Island Rush (68 page)

“The others couldn’t just take their belts off?”

I shook my head, improving on my improvising.  “No.  Like I said, most were dead instantly.  The ones that initially survived the impact were so stunned I think that they couldn’t handle it.  I can’t give you a definite answer when I was half out of it as it was.  I’m surprised I made it.  And it also had to do with how close the plane was to the surface.  It was in shallow water.”

“What about the man?” Mustache asked.  “Where does he fit in?”

“I swam up to the shore of this island. Like I said, the plane was very close to shallow water.  Then I passed out on the beach.  When I woke, I found him down the beach passed out like I was.”

“Is it true he is your teacher?”

Glancing to Jeff, I saw unfortunately that he didn’t know that.  His eyebrows jumped quickly up, and eyes widened slightly.  He quickly composed his face.  Now that he really knew, would he keep his mouth shut?  I hoped so. 

Looking back to the other man, I was glad he didn’t notice that small look since he seemed like he would be an observer.  “Yeah, he is,” I answered him.

“And what is his name?”

“Mr. Rush.”

He nodded.  “Mr. Rush?  Don’t you know his first name?”

My stomach twisted as his eyes met mine.  “I think it's Casey,” I said.  “He mentioned it once but I always just called him Mr. Rush.”

“Hmm.” He leaned back in his chair, getting comfortable.  “How did he get out of the plane?”

I shrugged.  “I asked him, and he doesn’t recall.  He remembered hitting the water when the plane went down then he blacked out he said.  When he woke, he was on shore.”

“Maybe his unconscious body ‘drifted’ through one of the very small passenger windows.  Then he floated up to the surface, unconscious, and happened to drift to the island,” he stated, a hint of sarcasm laced in his words.  It was clear he didn’t believe me.  “Maybe that’s what happened.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” I asked before I could hold back.  I was getting angry at this guy.

He smirked, shrugging.  He wasn’t as professional as I initially thought.  “I think it’s a little… unbelievable.”

“I do not care what you believe.  That’s what happened.”

Jeff stepped in.  “I would take her word for it,” he said, looking at him and then me.  “She just went through hell!  She doesn’t need people questioning her on things that do not matter.  All that matters is that she is okay along with the other survivor.  You need to listen to her because that is your only story.  Who else are you going to ask?” he snapped, looking to Mustache, who was not too happy at the moment.

I smiled towards Jeff, happy he was helping me with this.  Looking back to the guy, I saw that he faltered a little but was quick to go on.  “Speaking of who to ask, I do need to ask you a few things,” he said to the nice pilot.  “You were part of the group searching for them, correct?”

I blinked, a little shocked.  They actually were looking.  It was something I always wondered.  I always dismissed the idea because I would have thought they would have found us sooner if they were looking.  I guess not.

I cut in, needing clarification.  “You were looking for us?”

I glanced back and forth at the two men.  Dude with the mustache nodded.  “The plane went off our maps that day.  It disappeared a few minutes after the plane was over the water.  There was a wide range of where the plane could have crashed.  We looked from the coast of the country to areas around the Bahamas.  We never found you and it wasn’t a surprise from how much area we needed to cover.  After considering giving up on such an impossible task, a lot of parents and friends of those that were on the flight pushed for us to keep going.  So as more people got involved, we were forced to not stop yet.  Then, we find you.  It was by chance.  Like I said, we had no idea where to look, not getting a reading from the time it dropped off the map.”

I nodded, following along with his words.  It made sense, for the most part.  Having no clue where the plane crashed didn’t narrow where they needed to search.  That was just it, though.  “Why was that the case?  When it dropped from your maps, didn’t you assume it crashed the place it had dropped?”

I sure didn’t expect to learn what I did.  Mustache took a deep breath, eyes blank in mine.  “Do you know why I am here and who exactly I am?”

“No,” I mumbled under my breath, still not pleased with him. 

