castadrift | open

She sputters into the sand, water working its way out of her lungs. Slowly, she inches one leg forward, then the other, pushing her soaked body towards the treeline. Her skin is raw and red where it's been exposed, but that's certainly better than blue. The last thing she remembers is trying to rouse someone into swimming only to find that the back of their head was caved in.

It's like something out of one of her movies. Marnie pushes the hair from her face and untangles herself from her laptop case. Things like this don't simply happen. How can something so unlikely come about by chance? She glugs up more water as she finally gets to her feet. The heels are kicked off without a thought as she scans the shore. Debris dots the sand, a sign that this is real or that her imagination is much better than she ever thought. A briefcase, half-buried in sand, draws her attention.

"Annie!" she screams. Where's Annie? "Alex!"

All at once, reality hits her. She's alone in an unfamiliar place, possibly injured, possibly without food and drinkable water. Marnie grits her teeth, tears welling already. "Annie!"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The reality of the matter really hasn't settled in yet.

They've reached safety, surely. But since neither Krystal nor Annie can swim, Alex had tugged them through the water, even as mother and daughter tightly held onto their carry-on bags. Krystal eventually could not hold on to hers (and for a second, Annie was relieved that her mother had finally managed to let go of her baggage, even if the metaphorical significance was sorely misplaced), but Annie had been determined enough to hold onto Alex's and her own.

The consequences, however, are looking dire. Alex has collapsed, breathing shallow and uneven. Krystal herself is barely managing, and while Annie has gotten them both to shade, she's not optimistic about their fates. All the first aid she knows, she's attempted. She isn't sure if it's enough, but it's all she can do. Annie hates that her power is so limited, that she can only do so much. But this is the reality of the matter.

This, she has to accept.

The sound of Marnie's voice shakes her out of her dismal thoughts. Annie realizes that, in the rush of caring for her family, she wasn't able to spare a thought for her charge. While the thought makes her feel guilty beyond measure, a part of her is somewhat pleased there is more to her life than just work, whatever Krystal might have to say about it.

Still, this part of her is quickly shoved down as Annie, barefooted and unsteady, rises to her feet. She doesn't like having to abandon the two debilitated bodies at her feet, even for a few paces and minutes. But Marnie is important, too.

"Marnie?" Annie calls, and her shrill voice easily carries over the hot-humid tropical air. She takes a few steps out into the open, scanning the line of the beach for Marnie's slight figure. "Can you hear me?"

Annie, Alex, she shouts over and over again as she hurries towards the voice. Her breath catches in her throat as she accidentally calls for Allen. Allen. He'll make himself sick with worry. As quickly as it came, Marnie's relief disappears.

"I'm here!" she finally yells, hands shaking at her sides. She's turned around so many times that she's certain she must be walking in circles. The sun is blistering and she's not sure how much salt water she drank; she's disoriented and it's only natural. Still, the thought doesn't force any of the panic out of her voice.

"I'm here!"

The brightness of the sun reflects off the water, making it difficult for Annie to see any farther than a few meters ahead of her. But she persists, following the frantic sound of Marnie's voice. For a moment, Annie thinks she hears 'Allen', and if it were, she would understand entirely, or a breathless amalgamation of hers and Alex's names.

But Annie doesn't waste time dwelling on such a small thing. When she finally catches sight of Marnie, soaked and spinning, she breaks into a sprint. As soon as she's near enough, Annie raises her hands to steady the actress. "It's okay, Marnie - you're okay."

When she finally spots Annie, she startles. It's such a shock to see her producer, alive but ragged. What must she look like? In a way, it's even more starling that Annie is the one calming her down. Marnie stares a moment at her, face blank, then she nods, holding back tears. She'd always told herself that she was strong, unflappable, courageous, but it was a lie. She's just a lost little girl, but at least she isn't alone.

Marnie leans in to hug Annie, half to steady herself and half because she needs to know that she's really here. A moment later, embarrassed by the childish gesture, she steps back, eyes wide with worry. "Alex? And your mum?"

Marnie doesn't look as beautifully composed as usual. But Annie cannot hold it against her. Were it not for her family's dire situation, she would have been the first to be panicking to the high heavens. Perhaps when she finally realizes they are stranded in a place without civilization, there will be bloodcurdling screams and grabby hands with sharply manicured nails.

But for now Annie is lost in the waves of suspended disbelief. When Marnie hugs her, she offers an awkward but sincere pat on the back. She doesn't realize how jittery her words are or how stilted her tone is when she speaks, "I left them in the shade. Mom's exhausted, and -" Annie cannot contain her wince. "- Alex isn't holding up well."

Admitting it out loud makes it more real, and suddenly her heart is racing faster. Painfully. Her inhaler - she needs her inhaler. Annie lays her hand on shorter woman's back, intent on leading Marnie to temporary shelter. "Let's get you out of the heat. Do you have anything with you?"

A pat on the back is good enough. Marnie nods slowly as she listens, soothed, though it takes a few moments for Annie's words to register. Alex and Krystal are alive... One thing to be thankful for in this unfamiliar place.

"Mm. My- my bag..." Marnie bows her head before she starts backing up. "I'll go and fetch it. You go ahead. I'll follow." She doesn't like the ashy color of Annie's skin and the beach seems to stretch for forever in either direction. Following from a distance shouldn't be hard. Forcing a smile, she turns to retrieve her laptop case. Maybe it will prove useful... They can use the bag for something at least.

Annie's first instinct is to tell Marnie off for even suggesting the actress go on her own. But the producer eyes their surroundings, she realizes there's really not much else for Marnie to go.

And Annie is really beginning to need that inhaler. Everything is getting realer and realer; reality sets in along with panic. Annie retracts her hand before she starts clawing into her charge's back.

"Don't go running off," she calls with what little breath she can manage before trotting back to their makeshift camp. Annie steps as heavily as possible - the footsteps, if nothing else, will lead Marnie to safety.

Or whatever safety they can manage in the middle of nowhere.

She's already off for the bag, but turns at Annie's command. Marnie smiles and nods her head obediently. "I'll be right behind you," she calls, her previously shaky voice now as clear as a bell. "Don't worry."

Once she's got the bag, Marnie will follow after Annie. But, if she gets drawn off-track by some other piece of luggage or supply pack, it's for the best, isn't it?

open

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject