The three decided to head towards a mountain they saw; possibly from that altitude they would be able to see the whole island.  AJ paved the way because he was the only one with pants on; Brian and Isabelle had shorts on and were already getting cut up by the foliage.
        AJ was getting annoyed with all the branches in the way. Now there was a branch at eye level...he pushed out to the in disgust so he could pass.
        PHWAP!
        "OW! AJ!!” Brian yelled as the branch ricocheted back into his face
        "Oops, sorry, Bri,” AJ tried to apologize. Isabelle started giggling.
        Soon they came to piles of rocks that lay at the foot of the mountain. AJ was about to attempt to start climbing, when Isabelle shooed him out of the way saying, "Let the rock climber go first.” She hopped up on top of the rock with ease and stretched out her hand to AJ.
        "Rock climber...?!” AJ and Brian said in unison.
        "Yep, now, c'mon,” She helped the guys up the rocks. They were a bit embarrassed, but glad someone knew how to climb the rocks. They got to the top of the mountain and sat to catch their breath.
        "What a view," Isabelle commented.
        "Yeah,” Brian sighed. AJ nodded. They could see all around the island; they found it was somewhat small. The sea glittered all about it; the island was a spot in the continuous blue. They could make out the crash site and point out the little figures, which were Howie, Kevin, Nick, and Lily. They saw that there was a bit of a waterfall on one end of the island, along with what they hoped were caves Once rested, they scrambled down a less steep side of the mountain in the direction of the waterfall.

[back by the crash site]
        Kevin shifted uneasily. Nick and Howie had gone back to sleep and all was silent. The silence was bothering him. He tried to go to sleep, but sleep would not come. He heard a noise and looked in its direction only to see Nick attempting to turn over without disturbing his wrapped arms. Kevin sighed and decided to look through Nick's duffel bag for--he couldn't believe he was doing this--a Gameboy. But he couldn't find one. Then he remembered it had been sitting on the table in the plane...so it was probably blown to bits by now. He looked at Nick and Howie; they were out cold. He wondered what they were dreaming about. Maybe home, or a concert, or something. Then he looked at Lily. Her deep tan skin made her look so delicate at the moment. Her black hair was a bit disheveled, but beautiful. It cascaded down her back as she lay there sleeping. She looked so much at peace. He looked up at the mountain where he thought he saw some human figures. He could barely identify them as Brian, AJ, and Isabelle. He hoped they would come back soon with some good news. He looked around again. He winced as he saw the crash site. He remembered the pilot. He remembered the wing on fire. All of the terror came rushing back to him. He shook his head to snap himself out of it.

