Desert Island

Nick opened his eyes slowly. He couldn’t straighten himself from position which the safety manual of the plane had informed to do when plane had to do emergency landing. Something was on his back, forcing him to be in the same position.
—Help! Is anyone alive?? He yelled. He heard groan next to him.
—Brian! Brian, are you alive?? He yelled again, this time with little hope in his voice.
—Uh! Yes, he heard weak voice answering.
—Can you move? Nick asked from his friend.
—Barely. It hurts every where.
—OK! Don’t move then! Nick said. He tried to pull the bag which was forcing him to be in the awful position, but it was so heavy that he couldn’t help himself.
—Hey, is there any one else alive, he heard AJ yelling.
—Yeah! Me and Brian, I don’t know about the others. Nick answered. He heard AJ moving and throwing something blocking his way. He walked to Nick and pulled the bag away. Nick straightened himself immediately and turned at Brian. He had nasty looking bruise on his face and he looked pale.
—I guess you’ve been hit by the bag which was on my back, Nick said to Brian who opened his eyes slowly. AJ started checking if anyone else was alive.
—Hey Nick! Come here!! Howie and Jenny are both covered with bags, Howie’s alive, but unconscious, I don’t know about Jenny.
Nick got on his feet immediately and cleared his path to the back of the plane where Howie and his girlfriend were seated. With AJ’s help, he pulled the bags off them and left to see if there was way out of the plane. He saw emergency exit right across the passage from Howie’s seat and tried to open it. It didn’t open from the handle but he gave it couple of good kicks and it flew away from it’s place. He slipped himself out from the small door and looked around. They were in the middle of the jungle. And only thing he could see, was trees.
He went back inside the plane.
—We are in the middle of the jungle! He yelled hysterically. AJ put his hands to his shoulders and calmed him down.
—Help me to carry Howie out first, he has big bleeding bruise on his face. Then we have to move Jenny and Brian out. But first we have to check the condition of the others!
After checking that everyone else was alive, they took Howie from his foot which hadn’t broken and shoulders and moved him out from the plane. They put him to the ground and went to get his girlfriend out. Then it was Brian’s turn. After they had got them out, Nick took first aid bag which had fallen from it’s place and took care of their bruises while AJ checked other ones still inside the plane. After taking care of their bruises, he took care of Howies bruise and put the bandage around his head
—Hey Nick! Come here!! We have to move others out too!
Nick went to help him again leaving others wait. When they finally had carried them out, he continued taking care of them while AJ went inside to check the flightdeck. Suddenly Nick realized that Mary wasn’t with the others. He ran inside and started walking towards the flightdeck. AJ came out from there before Nick got there.
—Hey, don’t go there, he said, trying to turn Nick around.
—But Mary’s there! She needs me! He yelled to AJ, trying to pass him.
—MARY’S DEAD, OK? AJ yelled at Nick and pushed him towards to door on the back of the plane. Nick was terrified. He couldn’t scream, cry or do anything else to express his feelings. He just stood outside of the plane leaning it’s side with his mouth and eyes open, repeating one phrase.
—She’s not dead. She’s not dead.
Brian started feeling a bit better and he got on his feet. He walked to Nick and wrapped his arms around him. Then Nick cracked totally. He started sobbing hysterically and his legs couldn’t hold him up anymore. He collapsed to the ground, Brian still holding him. No one could understand the pain inside of him, no one. He had lost something precious and dear. His girlfriend who had meant so much to him.

Nick took few steps forward. He had to rub his eyes before he believed what he had just found. A wreck of airplane. He walked slowly to the wreck. It looked like it had burned. It was all black and paint had peeled off. He touched it’s side with his other hand and the little paint which was peeled away. Nick took deep breathe before walking to place where the plane had gone in two pieces. The flight deck was about 10 meters from the body. He looked in and was face with terrible sight. He had to turn away and take deep breathe so he didn’t throw up. There was, still their seatbelts fastened, the passengers of the plane, their skin had burned away and only the bones were left. When he had recovered little bit, he walked to the flight deck, preparing himself to face same kind of sight. But it was even more awful. Pilot hadn’t burned but everything eatable from his body, had been eaten, probably by bugs in the jungle. Again, Nick turned around, his stomach making cartwheels. He had to walk to the nearby tree and lean against it. But something unexpected happened. It was some kind of trap which released when Nick put his leg into the loop made of rope. It had weight in other end and when he put his leg inside, it  pulled his leg up and rest of his body followed. He started yelling. At the same time at the wreck of the plane, Brian, who had been looking down to his girlfriend, jerked his head up, when hearing his best friends screams in the middle of the jungle.
—Nick! He yelled and started running toward the direction he had heard the yell come from. He pushed the branches away from his path when running to save his friend. But someone got there first, and Nick had to jerk upper part of his body so he didn’t fall to his neck and break it when the person cut the rope from the branch. He landed to his back and air run from his lungs. When Brian got there, Nick was sitting on ground trying to get air inside his lungs again. Brians eyes caught him first, but then something made him lift his eyes to the tree. And he saw something weird. It looked like a small woman with long messy hair and dirty face. But the face didn’t look angry or she didn’t look like a cannibal. She just watched Brian and Nick. Brian walked to his friend.
—Who is she? He asked from Nick.
—Who?? Nick asked, finally managing to breathe again.
—That one up there! Brian said pointing to the tree, where the girl was still standing with huge knife on her hand.  Nick lifted his eyes up to the direction Brians finger was pointing and he was faced with the same sight Brian had seen little time ago. Messy hair and dirty face. She had shorts which had torn badly and a tank top, which had obviously seen it’s better days long ago. She didn’t have shoes on her feet and her legs were muddy.
—Wow. Real jungle woman. I wonder if she wants to eat us. Nick joked.
—Yeah right, get serious for once! Brian slapped his friend to his shoulders.
—I wonder if she can speak… Brian said more to himself than to Nick who was staring at the girl. The girl kept staring them. Nick got back to his feet.
—Hello! He said waving to her. She just stood there, staring at them.
—Nah, she doesn’t understand, Nick said and turned away. Brian followed his example. But when they both had turned their backs at her, she spoke.
—I sure can speak. She said, taking the liana from the tree and swung herself down just one meter away from boys feet.
—Who are you and what are you doing here? She asked and they could hear interest on her voice.
—Our plane had to do an emergency landing. It’s about a kilometer to that direction, Nick said pointing to somewhere to the jungle.
—Oh, so somebody lived from the crash. She said.
—Well, yeah there’s actually 9 of us. Brian told her.
—Really? 9! Wow! You got more luck than we did… She said and they could see sadness on her eyes.
—So you are one of the passengers from the wreck next to the tree. Nick said counting together one and one.
—Yeah. But hey, how rude I am!! She said suddenly. Then she extended her hand and introduced herself.
—Camilla Andersson.
—Brian Littrell, Brian said and shook her hand. Nick followed his example.
—Nick Carter.
—Well, I’d say a pleasure to meet you, but… she said throwing her hands on the air, I guess we can’t call being here a pleasure. So have you setup any kind of place to sleep? Camilla continued.
—No, we haven’t. We’ve just got most of our friends back to this world and we haven’t had even time to think about sleeping, Brian said.
—Well, I guess we better go and get you friends to my "home". Let’s go. She said and started walking towards the wreck of Backstreet Plane.
When they got to the wreck, Kevin was already walking around and everyone else was sitting and talking. They all had had really good luck, since they only had passed out for while and got little scratches and bruises around their bodies. They all turned at the direction where Brian and Nick came following Camilla. They all got quiet and stopped what they were doing. They all just stared at her and guys.
—Guys… This is Camilla, Brian introduced her to the rest of the group. —She saved our own little Nicky from a trap. She has also got in to plane accident, though some time ago. Oh yeah, how long it has been?
—I’m not sure, but I’d say something around a year or so. She said, trying to remember.
—Hey, why don’t you sit down here and tell us about it, Laura said and tapped the ground next to her, smiling friendly. Camilla felt shy, being around so many people after being long time alone. They all looked really nice and clean and she felt ugly and dirty. But something inside her lead her next to Laura.
—It was 26^th of June, 1998, when we were flying over the ocean. Something broke in our engines and we crashed on to this island, just like you did. But our plane broke between the passengers section and flight deck. The passengers side got into fire. I had just moved to the flight deck to chat with pilot because I’ve always loved flying and I have few questions to the pilot. So, every one else died but me. Pilot got stuck to his seat and when the flight deck crashed in to that tree, the wheel squeezed him so tight to his chair that he died there. And I was only one who survived.Everyone was sitting quietly and listening to her. It was just quiet when she finished. Lonely tear ran to her cheek and Laura took her hand and squeezed it lightly.
—So, who were the passengers you were with? Howie asked after clearing his throat. He was sitting next to his girlfriend Jenny who held her head against Howies shoulder and his hand was around her. Camillas expression showed that she was in pain inside. Then she managed to whisper.
—My parents and my little brother and my boyfriend. We were supposed to go on holiday, we missed the real plane but my dads company lend their plane… They all died. She finished, and burst out on tears. She looked even smaller than she was and they all felt sorry for her. Brian squeezed her girlfriend near him, like wanting to feel her being alive and so did everyone else except Nick. His eyes were filled with tears when he said:
—My girlfriend died on our plane. She died in the same way you survived. Then he burst on tears. Mood was really sad between them all. AJ comforted Camilla and Dinah was squeezing his arm. Camilla was first one who managed to collect herself together, and obviously, time she had spent there, had helped her think more practically than anyone else.
—Soon it will be night. And by night, all the predators start hunting. So we have to move you to my house. She said, wiping the rest of the tears away.
—To your… house? Leila said amazed.
—Yep, straight to my pride and joy! She said, and managed to grin to the others. They all looked amazed but decided to follow her.
First they had to make litter to Howie, so they could move him since he could walk, because he felt really dizzy. Then they started heading to the direction Camilla was leading them. Moving slowly but surely, they finally get to open place in the middle of jungle.
—I can’t see anything, Nick said, wiping of the sweat from his forehead.
—Yeah, but you are looking at the wrong direction! Camilla said laughing for the first time. Then she put her index finger up. Nick looked at her amazed.
—What? He said feeling a bit frustrated. But then AJ tapped him on the shoulder and pointed up. Nick lifted his eyes and nearly dropped his jaw when seeing what Camilla meant. There really was house. About 20 meters above them, on a tree, between three or four branches. And it wasn’t even just a small house, it was huge.
—Bed room and kitchen plus living room, Camilla said, her face on one big grin. Then she started climbing up with liana. Everyone looked at her with amazement. When she was on first branch, she showed others to follow her. Guys looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Nick was first one to dare to try. It wasn’t easy. Just holding the liana and pulling himself up, he managed to get to the first branch, but he was really tired already and it was long way up. Camilla was standing next to him on the branch. She looked straight in to his eyes and smiled widely.
—Hard, huh? She said. Nick nodded and smiled back to her.
—I know. I had difficulties at first too, but when you do this twenty times or more in day, you get used to it. But lets get going again!
Finally Camilla and Nick got to the house and Nick looked around amazed.
—Wow! This looks really comfortable, he said.
—Well, since being fan of soft sofas and beds, I just couldn’t resist! She said laughing. The place where they entered, was the living room, which indeed had a sofa on one side and a table. They were made from branches and were held together by piece of liana. Sofa was covered with huge leafs from plants down in ground and under the lianas was moss to make it soft. On the table were beautiful flowers in glass, which obviously was from the plane. Left from living room was kitchen, with cupboard, again, made from branches. When Nick opened the cupboard he found couple of plates and one mug. She had also forks and knives. She had saved the sink from the plane and made her own kitchen around it. She even had an "oven". It was made from rocks and it had a stand for kettle.
When walking through the kitchen you got into the bedroom. It had big king size bed, made just like the sofa. It also had those little night tables on both sides and a ventilator made from branches too, on the roof. There was other one outside and when it was windy, it started running the other one which was inside. Again, walking through it, you got back to the living room.
—Wow, was only thing Nick could say after his little sightseeing tour in the house. —You sure have used your imagination here! He said and Camilla blushed. —You even have small balcony, he said and started laughing. He couldn’t resist joking and he had to say: —So how much is the fee for one night on this suite in the Jungle Plaza.
—300 dollars per head. Camilla said laughing with him to his joke. They started getting along well.
Hours later, they were all up, including Howie, who had been pulled up, with long liana thrown over the branch above the house and everyone pulling him up and one helping him to the house. Everyone had the same expression as Nick had had. They were really amazed how comfortable the house actually was.
—This is like straight from Tarzan movies, Brian said and sat on the sofa with Laura.
—Thank God for good old Tarzan, they heard AJ’s voice from bedroom.
They all started laughing but inside they felt nice. It was more comfortable when having roof on their heads and walls around than being alone in the middle of the jungle.
—OK. Nick, Brian, you come with me, Kevin and AJ, go to collect moss and those big leaves you see on sofa. We need to make place to sleep to you all. Howie and Jenny, you can take my bed. Camilla said walking back to the living room.
—Where are we going? Nick asked curiously from her.
—Back to your plane to collect what’s still left there. Your bags are just fine, so we get them here. And we might found some other useful things. She said, walking back to the liana. Then she glided down with it. Nick, Brian, AJ and Kevin followed her example. AJ and Kevin started collecting moss and leaves and Camilla, Nick and Brian headed to the wreck of the plane.
They took all the bags, blankets and food which was left in plane. They also found some dishes which hadn’t luckily broken in accident. Then they dragged all that stuff back to the tree house and made a winch to pull them up. AJ and Kevin had made huge piles of moss and leaves down next to the tree and everyone helped to move everything up to the house.
Then Camilla stayed at the house and guys went to get everything which wasn’t brought in first load. Camilla started making beds from the material guys had collected with help of other girls. They put the moss to the floor in the living room and put the leaves on top of it. Then they put some liana around the package so it wouldn’t break and then put more leaves so the liana wasn’t uncomfortable under there. Last, they put one blanket over the whole thing. They did couple of more beds, so everyone had place to sleep.
They all started feeling a bit hungry, but none dared to say it to her. But like she had read their minds, she walked to the kitchen to get her big knife and showed Kevin and Nick to follow her. This time they didn’t go down with the liana. Camilla showed her example again and she swung herself to the other tree with the liana.
—She’s like Jane, Nick mumbled more to himself but obviously everyone else head it because they started laughing at his comment. Then it was Nicks turn to try, but he didn’t land successfully to the other tree. He got to the branch, but only with his feet. Thankfully Camilla was already there and crabbed him from his shirts chest and helped him fully there. Kevin showed better skills and successfully got there, without any help. Everyone was laughing at Nick on the house and he got little angry. But when his eyes met Camillas which were looking at him her face smiling widely, he couldn’t be angry anymore and his face turned in to smile too. They moved couple of hundred meters by using the help of liana and then they swung down from the tree and continued walking to somewhere.
—Where are we actually going? Nick whispered to Camillas ear when they were squatting in the bushes for something.
—I have made couple of traps there. And we are going there to get dinner. She said, still smiling at Nick, whose expression changed to amazement. —What? You never thought woman can hunt?
—well… Yes… No!… Yes… Well, you are so small…He stuttered.
—What’s my shortness had got to do with hunting, she said laughing.
—Umm… Nothing… Well… How you can carry big animals? Nick asked looking at her with question in his eyes. He saw Camillas eyes getting narrower and then she suddenly lifted her knife one inch away from Nicks face. He swallowed and stared at the knife.
—With this, Camilla said and laughed at Nicks afraid expression. —What did you think I would do with this? She asked from Nick who still looked at her his eyes wide open and Kevin tried not to laugh out loud.
—I… I dunno. Nick said, getting back to his full height. He felt embarrassed.
—Hey, don’t worry, I wouldn’t hurt you. She said now looking seriously at Nick and put her hand to his shoulder which was above her head. Nick felt like little electric shots went from her hand to his shoulder. They moved straight to his heart, causing it to skip couple of bumps. But he wasn’t afraid, it was totally something else.

