Misplaced 7, part 7.

Epilogue.

Ruth had trouble distinctly remembering what had happened after that. They had buried Patrick near the others who had died in the crash and afterwards, and set up crosses to mark the place with their names roughly carved into the wood. Strange flowers, red and orange and purple, bloomed nearby and it reminded Ruth, for some reason, of the war graveyards in Belgium and Northern France.

She remembered standing there with the other Ruth and Patrick as the crosses were fixed in place. Patrick was rubbing his eyes again. She had an arm around Ruth to support her, for although she was much recovered she was still weak. The worst, though, was over. After much tinkering, Nick and David had got the radio working, and help was on its’ way in both worlds. In the meantime, a lookout was kept on both islands but most of both groups lived together in the well-built camp.

The remains of Kath’s gang had been somewhat apprehensive about what would happen to them now she had gone. They had been subdued, realising what they had done and what it had led too. Ruth wondered how they were going to explain what had happened once they got back to civilisation. They had not actually killed anyone, it was true, but there had certainly been attempted murder and they could be said to bear some responsibility for the deaths of others. But in the aftermath of the confrontation, with Patrick and Kath dead and others still recovering, there had been little taste for revenge. The prevailing sentiment had been sadness mixed with relief that help was finally on it’s way.

Both Ruths were sitting together in the camp one evening when the news came that a ship had finally been seen, heading towards them. Before they had time to digest this Tom had come hurrying through the cave with news that a ship had been sighted there too. Soon there was bustle and confusion as everyone prepared to go back to their own side of the cave. Goodbyes were said, knowing it was unlikely that they would ever meet again.

Ruth and Ruth said goodbye, but far more than could be contained in mere words passed between them. As Ruth disappeared into the cave Ruth realised that although she had longed for rescue more than anything else in the world, she would find it hard to leave the island. She looked at Patrick. Since the other Patrick had died he had been quiet and more elusive than ever, but this time no one had complained. At least he would still be able to leave. Ruth knew how much her other self would feel the loss of her friend who would not be going home.

She went up to Patrick now, as he watched the others disappearing into the cave, sadly fewer in number than those who remained behind. “Ok?” she asked him gently. He nodded.

“Fine,” he said. They wandered together up the hill until they could look out and see the ship heading towards them. Ruth sat down beside the signal fire that was blazing there, calling the ship towards them. Patrick hovered for a few minutes, building up the fire, then he sat down too.

“I wonder what other people will say when they hear our stories?” Ruth wondered aloud, staring into the heart of the fire.

“They’ll think we’re mad,” Patrick said. “Again.”

“Sometimes I wonder if they’re right,” Ruth said. “Sometimes I think that this is all a dream.”

“If it is, I wish I’d woken up earlier,” Patrick replied. “But I don’t think it is. Dreams don’t hurt like this has.” Ruth didn’t know how to reply to that. For a while they were both quiet, busy with their thoughts. Then Patrick broke the silence.

“Why did you go off like that, when you were captured?” he asked. “It wasn’t like you.”

“No, I’m not normally a risk taker,” Ruth replied thoughtfully. “But- I couldn’t bear seeing what had become of the others- Ruth so ill, Mick and poor Patrick so disturbed- that maybe that’s what did it. And hearing what had become of the others- I was afraid of what might happen even to my own friends if we were trapped there for too long. We were lucky compared to the others, but it wouldn’t have taken much for the same thing to happen to us- it was already starting.”

“How could they do those things?” Patrick said. “People we know- people I cared about.”

“We’re all capable of it,” Ruth said sadly. “We’re all human, all selfish, all put our own wants before other people’s needs sometimes. Some do it without remorse; some of us spend our lives living in fear of it.”

“I don’t think you need to worry,” he said, embarrassed.

“Nor you,” she replied, equally embarrassed by the compliment.

“I couldn’t have done what Patrick did,” he said. “I’ve thought about it- and I couldn’t. He was a better man than I am.”

“He was you,” Ruth replied. “If he could do that, so could you. It’s the same- just as our Kath or Emma could have done what their counterparts did, you could have done what Patrick did. We all have good in us, as well as the bad.”

“I was afraid, when I first saw him. Afraid because- well, I was already on the way to becoming what he had become, wasn’t I, when I kept going off alone? If that was me, I didn’t want to be like that. And then- what he did with the Creature- I don’t know.” There was silence, broken only by the crackle of flames, before he spoke again. “Ruth felt pain that night- when we heard a scream, and were sure it was you.”

“It was me.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t want to say,” she replied. He looked at her expression in the firelight, and took her hand.

“It’s been a rough time,” he said. She nodded. It was getting dark now, and they could not see the approaching ship, only cluster of points of light marking its’ presence.

“When he died, you felt pain, didn’t you?” Ruth asked. Patrick nodded. “I don’t know how the alternate universe thing works,” she continued, “but I think that was part of it, like my dreams.”

“I hope they’ll be all right,” he said, thinking of the others.

“I think we’ll know,” Ruth said slowly. “I think I shall dream it. And Ruth will dream about our fate. Somehow I’m sure of that, although I don’t understand how it works.”

“It doesn’t really makes sense,” Patrick said with a smile. “Almost like a Gilbert & Sullivan plot.” Ruth laughed, and began to sing:


“Try we lifelong we will never
Straighten out life’s tangled skein,
Why should we, with vain endeavour,
Guess, and guess, and guess again.”


After a moment Patrick joined in, and they continued to sing as they headed down the hill to join the others, as the lights of their rescuers drew nearer and the watchfire still flickered on the hilltop.
 
 
The End.

Misplaced 7, part 6.

  Ruth did not even have time to flinch as the gun went off.  There was a click- but nothing else happened.  She stared past the gun at Emma’s horror-stricken face, as she realised what she had done- and that nothing had happened.  Emma shook the gun uselessly, then pointed up at the sky and fired again.  Still nothing happened.

  “It doesn’t work!” she yelled at Kath.  “It’s useless!  You knew, didn’t you?  You tricked us!”  

  Around them the others, who had stood as if frozen when Emma pulled the trigger, sprang back to life again.  Emma in her fury had let go of the rope binding Ruth, who now pulled away and ran for it.  But her former captors were too busy to care.  The two Toms had recovered from their shock and grabbed Emma between them, trying to hold her still as she struggled against them.  The newcomers, seizing the advantage, hurried forward to help them.  Amy and Sophie, obviously now realising that the game was up for Kath, both put up their hands and shouted out that they surrendered, please don’t hurt them, they were only going along with her because they were scared.  Ernest just stood there, not resisting them, until the other Ernest came up to him, put a hand on his shoulder and spoke to him.  Then he turned to where Emma struggling with not only the Toms but with her other self, a much more fearsome opponent.  As Ruth watched he shrugged, walked over to Emma and said; “It’s over.  We might as well give up.”  She looked up at him and stopped struggling.

  That left only Kath, who was struggling with Nick and her other self.  But seeing that all her companions had given in she realised that she was alone.  With a fearsome kick she incapacitated Nick and gave the other Kath such a push that she stumbled backwards.  Tearing herself free, she began to run.  The others, Ruth among them, ran after her.  

  On down the hill and through the trees she ran, without a care for the animals and birds that ran or rose up into the air, screeching and terrified, as she passed.  On and on, with the others only a few steps behind her, until she emerged once more from the trees onto the clifftop.  Ruth recognised the place- it was where Adam had fallen.  Ruth was unsure if Kath knew where she was going as she ran on, or whether she was just running blindly, running away, not running to.

  “Kath!  Please stop!” Ruth shouted.  “Just let us-”

  But it was too late.  Whether she had heard or not, whether she knew where she was going or not, Kath ran headlong over the cliff.  They heard a cry, and then nothing more.  

  The pursuers ran to the edge of the cliff.  Feeling slightly unbalanced with her hands still tied, Ruth knelt down and looked over the edge.  When Adam had fallen, the tide below had been in or he would not have survived.  Now the tide was out.

  “Well, there’s nothing we can do about her now,” Nick said, turning away from the cliff edge.  Ruth tore her gaze away from the horrible mess on the rocks far below and stood up.  

  “Let’s get back to the others,” she said.

  Ruth was very weary when they came back to the others near the cave.  Not only because she had slept little the night before, but also a sudden weariness had come over her once Kath had fallen to her death.  There was little relief, despite the knowledge that the crisis was over.  And she was afraid that this was not the end of their sadness.

  When they got back she went immediately to where the badly injured Patrick was lying on a makeshift bed.  He was in so much pain and was so weak already that they were afraid to move him.  The other Patrick and Ruth sat beside him, and Ruth joined them.  One look at their faces told her enough.  

  The Ruth of this world was holding his hand.  She looked pale and unwell too, with a new scratch from the creature’s claws joining her older bandaged wounds.  But she was nothing compared to Patrick.  

  The other Patrick was nervous and edgy, seemingly unsure what to say or do, and so was silent.  But he was present.  Ruth looked at him, understanding something of how he must be feeling.   It had been bad enough when she first met the other Ruth, watching her suffering.  How much worse for him to watch himself dying!  

  The injured Patrick looked up at his Ruth and spoke, the most coherent speech Ruth had ever heard him make.  “I’m sorry,” he said.  “I shouldn’t have run off like that after the crash.  I didn’t even know you were injured, I was no help at all.”

  “It’s all right,” Ruth said, squeezing the hand she held a little.  “It’s not your fault.  You were upset, and no wonder after what happened.”  Ruth, watching, remembered her dream of the crash these two had suffered, remembered their attempt to save a friend only for her to die...no wonder Patrick had been upset.  

  “No, I am sorry,” Patrick said.  His voice was very faint.  

  “It doesn’t matter now,” Ruth said. “You saved my life by jumping on that thing.  Thank you.”  He tried to shake his head but couldn’t manage it.  She looked up quickly at Ruth and Patrick, who felt at that moment like the strangers from another world that they were.  Ruth realised that although having had similar lives formed a bond between them and their other selves, it  was not the same as having shared experiences with one another.  She watched as the Ruth of this world bent over the Patrick of this world, and whispered something that she could not hear.  He smiled.

  “I know,” he said very faintly, looking directly up at her.  The other Ruth felt a lump in her throat as she watched them, still feeling like an intruder.  The other Patrick was rubbing his eyes, a gesture she knew well.  

  That was all that was said.  The four of them stayed like that, unmoving, unspeaking, while Patrick’s breathing grew more laboured.

  Suddenly the other Patrick winced and bent over.  “Ahh,” he said.  

  “What is it?” Ruth asked.

  “Just a pain,” he said, embarrassed.  “Nothing really.”  Ruth felt, rather than saw or heard, that something had changed.  She bent down to where Patrick lay, unmoving.  His breathing was now silent.  She lifted his wrist and felt for a pulse, looking up into her other self’s sadness-filled eyes.  She knew.

  “He’s gone,” she said quietly.  “It’s over.”

The story continues...

Misplaced 7, part 5.

A hush descended on the island. Although the greatest threat there had been destroyed, somehow it didn’t seem right to celebrate. Nick jumped down from the rock and approached the remains of the Creature carefully. It was certainly dead, skull crushed in by the falling rock. Tom picked up the radio from where Kath had thrown it.

