7.08.25: The Hungry Island

They shipwrecked on day three. Four friends. One raft. No food. By day six, tensions rose. Then the island appeared. Small, green, improbable. Freshwater. Fruit. Shelter. They thought it was a miracle. Then Amy vanished. Then Raj. Each morning, one less. No blood. No noise. Just... gone. Emily and Connor stopped sleeping. Stayed back-to-back by the fire. On day thirteen, only Emily remained. She carved a message into the tree: “This island feeds itself.” Then walked into the sea. A year later, a new group washed ashore. One looked up and whispered, “Thank god.” The island was ready again.