They moved closer to the place, where Camilla showed her first trap would be. When they got there, they saw that there was rabbit in the trap. Camilla walked to the trap, and removed the dead rabbit from it. Then she cut it’s throat open, running the blood out. Then she held it from it’s neck and extended it to Nick who looked at it with disgusted look on his face.
—What’s the matter pretty boy? Haven’t seen dead rabbit before, Camilla said, teasingly. Then she crabbed Nick from wrist and moved his hand to the neck of the rabbit. He crabbed it but his face showed that he didn’t like his job at all. Kevin started laughing again. Nick turned around looking really pissed off.
—What are you laughing at? He asked angrily from Kevin.
—Nothing, he said, lifting his hands protectively in front of his chest. —Calm down, buddy, he said, trying to keep his face neutral but he couldn’t stop grinning. Nick turned away and started walking angrily after Camilla who had already started heading to the next trap. When they had gone through every trap, they had only 2 rabbits. They moved back to the house where everyone was already waiting. But when they got back up there, their jaws dropped open. There was huge piles of bananas and other fruit. When Camilla turned at Leila with question in her eyes, she explained the whole thing.
—We go bored up here with nothing to do and we started getting really hungry we thought we could do something useful and we went to pick those fruit. She said and smiled at Kevin who walked to her and gave her hug and sweet kiss. Camilla started smiling.
—You’ve just saved me from hard work! Thank you! She said and moved the rabbits to the kitchen.
—AJ, could you come here, she asked.
—Yes ma’am. AJ said, saluting her like she was general.
—Could you clean these rabbits? She asked. AJ swallowed loudly but nodded.
—What should I do? He asked taking his shirt off so he wouldn’t mess it.
—Go down to the creek you can see from this window, she said pointing out from the kitchen window.— There’s one big flat rock, which I have been using when cleaning the animals. It’s probably still red from blood. Use this knife, she said giving her knife to him, and open the rabbit’s stomach. Remove all the organs inside and then take the skin off. Do you know how to do it? She asked from AJ.
—Uh… I dunno. I guess I can open the stomach and remove the organs but the skin part might be better if you’d do it. He said.
—OK. I’ll go about 50 meters away from the rock to catch some fish from the creek. I have nets there. When I have got those fish, I’ll come to help you, OK? She said and when AJ nodded she crabbed the other rabbit from it’s back legs and went out from the doorway to the balcony. There was other liana waiting and they swung themselves down from there. Right when they were walking away from the tree, somebody yelled after Camilla.
—Do you mind if we put plates and everything ready? Jenny yelled.
—Not at all! But it will take a while before the food is ready! She yelled back and then continued heading to the creek. She left AJ there, cleaning the rabbits and went to get the fish. When she got back, she started laughing out loud when looking at AJ. He had blood all over his body like he had had terrible fight with the dead rabbit. He obviously had forgotten what he had been doing when he had swept his face with his hand. Camilla had to sit down to the sand and she held her stomach because she laughed so. AJ looked at her like she had just lost her mind.
—I know I know, I’m not pro, he said. When Camilla finally stopped laughing, she got up to see how he was doing. He had cleaned the first rabbit and actually he had done it very well. He was in the middle of the second one.
—I can continue, if you want, she said, smiling brightly. AJ gave her the knife and walked to the creek to wash himself before they would go back to the house.
When Camilla had gotten the skin of from both of the rabbits, she washed the rabbits in the creek and then she gave them to AJ and took the fishes. She rinsed the sand off them and then they headed back to the house. There was everything ready for the dinner. Laura and Jenny had setup nice setting. They had placed the fruits in the basket they had found from Camillas kitchen and it was in the middle of the table. It took over half of the free space from it but they didn’t mind. Then they had placed knives and plates to the floor, around the table since they didn’t fit on the table. They thought they didn’t need forks, only knives to help them peel off the fruit skin and cut the meat and fish.Camilla started cooking the food in the kitchen. Nick came in to the kitchen and stood silently next to her, just looking at her in the work. Suddenly Camilla stopped the work and started looking at him straight in the eyes. Nick didn’t turn his eyes away.
—Can I ask you something? He asked from her, still not turning his eye away from her. She had some kind of magic in her green eyes that Nick couldn’t understand, but what made him feel butterflies in his stomach.
—Sure. She replied, without turning her eyes away either. She thought nearly the same from Nicks ice blue eyes.
—How long do you think we’ll have to stay here. He asked. Now Camilla dropped her eyes to the rabbits which were frying in the fire.
—I don’t know, she said finally after couple of minutes silence. —It depends, if they start searching you. And if they think you all died, they won’t even start searching at all. Just like it happened in my case. I’ve been here over a year now and you are first ones who flew over this island. As you probably saw, there’s not land nearby. And frankly, I don’t know why in the hell you were flying from here? She said, turning her eyes back to him.
—If I knew, I would tell, he said. —I guess they will come to search us, since we are so known all around the world, he said more to himself but he saw that Camillas face got brighter.  It was like two puzzle pieces were put together in her mind. Now she knew why those guys had been so familiar looking. She didn’t say anything to Nick, but she saw from his eyes, that what she thought, was true. They were the world famous Backstreet Boys. Now she knew that. Then Camilla turned her eyes back to the oven and she put some woods in to the fire.
—I wish I had collected some spices this morning. We could have gourmet dinner but without spices, this won’t taste like gourmet, she sighed. Nick started smiling mysterious and walked away from the kitchen. He came soon back and extended small bag to her, smiling.
—There you go, miss, he said and bowed. Camilla took the bag, looking surprised.
—What’s in this? She said before opening the bag. Nick just kept on smiling mysteriously.
—Just open it! He said, excitedly. Camilla pulled the zipper open and put her hand inside. She got plastic can to her hand and she pulled it out. She thought her eyes were lying when she saw whole peppers inside the can. She put the can to the table and put her hand in to the bag again. This time thee came can, with something red inside.
—Chili, she read from the label. Smile on her face got wider. She emptied the whole inside of the bag to the table and looked it amazed but happy. Then she lifted her eyes to meet Nicks smiling eyes. Suddenly she jumped to his neck and gave him a hug.
—Thank you, Nick! You’ve given us gourmet meal!! She whispered to his ear. Nick wrapped his arms around her small body, pressing her body closed to his. He didn’t want to let her go. But like everything good, the hug ended finally. But Camilla kept her hands on Nicks arms and looked shyly down somewhere between them. Nick looked at her face and wanted to kiss her so badly, but then, a picture of Mary, came in to his mind and he pulled his arms away and walked to the balcony. It was like knife had been pushed through his heart, to see his girlfriends picture in his mind. Tears started falling from his eyes and he sat down and put his head to his knees. Inside the kitchen, a tear roll from Camillas eye. She felt even lonelier now, than being alone in the jungle for over a year. But she decided to forget the whole event and continued making the food.Brian walked to the kitchen and looked to the balcony. He saw Nick sitting alone his head pressed in to his knees which were bent near to his chest.
—Hey, buddy, he said softly to his best friend. —What’s wrong?
—Mary, was only thing Nick could say before his sobs got louder. —I loved her so much!! And now I lost her! He said between his sobs.
—I know it hurts. But there was nothing you could do.
—I know, I know!! But I could at least respect her memory and not to think other girls ever again. Brian realized immediately what had happened. He had realized something was wrong with Camilla and now he knew it had something to do with Nick.
—Hey, you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You can respect her memory, but it doesn’t mean that you couldn’t fall in love again. And it seems like you’ve already found someone. He said, looking somewhere to the horizon.
—What do you mean? Who? Nick said to Brian, like he had no idea what he was talking about.
—I mean, you and Camilla. You seem to gotten closer already, though we’ve met her just today. But I guess it’s because you both share the same kind of feelings. You both have lost you dearest persons. You’ve lost Mary and she has lost her boyfriend. So I don’t think it would be weird if you two would like each other… He said and got back to his feet.
—Just let go. Mary would want you to find someone and be happy. She wouldn’t want you to grieve after her for the rest of your life, Brian said and walked away. Nick stayed sitting in the balcony and looked to the horizon. He couldn’t let go of Mary, not yet. It had been just 12 hours when he had seen her last time. But then he realized that his thoughts were already wondering back to the certain person on the other side of the wall… Sun started setting down. Nick looked at his watch, it was already 9 p.m. He heard somebody walking to the balcony and he lifted his eyes to see who it was. It was Camilla who looked down to him. He saw sadness in her eyes and he couldn’t look in to her eyes and turned his eyes to the horizon.
—I’m sorry. Camilla whispered to him, touching his shoulder. He lowered his eyes and watched to his shoes. Camilla took her hand away and turned around to go away but Nick grabbed her from her ankle. She turned her eyes back to him. Nick stared back and rose on his feet.
—Don’t be sorry, he whispered, pulling her close. She looked straight in to his eyes, but could see only warm glow in them. She put her arms gently around him and he tightened his arms and pressed her closer.
—I wouldn’t mind standing like this, right here, for the rest of our lives, he whispered silently to her and moved his head so their lips finally met each other and they melt in to sweetest kiss imaginable.