Ruth watched from the cave. But the relief she felt soon drained away as she heard a voice- her voice- calling for help. Turning to look, she saw the other Ruth had struggled to her feet and was now crouched beside Patrick, who was bending over the body of Monkey Patrick. He was not moving.

Forgetting the rope that held her she tried to run to them, but was brought up short.

“Let me go,” she cried. “Let me go to them.”

“You are still our prisoner, our hostage,” Kath growled. “You’re going nowhere.”

“Please,” she begged. “He might be dying.”

“And what could you do to help?” came the scornful reply. Ruth subsided, knowing that she could do no more than any of the others. But she looked up.

“I could be there,” she said. “To show that I care. Unlike some people.”

Kath kicked her. “Come on, let’s see what’s happening,” she said.



By now all the others were crowded around Ruth and the two Patricks. Patrick from this island was lying on the ground while the others tried to bandage his injuries. Ruth sat beside him, her hand on his. He seemed to be finding it hard to breathe. The other Patrick was crouched beside them, looking helpless and uncertain what to do.

“Good riddance to that thing,” said a voice behind her, and she turned to see Kath and her gang standing there. Ruth was straining at the rope, trying to get closer, but Emma held her tight.

“But at a cost.” Nick said, turning to face them. “Will you let us through the cave now, so we can get help for these two? Patrick’s seriously injured and what medical supplies we have are on the other side.”

“You tried to trick us,” Kath said.

“The radio doesn’t work now, it’s true,” Nick said. “But with the right tools and knowledge- which are available through there- I think it can be made to work. So if you let us through, we can fix it and bring it back so you can get help. Or you could just kill us, but I don’t see how that’s going to help you.”

“Well, here’s a plan,” Ernest said. “You go through-” he pointed at Nick, “and sort the radio out while the rest stay here. You bring the radio back mended and then you’re all free to go. Does that sound fair?”

Nick looked around at the others and shrugged. It seemed likely that it would be the best offer they would get.

“All right,” he said. “But what if it’s too badly damaged and I can’t mend it?”

“You had better mend it,” Kath said. “If you don’t, the people you’ve left behind here will suffer.”

“They are already,” Rachel said, interrupting the conversationn. “Patrick needs help now, Nick, it can’t wait till you’ve mended the radio.”

“I’ll try to send some help through,” Nick said.

“Are there others on that island?” Ernest asked.

“There are,” Nick said reluctantly. “But they won’t help you if you hurt us.”

“If they care about you that much, why aren’t they here?” Kath demanded. “Why have they abandoned you to us?” Nick could not answer. It seemed all too close to the truth.

“Well then, you’d better get a move on,” Kath said, stepping to one side and lowering the gun. “Before time runs out for your little friends here.” Nick began to head towards the cave. Ruth, who by now had given up trying to break free, turned to watch. Someone was emerging from the cave. Several people, in fact; all those who had gone back and refused to help. David and Becky, Amy and Sophie, Kath, Ernest and Emma. And they were led by Adam.

Ruth gasped. She still thought that the Adam from this island had died in falling off the cliff, and in all the confusion of the Creature’s attack had not noticed that the one Adam remaining with the group was the one she had thought was dead, rather than his other self. Now she looked from one to the other with relief and renewed hope.

All at once the tables had been turned. Kath’s crew were now heavily outnumbered and almost surrounded. They were also stunned at the sight of identical copies of themselves. But they still had one thing in their favour. The gun.

Emma grabbed Ruth by the shoulder and wrenched her round so she was between them and the newcomers. Kath’s group had shrunk back on each other, forming a tight little cluster behind Kath and Emma, who was obviously determined to use Ruth as a human shield against the advancing newcomers.

“Stop,” Emma said, “Or we’ll kill her.” Kath held up the gun.

“We’ll use it if we have to,” she said.

“But you don’t have to,” the other Ernest said, coming forward. “Adam’s told us about the radio. Once it’s fixed we can all get help and leave here, there’s no need to fight about it.”

“How can we trust you to let us use it?” Kath said. “How do we know you won’t just keep it for yourselves and then sail off and leave us here?”

“We wouldn’t do that,” Ernest said. “I promise we wouldn’t abandon you. Surely you can trust us- you know us better than anyone else, we’re the same, more or less.”

“Yes, and because we’re so nearly the same I know just how much to trust a promise like that,” Kath replied. “I wouldn’t trust myself.” The newly-arrived Kath looked angry at the implied insult.

“This is none of your business,” Kath said, looking round at the newcomers. “Get back to your own island, and take the rest of these scum with you if you choose. But you don’t come here looking for food and that radio stays here.”

“But if you let us mend it-” Nick began.

“Shut up and go,” Kath said. She gave the gun to Emma and took the radio from him. “Remember, we’ve got a hostage for your good behaviour.” She indicated Ruth.

“Go on,” Ruth said, trying to stay calm. “There isn’t time to argue- Patrick needs help.”

Suddenly something pushed against her and she struggled to stay upright. While all attention was on the newcomers, the two Toms had tried to creep up on their opponents and grab the gun. But their attempt failed. Emma’s grip was too strong and she fired, at point blank range, straight at Ruth.
 
 
The story continues...

Misplaced 7, part 4.

The Creature emerged from the trees, and raised it’s head to sniff the air. Everyone outside the cave, friend and foe alike, stood absolutely still and silent, watching it. For those from the other island it was their first sight of the monster, while the others had only half-seen it in the dark and the terror. It was a far more hideous thing by daylight, and no one dared take their eyes off it.


Then Mick whimpered and cowered down behind Nick. The monster’s eyes seemed to gleam. It had caught their scent. Slowly at first, but accelerating quickly to a phenomenal speed it headed up the slope, directly towards them.

“Run!” Kath yelled, but there was no time for anyone to get clear before it was there, amongst them, and chaos reigned. Pat, reverting in terror to his time alone in the forest, jumped up on top of the rocks and hid, beyond anyone’s notice. Others threw stones in an attempt to drive the Creature away, but it was too big to be scared by such puny challengers.

Kath’s group had turned and run, until they were in the cave itself, where they hid. Emma still had hold of the rope and had dragged Ruth with them; she stood in silence, watching her friends being attacked, listening to their cries for help. It was no use begging her captors to help. They would not risk their precious skins on behalf of the others. Yet although Ruth did not see it, being too concerned with her own misery, some of her captors were experiencing misgivings about leaving the others to their fate. But the instincts of fear and self-preservation were too strong. All they did was to watch.



Ruth was still sat helpless on the ground when the Creature arrived. She tried to struggle to her feet but in the confusion and panic she couldn’t move far. She looked round, uncertain what to do. She heard a cry and saw Adam, close by, being knocked to the ground by the creature. It raised it’s head and for a moment that seemed to last for hours it met her eyes. It seemed to recognise her as unfinished business. She was too frightened to run- it seemed that if she stopped looking at it the Creature would pounce. Slowly she saw it raise its head still further and give out a tremendous roar.

Suddenly free of the mesmerising glare, she turned and tried to run in terror. But she had only gone a few steps when she felt the warmth of it’s breath on the back of her neck. It was then that she tripped and fell. A claw reached out towards her, pinning her to the ground. She could not get up. She twisted her head, and saw another claw reaching out towards her.



All this Ruth saw from the cave. She wanted to turn away, but could not. She saw Ruth fall and flinched as the claw reached out towards her. Then she gasped in shock. A figure jumped from the top of a rock and landed on the Creature’s back. Immediately it raised its head and its claws and roared, bucking and jumping and turning in circles trying to throw the weight off it’s back. But the figure clung on determinedly.

“It’s Patrick,” Ruth whispered. She could not tell which one at this distance. “Oh no- it’ll kill him!”

The Creature did indeed seem to be doing its’ best to kill Patrick. Fortunately he was out of reach of the thing’s short fore claws, but it was doing its best to unseat him. It ran too and fro across the open space.

“Please, can’t you shoot it?” Ruth begged Kath. “It’ll kill them all.”

“It’s too far, and I’m not going any closer,” Kath said. “If I didn’t kill it the first time it would just make it madder.”

“Please, let me try,” Ruth begged again. “If I fail, then what is it to you?”

“Give you the gun? Do you think I’m stupid?” Kath asked contemptuously.

“Let me have a go,” Ernest said suddenly. The others all turned to look at him.

“No,” said Kath and Emma simultaneously. “I’m not having you get killed,” Emma said, taking hold of his hand. Ruth, whose hopes had been raised for a moment, looked down again. She could see Kath’s excuses for what they were. Kath was afraid. Well, so was Ruth, but she would have taken a risk to try to kill the Creature. She realised that for all Kath’s posturing, in all the time she was on the island the gun had never been fired. It seemed odd. But there were far more pressing things to worry about, and at that moment a scream called her attention back to the Creature.

Patrick was only just managing to hang on now. The Creature’s gesticulations had meant that he had swung round to a position where the Creature’s claws could now reach him. A trail of red dots was left as the Creature ran here and there among the rocks.

But although there was still panic out there, Ruth thought she could see some order too. Charlotte, Emily and the other Patrick had long sticks and seemed to be herding the Creature towards some high rocks. Looking up, she saw Nick and the Toms standing on the high rocks, next to another smaller rock which Mick was half hiding behind. The Creature was very near them now.

“Patrick! Let go!” Nick called. Patrick let go the Creature’s neck. It lifted it’s head and roared, free at last from its’ unwanted burden, and turned to swipe with all its’ claws at Patrick who was lying where he had fallen in a crumpled heap. The other Patrick yelled and poked it with his stick. Distracted and confused by the similarity, it turned on him and he ran towards the rocks where the others were stood. The Creature followed, and as it passed the rocks Nick and the Toms rolled their rock over the edge and it fell onto the Creature. It roared once more as it realised the trap. Then it was silent, and did not move again.
 
 
The story continues...

Misplaced 7, part 3

They set off, but it was a slow procession. Nick was carrying the precious radio. Ruth had to be carried most of the way, and Adam was still half concussed and unsteady. He was quiet, ashamed of what he had done and been implicated in. The others were fairly silent too, still feeling uncomfortable about leaving Ruth behind.


“Once we’re through, we can organise a rescue party,” Nick said, but he knew, as the others did, that it might already be too late.

“So you fell off the cliff, and you woke up lying on the beach?” Rachel asked Adam, who nodded.

“I must have been knocked unconscious when I hit the water, or a rock or something, and been washed up on the beach. I was lucky, really. I knew roughly where your camp was so I thought I’d better come and warn you about what the others were doing- and to apologise. I was stupid to follow Kath, but I never thought she’d go as far as she has done. And by the time I realised, it was too late, I couldn’t leave or she’d have- well, you can see for yourselves. And I think some of the others are the same.

“Couldn’t you have tried to stop Kath?” Tom asked. Adam shook his head, then said;

“Well...perhaps. She had the gun all the time, and I’m pretty sure she’d have used it if she thought it was necessary. Maybe there was something we could have done. But I was too scared. I’m sorry.”

“We’ve all been scared,” Tom said. “It’s not going to do any good blaming people now. We’ve just got to get out of here.”

