{ Mia }
I lifted Ace and Cole and gently placed them on the makeshift bed made out of leaves.
I sighed plopping down beside them.
" Next on the agenda... Getting out of here."
I exhaled slowly, my body aching from the day's strain. Every muscle throbbed, my head still light from the teleport. But we were safe for now. The jungle whispered outside, the rustling leaves carried by the salty breeze. The waves were softer now, a rhythmic lullaby against the shore.
My eyelids grew heavier. I fought it at first, forcing myself to stay alert. Anything could be out there. Anything. But my body had other plans.
The axe rested beside me, my fingers brushing against the handle one last time before sleep finally dragged me under.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
~ the next day ~
The sun shone bright through the crack of the shelter. I groaned, " I better patch that up!" I whispered trying not to wake the boys up.
I got up from the makeshift bed and went towards the water source.
I ran my tongue over my teeth and cringed. Ugh. I hadn't washed my teeth for a day, but my mouth already felt gross. I needed a way to clean my teeth before they started feeling fuzzy.
I exhaled, glancing at the jungle. "Alright, Mia, think! "
For a brief second, I considered trying to summon a toothbrush and toothpaste like I had with the axe and shampoo. But my body still felt drained from yesterday's teleport. Every time I used my powers, it left me exhausted and who knew when I'd need them again? I couldn't afford to waste energy on something I could make myself
I scanned the trees until I spotted a small, smooth-barked tree. The branches weren't too hard . " This should work perfectly!" I exclaimed. I gripped my axe and chopped off a thin twig, about the length of my hand.
Sitting by the cabin , I used the sharp edge of a rock to peel off the bark. The wood underneath was pale and soft. I put one end in my mouth and chewed gently until the fibers started separating." Ugh! I hope I don't get sick!" I groaned.
After a few minutes of chewing, I had something that actually looked like a toothbrush. Not bad.
Now, for the toothpaste.
I crouched by the burned out fire and grabbed a piece of half-burnt wood from the night before. I crushed it . ' Charcoal cleans teeth, right?' I thought.
"Well it's either this or nothing at all!"
Using a flat stone, I ground the charcoal into a fine, black powder. It smelled smoky, but I could work with it.
" I need something to turn it into a paste!" I exclaimed.
I raked my eyes through the surroundings and my gaze shifted to the coconut shells I had set aside. Some still had a bit of coconut oil left inside. "Perfect !"
I sprinkled some powder into the shell,and mixed it with the charcoal powder, stirring it with my finger until it formed a thick paste.
I dipped my homemade toothbrush into the mix, hesitating for just a second before shoving it in my mouth.
The texture made me wince, and the charcoal left a bitter taste in my mouth. But after a few strokes, I could already feel the difference.
I spit onto the sand and scooped some water inside a coconut shell sipping it. Way better.
I grinned at my reflection in the water.
I blinked against the sun, my stomach growling louder than the crash of the waves. The hygiene problem was solved, but now food was the real issue.We had fresh water from the stream, but I needed something to eat.
My eyes scanned the jungle around me. Coconuts. There were a lot of those. I spotted a cluster of tall, leafy palms just off the edge of the clearing. Perfect.
I grabbed my axe and made my way over, the handle still feeling natural in my hand. It didn't take long to find a sturdy coconut hanging low enough for me to knock down. I swung the axe with precision, the wood splitting with a sharp crack. The coconut fell, and I grabbed it, feeling the weight in my palm.
With a quick twist, I cracked it open and drained the cool, sweet water into a makeshift bowl made from a half-split coconut shell. " This will be perfect for my soup !!"
I turned my attention to the fish traps I had set in the ocean last night. I quickly checked them , finding a medium sized fish caught in one of the traps. It was still alive, thrashing weakly against the twine.
I reached into the trap and gently freed the fish, my hands steady. It wasn't a feast , but it was enough for a meal. I set the fish down on a flat rock and grabbed the sharp stone I'd been using to skin plants. Carefully, I scaled it, then cleaned it, the process slow but methodical. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.
With my fish cleaned, I took a deep breath. I could try to cook it directly over the fire, but I had a better idea. I glanced around for something to season it with seaweed, maybe. I spotted some washed-up seaweed at the edge of the beach, shining dark and green in the fading light.
I hurried over and gathered a handful, the thick, salty smell almost making my mouth water. I crumbled the seaweed into a bowl made from a half-shell and tossed the fish fillets in it, letting the briny seaweed coat the delicate flesh.
I quickly gathered some dry branches and set them down. I focused. Letting my hands glide across the twiggs setting them on fire. One by one.
I set the fish on the heated rocks just beside the fire, the surface sizzling as it hit the warm stones. The smell of salt and fish filled the air, and my stomach clenched in hunger. My mind raced, knowing it wasn't enough for all three of us, but it was a start.
The fish cooked quickly, the heat from the stones cooking it through in minutes. I checked it, flipping it carefully with a stick, making sure it didn't burn. The skin crisped, and the flesh flaked off with ease.
Once it was ready, I took a moment to just… breathe. The taste of something cooked from the earth simple, raw, and real was grounding. This was survival, this was the island, and this was me figuring out how to make it work.
I sat down, breaking off pieces of the fish and seaweed-wrapped coconut meat, the salty sweetness mingling on my tongue. My body might be tired, but the food gave me strength.
I glanced over at Ace and Cole, still resting by the shelter. They'd wake soon, and I'd be ready. Together, we could figure this out.
I took another bite, knowing it would be enough for today. It had to be.