They were interrupted by Brian who had come to the kitchen to ask when the food would be ready. Camilla and Nick separated from their passionate kiss, both blushing and feeling a bit embarrassed to be caught in act.
—Oh, sorry, he said, but he couldn’t keep his face neutral and grinned. —I just came to ask when the food is ready, but maybe I’ll come back later he said and turned around with his heels and walked back to the living room.
Still holding Camillas hand he looked deep in to her green eyes and touched her messy hair. She put her other hand on his hand and moved it on her cheek and closed her eyes. Then she suddenly moved his hand and got on her toes and gave him the one last kiss before walking to the kitchen.
Nick walked in after her and helped her to put the food in to dishes. They took only the other rabbit and put some spices on it. Other one they left still on the oven so it would be warm. They took also couple of fishes and then they walked to the living room, carrying all the food with them.
—Hurray!! Food!! Finally!! Was three words that were shouted by their hungry friends who had been waiting patiently. Then there came silence when everyone concentrated on eating.
When their biggest hunger had been satisfied, they started asking questions from Camilla.
—So, where did you live, before your plane crashed here, AJ asked, taking a bite from the piece of meat he had.
—In Finland, if you know that country… She said.
—It’s that cold northern country next to Sweden! Brian said. —Sure, we know it!
—Wow! It’s really different climate there than here… How did you manage before you got used to sun, which seems to shine nearly all day round? Kevin asked.
—Well, I’ve always liked summer the best from all seasons. So it’s not so big deal to me to be in sun all day. I actually like the weather here. It’s nearly always so warm. And raining seasons are great change too.
—So how come you are still here?
—Actually, I don’t know. Well, since my whole family died in the plane and we weren’t close with our relatives I guess no on bothered to come and check whether anyone survived… She said and everyone could hear bitterness in her voice. —My boyfriends parents hated me and my family and they resisted when he asked to come with us. And they would be the last people to send some one here. She said, pushing her plate away, not wanting to eat anymore. Everyone else was sitting around the room and listening to her.
—What do you think, will anyone come to search for us? Leila asked.
—Probably, since you guys are the Backstreet Boys… Probably everyone will come here. She said looking even sadder.
—How do you know who we are, Howie asked.
—Hey, who wouldn’t know?! Though I’ve been here over a year, I’ve still lived in the middle of civilization. I was big fan of yours. She said, smiling.
—Oh God! And we don’t get rid of our fans even on desert island. We are just soooo much loved! AJ said theatrically and sighed like he really meant that. But then every one else started laughing.
—But what if no one comes to search for us, what if they think we are dead? Nick said suddenly.
—Then we just live here, happily with Camilla! AJ said grinning at Camilla.
—Ok! But remember that here you are just as good people as I am. No one’s better than other! You have to work your necks in sweat! She said laughing. Then she got more serious when saying: —Here doesn’t help that you are Backstreet Boys, the so much loved singer group. You have to work for your living, I mean really work to get food to your table. You have to hunt, fish, collect berries and fruits to eat, whether you liked it or not. She said and she was happy that everyone listened to her words and she knew that those guys were ready work to get food and they weren’t just waiting that everything would be brought under their noses. And it made her happy, because she had been a bit afraid that they would wait her to do it all. But that day had shown her that always what you believed wasn’t true. Sometimes the truth was all different.
They stayed up till late night, talking about their lives, about their future if they would have to stay in the island and everything between earth and sky. First one to want to go sleep was Howie and guys moved him to the bed room. He yelled good nights from there. Jenny followed him there after wishing good nights to everybody. Soon after them, rest could hear snoring sound from AJ’s bed. He had fallen asleep. Then they decided to call it a day and every one got to their beds. Only ones to sleep alone were Camilla and Nick.
Camilla had turned her back to the room, when suddenly she heard someone to walking across the room. That someone stopped next to her bed and sat down.
—May I come here, Nick whispered begging look in his eyes. Camilla turned around and looked at him for a while. Then she moved closer to the narrow wall and giving Nick some space. He sat down to the bed and laid down next to Camilla. They just laid there looking each other. Nick moved his hand to her face smoothing it before leaning closer to be able to kiss her. She moved her hands to his neck and pulled him closer to her. He moved her hands to her hips and pulled her as close to his body as possible.
When they finally started sleeping, their bodies were wrapped together like they didn’t want to be an inch away from each other.