“That could be a problem,” Patrick said. He and his other self were at the front of the group. “Look.”

They stopped and looked. Peering anxiously down towards the edge of the forest, she could see movement. Her heart sank. It was them- she could see them all, including Ruth, still with wrists tied- and Kath with the gun.

“Come on,” Nick said urgently. “We’ve got to get to the cave first.”

They hurried on down the hill. But Ruth, half walking, half carried, could see that they weren’t going to make it.

“I’m slowing you down,” she said. “Put me down and keep going. I’ll follow you when I can.”

“Don’t be silly,” Tom said. “We can’t just leave you.”

“The others would find you,” Rachel said.

“Better than them catching all of us,” Ruth said, but she had to shut her mouth quickly to stop an ‘ow’ escaping as she stumbled and was jolted. She gritted her teeth and kept going, as fast as she could. But she knew it was no use.



Below them their enemies were hurrying uphill towards the cave, led by Amy and Sophie. They didn’t have to carry anyone or anything, although Ruth, being led like a dog on a lead by the rope attached to her wrists, hung back as much as she could to try to slow them down. At least, she did until Emma began whipping her with the end of the rope to keep her moving.

They reached an open space just in front of the cave mouth and stopped. Nick and the others were not far away, and arrived only a minute or two later, hot and out of breath, and in Ruth’s case exhausted. She sank to the ground as soon as they stopped, everything else fading to a dangerous background as she tried to breathe deeply and control the pain.

Ruth looked at her, knowing that she had failed. Her friends could not now escape, and even if they had their secret was betrayed, and their enemies would find the other island. And there was the radio- no longer secret, but obvious for all to see. Her plan, and all chance of escape, had completely disappeared.

“So then,” Kath said, stepping forward. “It looks like we have a certain stalemate.” Then she stared. “But...what?” She pointed at Tom, and then at Tom; at Rachel, and then at Rachel; at the two Patricks and at Nick and Mick; at Ruth, sunk on the ground, and then looked back to Ruth who stood behind her, wrists tied, staring at the ground.

“Let us through,” Nick said. “Can’t you see these two-” he indicated Ruth and Adam, who had sat down beside her- “are ill?”

“Oh yes,” said Kath. “And why are you so keen to get into that cave?” At that moment, Sophie and Amy, who had been exploring the cave, came running back to Kath.

“It...it goes through to somewhere else!” Sophie shouted.

“Somewhere else?” Emma said. “Where?”

“Another island,” Ruth said, still staring at the ground, and all Kath’s side turned to look at her. “Another island, just like this one, only- a bit different. That’s the island I crashed on, with my friends. We are stranded too, just as much as you are, so you can’t escape that way. We found that out when we came through here, hoping the same thing.”

“No escape that way, perhaps,” Ernest said. “But that’s what you’re carrying?” He pointed to the radio Nick was clinging to like a lifeline. Nick’s expression changed to one of panic, as he tried to think what to say.

“Just some stuff we found,” he said, trying to sound casual. But it was no good. Ernest knows, Ruth thought. He just doesn’t want to sound like he does.

“It looks like radio equipment to me,” Ernest said mildly.

“A radio?” Kath said. Nick stood his ground, but he looked worried.

“Well then, I think we’ve got a plan,” Kath said. “You give us the radio, and we’ll let you through.”

Nick’s group looked at each other. The radio was their one hope of escape. But right now, with Kath and the gun in front of them, it didn’t seem unreasonable to trade it for the comparative safety of escape to the other island. But what would the others say- or do- once they found out that the radio did not work? None of them had the skills to repair it, or the tools.

“We’ll give it to you if you let Ruth go,” Nick said. Ruth looked up, half hopeful, half wanting to object.

“All right,” Kath said.

Nick put the radio down. Ernest began to untie Ruth, but Emma stopped him. “Check it first,” she said. Kath picked the radio up.

“It’s broken,” she said. “It doesn’t work.” She threw it to one side. “You tried to trick us,” she said, raising the gun. The others took a step back. Ruth tried to pull free but Emma had a firm grip on the rope and jerked her back.

“You’re going nowhere,” she said, but then stopped and turned as the howl of the Creature cut through her words. It sounded frighteningly close.
 
 
The story continues...

Misplaced 7, part 2.

"What have you done?" Ruth screamed. She wrenched herself out of Ernest's grip, taking him off guard as the shock struck home. She crouched down at the edge of the cliff, staring down at the sea for any sign of Adam, but she was dragged back before she could see him.


"Murderers," she sobbed. "You didn't have to do that."

"We've got to survive," Sophie said uncertainly.

"Do you have to kill people to do that?" Ruth shouted. "He wouldn't have hurt you, nor would anyone else on this island. Why do you have to do things like this?"

Kath swung round and kicked out at her. For a moment Ruth was afraid she would be made to follow Adam, but Ernest pulled her away and turned to leave.

"Come on," he said. "Let's get back."

"What about her?" Amy said, pointing at Ruth, who was still staring at the place where Adam had fallen.

"Bring her with us," Kath said. "If nothing else, she's a hostage."

The group were silent as they walked back to the camp, as if even they were worried by what had just happened. Ruth was quiet. She was shocked at the callous treatment Adam had received. She felt a deep sense of guilt that this had happened because he had tried to help her. And after the hope she had felt at the prospect of escape, it was doubly hard to think of what might happen to her now.

“Stop dripping like a waterfall,” Kath commanded Ruth. “I knew you were a drip but I didn’t think you were that wet.”

“She’s always wet,” Ernest said.

