Stranded 21

Tomorrow’s the day I see Tyler.
I can’t tell you how many emotions are running through my body.
To finally be about to see him again.
It’s like my dream has slowly come true.
Speaking of slow, oh man has this week been long.
But tomorrow is when it will happen.
I will see him and get this item he has of mine.
I still have no clue what it actually is.
But for some reason, I feel it will affect me in some way.
It will leave an impression on me.
Maybe it will change me just as Tyler has.
So the only way I can prepare myself is to give you this one last glimpse into my very last real conversation with Dylan.

My name is Luke Gray and it’s time you know about Dylan and I.

575 Days Before Being Rescued

Well, we made up.
We went right back to being good friends.
We didn’t make it to the stream.
There was no need.
Instead we turned back to camp.
Luke – So you are buddy-buddy with Hayden now?
Dylan – She is nice, but oh man she is such a girly girl.
Luke – Haha, aww, so you missed me?
Dylan – You have no idea how normal you are.
Normal? That was one word I never thought of myself as.
Especially with this life of mine.
But Dylan obviously thought so.
Luke – Thanks. I guess you are normal too.
I had on a slightly flirtatious smile.
No reason why. It just felt right at the time.
Dylan noticed it and again went into some sort of a shock because he silenced himself and only walked straight forward.
I looked up and down his body.
My eyes stopped on his hand.
His fingers were lightly twitching.
It was as if they were begging to be grabbed.
But how weird would that be?
To grab Dylan’s hand.
His fingers continued. I don’t think I ever noticed that on him before.
I had an incredible urge to wrap my fingers in his.
But was it the right thing to do?
I didn’t know.
All I knew was the feeling didn’t stop.
It was more of a desire to let his skin touch mine, not only his hand.
Not in a perverted way,
In a loving way, if that makes sense.
So as I watched his hand I gained the courage.
I walked closer to him and put my two arms around him from behind.
He slowed down as I gave him a hug.
Luke – I missed you.
He put his hand on one of mine.
Dylan – I never left.
Luke – Yes you did to me.
He didn’t say much else.
He stopped entirely.
I put my chin on his shoulder.
I could tell he was smiling without seeing his face.
Nothing needed to be said.
After a few seconds he pulled my arms out a bit.
He turned to face me.
He looked into my eyes before wrapping his arms around me very tightly.
Dylan – I missed you too.
I was slightly taller than him, so he leaned his head against my shoulder as I placed my chin on top of his head.

Just Dylan and me.

It didn’t last.
Our moment together was broken by the sound of a crash.
Luke – What was that?
I released him.
Dylan – I dunno.
We were close enough back to camp that it could easily have originated from the beach.
There was another noise.
Dylan – Oh man, let’s go.
We both started to run.
Luke – It’s coming from Tyler’s new showers.
When we arrived the whole area looked destroyed.
And you guessed it; Ian was standing in the middle screaming his lungs off at Tyler.
Tyler was much more interested in trying to salvage his hard work.
Ian – Hey, I’m talking to you!
Tyler – I have nothing to say to you!
Ian – Hey kid, you aren’t all that when your little inventions break down.
Tyler – What the hell is your problem, why did you do this?
Ian – Because we don’t need it!
Tyler – So don’t use it!
Tyler looked extremely aggravated. He was always so proud of his work.
Ian – Piss head, get over here and face me like a man!
Tyler dropped everything and approached him with the look of rage on his face.
I looked at Dylan.
Dylan – This isn’t good. They look out of control.
Luke – What can we do?
We both had concerned blank faces.
Hayden – Tyler, stay back!
He ignored her comment.
Tyler – Fine, bring it on, jackass!
Tyler shoved Ian in the chest.
Ian swiftly reacted and punched Tyler right in the jaw.
Tyler fell back holding his face.
Ian – That’s right, you’re not so great now!
Ian marched towards Tyler and kicked some dirt at him.
He looked like he would still attack him as he lie defenseless on the ground.
Dylan – No!
Dylan charged at Ian and pushed him away.
Ian – Get off me, twerp.
Both Zooey and Hayden stood surrounding the fight just as I did.
Dylan – What is wrong with you?! He isn’t doing anything to you. It is not worth fighting. This is so stupid!
Ian – Shut up kid and stay out of this.
Dylan – No! There is one thing I’ve learned and that is there is no reason to fight someone, especially here.
Tyler stood up as Ian pushed Dylan out of the way.
The two started a brawl.
Dylan turned towards me and gave me one last look.
I nodded signaling he needed to break it up.
Dylan – Stop!
He pushed the two apart getting a few punches himself.
They were finally separated.
Dylan – Now stop!
Ian – Don’t tell me what to do you pathetic piece of fuck. No wonder your mom didn’t want you and Zooey had to kidnap you! Hell you aren’t even related to her, do you know that?!? She only got you to use you. But you weren’t even useful. Now we just can’t get rid of you.
Anger took over Dylan’s face.
He charged at Ian and started his own brawl.
But he didn’t stand a chance.
Very quickly he was flattened into the dirt and Ian had his foot on Dylan’s head.
Ian – You better think twice before coming after me again. You see this everyone? This is what happens when you challenge me.
Zooey – Ian! Don’t do it!
Ian – I will in a heart beat. We don’t need this anymore.
Zooey – What are you talking about?!
Ian – I can get rid of him right now. He’s no use to us anyway.
I looked down at Dylan’s face.
His eyes had tears in them.
He glanced at me quickly, but I don’t think he wanted me to see him like this.
He closed his eyes.
I looked around. No one was moving.
I didn’t know what to do. I felt I had to stop it, but I feared the same thing would happen to me.
But I realized only three were surrounding him.
Tyler must have snuck off.
Zooey continued to beg for Dylan’s release.
Tyler then appeared from behind a tree.
Ian – It’s not murder here. This is for survival! One less useless mouth to feed.
Tyler picked up a large stick and was slowly sneaking up very close behind Ian.
Ian – See this, twerp. You gonna stand up to me now? You got any last ....
And Tyler slammed his head with the stick knocking him to the ground.
Dylan got up and ran off.
I looked at Tyler quickly who only stared back at me with his hands fixed still holding up the stick in the follow through.
I ran after Dylan.
He was much faster than I thought.
He just kept running.
Luke – Dylan!
He didn’t stop or acknowledge I was following him.
Luke – Wait, please!
Dylan – Go away!
He kept going but I was able to catch up with time.
Luke – Dylan, please, stop!
Dylan – Don’t follow me, I want to be alone!
Luke – No way in hell am I leaving you alone!
Dylan – Please?!
I was right up to him now.
I think he did slow down because deep down he wanted me to stop him.
I grabbed his arm and further halted his run.
He finally stopped.
We were both out of breath.
Dylan – What?
Luke – Are you okay?
Dylan – Yes, I am fine. Can you leave me be?
Luke – Did you leave me alone when I was searching for Kyle?
Dylan – This is different. I can’t be around you right now.
He turned and walked away from me.
I could see how upset he was. Dylan never was like this.
He always wanted to be around me.
I knew he loved me.
There was only one thing I could think of to calm him down.
And I had to do it.
I reached out and grabbed his arm.
I pulled him around quickly as he spun right up to me.
His face landed right against mine.
I gave him the longest kiss I had in me.