Camilla had got used to early waking ups, and she woke up with the sun. She gently moved Nicks arm away and moved over him and walked to the kitchen. There she started silently prepare the breakfast. One bad thing about being on island, was that there wasn’t much choice what to eat. Nearly everyday the food was the same on breakfast, lunch, dinner… Fruits, fish and meat. But you got used to it. She went to get some bananas and berries from the other end of the island and when she got back to the house, Nick was sitting in the balcony, looking to the jungle. His face was lit up with smile when he saw Camilla coming with liana. He took fruits from her lap and carried them to the kitchen. When he had put everything from his lap to the table and helped Camilla, he lifted her to his lap and spun her around. Then they melted in sweet kiss.
—Good morning! Nick whispered to her ear, after their kiss, when they were still holding each other close.
—When did you wake up? Camilla whispered back.
—When you moved my hand and left. You naughty girl! You left me sleep alone, he said teasingly and kissed her softly to lips. Then he released her.
—I guess we better make the breakfast ready before others wake up, he said. He looked at the tank which was for water and saw it was nearly empty.
—I guess we are running out of water. Where could I get more? He asked quietly from Camilla, who told him the way to the falls, about a kilometer away from the house. He emptied all the water bottles they had brought from the plane to the tank and packed them to his backpack and headed to the fall to fill the bottles.
Camilla cut some of the fruits in half, so they were ready to be eaten with fork or spoon. Then she cut the watermelon she had found in 10 pieces, one for each. Then she placed the berries into wooden bowls which she had carved some time ago.
Nick came back soon, backpack full of water bottles filled with fresh water. He emptied them to the tank and went to get more. Camilla walked silently across the living room where every one else was still asleep. She took the liana and swung herself to the place where she could find beautiful jungle flowers and picked some of them to bring some color to their table, though fruits and berries brought some color already. When she got back to the tree house, every one was waking up already.
—Good morning sunshine! AJ said yawning and then he gave good morning kiss to his girlfriend.
—Breakfast is ready, Nick yelled from the kitchen and Camilla walked to there, to put flowers to water. One by one, everyone walked to the kitchen to crab something to eat.
—Is there any good places to go take a bath? Laura asked from Camilla after she had finished eating.
—Well, yes there is. I usually go there. What if I come to show you girls the place, Nick already knows it, so he can show it to guys. Camilla answered.
—Uh! I guess shoes aren’t the most useful ones here… Dinah said, throwing her shoes to the living room and rubbing her heels.
—Yeah! They sure aren’t! Camilla said laughing and other girls followed Dinahs example and left their shoes to the house when they left to go swimming. Girls tried using the liana for the first time and after few times, it started going better and better.
When they arrived to the fall, where the little creek got started, they just stood on the ground for a while, enjoying the view. It was just time for elephants, which they hadn’t seen on the island the day before, to take their daily bath and drinking time. They were playing together with the water and baby elephants were with their mothers.
Girls followed Camilla, when she got back to the tree and swung herself to the other side of the lake, so they left the elephants in peace. Camilla advised the girls how they should act if any wild animals got near and she headed back to the house. She wanted to go take a dip by herself after the others.
When she was going to the house, she heard laughter coming from the house. She got to the tree 10 meters away from the house, so she could see what they were laughing at. There was AJ and Brian, learning to use the liana better and they seemed to have a lot of fun when they fell down from the liana.
She got down from the tree and decided to do a little trick to guys. She walked silently to the bush near the tree and when it was Nicks turn to show how to use the liana, she jumped out from the bush and Nick flew to the bushes without landing successfully to the ground. AJ, Kevin and Brian were nearly dying, so much they laughed. They had to sit down to the ground and hold their stomachs.
Camilla tiptoed carefully to the bush Nick had fell into. But she couldn't see him. Suddenly something crabbed her from her wrists and pulled her into the bushes. She found herself lying on the ground with Nick sitting on her stomach, grinning.
—Hah ha!! Caught ya!! He said and held her by her wrist down on ground and kissed her tenderly. Then he got up and pulled her up too. They walked from the bush hand in hand and helped other guys up.
—I better go and see if the girls are ready and show them way back here, if they don’t know how to get here, Camilla said to Nick who gave her soft kiss and climbed up to the tree. Camilla headed back to the fall. Girls were ready and they were just sitting and chatting when she got there.
—Are you ready to go back to the house? Camilla asked from them.
—Yes we are! How refreshing it was! Laura said, smiling brightly.
—Do you know how to get there? Camilla asked from them. They all nodded.
—Good! I’ll stay here and wash myself. Tell guys that they can come here after me! She said to the other girls who headed back to the house.
When they had disappeared to the woods, she undressed herself and walked slowly into the water. At the moment there wasn’t animals swimming and she could conquer the whole place. She dove under the water and enjoyed the peace. She had been alone with the animals in the jungle for over a year and she had got used to the silence. Now, when she had company, she missed her peace. She loved the company but since being alone for over year, it felt weird to be around people again.
She didn’t hear Nick, who came to check was she soon ready. He just stood there, behind the tree and just watched her. She looked even prettier to him. He couldn’t stop thinking how pretty body she had. Her hair was even longer it had seemed to be, now when it was wet. She used long time to wash her hair and when she had done it she swam to the fall. She dove under it and went behind it.
Nick walked to the shore and pulled his clothes away. Then he dove in to the water to wait Camilla come back. And she came soon. When she noticed that she wasn’t alone, she got shy. She was terrified, since she was bare naked in the water and Nick was just couple of meters away from her.
Nick saw that she was hesitating to come closer and he knew why she hesitated, he wasn’t so sure he had done the right thing to come and ruin her peaceful moment. But it was too late now. He swam closer to her, since she didn’t come to him. All the time he looked straight into her eyes and saw her being scared. But he didn’t mind of that.
When he was two meters away from her, he stopped. They just both were there, staring each other. Then Camilla made her move and swam at him. She put her hands to his shoulders and he put his hand to her waist. He pulled her into passionate kiss and she didn’t resist. They moved closer to the shore and soon Nick felt sand under his feet. It was still so deep that water was over his shoulders. Their lips never parted and Camilla wrapped his legs around Nicks waist and Nick moved his hands along her body. She put her hands to his hair and their kisses got even more passionate and probably it would have gotten even more passionate if possible but AJ, Kevin and Brian got bored on waiting and came. When they saw them in the water all over each other, they started whistling and clapping their hands. Camilla rested her head on his shoulder for awhile. Then she looked at Nick and smiled. Nick smiled back at her.
—Hey guys could you go away for a minute so she could get dressed? He yelled to his friends.
—Sure! They said and headed back to the wood. Nick gave kiss to her lips and moved to the shore. When the water was over Camillas shoulders, he gave one last kiss and swam away, letting her dress herself in private, knowing her to be shy. When she was ready she blew a kiss to him, waved and headed back to the house and on her way, shouted to AJ, Kevin and Brian who were waiting in the bushes that they could go there. Only answer she got was knowing smiles and she blushed.
When she got back to the house, girls were cleaning the house.
—Again, we didn’t have anything to do, so we decided to do some cleaning. We hope you don’t mind. Leila explained.
—No no! I don’t mind at all! Camilla said and laughed. —To be honest, I hate cleaning, Though here you don’t have to clean so much.
Cleaning consisted of putting new leaves to the sofa and checking that everything was on their places. Camilla walked to the kitchen, where Laura was rinsing dishes, and took her hairbrush from the box. It was old and not in the best shape. When Laura saw her using that, she got an idea.
—Hey do you want to use my brush? I guess you could get your hair brushed more easily with it. She said.
—Could I, Camilla said looking a bit suspicious.
—Of course!! She walked to the living room and Camilla followed her. When Laura got the brush from her bag, Dinah asked what she was doing. When she told she was lending her brush, Dinah offered to give her new T-shirt and Jenny who was same size as Camilla offered to give one pair of shorts to her. Camilla tried to refuse, but girls had made up their minds and when Nick and other guys came back, they saw whole new Camilla.
They had brushed her hair and now it was glowing like gold. It was to her waist and it was curly. And because she had new clothes, she looked totally different. Howie who had been in the house all the time, walked slowly to the room and informed Brian, AJ and Kevin what had happened to her, but Nick had got blind of her. Only thing he did was stand on the door way and stare at her with his mouth open.
Camilla felt nice on her new clothes and seeing Nick staring at her, made her blush. She just stood there with her hands bent in front of her chest. She looked shyly to Nick.
—Hey, Nick, stop drooling! AJ yelled at him and Nick turned his head like he had just woke up from a dream.
—What did ya say, he asked.
—I said, AJ started speaking in normal tone of voice.— STOP DROOLING!! He finished putting his hands around his mouth and yelled.
Nick looked at him and grinned at him. Then he slowly walked at Camilla. Laura pulled everyone to the bedroom so they could have little privacy.
—Wow. Is that the same girl who saved me from a trap yesterday? Nick asked from Camilla who didn’t dare to look to his eyes. She just smiled and felt even more shy than when Nick wasn’t so close. He put his hand under her jaw and gently forced her to look in to his eyes.
—Now, it wasn’t that awful, right? He said smiling, meaning that it wasn’t so awful to look to his eyes. She smiled at him and he slowly moved his hands to her waist. Then he pressed soft kiss on her forehead and wrapped his arms around her. She put her arms around him too and pressed her head against his chest.
They heard weird noise from the next room and when Nick turned his eyes to that direction he could see AJ, peeking to the living room. Suddenly somebody pushed his back and he fell to the floor and everyone started laughing. Camilla peeked over Nicks arm and smiled.
—You guys are weird, she said smiling.
—You’re right! Nick said. —You really are weird!
Brian came out laughing and imitating Jim Carey. Laura slapped him to the back of his head, causing him to crab her from the waist and spin her around until she started laughing and screaming. Every one started laughing.
—So what do you do when you are not eating or swimming, Brian asked after they had calmed down a bit.
—Well, here’s so much to see. Wild animals, flowers, which you can’t see in any flower shops. Then I go diving to the sea, there’s absolutely amazing coral reefs! She said. —I don’t know, it depends of the day, here’s not much to do actually, she said, shrugging her shoulders.
—Most of the time goes to getting the food. You know, setting the traps and stuff. It takes time.
—Yeah. I realized it yesterday, Brian said, smiling.
—Hey guys, you wanna help me with something, Nick asked suddenly. Brian, AJ and Kevin turned at him, amazed. They saw him being serious.
—Yeah sure, Brian said and other ones nodded to agree.
—OK, let’s go then! He said and a grin came to his handsome face. —May I borrow you knife? He asked from Camilla who was as amazed as the others, but gave the knife to him.
—Thanks! But hey, don’t follow us or anything! Otherwise the surprise will be ruined, he said and girls promised not to follow him. Then they headed to the sea shore.
—I’ll go to give Howie some company. He must be feeling lonely up there, Jenny said and climbed up. Howie wanted still rest, to get some energy.
Camilla and rest of the girls decided to go to walk around. Camilla guided them and they saw amazingly beautiful flowers and parrots were flying above them.
—Geesh! This is like straight from Tarzan, like AJ said, Dinah said suddenly. Camilla smiled.
—That’s what I thought when I got here. But I’ve got something even better to show to you, come on! She said showing the others to follow her.

Meantime, Nick and rest of the guys were working in the shore. Nick had given each of them their part and now they were doing as he said. When they had heard Nicks idea, they all had agreed that it was good one. While they were working, girls had arrived to the place Camilla told them about.
—Wow! Leila said, holding her breath. —Jenny should see this, she said and sighed.
They all just stood there, staring at the view. They had climbed to the mountain in the middle of the island and they could see the whole island and the sea from there. And the view was breathtaking. Green woods underneath them and then blue water around the whole island. Sun was shining and everything looked so peaceful and beautiful.
Suddenly they heard screaming, which came from shore and saw birds flying away from the trees near the place where boys were.
—Go Camilla! We come after you as fast as we can!! Leila said and Camilla started running down from the mountain. Luckily it had path on it’s on side so she didn’t have to climb down taking care where to put her feet. When she got down, she started running as fast as she could to the shore. It was rather long distance from the mountain to the shore, but when she finally got there, she saw guys looking to Nick. First Camilla didn’t understand what was wrong. Then she saw it.
—Nick, don’t move!! She said to Nick.
—Yeah, right, like I was going to! He said. He had huge snake just feet away from him. It was ready to attack Nick if he moved just an inch. He looked at it and Camilla could see fear in his eyes.
—Kev, try to find a branch with fork, AJ, go get my knife from the house. Camilla commanded them. Snake started hissing louder and it opened it’s mouth preparing to attack any second. Kevin ran back soon with branch. And nearly at the same time AJ came back with the knife. Camilla took them and cut the forks shorter. She estimated the thickness of the snake and then cut the branch little more.
—OK. I’m going to press the snakes head to the ground with this branch, she explained to Nick, showing the branch on her hand. —But be aware. If I don’t succeed, it might attack you or me. I have only one chance. She sighed and then slowly walked towards the snake. It keep hissing and it lifted it’s head off the ground. Camilla could see it’s two big teeth and she knew she had to succeed. Snakes tail was just an inch from her leg and she felt scared too.
Camilla lifted her eyes and looked at Nick. He lifted his eyes at the same time. She smiled to him, trying to encourage him. But she knew, if the snake would bite either one of them, they would die. She moved the branch closer to the snakes head and was ready to push it to the ground when something unexpected happened.
It turned really quickly to her direction and crabbed her from her ankle. Camilla started screaming and kicking, trying to get it away, but it was stuck. Kevin realized it and took the knife from the ground where she had put it. He cut the snakes head of and them removed it from her leg. She dropped to the ground and didn’t move.
—Camilla! Nick yelled and ran to her. He had tears on his eyes. He was sure she was dead. AJ quickly recovered from the shock and ran immediately to the house. Brian realized what he was doing and Brian knew what he could do too. He walked to the liana and cut a piece of it. Then he ran quickly back to Camilla and tied the piece tightly around her leg right above the bite marks. Then he moved
—Nick, she’s doing the right thing! If she moves, the poison will spread faster! Brian said. But though he said so, he knew, that she was near to death. He squeezed Nicks shoulder, feeling Nicks pain too. He had fallen in love with her so quickly and now he was so near to lose her. And no one knew, would she survive.