“Stop crying? Don’t you care about what just happened? If Adam hadn’t been trying to help me he’d still be here, and you say I’m wet because I’m upset he’s not? Well, at least I’m still human!”

“Oh shut up,” Emma said.

“We’re still no closer to finding out what they’re up to,” Kath said. “You two-” indicating Amy and Sophie- “go and scout round near their camp and see what they’re up to.” Ruth desperately hoped that the others had gone, that at least some people would be safe.

But it seemed no time at all before Sophie came running back.

“Nick’s wandering round in the forest,” she said excitedly. “And- he’s got Adam with him!”

“Adam?” Emma exclaimed. “Are you sure?”

“I’m certain!” she said. For a moment Ruth’s heart rose, then she realised the most likely explanation. Of course, it was the other Adam.

Amy wasn’t far behind. “Nick’s gone back towards the camp,” she said. “But Adam went into a sort of cave in the rocks.” Ruth bowed her head in despair. The secret was out.

“A cave?” Ernest said. “I heard them say something about a cave, when they were here for the parley yesterday.”

“Then why didn’t you say?” Emma demanded.

“It didn’t seem important. Sorry.”

Ruth sagged. Ernest looked at her, half apologetic, she thought. But really it didn’t matter now, except to save his own skin. The damage had already been done.

“Come on!” Kath said. “We’ve got to go to that cave. It might be our way out of here! And bring her- she could be a useful hostage.”



Ruth had managed to stand up and take a few steps with the help of Rachel and Patrick, but she knew she would not be able to walk far. She felt guilty that she would slow the others up and burden them even more. She sat down on a rock, trying not to use up all her strength. She stared down the hill.

“There’s someone coming,” she said. Everyone turned to look, some expecting Nick, some fearful that the others were attacking. But instead there was a single figure, stumbling up the slope, evidently not sure where it was going and looking extremely worse for wear.

“It’s Adam,” Rachel said, immediately going towards him. The other Rachel followed her.

“But...it can’t be,” Tom said. “He should be through to the other island by now.”

“He is,” Nick said, appearing from a different direction. I saw him go through.”

“Come here,” Rachel shouted, urgency in her voice. Nick and Tom and the rest hurried over to her. Both Rachels were supporting Adam, who looked barely able to walk.

“It’s the other Adam,” Rachel explained. “The one from here, who joined the others.”

“Then what’s he doing here?” Tom asked, looking suspicious. Adam managed to raise his head.

“They threw me off a cliff,” he said.

The others looked at each other in horror. Despite all their fears, they had still believed, deep down, that their former friends would not hurt them. Surely they wouldn’t. But now they had proof. Adam’s condition- soaking, dazed and dejected- spoke for the truth of what he had said. Briefly he told them the story.

“I don’t know what they’ll do to Ruth now,” he said. “If she still won’t talk- well, they tried to kill me...”

“We’ve got to do something to help her,” Rachel said. The others looked at each other, and then at Ruth.

“There’s nothing we can do,” she said sadly. “Is there? I mean, they’ve got the gun and everything. What could we do against that?”

“She’s right,” Nick said.

“There must be something?” the other Rachel said. “Can’t we try and talk to them again?” Nick looked at Patrick, who had been quiet up till now.

“You were there before,” he said. “Do you think talking would make any difference?” Patrick fidgeted uncomfortably for a moment before replying. “No,” he said. “It wouldn’t make any difference. And I think- I think Ruth wouldn’t want us to try.”

“You think she wanted us to just leave her?” Rachel exclaimed.

“It was her plan that we get the radio and take it to the other island,” Nick said. “She knew she was in danger, but she wanted us to be safe.”

“You’re right,” Ruth said quietly. “We’ve got go, and go now, otherwise it’s all been for nothing; if we can’t get the radio to safety we’ll never escape this place. It’s what she wants. I’m sure of it.” It was a struggle to say it: she felt that she was betraying Ruth, and yet- not to say it would be a betrayal too. Because she knew that Ruth would not want the others to put themselves in danger trying to rescue her. Or at least, she wouldn’t want to want it.

“Then let’s go,” said Nick.
 
 
The story continues...

Misplaced 7, part 1.

When anger spreads its wing

Ruth sat propped up against a rock beside the campfire. Patrick was sat beside her, still looking ragged and thin but more like the Patrick she used to know than the semi-monkey who had entered the camp. The other Patrick was nearby, building up the fire and putting some water on to boil for tea. They were to stay behind and wait while most of the others went to the crash site to try and extract the radio. They had left about a quarter of an hour ago, and Ruth was straining her ears in the dark trying to pick up any sound that they had been caught.

Suddenly she heard it, a scream. At the same time Ruth felt a sharp pain in her chest. Her injuries from the Creature had been aching all day, but this was somehow different.

“What was that?” Patrick asked nervously.

“I...I don’t know,” Patrick replied.

“It was Ruth,” Ruth said quietly. “I’m sure of it. Poor her.”

“Are you alright?” Patrick asked. She nodded. “But I don’t like to think what they’re doing to her. I wish there was someway I could help.” She put her head in her hands.

The two Patricks looked uncertainly at each other. Monkey Patrick sat down next to her and hesitantly put an arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him, and he could see her tears.

“I’m just a nuisance,” she said. “I got injured because I was stupid and didn’t get out of the way fast enough, and then because of my weakness the others decided to leave and we ended up in this mess to start with. And now Ruth’s in danger too, and it’s my fault.”

“It’s not your fault,” Patrick said. “It’ll be ok.”

Stirring the ‘tea’ leaves in the now boiling water by the fire, Patrick wondered what was happening to Ruth. When he had gone with Nick earlier he had seen enough to know that she was in very real danger, but there had seemed no alternative but to leave her. Now he wondered if there was something he could have done. He stared gloomily into the fire.

