent, eyes wide as they all turned to look at the small, barely visible device blinking from behind a cluster of rocks.
"But then that means-" Iseul started, her voice trembling.
"It means we've been tricked," Ethan said calmly, stepping closer to Iseul. His expression was one of resigned understanding. "They've been watching us this whole time."
Taehyung's eyes narrowed, his anger shifting as he pieced together what the rest of us already knew. "You knew," he accused, his voice tinged with betrayal. "You all knew, and you didn't say anything?"
I nodded slowly. "We suspected, but we weren't sure until now," I admitted. "We didn't want to make it worse-everyone's already on edge."
"But why not tell us?" Kiara demanded, her earlier fury now mixed with confusion and hurt. "We had a right to know!"
"Would it have made a difference?" Jimin asked, his voice soft but firm. "We're stuck here either way. Whether we know we're being watched or not, we still have to survive."
Jimin's words hung in the air for a moment, the gravity of the situation clear. Then, without missing a beat, Lisa quipped, "Well, if we're stuck here, we might as well give them a show they'll never forget."
I couldn't help but smirk. "What are you suggesting? A talent competition? 'Survivor's Got Talent'?"
Laurent rolled his eyes, but a small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Sure, why not? I've always wanted to show off my interpretive dance skills."
Iseul snorted. "I'll take you on with my air guitar solo. Spoiler alert: it's epic."
Ishan chimed in, pretending to stroke an imaginary beard. "And I'll narrate the whole thing, David Attenborough-style. 'Here we see the rare island castaways, engaging in an ancient ritual known as... making complete fools of themselves.'"
Kiara raised an eyebrow, a smile finally breaking through his serious expression. "Oh, this I've got to see. But only if we can end the night with a group sing-along of 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'"
"Deal," I said, laughing as the tension melted away. "But only if you take the high notes, Jimin."
"Fine," he chuckled. "But don't blame me if the producers cut the cameras after my solo."
"Let them try," Lisa said, winking. "We'll just keep going until they realize they can't handle us."
The group burst into laughter, the earlier weight of the situation momentarily forgotten. If we were going to be stuck on this island, at least we'd do it on our terms-with humor, ridiculousness, and a defiant refusal to let the producers have the last laugh.
This definitely wasn't an accident...
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