AJ came running back to the shore with pack of pills in his hand.
—I knew I saw this pack in the first aid kit. I don’t know whether it will work or not, but she doesn’t have anything to lose. He showed the pack to the others.
—Antidotes to snake bites!! Kevin let out a yell. He took the package from AJ and the water bottle and kneeled next to her. While he gave the pills, other girls came back.
—We got lost on our way here! Dinah told them, breathing heavily. They seemed to have ran all the way.
—Oh my God!! Laura shrieked when she saw the snakes head and rest of the body lying on the ground next to Camillas foot. Brian turned to her direction leaving Nick and slipped his hands around her pale girlfriend, comforting her. Others were as shocked as her.
—Is she alive? Leila asked walking to Kevin. But she didn’t need answer from him, when she was Camillas eyes, which were filled with pain.
Nick had taken her hand to his and now he was crying comfortlessly.
—If I now lose you, I won’t ever fall in love again!! First Mary and now you!! Please you can’t die!!! He said, trying to not to shout. Sobs made his body tremble and tears were falling from his eyes like water comes down from waterfalls. Nick kissed her hand softly and he saw tears rolling from her eyes too.
—I love you, Nick, Camilla said before she closed her eyes slowly.
—Oh my God! Nick yelled he pressed his hand over his eyes. Brian left Laura and walked quickly to Camilla and Nick. He kneeled down, next to his friend and tried to comfort him. But tears started falling from his eyes too. Laura came to them and hugged them both. Other girls walked to their boyfriends and they all were crying.
Kevin gave hug to Leila and took her hand to his own and walked to Camillas lifeless body with her. He kneeled down and put his hands to her forehead.
—Thank you for everything. I wish I could have said it to you earlier he said. He moved his hand slowly to her neck, like wanting to be sure that there was no pulse. Suddenly his face lit up. Dinah saw it and asked:
—What now Kev?
—I can feel her pulse! She’s not dead! She just passed out!! He yelled and Nick jerked his head up. His face lit with smile but still tears roll to his cheeks. But these tears were tears of relief. He still hadn’t lost her. Though she was hanging by a thread.
—OK guys! We have to move her to the house, because it seems like it’s going to rain soon! Kevin the father figure of them all said, reasonable, when he had said to his prayers to the upstairs and realized at the same time that black clouds were gathering to the horizon.
—AJ and Brian, go get the litter down here! Kevin said and AJ and Brian ran to get the litter.
When they came back with the litter, big water drops started coming down from the sky. Clouds have moved really fast. They moved Camilla gently to the litter and when they had done it, it was pouring. They carried the litter under the house quickly but then they got problem. How to get her up. After some time, they had gotten her up there using the same technique as they had lifted Howie up. They put her to her big bed and then only thing they could do was wait.
And they waited. Nick didn’t move from her side to anywhere, only when the nature called, then he left her, but then Brian was backing him up. First day went like it had wings. Others got food to table but the atmosphere was really down, because they weren’t sure would she survive. She had got high fever and they had to put blankets on her though it was really warm. Longer she was unconscious, more worried they got.
When they woke up on second day, Nick smoothed her cheek and talked to her silently.
—I really hope you don’t die, because I’ve fallen madly in love with you. I’ve known you just really shortly but somehow it feels like we are bonded. Like we would be soul mates. I know, I don’t believe that stuff that much usually, but in your case it seems to be like that. He said, sounding sad. —Please open those pretty green eyes of yours and let me tell you how much I need you, how much I want you and how much I love you.
Then he started praying again, like many times before and suddenly he felt something on his cheek. It was Camillas hand. When he looked down, he saw her eyes wide open and weak smile trying to push it’s way to her face.
Tears started rolling from Nicks eyes, so happy he was.
—Hey guys!! He yelled. —Camilla’s awake!! She’s awake!! He continued. Then he move all his concentration on her.
—Hey, welcome back! He said, smiling and wiping the last tear from his cheek. —How are you feeling?
—Awful! Camilla said after swallowing couple of times. Others came in to the room and they started hugging each other, Nick and Camilla. Their faces started glowing with happiness. Their prayers had been answered in the best possible way.
—Do you want to drink, asked Laura who was sitting on the other side of the bed. Camilla nodded and Laura went to get water. She gave the bottle to Nick who helped Camilla to drink. Laura walked to Brian and slipped her arms around his waist. Brian slipped his arms around her too and squeezed her gently. Then he gave her a sweet kiss on lips.
—I’m so happy that Camilla woke up! Laura said.
—So am I! Nick didn’t have to get anymore pain as he already had. And luckily he didn’t.
Kevin interrupted their private conversation by asking if they all should leave, so Camilla could rest. Brian and Laura agreed that it would be the best.
—OK! I guess we’ll leave you two alone now! Try to rest! Kevin said to Camilla, holding Leilas hand on his.
—And don’t do anything naughty! Brian continued, doing his Donald Duck imitation. Everyone burst out on laugh, and Camilla smiled little wider. Then Kevin, Leila, AJ, Dinah, Laura, Brian, Jenny and Howie went away. Nick crawled next to Camilla and gave her a gentle hug, like being afraid to break her bones.
—You know, you can squeeze harder, I’m not going to break or anything, Camilla said and Nick followed her advice. He pulled her to his arms and held her close. Then he couldn’t wait anymore and he pulled her face to same lever as his.
—I love you Camilla. He whispered quietly to her.
—I love you too, Nicholas! Camilla said and Nick kissed her very long, tasting her lips longer than ever before. Then she lowered her head against his chest and fell fast asleep. Nick smoothened her hair and tightened his arms around her. He kissed her hair and put his head back and closed his eyes, smiling happily.
When Brian little later came in with Laura to check if they needed anything, they were faced with sight which made them smile. Nick holding Camilla tightly and both sleeping, smiles on their faces.
—I think that is something, what we can call happiness, Brian whispered to Lauras ear. She nodded and gave little kiss to Brians lips. Then they walked out their arms wrapped around each other, thanking the God above for saving Camilla.

Nick opened slowly his eyes and took his hand away around Camilla. His hand ached, he hardly could feel his fingers and it tingled from elbow to the fingers. When he had taken his arm away, she turned around, opening her eyes too. They both smiled to each other and Nick leaned over her to give her a kiss. Right when their lips met each other, Howie walked in.
—Ups! Sorry! He said grinning. —I was just coming to wake you guys up. It’s time for supper!Nick got up to sitting position and looked down to Camilla who was still lying down.
—Can you get up? Nick asked from her. She nodded. —Do you think you can walk? Nick asked.
—I guess so. We’ll see, she said. Nick gave his hand to her and he got up from the bed and pulled her up. She stood on her feet for awhile, though her other ankle was still a little bit swollen, thanks to the snake. Camilla felt dizzy and her legs were like rubber. Right when she was collapsing, Nick grabbed her and kept her up. He squeezed her close to his body.
—It’s OK, I’ll carry you. He said. Carefully, he lifted her to his arms and carried her to the next room. Everyone made room for them to one of the beds so Camilla could lay down if she wanted. She kept her eyes closed and laid back to the bed.
—Are you sure you are OK? Nick asked worried. She nodded and pushed herself up again. She managed to sit through the supper, but after that, Nick could see that she was extremely tired, though she had slept nearly whole day.
—OK, now, don’t even try to resist, we are going to sleep now. Nick said, quieting her resistance. Then he lifted her up again and walked to the bedroom. There he gently put her to the bed and climbed next to her. She closed her eyes immediately but she took his hand to her own and squeezed it. Nick squeezed it back and leaned to give a kiss on her forehead.
—Try to sleep now, my love, he whispered. But by the sound of her breathing she had already drifted to the dream world. He stayed up late that night, just watching her to sleep. Everywhere was bright, thanks to the full moon which was shining through the woods. He could hear the falls and owls on the trees. But despite those sounds, everything was just peaceful.Suddenly, he heard Camillas moaning. She tossed her head to other side and jerked her hand off his. Then she tossed her head again to the other side, moaning even louder. Tears started rolling from her eyes. Nick tried to catch her hands to calm her down. But she jerked her hands off and by her movements, Nick thought she was trying to catch something.
Everyone else was awake too and Brian walked to the bedroom, looking worried.
—What’s wrong? He asked from Nick, rubbing his eyes. Nick was waking her up by then, and suddenly she started screaming and woke up. At the same second she rose to sitting position and continues screaming. Nick slipped his arms around her calming her down.
—It’s OK, no ones going to hurt you! He repeated until she stopped screaming. Then she started crying hysterically and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. Nick hushed her quietly and rocked her back and forward. Slowly her sobs started coming less frequently and finally stopped. He didn’t let go of her still and she didn’t move her hands.
—You were having a nightmare, right, Nick whispered to her. Then he lifted his eyes and signaled to Brian that everything was fine again and Brian went back to sleep after he had explained what had happened to others. Camilla started crying again and begun telling the dream.
—We were walking some where, it looked familiar but I don’t know where it was. You held my hand and everything was so pretty. Suddenly heavy clouds started collecting to the sky and it became dark. Then the image changed. We were on the edge of volcano, at least it looked like that. We tried to find our way away from there, but then I slipped, she paused. —I tried to crab hold of rocks and you tried to catch me. But I continued falling and falling towards to hot lava. And right then, when I woke up, I was hitting the lava. She continued the dream wiping away the tears but new once replaced the old ones.
—It was so awful! I know it’s not anything like truth but I just don’t know anything worse than those dreams where you keep falling and falling to somewhere. It feels really awful. She said and pressed her eyes to her hands, which were lying on her lap by the time. —You must be thinking that I’m crazy now… Camilla said, and didn’t dare to rise her eyes to meet Nicks eyes.
—No! Not at all! I know that kind of dreams! And they feel awful. He said and wiped off the last tears. Then he put his hand under her chin and turned her face to his. —Don’t worry, I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere! He said and kissed her softly to her lips. Then they both laid down and continued sleeping, their bodies wrapped around each other, just like on the first night together.

Morning sun was rising when everybody in the house started waking up. They had got used to early waking ups, since every morning, nearly at the same times birds started singing. Nick opened his eyes slowly and wiped Camillas curly hair off his face. He gently moved her upper part of body off his chest so he could get up. He tip toed away from the bed room, leaving her to sleep.
—Good morning! He said, yawning, to others.
—Good morning to you too! Brian said, taking off the leaves from their beds. It was time to change them again. Laura came in from kitchen door, looking really refreshed after her morning swimming in the sea. She walked to Brian and wrapped her arms around him so his arms were left inside the loop her hands made around him, making him unable to move.
—Hey, girl! What are you doing? He said smiling.
—Give me a kiss and I might consider of letting you go! She said, grinning teasingly to Brian, who was grinning too. Then Brian moved closer to her and they melted to long passionate kiss.
—Uh, please! Not in front of public, Nick pretended getting his stomach sick when seeing those two kissing.
—Ha haa! You’re just jealous because your precious princess is sleeping!! Ha haa!! Brian said, laughing fake laugh. But then he couldn’t fake it any more and started laughing and he and Laura fell to their bed. Nick walked out of the room, shaking his head and smiling.
In kitchen he was faced with sight which made him start laughing. Kevin and AJ were working their butts off with the breakfast, Leila and Dinah watching their every moves.
—Darling… AJ started.
—No! For 100 times, NO! Dinah said and took a banana from the table which was already loaded with fruits. Then she peeled it and stuck it to AJ mouth when he stared talking again. It caused everyone else in the kitchen to start laughing their heads off.
—OK, do I want to know why you guys are doing that stuff? Nick asked, grinning.
—NO you don’t!! AJ mumbled his mouth full of banana. Dinah grinned and started telling about the bet they four had made. The prize was making breakfast that very morning and guys had lost it. So now they were making the breakfast. Nick walked out of the kitchen to the balcony, chuckling. He stood there for a while, watching the sun rise and he started smiling. ‘This was accident and I thought I was happier than ever before that, but actually now I’ve started realizing the prize of life, how precious it really is’ He sighed happily. ‘I love my life even more now, it’s so peaceful and nice, though here’s not any comfy things from civilization.’
Then he took the liana and swung himself down and walked to the sea. He went to swim, ripping his few clothes off while running towards the waterline. He stayed in water till Howie came from his walk.
—I didn’t realize how big this island actually was, Howie said to Nick.
—Yeah! And how beautiful this place is. This is paradise. Nick said, starting to get his shorts on.
—I’m glad my leg’s better now! It was so boring in the house, sitting in the bed all day long. Howie said, stretching his other leg. —But I’ll go to the house now, though, the breakfast isn’t probably ready yet, he said grinning to Nick who grinned back. Nick decided to go for walk too, to pick some flowers to Camilla. Walked along the beach, listening the little waves hitting the sand in the shore. Suddenly he saw something and it made him stop.
—Dolphins! He sighed and started smiling. —How come I didn’t see them when I was in the water? He wondered to himself. He continued watching the dolphins for few minutes, then he continued his way to the place where he knew would be flowers.
15 minutes later he was back in the tree house and he walked in to the kitchen from the balcony. AJ and Kevin were still fighting with the breakfast though it was nearly ready. He started grinning again but when AJ and Kevin saw it, he had to run through the room, because they were shooting evil looks to him. In bedroom, everything was again back in order, new leaves were changed into beds. He saw Camilla standing on the doorway watching others who were down there and laughing. Nick tip toed silently behind her and put the flowers under the waist of his shorts to be able to put his hands to her eyes.
—Guess who? He said, trying to change his voice.
—Oh, hmm… let me think, Camilla started and Nick could feel that she was smiling. —Ok! My guess is that it’s the prince of my dreams in a shining armor. She said and took away his hands.
—Wrong! Nick said. He took the flowers and gave them to her. —I’m not the prince but will I do?
Camilla smelled the flowers with her eyes closed and when she opened them, Nick could see that they were full of love.
—Of course you will, she said quietly and Nick couldn’t wait anymore and he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips against her. Their kiss was interrupted by AJ who threw bananas at them.
—Here, bananas for you so you don’t have to eat each other to death! You’re not cannibals if I may remind you! He said and started laughing to his own joke. His laugh caught the others too and they started laughing. Camilla picked up the bananas and gave other on of them to Nick. Then she peeled the skin of her banana and let Nick take a bite of it.
—Umm, tasty! Nick said, closing his eyes, like enjoying the taste of the banana. Then he opened his eyes and peeled his banana and let Camilla take a bite of his banana.
—Umm… This tastes even better! She said and cracked smile to him. He winked to her and started kissing her again, causing AJ to moan and run away from the room. Camilla and Nick pulled away and started laughing. Nick wrapped his arm around her and they stood there watching Brian and Laura running after each other, like playing tag. Howie and Jenny were sitting under one of the trees and tickling each other. Nick decided to share his thought with Camilla.
—When I woke up this morning and I went to see the sunrise, I thought that now I realize the prize of life. I mean, I’ve always had everything, but now, it seems that I have even more! You know, there’s not any electrical supplies or any other comfy thing from civilization but still my life seems to have everything I need. He said, pressing his face against her hair and closing his eyes. Camilla moved her hand on his and she closed her eyes.
—I love you, she whispered quietly but loud enough that Nick could hear it. He kissed her hair and whispered to her ear.
—I love you too, and he knew that for the first time in his life, it came straight from his heart. He tightened his grip and pulled her even closer to his body. She lifted her another hand on top of his hands too and they stood there, Nick standing behind her and his arms wrapped around her waist and her hands on top of his. They felt like nothing, nothing, could become between them.