After that, the night was quiet. The two Patricks made sure that everything was ready for the move back to the other island, but that didn’t take long. Then the three of them sat close together by the fire, trying not to think about what would happen if anything went wrong but at the same time unable to avoid straining their ears to hear any further screams or the cry of the Creature. But there was nothing except the crackle of the fire and the occasional animal noise from the forest.

After a while the tension seemed almost worse than hearing the worst.

“They should have been back by now,” Patrick said eventually. Each of them was fearing the worst, that their friends had been captured.

“Maybe it’s just taking longer than they thought,” the other Patrick said, ever the optimist.

Ruth looked up at the sky. It would be getting light before long. What could they do if the others had been captured? Should they still make their way to the other island, and beg those there for help and protection? But what if they were refused? If they had captured the others, would they now know the secret of the other island, so would they be safe even there? What would they do to their prisoners? They had threatened to kill Ruth if anyone else trespassed. Had that been the cause of the scream they had heard earlier in the night? What if their enemies attacked them now, knowing that now they were weak and alone?

“What was that?” she said suddenly. They all listened. Someone- no, a group- was approaching. Monkey Patrick jumped up, looking round in alarm, then cowered behind Ruth. She reached behind her to take his hand, hoping to reassure him but to scared herself to give much confidence. Her glance met that of the other Patrick. He stood up and took a couple of hesitant steps forward.

“Who’s there/” he asked nervously.

“It’s us,” came Nick’s voice, much to their relief. The others appeared out of the blackness behind him.

“Have you got it?” Ruth asked anxiously.

“Yes.” She hardly dared ask the next question.

“Will it work?”

“I think so,” Nick said. “It’ll need a bit of work, but I think so.” They looked at each other in the growing light with more hope than they had known since the crash.

“It took us longer than we thought to get it out,” Nick said. “We should be getting over to the cave as soon as possible. We’re already loosing the night and they’ll be moving soon.”

But even as he finished speaking another sound cut through his words. Another scream.

Ruth saw Adam put his hand to his chest and sit down quickly. “What is it?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Just a pain- it was like that scream went right through me.” She said nothing but noted the similarity to what she had felt earlier. She was sure that was because the other Ruth was being hurt. Was the other Adam now in trouble?

“W...what was that?” Rachel asked nervously.

“We could hear movement in the woods on the way back,” Tom said. “Maybe the Creature’s on the move...” Mick was gibbering in a corner.

“We can’t go down there now,” the other Tom said. “Not if the Creature’s around.”

“We’ll give it half an hour to get clear,” Nick said. “Then we’ve got to go.”
 

“We’ve got to make a move,” Nick said a short while later.  “Someone should go through ahead and tell the others we’re coming through.”


“They’re not going to be happy,” Rachel said. “Think what their alternative selves have done to Ruth when they felt under threat.”

“I’ll go,” Adam said. Looking at him, Ruth wondered if he was doing it to make up for his other self being on the wrong side. He had been quieter than usual the last few days. Yet he would be a good choice- the others might listen to him.

“Ok then,” said Nick. “I’ll go down to the cave with you and have a scout round. Let’s go.” 
 
 
The story continues...

Misplaced 6, part 6.

It was fully dark now. Ruth lay on the sand, shivering a little, more from fear than from cold, although no one had given her any covering. The others, she hoped, would by now have got the equipment they needed and be on their way to the other island. They would be safe there, as long as she did not reveal the secret of the cave. She hadn't yet.


She remembered the other Ruth's dream, of being captured and forced to betray her friends. It was strange, this connection that meant each received dreams about the other's future or present. She wondered if she would dream any more about the other Ruth and her friends- it might tell her if they had managed to escape. She hoped that Ruth had no more dreams about her. They would not be pleasant. Now, despite great weariness, she couldn't sleep. She lay restlessly, wondering whether the others had made it. The forest was quiet now, even the noise of the Creature had died away. But that only made Ruth more nervous, wondering where it had gone.

She was roused by the sound of someone approaching. Looking up she saw the shape of someone coming towards her, the moonlight glinting off a sharp blade. She flinched backwards, but was helpless to move because of her bonds. Death in the dark? Well, perhaps it was for the best.

But as the figure grew closer she could see that it was moving stealthily, as if it didn't want to be seen. As soon as it was within speaking distance it said, in Adam's voice; "Don't make any noise. I'm not going to hurt you."

She huddled silently on the sand as he came nearer and cut the ropes binding her with a knife. "What they're doing- it isn't right. They were talking about killing you," he said. "I'm not going to be a party to murder."

She looked at him dubiously. He had been kind to her earlier, but she still wasn't sure. How could she know who to trust here when everyone looked like friends but weren't?

"Isn't someone on guard?" she asked.

"It's supposed to be me," he said.

"How do I know this isn't a trap?" she whispered. He shrugged.

"What have you got to loose?" he replied.

He was right. But what about the others? Were they safely through by now? What if they weren't? But...she was too scared to stay any longer. That was the truth. She couldn't stand it any more.

She stood up slowly. Then she turned and looked at him. "What about you? They'll know it was you who helped me escape, and they won't be happy."

"I know...could I come with you?" he said hesitantly. "Would the others let me join them?"

"I'm sure they would," she said. "Let's go."

It was hard to see where they were going in the dark, and they made rather more noise than Ruth would have liked. And once they were away from the camp another fear came upon her- she heard once more the cry of the Creature. Not very close, but close enough to remind her that the humans were not the only danger on the island.

She tripped and almost fell. As she struggled to regain her balance she heard a shout behind her.