“I am here on behalf of Mainstay Airways,” he said, the word ringing a bell.  It was the airline we were on and the one that failed.  “I was sent here by the company to try to learn more about the issue that occurred on the flight.  We know why it failed.  We just want more information, and you could offer it.  We are also willing to work with you after learning your story.  We want a better image for this company so besides getting sued, we are trying to make the situation a little better.”

I was intrigued to hear that.  To know this guy was representing the airline that failed and led to many deaths was very interesting.  I was anxious to learn more, especially since he knew why we went down.  “You want more information about how your planes might have failed, that’s fine,” I nodded.  “I’ll help if I can, but you are going to tell me first what happened and why.”

His jaw tightened, not appreciating my tone.  He sighed before going on.  “You’re right.  When it dropped from our maps, we assumed it crashed right where the signal ended.  We looked there and didn’t find anything so we didn’t have an answer to give anybody.  Mainstay Airways went under heavy investigation.  It was discovered that our other planes showed signs of possible mechanical error.  When we looked closer, we discovered that this was something that could cause communication to be dropped and equipment to malfunction, which gave us our answer.  A mechanical error occurred and interfered with the radar.  Currently, the company is trying to fix those flaws in the designs and make sure it won’t happen again.”

Wow.  I was speechless, not because it was surprising; I knew there was a reason for why we crashed.  To know why now was important.  It was something I’ve wondered, and I was relieved to get an answer.  Staring at him, not saying anything yet, he went on.

“After seeing that it could drop from our maps before crashing, that’s when we realized that the plane could be anywhere.  That’s why it took so long to find you, and that is why I need to ask you several more questions.  Plus, as I’ve mentioned, we are trying to assist you in this hard time and learn your story,” he said, not at all looking thrilled.  He was speaking on behalf of the company.  It was clear he genuinely did not care. It was making me mad.

“I said I could help you out but why now?” I asked.  I understood they needed answers but why now?  I couldn’t take a little freaking break?  I thought talking to him was mandatory before anything else.  It sure didn’t sound as important to me.  “I’m getting really impatient.  I’m tired and hungry!  Do you not get I was on an island a few hours ago?”

He scowled before looking to the pilot.  “Tell me what happened a few hours ago.”

Jeff looked uncomfortable.  So far, he helped keep our secret.  He could tell Mustache if he wanted. I guess, I would understand.  He may not only be happy to end a ‘sick and illegal’ relationship if that’s how he saw it, but he would also get recognition for it if he wanted. 

He met my eyes as he answered the man.  “I was flying by and moved farther away from the island.  But then, before I was too far, I saw a fire.  She started a huge fire to get my attention and it worked.”

“Is that true?” Mustache looked to me.

I nodded.  “Yeah, we needed to get help.  Badly.  Mr. Rush was dying,” I said.  “He was really close and would have passed either that night or early the next day.”

Jeff nodded.  “I saw that the man was sick.  He looked half dead when I found them.  I think after all they have been through, she at least deserves to see if he is okay.  She saved his life, after all.”

Mustache didn’t like that.  “Why?  Do you care for him?”

My eyes went wide.  “Yes!  If I was stranded with anyone — even you — I’m sure I would become closer to that person and come to care for them.  Just because I care doesn’t mean I’m in love with the guy.  Jesus,” I muttered, sick of this already.  But he needed to see, everyone did, that our relationship was harmless.  It was common sense that I would care about him no matter what. 

“How did he get sick?” he asked on, ignoring my words.

“Bit by a rat,” I growled. 

He nodded.  “That would explain it,” he said easily to himself.

“Explain what?” I asked, heart jumping. 

He shrugged.  “That explains why he is getting his arm cut off.”

His face was blank while watching my reaction.  What was worse was the fact that I knew it was true.  The pilot looked as if he wanted to hit Mustache.  He should be glad he never gave me his name. Otherwise, I would never forget it.  Jeff looked to me, expression sad. I could only imagine mine. I took my surroundings in, but my mind was separated.

Casey… was getting his arm cut off because of the rat bite… because help came too late… because we had to get out of bed that day.  If I just let us relax in bed that day, we would still be on the island now.  Sleeping in each other’s arms and completely okay.  But no.  He was getting his arm removed.  I bit my lip, looking down.  I couldn’t help a few tears from escaping as I stared down at the table, my breath increasing.

When I looked up, Jeff spoke.  “That means he will live, though.  An arm is better than his life.”

He was right about that.  I was so thankful.  He would live if he were just getting his arm cut off.  Hopefully.  “I thought it was too late and spread to the rest of his body?”

Neither of them didn’t seem to have an answer.  Jeff spoke up.  “Well, I guess they found some way to get it out of the rest of his system.”

I nodded, understanding.  It was a miracle. That was for sure.  “Are we done here?” I asked quietly.

Mustache nodded and stood.  I still didn’t get an answer on whether I could see him or not.  It probably could not happen either way.  Casey was probably getting his arm removed right now. 

After he had been gone, I looked at Jeff, who was still sitting quietly in the chair, watching the man leave.  The door slowly closed, leaving just Jeff and me.

I sighed but smiled.  It was okay that his arm was getting cut off.  Because if it weren’t for Jeff, it would be much worse.  Casey would be dead, and I couldn’t be more thankful if that weren't the case.  I felt another tear crawl down my cheek.  Wiping it away, I looked at him as he turned to me.

“What a dick,” the pilot said to me.

I chuckled slightly, smiling through my cold tears.  “Yeah, he is.”  I took a deep breath.  “Thank you,” I told him.

He nodded.  “You are very brave for a girl your age.  I see why this is hard for you.”

I bit my lip, unsure if whether I could say what I wanted, not knowing if we were being recorded.  Looking around quickly, he saw what I must be searching for and spoke.  “We are okay.  That guy was recording you with a recorder in his pocket.  This room isn’t bugged, though; I checked.”

“You checked?”

“My wife works here.  She told me herself earlier.”

I nodded.  “You won’t… you won’t tell anyone will you?” I asked.  He knew what I meant. 

He smiled slightly.  “No, I won’t tell anybody.  Not after what I saw when you two were together on the beach and on the helicopter. I wouldn’t dare.”

I nodded, so relieved.  “Thank you.  Thank you for everything.”

He smiled.  “You’re welcome.  So, you’re his student?  It doesn’t… seem like it.” 

I nodded.  “Yeah. What do you mean it doesn’t seem like it?”

“You are just… so mature.  And when you were with him, it didn’t seem like it.  I just know that what I saw between you two wasn’t an ordinary love.  It was really strong.  I’m sorry you are going to have to go through hell to keep it a secret, but I think it would be worth it if I loved someone like you love him.” 

He smiled and when he did, the woman who promised me food and water came in, setting a water bottle down in front of me along with a dish of Jell-O, soup, and three sandwiches with some mashed potatoes, which made me laugh.  It was what I jokingly said I wanted when we leave the island: mashed potatoes. 

“Sorry,” she said.  “Hospital food is not always the best.”

I stared at the food.  Oh, my God.  Finally, I thought to myself and looked up to her.  “Thank you,” I said, getting a better look at her than earlier.  She had wavy red hair that was held up in a ponytail, her eyes dark blue.  She was a little shorter than me it appeared, and she looked to be in her early thirties too.  She was wearing smocks covered in bright small polka dots. She was most likely a nurse. 

I grabbed the sandwich, taking a bite… and whoa!  It was the best thing I ever tasted, and I couldn’t help but shove it in my mouth as fast as I could.  I was so hungry and missed all the food that the island didn’t provide.

She smiled at me.  “I’m glad you’re okay.  My husband said that you and your friend were lucky he saw you.” Glancing to Jeff, she smiled.

“This is your wife?” I asked him.

He nodded.  “This is who I would go through hell with,” he said, making me recall what he said before she came in.  “This is Rachel.  Rachel, this is Janice,” he said, introducing me to her.