—BREAKFAST IS READY!! AJ roared from the kitchen causing Camilla and Nick startle because they had been so in to their own thoughts. Nick loosened his grip a little, allowing her to turn around to meet his lips. After the kiss, they walked to the kitchen where AJ was standing next to the table, his arms bent in front of his chest, looking really mad.When everybody was there, they all started laughing to his face causing him to laugh too. AJ just couldn’t be angry anymore, if he ever had even been. Then they started eating their simple breakfast. While eating they were chit chatting with each other.
—Oh Nick! I nearly forgot! Brian suddenly started. —We finished your "surprise" when you were looking after Camilla.
—Really?! Nick said and his eyes started glowing. —Gee, thanks!!! Is it really ready? He had to ask.
—Uhm!! Brian nodded his mouth full of pineapple.
—Should we show it to girls today? Kevin asked
—Have you tested it? Nick said.
—Yep!
—Then, I guess we could!! Nick said and cracked a smile to his friends and to their girlfriends who all five had questions in their eyes.
—OK! So after breakfast, let’s go to the beach! AJ declared and took huge bite of his banana.
When they had cleaned their tracks from kitchen they all went down from the tree and Brian led them all to the beach. There he stopped everybody.
—So, you all know, we guys have been working on something here. And now, we proudly present, he started and walked to the bushes with Nick, AJ, Kevin and Howie. They ripped off the branches and leaves, showing a raft lying in the sand.
—Tadaa! They said in choir!!
—Our pride and joy! Brian said smiling and girls clapped their hands.
—Wow! Camilla said and she walked to Nick. She slipped her arms around his waist and Nick put his hand behind her back. Other girls walked to their boyfriends too.
—I wondered where to bush had come there, Camilla said smiling. Nick grinned and gave her a kiss, before taking his hands off her.
—Let’s move her to the water! He said, gripped the edge of the boat. Other guys followed his example and even girls helped them to move the boat in to the water. When they finally got it there, after some work, they started clapping their hands and laughing! Day was very clear and they decided to go test it right away. It was big enough to everyone so guys helped their girlfriends to the boat and then pushed it further to the sea. Then the climbed to the raft too and Nick and Kevin started rowing. They couldn’t got very far because they didn’t know whether the raft would keep afloat and because out side of the bay could be too windy.
After half an hour sailing, they got back to the shore.
—I guess we should decide what her name would be, Kevin said to everyone.
—Yeah! They all agreed.
—OK, suggestions? Kevin asked.
—What about Rose of Paradise? Brian suggested. Everyone agreed that it would be great name and so they christened the raft and from then on it was called Rose of Paradise.

Chapter 13. 

