Chapter 2

The plane crash had stranded everyone on this remote island.

With no communication tools, we couldn’t contact the outside world, forced to passively await rescue.

But before that, we had to survive.

There were seven of us trapped on the island:

Besides me, Caleb Vance, Serena Hayes, and Captain Leo Thorne, there were co-pilot Paul Davies, security guard Grant Bell, and flight attendant Maya Jenkins.

The first order of business was to distribute supplies.

Leo and Caleb had both brought some food and water before jumping, just in case.

But resources were scarce; these meager provisions weren't enough for seven people.

“One portion each.”

Leo and Caleb had already divided all the food and water equally into seven shares.

Everyone immediately tucked their portion away, afraid someone else would try to grab it.

That’s when Serena started her usual antics again.

She pointed at the crackers in my hand and said,

“I like those crackers. Can I have them?”

My brow furrowed. I ignored her directly.

“Jocelyn, I’ll give you my chocolate, and you give me your crackers.”

It was obvious to anyone that the crackers were a much larger portion than the chocolate.

Serena was clearly trying to take advantage of me.

“Sorry, I don’t like chocolate.”

Serena pouted, tugging at Caleb’s arm petulantly.

“Caleb, I really want those crackers…”

Caleb glanced at the crackers in my hand and said without hesitation,

“Jocelyn, trade with her.”

Before I could even react, Caleb stepped forward and took the crackers from my lap.

Just like he’d taken my parachute.

Authoritatively.

Serena took the crackers, happily hugging Caleb and kissing him on the cheek.

“Caleb, you’re the best.”

Caleb’s expression didn’t change. He then pushed the chocolate into my lap.

I didn’t take it. The chocolate fell to the ground and Paul quickly snatched it up.

“Can you stop being so stubborn? It’s just crackers! Why do you always have to make things difficult for Serena?”

My face was filled with shock.

The person before me was utterly unrecognizable.

Was this still the uncle who had brought me home and promised to protect me?

“It’s alright, Caleb. Jocelyn’s still young, it’s normal for her to throw little tantrums. Don’t pay her any mind.”

Caleb snorted coldly and, with Serena’s help, turned and walked away.

I'd promised myself I wouldn't grieve over him anymore, but the sadness still clung to me like a bad habit.

After finally pulling myself together, I returned to the bonfire.

The others were already discussing how to use the available resources to send out a distress signal.

The seven of us split into three groups.

The first group would go to the beach to collect wood for a bonfire, hoping to attract passing ships or planes.

The second group would stay put and arrange “SOS” signals with branches and stones.

The third group would use airplane wreckage and branches to build a makeshift shelter.

The weather on the island was unpredictable. If we encountered severe weather like heavy rain or typhoons, we’d at least have some protection from the elements.

Caleb was injured and couldn't move easily, so he stayed behind to rest.

I volunteered to go to the more distant beach.

Among these people, I was the only one who had walked from the beach through the forest, so I was already familiar with the route.

Serena, for some reason, also volunteered to go to the beach.

Though I was reluctant, I had no reason to refuse her company.

“Wait.”

Caleb suddenly called out to us.

But before he could say anything, Leo stepped forward, holding a pair of makeshift sandals he’d just woven from grass.

“Jocelyn, you should wear these. The path is so rough, and you have cuts on your feet. We don’t want them to get infected.”

My shoes had been washed away by the sea, so I'd been forced to go barefoot, every step painful.

“Thank you.”

I looked at Leo gratefully.

Behind them, Caleb’s expression subtly changed. He silently pushed the canvas shoes he’d found among the plane wreckage further under a rock behind him.

He said nothing at all.