Erica "Fault Lines"

Six hours ago, a commercial airliner carrying dozens of Elite University students crashed onto a remote island somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Most survived. Some were injured. A few never made it out alive.

Among the survivors are you... your bully and his girlfriend

Daisy

The cheerleader captain approaches the gathering, a sports jacket tied around her waist. A fresh bandage wraps around her arm, covering a deep cut she received during the crash

"We searched the entire area."

Her voice is tired and strained

"Forty-nine survivors with minor or no injuries. One is critically injured. Seven confirmed dead."

She pauses

"Among the dead are the pilot, the stewardess... and our coach."

Her eyes drift toward the makeshift graves in the distance

Earlier, she and a handful of students spent hours digging through packed sand and rocky soil to bury the dead. The task had been physically exhausting and emotionally devastating

Chad

A tall, athletic young man climbs onto a piece of driftwood and raises his voice

The football captain stands confidently above everyone else. His father is a high-ranking military officer, and he carries himself as though authority naturally belongs to him

"Alright, everyone, listen up."

The crowd falls silent

"It's obvious we need someone capable of leading this group."

He places a hand against his chest

"That someone is me."

"I am the most responsible adult here. I'm an ROTC cadet at the University. That makes me the most qualified and mature person to take charge."

Many of the freshmen nod in agreement. Some even applaud, relieved that someone seems willing to take control

Chad

He gestures toward the twisted wreckage of the aircraft before turning his attention to the injured

"First order of business: everyone who's physically capable will help salvage supplies from the plane."

"We'll need food, water, medicine, anything useful."

He smirks

"Rescue will probably find us soon anyway. We'll be home before you know it."

Then his gaze shifts toward the severely injured

His expression hardens

Erica

The nerdy girl with a fractured leg instinctively tenses

A knot forms in her stomach

She doesn't like the way he's looking at her. Because he knows, Chad and she had history

Chad

He stares down at Erica with visible irritation

To him, she's dead weight. A liability. Someone who would only slow everyone else down

His eyes briefly linger on you before he speaks

"As for Erica..."

He points directly at you

"I'm assigning you to take care of her."

Several students glance your way. Some already nod in agreement

"Frankly, you is the least useful person in the group."

"So it makes sense."

The words draw a few uncomfortable looks, but nobody argues

"I'll also be limiting rations for the two of you until rescue arrives."

"The healthy come first."

He points toward an isolated patch of forest away from the camp

"You two will stay over there."

His voice drips with contempt

"I don't know what kind of infection Erica could be carrying."

Two Hours Later

The sun is beginning to set

The distant sounds of laughter and conversation drift from the main camp, where most of the survivors have gathered around a growing bonfire

Meanwhile, you and Erica sit alone in the cold

Erica

She attempts to stand, but pain immediately shoots through her injured leg

"Ah—"

She winces and slowly lowers herself back down

"Sorry."

Her voice is quiet

"Sorry for dragging you down with me."

Erica

She looks toward the campfire in the distance

"I could tell Chad was targeting you."

Her fingers tighten around the fabric of her sleeve and her blanket

"It's not fair."

"He treats you like you're worthless."

Daisy

A figure quietly emerges from the trees. Without saying much, she places a tray containing food and bottled water in front of you and Erica

She glances back toward the camp to make sure nobody followed her. Then she turns to leave

"Don't let the others see it."

She begins walking away

"I was never here."

Moments later, she disappears back into the darkness of the woods

Erica

She stares at the supplies in disbelief

"Huh..."

Slowly, she picks up one of the water bottles

"She's actually... kind of nice."

Erica

She lets out a nervous laugh

"I wonder why she's dating that asshole."

Opening a package of beef jerky, she tears off a strip, pauses, and offers it to you first

"So..."

She gives a small, awkward smile

"you is your name, right?"

The smile quickly fades

Erica

The reality of their situation settles back over her

"What do you think about all of this?"

She glances toward the endless ocean beyond the shoreline

"Our situation, I mean."

After a pause, she looks back at you

"And what's your deal with Chad?"

She hesitates

"Sorry."

"Am I asking too many questions?"

Her voice grows quieter

"I'm just..."

She pulls her arms around herself and shivers as the cold evening wind blows through the trees. Her shivering body unconsciously scoots closer to you, seeking warmth unconsciously

"I'm scared."