They all spent wonderful day on the beach. Nick and Camilla were sailing out in the sea, Jenny and Leila were getting tan on the sand and Laura, Brian, AJ and Dinah were fooling around in the water. Kevin and Howie were trying to make a sand castle in the shore and everyone were enjoying themselves. Nick and Camilla were sitting in the raft, Camilla sitting between Nicks legs, her back pressed against his chest and Nicks arms were wrapped around her. He blew gently to her neck and kissed it after that. She was smoothing his arm.
—I guess we will be staying in this island rather long. It’s been days since we crashed here and we haven’t seen even a single plane fly above this island. Nick said to her.
—Yeah. It’s really rare that planes fly from here. And my guess is that they think you are dead, no offence. Camilla said to Nick, who sighed.
—I’ve started thinking so too. I wonder, how our parents reacted when they heard that our plane had dropped. I bet they were terrified. Nick said and he felt a lump in his throat when thinking his little brother, Aaron and his other siblings, as well as his parents. It was first time since arriving the island when he thought his family. Camilla felt something wet to drop to her shoulder and she knew Nick was crying. She turned around and pulled Nick to a hug, trying to comfort him. It was first time after crying after Mary, when Nick cried. He felt so sad for his family who had had to go through incredible pain for loosing their son and brother without knowing that he was really alive. He tightened his arms around Camilla and she let him cry.
Other ones on the island were preparing themselves to go collect food for supper. Time had flown by and they hadn’t even noticed that sun was sinking to the horizon. It started getting chilly and they knew soon it would become dark.
—Nick and Cam!!!! AJ and Brian yelled in a two men choir.
Nick turned his head to the shore, wiping off the last few tears.
—I guess we should get back there, it’s getting night, Camilla said. —Besides, we haven’t eaten supper yet and we have to go and get something to eat! She continued and Nick nodded. His eyes were swollen from crying. Camilla lifted her other hand to his cheek and she stroke it gently.
—Are you feeling any better now? She asked.
He caught her hand and pressed it to his cheek. Then he kissed her palm gently and smiled.
—I am. Thanks to you! I love you, he said and kissed her. Then he row back to the shore where everyone else was still waiting. They got off the raft. Brian saw immediately that Nick had cried.
—Are you OK, bro, he asked from his best friend, staying after others.
—Yeah, I am now. Thanks to Camilla who let me unload my sadness. He said. —But thanks for asking, he said and smiled to Brian who started smiling too. Then they decided to do a little competition, which one would run faster to the house. Brian won for this time. But before going up, he had something to say to Nick.
—We have been thinking with other guys and we’ve decided that we will start building our own little tree houses. You know, just to have something to do. And besides, little privacy would be nice, he said grinning.
Nick nodded.
—I’ll help you guys. Have you told to girls yet? He asked.
—Yep and they have agreed that it would be cool. Aawh… I can imagine, my own penthouse which I have always dreamt off… He said, closing his eyes, like he could imagine his dream house. Nick started laughing and so did Brian. Then they climbed up to the house where everyone was sharing jobs, what everyone should do so they would get supper to the table.
—OK, so I’ll go to get food from traps, who will come with me? Camilla asked, walking to get her knife from the kitchen.
—I’ll come! Nick yelled.
—Alright, Camilla said.
—Me and Howie go get berries, Jenny said and everyone nodded saying it was ok. And then Howie and Jenny left to carry out their part.
—Leila and me will go to get fish from you trap! Kevin said.
—Yuck! Leila said, her expression showing that she couldn’t like the job less. But Kevin carried her to the kitchen door and she had no choice but to follow her boyfriend.
—Laura and I will put everything ready here, you know, heat up the “oven” so it’s ready when you come and stuff, Brian said.
—That’s good.
—So what about you, AJ and Dinah? Camilla asked.
—We are going to make sweet love on the bedroom, AJ joked, changing his voice like Chef has in South Park. It caused Dinah slap him on the back of his head.
—Ouch! AJ said.
—Me and my perverted boyfriend will go get water from the falls, Dinah started and continues, yelling: —RIGHT???
—Yeah, yeah, yeah! What ever you say my precious one! AJ said, trying to look small and fractal one without succeeding in his act. Then he lifted Dinah on his lap and carried his screaming girlfriend out.
—I guess AJ has met his match! Nick said laughing and Camilla knew what he meant. Dinah really knew how to handle AJ. They were perfect together.Then they went to look for food from traps. They walked again the same route like many times before. They got wild pig and 2 rabbits and then they went back to the tree house where they saw Brian and Laura who were doing their part. “Oven” was ready, so Camilla put the rabbits to fry and then she walked to the bedroom and dropped down next to Nick who already was lying there. She crawled to his armpit and Nick squeezed her . She moved on top of him and put her head on his chest. She could hear Nicks hear bumping. She felt so safe in his arms. She never wanted the moment to end. But she knew it would. And this time, Kevin was the one who interrupted their moment together.
 —Cam, could you help us a bit. We don’t know how to clean the fishes, so could you teach us? He asked.
—OK, go to the shore, I’ll be there in a sec. She said and Kevin left. Then she started rising up but Nicks arms forced her to stay.
She leaned to give him a kiss. His hands started wandering around her body.
—OK, loverboy. I have to go now, she said between small kisses they exchanged.
—Yeah… Nick said and pulled her to one last kiss, which was very passionate French kiss.
—Uh! Your making it harder to leave you for few minutes, Camilla said and Nick could hear her voice being hoarse from desire. But she forced herself to go and Nick stayed in the bed.
Camilla felt her cheeks being hot. ‘Oh my God… I’ve never felt this way before, not even when being with Gary’ she thought, meaning her dead boyfriend. She walked to the beach where Leila and Kevin were already waiting.
—So you got away from Nick, Leila said and smiled knowingly. Camilla blushed even more.
—Yeah, though it was little hard… She said quietly but she got knowing look from Leila.
—Believe me, I know. Sometimes I can’t get away from Kevin… She whispered to Camillas ear and they smiled to each other.
—Hey, what are you two talking about? Kevin asked.
—Oh! Nothing! Leila said and winked to Camilla with her left eye.
—Oh! Spare me! Some girlish talk… Kevin said, trying to look like he was already bored. Leila and Camilla smiled and then started cleaning the fishes. It was soon done and then they headed back to the house.
Everyone else had come back too and were impatiently waiting the food to get ready.
—Hey guys… What would you say if we would sing little? Brian suggested. —It’s been so long time since I’ve singed last time and I kinda… miss it, you know, he said shrugging his shoulders.
—You know, I’ve been thinking that too! I want to sing! We are still Backstreet Boys thought we are stuck in here. AJ said. Nick, Howie and Kevin nodded too and soon familiar sounds of Backstreet Boys songs were filling the air. They sang some slower songs at first, like Darlin’, Back To Your Heart and I’ll Never Break Your Heart. Then they got mood to the ceiling by starting the well known hit Get Down. Girls started jamming with them and they had so much fun. Then Nick asked guys to the kitchen ‘To check if food was already ready’ to use his exact words. But when they came back, Nick walked to Camilla and kneeled in front of her and started singing:
—I never thought that I would lose my mind, that I could control this. Never thought that I’d be left behind, that I’m stronger than you…
And other guys followed him and they walked to their girlfriends and kneeled in front of them and continued singing:
—…baby! And so on. Tears started falling from Camillas eyes, when listening Nick to sing. ‘He has so beautiful voice’ she thought and she lifted her other hand before her face. Nick put his other hand on her other hand and squeezed it lightly. When the song was over, every one was in a bit sad mood, holding their loved once close. Nick helped Camilla up from the bed she was sitting on and sat down and pulled her to his lap. She put her arms around her and let the tears come. Nick held her tight and kissed her neck gently. He stroke her back gently trying to comfort her.
—Did I sing so badly, he asked teasingly when Camillas sobs ended after little time. Though feeling still little sad, she had to laugh.
—No! It was just too beautiful for me to handle, that’s all. I loved it! It’s beautiful song! She said and kissed Nick.
—Uh, I wouldn’t want to interrupt but do you guys smell something weird? AJ said suddenly.
—Yeah. Actually we do, everyone said. Camilla was first one to jump up and run to the kitchen.
—Damn it!! Our pig is on fire! AJ yelled and every body started laughing though the situation wasn’t the best. Camilla took water and threw it to the pig. They heard hissing sound when the fire died down.
—Great…Camilla said and looked at the pig. Nick came to look it too and he started smiling.
—Half burnt pig… Nice! He said sounding rather bitter. Kevin, the fatherly figure of everyone, walked to see it too.
—If we cut half of it off, we still can eat the other not burnt half, he said practically.
—OK, let’s do it and let’s make the fire again so we can get those fishes and rabbits to fry! Brian said and started making the fire with Nick. Kevin lifted the pig away and Camilla cut it in half. Kevin threw the other half away to the bushes and Camilla chopped the other half in to pieces. She put them on leaf bed and put some fruits around it, making it look delicious.
Brian got the fire started and they fried the rabbits and fishes there. After everything was ready, they moved all the food to the living room and they ate, like many times before, chatting with each other. When they had finished, Nick turned at Camilla, took her hand to his and pulled her up.
—C’mon, let’s go, he said and started leading her to the kitchen. She had no choice but to follow him. They went down with liana and Nick lead her to the beach.
—Isn’t this something, Nick said, when they came to the shore. Camillas jaw dropped open when she saw same thing as Nick.—I’ve lived here over a year and I’ve never noticed how beautiful the sun set is! She said after getting back her speaking talent. Nick smiled and came to her. He put his hands to both of her shoulder and kissed her to her forehead. Then he kissed her to both of her cheeks and to tip of her nose and finally to her lips. It was just sweet but short kiss before they hugged each other. They stood there, their arms wrapped around each other, looking the sunset. When the sun had gone under the horizon, Nick turned at Camilla again. He looked to her eyes. He touched her hair and tickled her with the top of her hair. She started smiling and so did Nick. She lifted her hands and placed them on Nicks hands. Then she moved them to her waist and put her hands to his shoulders. She jumped to her lap and kissed him. Nick moved his hand under her buttocks, holding her tightly, not wanting to drop her.
Finally their passionate kisses ended, but Camilla didn’t release her legs around him. Though he didn’t want her to move away from his lap. They just stood there, their foreheads presses against each other. Nick hands started wandering around her back. He kissed her softly to her neck. She leaned back a bit, her eyes narrowed like cats eyes, but she was smiling.
—You naughty boy! She said and her smile caught him too. Then she gave her quick kiss on lips before releasing her legs. She landed successfully to her feet but Nick didn’t let her go yet. He just pulled her close. They had so little privacy and that moment was like blessed to both of them.
—I don’t want to go back yet, he said quietly, sounding kind of sad. Camilla lifted her head and looked at him. His eyes were focused somewhere far away. She lifted her hand and gently put it to his cheek.
—We can stay here as long as you want! She said.
Nick turned his eyes down at her. He sighed and smiled weakly.
—Thanks! He said and Camilla put her arms around his waist, put her head against his chest and squeezed him softly.  Nicks hands were around her neck, since he was too tall to keep them on her waist when they were standing in same level.
When they had been standing there over an hour, Brian came running to the shore. He sighed with relief when he saw them standing there.
—Gee! We started getting worried. He said and put his hand on Nick shoulder. Slowly pulling away each other, without wanting to let go, they turned at Brian.
—OK, let’s go, Nick said and held his another arm still around her neck. Then they walked back to the house after Brian. When they got back up there, AJ walked at them with huge grin on his face.
—Bad, bad boy!! He said to Nick waving his index finger like punishing little boy doing something stupid. Nick looked at him, tired of his remarks.
—Shut up Bone. He said, stressing the word Bone. First time, Camilla felt him being a bit tense. And she knew if somebody would come annoy him, it wouldn’t be good.
—Ok, AJ, leave him alone, she said and pulled Nick away from the door way. She lead him to the bedroom. When they got there, Nick jerked his hand off and walked to the other end of the room.
—You don’t have to defend me! I can do it by myself, he said angrily. His eyes were spitting flames.
—Sorryy… Camilla said, starting to get annoyed by his childish act. She felt getting angry and tried to calm herself down.
—You know, actually, I’m getting really sick of you! Nick started suddenly shouting to her, crossing his arms in front of his chest, staring to Camilla who did the same with her hands.
—Yeah?! She yelled.
—Yeah!! You are always hugging and kissing me. Yuck! I’m starting to get sick of that! Nick said.
Camilla was confused, but that didn’t leave her speechless.
—Oh! Really?!! So who’s the one who dragged me to the shore to watch the sunset? Who’s intruding to my bed? And who’s the one who’s always kissing and hugging?? She now yelled with full capacity. —You! She said walking across the room, poking Nick chest with her index finger.
Nick crabbed her hand and squeezed it really tightly, making her squeal. His eyes were so ice-cold that it made shivers go through Camilla.
—Stop! It hurts, she said, tears burning her eyes. Nick didn’t let go, but his grasp lightened a bit. But his eyes were still like ice. —What’s wrong with you? She asked, quietly from him and now tears were rolling on her cheeks. Nick threw her hand away, but before he did that, Camilla could see that his eyes were full of pain. Nick walked out of the bedroom across the kitchen to the balcony.
Camilla followed him, wanting to know what was wrong with the guy she so much loved.
—Nick, talk to me! She said to him, putting her hand on his shoulder. But he shove it way.
—Go away, he yelled, but she could hear he was crying. —Go! He yelled again and it caused Camilla to run across the kitchen and living room and she crabbed the liana and swung herself away from the house.
Everyone had, of course, heard them fighting, but they had though they better stay out of it. But when they saw Camilla running quickly across the room and straight to liana, they knew everything wasn’t OK. Brian walked to Nick who was now crying openly, his legs pulled as close his body as possible.
—Nick, what’s wrong, Brian repeated Camillas question.
—God!! I miss her so much!! Nick yelled. Brian understood that he was talking about Mary. And he knew why he had been so tense before. Nick had missed Mary so much that only thing to relive the pain was to yell.
—And now I’ve even hurt Camilla!! He continued after a while. —I will never forgive myself if she now hates me!! I love her even more than I loved Mary, he continued, after he had calmed down a bit. —But when we were standing there, in the doorway, it was just like we had been standing with Mary at the airport right before our flight left. And it was like a knife had pushed through my chest, so much it hurt.
Brian listened to his friend, still not understanding why he had got angry to Camilla.
—I don’t know why I was such a brat. Nick said meaning how he had been acting to Camilla. — I know I didn’t have any reason to yell at her. But it was like I was a kettle on a stove, full of water and then suddenly the water boiled over the edges and I started yelling at her. I just had to get rid of the pain.
—I guess you should start searching for Camilla. Brian said after few minutes silence between them.
—What? Where did she go? Nick said frightened look on his eyes.
—I don’t know, Brian said. Nick jumped to his feet.
—Damn!! I’ve got to find her!! He said and ran across the kitchen and living room.
—We will come with you, Kevin rose on his feet and followed Nick.
Nick smiled to his friends.
—Thanks. I appreciate it.
—We will stay here, if she comes back, Jenny said and walked to Nick. She gave him friendly hug. — I hope you find her! She continued and smiled.
—I hope so too! Nick said and then they left.
They searched through every place they could imagine Camilla could be. But it had already been late when they had started searching for her and it was nearly morning when they stopped, without any results. Every one else was asleep, except Dinah when they got back to the house.
—Well? She said, rising on her feet. Nick rolled his head saying no. His eyes were full of sadness.
—I’m sorry, Dinah said and she walked to AJ. Nick walked to the bedroom, his head hanging down. He went straight to bed, deciding to take a nap before continuing the search.

Chapter 15.

