Get bamboo

{if GameMode == true}

“I'll help get the bamboo, seeing as I have this,” you say, pulling your knife out halfway so that they can see the hilt and the gleam of the metallic blade.

“Shit bro, where did you get that?” Asks Roman.

You look at Amber, about to thank her for finding it but you see her shake her head, looking you dead in the eye.

“I just found it buried under the sand,” you lie.

You glance back towards Amber who silently mouths a her appreciation in a thank you.

“Let's go,” announces Amber, who then begins to lead the smaller group to the jungle to find some bamboo.

You catch up to her as everyone starts walking across the hot sand, the radiating heat of the afternoon sun being visible by a flickering distortion of the distance.

“What was that about?” You ask.

“I don't know,” she begins, “I just didn't want the attention and all the questions.”

You feel like that's a really vague answer and she's not telling you something so you try and push further. “I feel like that's not the whole truth,” you reply.

“So you're saying you don't trust me?” She asks, looking you dead in the eye for a split second, then breaking eye contact.

“It's not that-” you start.

“Then leave it,” she interrupts, not even looking at you.

Fine, if she wants to be like that then let her, you don't have the time or patience for this bullshit right now. The rest of the walk is awkward as neither of you say anything but walk side-by-side in silence.

After ducking under stray branches, trying not to trip over tangled vines, and slashing and hacking at some greenery, you finally start to see occasional bamboo trees mixed in with the exotic jungle trees and bushes.

“I'll cut the bamboo trees and you guys can transport them back,” you say. “How does that sound?”

You hear unsynchronised words of agreement coming from everyone behind you so you get to work. You take out the blade that is tucked underneath your shorts and position yourself next to a large bamboo tree. Slowly pulling your arm back with everyone watching, you swing as hard as you can at the solid wood pole, clenching your fist at the last second to ensure as much of the **** is transferred into the blow. Looking at the small notch you formed in the wood, you realise this is going to take a while.

After several trips back to the camp, with various people carrying the bamboo, you crave for a break. You tuck the knife back under your shorts and stand up, only to collide with Rina, knocking her off balance. She loses footing quite quickly, after flailing her arms about in a poor attempt to regain balance and as she descends to the floor, her fall is broken by your embrace.

You managed to turn around just in time to reflexively grab her and stop her from falling, though she is now in your arms, her eyes looking into yours and her face only inches away from you. Her body is still limp and she is frozen in surprise, not knowing what to say.

The two of you stare at each other for a moment, your gaze captured by the brilliant shine of her emerald eyes. What shocks you the most about this whole incident is that she kisses you. No warning, no signals, just pure lust. Her eyes close and her soft lips touch against yours. You adjust your grip on her to something more comfortable and return the kiss when she pulls away.

“I'm so sorry,” she mumbles in embarrassment. “I don't know what came over me.”

“Don't apologise,” you whisper, leaning back in for another kiss, to which she returns - hesitantly at first but it doesn't take long until she has her arms wrapped around your neck and yours on her lower back.

During that second moment of passion you hear rustling from the bush and the two of you separate in a rush.

“Shoot, did I interrupt something?” Asks Parisia, emerging from the dense greenery in the jungle. She must have noticed Rina's bright red checks and flustered face, along with the fact that we both look messy and heated from the brief kiss.

“Umm,” you begin.

You glance at Rina and she gives you a look back, but neither of you say anything in response. Parisia gets a huge grin on her face when she realises what she interrupted.

“Let's go back now,” you suggest. “This is the last piece of bamboo we need.”

The three of you agree start to head back to where the rest of the islanders are, exiting the thick jungle. The fact that you're in a jungle on a random island doesn't stop Parisia from walking besides you whispering annoying taunts on the way back.

“Ooh, Julian's got a girlfriend,” teases Parisia.

“Fuck off,” you jokingly say.

“You just kiss, or...” She trails off.

“It was just a peck” You reply, finally giving in to her relentless tormenting.

“Mhm,” she mumbles, raising an eyebrow.

Suddenly something catches your eye.

A metallic glimmer comes from the ground, almost concealed by the large vines and jungle leaves but you spot it and uncover it.

You brush away the loose soil to unearth a silver coloured briefcase. It's pretty heavy and the three of you look in curiously at the box.

“What do you think is in it?” You ask, fingers resting on the clip to open it.

“Just hurry up and see,” says Parisia, excitedly.

“Alright, alright.” You say, unlocking the metallic case.

You carefully lift the cover on it's hinges, ensuring not to let anything fall out, revealing a delicately arranged array of bottles, vials and tools. You pick up one of the bottles and inspect the label. It reads ‘povidone iodine’. You also notice bandages and several surgical tools when putting the bottle back into it's place.

“It must be some sort of high-end medical kit,” you say. “It's got all sorts of surgical equipment too. Amber's gonna be drooling over this.”

“Let's take this back,” says Rina.

{else}

Please turn on game mode to read the full story. Head to the menu at the top right, then select ‘Start Game’ under the ‘Score’ tab.

{endif}