[back with the three explorers]
        AJ pushed away some of the shrubbery to reveal a picturesque scene. Isabelle gasped at the beauty they had come across. Brian was awed to silence. The waterfall was liquid glass, dancing upon wet rocks that had carpets of soft green algae. At its base sat a lake that shimmered like the ocean. All was silent, except for the laughter of the waterfall. AJ stepped forward onto a smooth set of rocks that lay at the waters edge.
        "How deep do you think it is?”
        "Who knows.” Brian stepped forward to stand by AJ and Isabelle followed...but her foot slipped on the smooth, wet rock.
        "EEEEK!!!!!” she screamed as she fell, grabbing the closest thing to her...Brian.
        "AAAAHHH!!!” he screamed in shock. Both fell and landed in the cold water.
        SPLAAAAAASH
        They came up sputtering. AJ couldn't keep the grin off his face.
        "W--(cough)what's so funny?” Brian tired to ask, trying to recover.
        "(cough) Yeah!” Isabelle added.
        "Oh, nuthin, "AJ smirked, "Just sorta funny how Isabelle took you along with her for the ride, Bri.”
        "Could you stop smirking and help me out?” Isabelle asked.
        "Hehe, yeah, sure,” AJ outstretched his hand to her.
        "Nobody gets away with laughing at me!” she yelled as she pulled him in.
        "AHHH!!!!” he screamed as he landed in the cold water.
        "Haha, she got you, Bone!” Brian laughed.
        "YOU shut up, Rok!” He returned splashing water in Brian's face.
        "Oh, AJ, where are your prized glasses?” Brian asked with an evil grin.
        "Give ‘em to me man! NOW!” AJ threatened.
        "NO!” Brian splashed him.
        "You asked for it!” AJ returned with a tidal wave of a splash in Brian's face.
        "NOW you've done it!' Brian yelled.
        "Hey, you guys...” Isabelle tried to get their attention, but the Boys were too busy splashing each other. "Um, guys...” No response. "GUYS!!” She screamed.
        "What!?!?” they replied.
        "Why you yellin?!” AJ asked.
        "Cuz you two never listen to me.”
        "Sorry...talk on, oh Goddess Isabelle.” Brain pretended to bow. Isabelle scowled at the new nickname; the Boys just laughed.
        "Anyways...look over there, is that a cave, or is my eyesight going?”
        "Naw, you're eyesight's going,” AJ concluded without even looking. "OW.” Brain elbowed him.
        "You shut up.” Isabelle was getting annoyed.
        "Yes'm.”
        Brian squinted, "I think Isabelle is right...that might be the cave we were hoping for...behind the waterfall.”
        "C'mon then,” instructed Isabelle, as she started to swim towards the waterfall. Brian looked at AJ momentarily, who just shrugged, and the Boys followed her leadership once again.
        The two soon found out Isabelle had been right. She was already inside by the time they caught up to her. At first, the mouth of the cave was damp, and had the water's blue reflections on its walls. The three ventured further to find the cave was quite big, and at the end, it was actually a bit warm and dry. They decided it would be a good place to ‘make camp'. Now the only problem was that they didn't know if they could get back to the crash site.
        "You guys, I fell over there, so we came out of those bushes.”
        "Nuh-huh, you fell over there, those are the bushes we came out of.”
        "You both are wrong, Isabelle and I fell over there, and those are the bushes.”
        The arguing continued until it was decided that Brian was right. The attempted to retrace their steps, and were relieved when they reached the top of the mountain once again. AJ pointed out a possible shorter route back to the crash site. They assumed it was about 5 or 6pm, for the sun was low in the sky as the three descended down the mountain.
[later]
        "If one more twig ricochets in my face I'm gonna scream,” AJ muttered on the trek back.
        "Poor baby, not used to roughing it,” Isabelle laughed.
        "I can take it!” Brian mimicked a HE-MAN like voice.
        THWAP
        A branch hit AJ in the face.  Isabelle burst out laughing because just like he vowed, AJ did scream, with many an unmentionable word. Brian just shook his head at his friend and joined Isabelle in laughing.
        "Rok, lemme go first; my face can't take anymore of this.”
        "Fine,” Brain switched places and began to walk behind Isabelle instead of in front of her.
        "Big baby!” Isabelle giggled.
        "And damn proud of it!” AJ gave a huff. "Man, I need some Mickey D's right now...” AJ rubbed his grumbling stomach as the walked.
        "Don't even, Age; I'm hungry enough as it is...” Brian whined.
        "We'll eat when we get back, okay?” Isabelle tried to reason.
        "Left or right...” AJ asked them as they came to a small clearing.
        "You're the one who pointed out the different route, Age, shouldn't you know?” Brian asked.
        "Hmph,” AJ grumbled as the stopped while he thought.
        "While we're not doing anything, I have a question..." Isabelle began.
        "Yes...?” Brian asked.
        "What in the hell is 'Rok' and 'Bone'!?” She was confused.
        "Dear Isabelle,” AJ put an arm around her shoulder, "Look over there. See that stone? It's also called a rock. And do you know what a skeleton is? Well, a skeleton is made up of bones...” he talked to her as if he was talking to an 8 year-old.
        "Idiot!” she swatted his arm off. "I KNOW that...” AJ grinned.
        "See, we've got nicknames. One of mine is B-Rok” Brian began to explain. "...one of AJ's, though that in itself is a nickname,” AJ glared at the comment and Brian smiled  and continued "Is Bone...I also call him Age sometimes...”
        "OH I get it now ” Isabelle replied.
        "Do you have a nickname?” Brian inquired.
        "Sash calls me Izzy. I guess it's just easier to say... Now c'mon, since AJ here is busy attempting, and I mean attempting to be funny, I say we go left,” and with that, Isabelle began walking.  Brian grinned and then gave AJ a haha-I-guess-she-told-YOU face, and followed behind Isabelle. AJ gave another huff and began to walk.

[back by the crash ]
        Lily was murmuring in her sleep. She was wailing, and shifting. Kevin opened his eyes, wondering if she was OK. Howie woke up and looked at her. The expression on her face was pained. Both wondered what nightmare she must have been having. Howie motioned to Kevin with his head. Kevin nodded and stretched out, trying to wake up Lily. Kevin nudged her for a bit. She finally woke up; actually, she shot up, and stared at both of them with wide, scared eyes. Without thinking, she lunged herself a the closest Boy, Kevin, and started sobbing into his chest. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her.

 
 To any curious readers --

For those who are new to my little corner of the web, thanx for reading this far in this story. For those who have seen this site for a while and have been waiting for more chapters for this particular story, I know its been quite a bit of a wait... 

I'm sorry I haven't touched this story in awhile. I actually started it just after NBY, as an outlet when I felt like writing something different.... But now my excess free time has vanished and any creative drive I had is gone.  I've gotten a few cool emails with  ideas on how to keep this story going...but  writing takes time; something I don't seem to have much of anymore. (I don't know how I even keep the site going, of all things.)

I'm not saying I'll never finish this...but I'm not giving my self a deadline or anything, So don't grab some popcorn and sit by your computer and wait for more chapters for this story anytime soon.

I know it has potential (and I sill welcome emailed ideas, by al means! =)...Please don't be mad!
--sv

CHAPTER FOUR
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