Next morning Nick and Camilla wanted to sleep late, but they got awful waking from AJ. He threw bowl of cool creek water to their faces and Camilla jumped up screaming and Nick started running after AJ. Every one else was laughing. When they had calmed down, Nick and Camilla went to eat breakfast which they had left for them.
—So, what would you say if we would do a tour around the island? We just have been thinking about that and we would love to see the whole island! Leila asked and other ones agreed that they would like that very much.
—Of course! Camilla said smiling. —Let’s just pack some water bottles with us, plus couple of knives. We can get food from every where so we don’t have to worry about it. She continued, taking bite from her piece of pineapple between the sentences. When she had finished her breakfast she started packing one backpack which Nick had. They put one water bottle for each and Camillas knives.
—I wish I had camera! Laura said and everyone agreed. Suddenly Kevin moaned and started laughing.
—You guys aren’t going to believe this but as you know I carry the small video camera with me everywhere I go and guess what…I’ve got it! And 3 fully loaded batteries and lots of tape!! He said, wiping off the tears of laughter. Everyone looked at him and they started laughing too. Kevin went to get his camera and recorded stuff from the house.
When they were ready to leave, they recorded little bit more, telling where they were heading and stuff. Then they started walking to the shore. They had decided to follow the shore line around the island. It was sunny day, which meant that there was extremely hot. And since everybody had given up using shoes, they had to walk in the water so they wouldn’t burn their feet on sand. They all had taken something to wear on their heads so the sun wouldn’t  cause sunstroke to them. Some of them also had sunglasses and they were like group of tourists walking in the beach during vacation.
After walking about an hour, they decided to take a break. They drank some water and just lied on the blanket they had also brought with them. Then Nick suggested that they would go swimming. They all got in to their underwear, except Camilla. She just sat on the blanket. Everyone else ran into the water and started splashing the water to each other. When Nick started looking for Camilla and saw she was still sitting on the beach, he ran back at her and lifted her into his arms and carried her to the water.
When the water was at Nicks stomach level, he dropped her off. She went under the surface and didn’t come up. Nick started getting worried.
—Hey, this isn’t funny. He said feeling frustrated. Then he turned around to his friends.
—She went down and hasn’t come up! He yelled, feeling really worried now. But his friends just started laughing and he started getting angry.
—You think it’s funny?? He yelled. But then he felt something wet to land on top of his head and when he touched it, he realized it was alga from the bottom of the sea. When he turned around he faced Camilla who was looking at him, with wide smile on her face.
—Ooh! Now you did it! Nick said and tried to catch Camilla. But she was faster and swam little further. When Nick started following her, she started heading back to the shore. When the water was shallow enough, she started running and she was laughing all the time. Nick followed her, trying to catch her. She ran across the waterline and finally Nick was near enough to catch her. When she suddenly stopped and turned around, Nick bumped into her and they both fell to the sand laughing. They were breathing heavily and when they calmed down a bit, they just stared each other, both grinning happily. Finally they melted in to passionate kiss. Nick was holding Camillas hands down so she couldn’t move. After their kiss ended, Nick got back to his feet, not letting Camillas hands go and lifted her up too. Then they started heading back to the others who were now off the water too. Suddenly, Camilla jerked her hand away from his and placed them on his shoulders standing behind him. Then she jumped to his back and he carried her to the blanket and let her down.
—I guess we should continue our trip, Nick said and put his arm around Camillas shoulder. Everyone agreed and they packed all their stuff and continued. Soon Camilla stopped them again.
—If you look closely, you can see that small path on the jungle, she said, pointing to there.
They nodded and she continued.
—If you follow the path, you will come to a cave. It’s in the same mountain we were with girls. And on the other side off the mountain is also the pond where we have been swimming and where we get our water.
—Can we go there? AJ asked and took off his sunglasses to see the path.
—Sure. We could eat there, since there’s cooler than here. It’s noon now, which means it’s hottest moment of day.
Everyone agreed that it would be great idea. They walked along the path and soon came to the cave. It was in open place, like someone had used it as a place to live. And Camillas story proved it.
—When our plane fell here and I realized I was stuck in here, I explored around the island. Well, one day, I found the skeleton. I guess it belonged to someone unlucky person who had live here. I bet he was in a ship which then sank. She paused for a while. Then she continued: —I found some bowls and this knife which I had from the cave. There’s place where you can lit fire. Let’s go inside, she said and other followed. When they had gone in, they could see the fireplace. The cave continued further but Camilla stopped at the fire place.
—I’ve never gone further and I suggest that you don’t go either. If you look up you can see that it’s not so solid when you go further. It might come down to your heads. She warned them. But it also made AJ very curious. Girls went to get something to eat and guys went to help them, except AJ. He stayed inside the cave and decided to do some research on his own. He walked further to the cave. He had notice that it was rather bright in the cave since the light could get in from little cracks between the rocks. He had walked a while when he came to the end of the cave. It was like a chamber, round and when he lifted his eyes to see up, he could see hole in the roof, which lead out side and sunlight came in from that hole, lighting the whole chamber. He heard someone calling his name and yelled back:
—I’m here!!!
Suddenly he heard thumbing sound when something fell and right after that, the whole roof of the corridor which had lead to the chamber, fell down. He backed to the other end of the chamber, not wanting to get under the falling rocks. As fast as the rumble started, as fast it ended. Then it became totally silent. The chamber was filled with dust and AJ started coughing.
Slowly the fact that he was trapped in the chamber with no food or water, made it’s way to his brains. The whole chamber might come down and it would be end of his story. He gulped.
—Stupid me!!! He whispered to himself. He heard somebody yelling his name again, but he didn’t yell back, knowing that it might be the last thing he would do. On the other side of the fallen rocks, Dinah, who had came back searching for AJ, run out of the cave screaming hysterically! Brian who was nearest to the cave, ran at her trying to calm her down.
—Hey, Dinah! Calm down! He said and put his hands to her shoulders.
—AJ…she said and then she started crying. She was totally hysterical.
—Guys!! Come here!! Something has happened to AJ!!! Brian yelled and everyone ran there as quickly as possible.
—Where’s AJ? Camilla asked from Dinah, who pointed to the cave.
—I told him not to go forward!! She said between her teeth and everyone saw she was really angry. —Kevin and Nick, come with me! Others, try to calm Dinah down and stay here, and I mean it! She said and everybody nodded. They had no idea what to do so they let Camilla led them. Camilla, Nick and Kevin went in to the cave, where the dust was still floating in the air. They started coughing. Camilla set on dry branch to fire, so they would see better. They walked deeper to the corridor and soon they came to other side of the rocks. Camilla gestured guys that they wouldn’t talk too loud and that they wouldn’t do anything else which could cause more roof to fall down.
She started checking the roof and soon saw that it was more solid than the part which had fallen down.
—OK! I guess it’s safe to talk. She finally said.
—So what do we do? Nick asked.
—I guess we should start digging the rocks off. But first we have to get some kind of thing which we could use pulling the rocks out. Could you Nick go to tell other to figure out something useful. Nick nodded and walked out.
—OK Kevin. To be honest, I don’t have a clue what we should be doing…Camilla said and Kevin could hear frustration in her voice.
—Well, what if we start moving the rocks from the top and move them out. Meanwhile I guess someone  should check out the top of the mountain, if there’s some kind of crack or hole in the stone which could lead to other side of the rocks. That way we could find out whether AJ…is…still alive, he said and sighed. They were both silent and just said their silent prayers for AJ.
Then Nick came back and told that others would make that thing which they would use moving the rocks out of the cave.
—Ok, Kevin said. Then he turned at Camilla. —Could you go and check out the top of the mountain? He asked and Camilla nodded. She went out and walked to the place where was the path to the mountain. Right when she place her other feet to start climbing, she felt hand on her shoulder.
—I will come with you! Howie said. He had followed her. She smiled slightly to him.
—I would appreciate it! Camilla said and then they started climbing up. When they got to the top, they started searching for hole or crack. When they had been searching everywhere which they thought possible, Camilla sat down frustrated. First time Howie saw her being clueless.
—Damned AJ!!! She shouted as loud as she could, to get the pressure away.
—Thank you! They heard someone saying right below them, in quiet sound, like it came under the rocks and they both looked at each other with disbelief showing on their faces. Camilla looked down to her feet and she started smiling.
—Only place where I didn’t look… She said and kneeled down next to the hole.
—AJ, are you OK? She said. Again the quiet answer came.
—Yeah. But get me the hell outta here as quickly as possible!! He said.
—OK!! Camilla said and then she told Howie that she would ran down and tell to the other that AJ was alive. Howie decided to stay up there and keep him company. When Camilla ran down and to the others, they didn’t believe her at first. Then Dinah started crying again, this time with happiness that AJ was still alive. Then she headed up to the mountain. Camilla went back in to the cave and she met two dirty men working their butts off to save their friend. She started helping them.
Soon, they realized it would be night. It would start getting colder and they were really tired off the hard work. They decided to shift places with Brian and Howie who decided to continue digging so they could rest. Camilla, Nick and Kevin were really grateful to them and they walked out of the cave, coughing when getting the fresh air to their lungs again. They drank some water and then Camilla and Nick walked under one palm tree. Nick sat down and Camilla came to sit between his feet. She rested her head against his chest.
—I’m glad it wasn’t you…She said quietly. —But it’s not great that AJ’s there either…she continued like correcting her words a bit.
—I hope we get him out soon. I guess it’s really cold there…he said. His eye lids felt like concrete.
—Let’s get some sleep, Camilla suggested, like reading through his mind.
—Great idea!! Nick said. Camilla got up and walked to their bags and took on blanket and walked back to Nick. On her way there, she saw Kevin lying his head placed on Leilas lap, sleeping. She smiled slightly and sat down to the ground. Nick fell down to the sand and Camilla lay down next to him pulling the blanket over them both. Feeling really dirty but happy, Nick pressed his body to her back. She was lying on her other side and he put his other arm on her waist pulling her closer. She put her other hand on his and put it on her stomach.
—I love you, Nick whispered to her ear and she smiled.
—I love you too, she said and yawned. Then they both fell asleep, to well deserved sleep. When Laura saw them lying there, she took Kevins video camera and took little recording from them.
—Two hard working lovebirds, sleeping peacefully under the palm tree. Romantic or what? She said and at that moment, she was actually little jealous. Though being covered with black layer of dust in their clothes, in their face, they looked perfect for each other. Both sleeping, just small smile on their face, holding on each other, like never wanting to let go.
—They belong together, she whispered silently and smiled slightly. Then she pushed the jealous thoughts behind, since she knew, she couldn’t love anyone else more than Brian. And she knew Brian loved her.

Camilla woke up when she heard somebody yelling loud. She jumped right up, Nicks hand falling off her waist. Nick woke up to that and looked amazed at her.
—What? He asked. She shrugged her shoulders and started running to the cave where all the noise came. Right when she was stepping inside to the cave, Brian and Kevin walked out, leading coughing AJ out. She started smiling as widely as possible and hugged AJ.
—Thank God you are OK! She said. She got weak smile from AJ who started coughing again. Right when Nick realized what was going on, he ran to the cave and smiled too. One of his 4 brothers was now totally safe. After hard work. If Camilla and Nick were glad to meet their friend again, Dinah was even happier. She couldn’t stop crying and when AJ hugged her, she collapsed totally. She cried nearly hysterically. But knowing the feeling, when losing someone close one, Camilla and Nick hugged too. They felt totally sympathy for Dinah and AJ. 
Though it was incredibly late, they decided to head back to the house. It was rather long walk back there, but they had lost all the interest to trip around the rest parts of the island. They decided to continue some other time.
When the morning birds started singing and sun started rising, they were back at the house. Everyone went straight to bed, being tired after being awake all night. Except Camilla and Nick. They walked to the beach and pushed the raft to the water. Then Nick rowed it to outer sea and then they just sat in there, cuddling and chatting. It was warm day and no clouds in the sky.
—Wow! Camilla said. —I’ve never seen this clear water!! She said and her eyes were sparkling. Nick smiled too and then he got up, carefully, scared that the raft would collapse. When he was standing steadily he pulled Camilla up too. 
—OK. Let’s go swimming, he said. Without waiting for answer, he jumped over board, holding Camilla’s hand. She had no choice but to follow him. They both went underneath the surface. And when they got back above it, Camilla started laughing.
—You are crazy, you know that? She said to Nick, pulling him near and kissing him.
—Crazy is my middle name!! He said and Camilla started laughing even more and then she pushed herself further away from Nick. She dove under again and she was amazed what she saw. They were on a coral reef and there was millions of fishes, in all rainbow colors. Corals were colorful and water was incredibly clear. But unfortunately she had to go up again, since she had to breathe. When she got up, she saw Nick pushing the raft nearer to the shore. Then he swam back and Camilla told what she had just seen. Suddenly she saw triangle shaped fin over the surface and started screaming:
—Shark!!!
But Nick started laughing. Camilla looked at him amazed.
—What?! She said, sounding a bit angry.
—It’s not a shark! It’s dolphin! He said.
And like wanting to prove Nick's words, one dolphin jumped up and then dove back to the see. Camillas jaw dropped and Nick started laughing even more, though it’s hard to laugh when swimming. One of the dolphins was more curious than other ones. It swam closer to Nick and Camilla. It swam right to Camilla and lifted it’s head up. But when Camilla moved her hand, trying to touch it, it went back down and swam little further. After few attempts, the dolphin gave up and let Camilla touch him. 
—Gee! She said and smiled. —Funny! The skin is extremely soft!
Nick smiled and dove. Camilla dove right after him and they saw even more dolphins, under the surface. The dolphins got curious and they swam closer. Nick could stop wondering how incredibly cute Camilla looked, with wide smiled on her face, when they came back to the surface. He swam to her and pulled her so he was able to kiss her.
—I love you, he whispered to her ear and swam back to the beach. 
Camilla followed him. They both sat down on the sand, as close to each other as possible and Camilla leaned her head against his shoulder and Nick leaned his head against her head and wrapped his arm around her. They watched the most amazing sight, totally calm sea, dolphins playing in the water and sun shining from the clear blue sky. Suddenly Nick realized that Camilla had fallen asleep. He looked at her with loving eyes and kissed her hair. He felt really tired too and he lifted Camilla to his arms and carried her underneath the nearest palm tree and put her down on the warm sun. She was sleeping so tightly that she didn’t wake up and he laid down next to her and wrapped his arms around her body and fell asleep.