"They've noticed we're gone!" Adam said.

"Keep going!" she said. They ploughed onward, but Ruth was now disorientated. At least last time she was chased it had been light. Now she didn't know where she was going- she was no longer running to anywhere, just away from their pursuers.

Although they had set off into the forest, she realised that they were coming down to the seashore again. She could hear shouts getting closer behind them. The shouting was spreading out, cutting off any chance of escape. She swerved away, not realising that they were being driven away from the forest and up to the part of the island where the land was bare of trees and the cliffs fell steeply down to the sea.

The sun rose above the horizon. Ruth, shielding her eyes against the brightness, looked up and saw a figure, standing directly in front of them, one arm raised towards Ruth and Adam. It was Kath, and in her raised hand was the gun. Ruth slowed and looked over her shoulder. The others were close behind them- there was no way out.

Ruth stopped. Adam was close behind her. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"Thanks for trying, anyway," she said, trying to stay calm and to catch her breath.

Then she looked at Kath.

"Do it, then," she said, and turned and ran.

She didn't get far before they caught her, but Kath didn't fire. She was dragged back to where Adam was surrounded by the others, Kath still threatening him with the gun.

"You tried to release her and run away?" she questioned him. "Why?"

"You were going to kill her," he said. "I'm not committing murder. She's not hurt you."

"She won't help us. If she doesn't tell us how she got here we'll never get off this island."

"You don't know that," Ruth said. "And you don't know whether I could get you off this island anyway."

"Shut up," Emma said. "Unless you're going to help us?" Ruth was silent. Kath kicked Adam and he bent double in pain. Emma gave him a push and he staggered backwards. The others laughed and joined in, pushing him one way and another, closing in and forcing him backwards.

"Leave him alone- let him go!" Ruth protested, struggling against Ernest, who was holding her still. But no one listened.

They continued to drive him backwards, closer to the edge of the cliff. Later, Ruth wondered if they had even realised what they were doing, realised the danger. Another shove, another faltering step backwards, a scream- and Adam fell.


The story continues...

Misplaced 6, part 5.

All that afternoon she struggled to keep herself from breaking down. It was hard, looking at these people around her who looked so like her friends, so like people she had been through so much with, who she cared about. But they were not her friends. And yet- perhaps she was being unjust, but she thought she could see traits in their behaviour which were reminiscent of her friends. That determination to find someone to blame when she was stressed- that was very like the Emma she knew. That air of calm superiority, even while wearing rags in a jungle, was very like Ernest. She could see- and how she wished that she couldn't!- how her friends could become like her captors, how fear and determination to survive at all costs could turn them into people who would contemplate murder to ensure that any threats to their survival were eliminated. They were a demonstration of what happened when conscience lost out to convenience. She shuddered, and hoped that hers didn't.


It was hot, and although she had been in the shade when first tied up the sun had moved and was now beating directly onto her. She tried to move, to follow the shade, but the rope wouldn't let her. She was thirsty too, very thirsty. The rope round her wrists was chafing now, and her wrists were red and swollen, her thoughts dark and full of fear. She couldn't help it, but lay with her face in the sand, crying.

She heard someone approaching, and tried to sit up but she moved too much and the rope pulled at her wrists painfully. She winced, and looked up, trying to brush the sand and hair off her wet face.

It was Adam- well, alternate Adam. He looked down at her, seemingly rather embarrassed.

"Can I do anything to help?" he said, quietly. "I can't free you, but if there's something I could do..."

"Please can I have some water?" she whispered.

"I'll get it," he said.

She slumped down again as he headed towards the stream. Perhaps it was a trick, perhaps it was designed to get her to give in- the 'good cop, bad cop' routine. But she didn't care, she was too thirsty.

Adam came back, and gave her some water in a coconut shell. She drained it. "Thank you," she said, and then tried to cover her face as the tears came again.

He crouched down next to her, awkward. When she looked at his face she saw that he looked embarrassed and sympathetic, but still afraid.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I went along with the others, but they shouldn't be treating you like this. But they've got the gun, I can't leave. Anyway, we've got to survive..."

"Survive?" she sobbed, turning towards him. "Even if it means killing others?"

"Kath would never actually do that..." his words trailed off as he looked at her.

"Are you sure?" she asked. He said nothing. That was answer enough.



Dusk. The forest was starting to come alive with the cries of animals and the squawks of night birds. Ruth shivered as she heard a call that sounded very similar to the monkeys back on the other island- and yet somehow different. From Mick's whimperings, she knew it was the Creature.

Would her friends hear it and not dare to leave their camp? Would it attack them on their way to the crash site? The sky was darkening quickly. Looking up through the trees she could see the first stars, and the moon. The trees around the crash site had been brought down by the plane, and it was a clear night, so the moonlight should let them see what they were doing. But would her captors see or hear them? Would all their plans come crashing down like those trees?

Her captors were sitting round their fire. She had watched them eating, and realised how hungry she was. After they had finished Ernest had brought her a few scraps, for which she had been grateful, but he had still said nothing to her. She wondered what he knew, what he was thinking, what they were talking about.

After what seemed an animated discussion, Emma stood up and came towards her. She untied Ruth and led her, like a dog, towards the others. Ruth's heart was beating hard as she looked up at Kath. By the flickering firelight, Kath's expression was hard yet triumphant, as if she had just won an argument. As ever the gun was beside her, which was perhaps enough explanation. Some of the others around the fire looked uncomfortable, but all seemed too scared to do anything about it.

"I don't suppose you feel inclined to talk to us yet?" Kath asked her.

"No," Ruth replied flatly, trying not to sound as frightened as she felt.

"Isn't there any way we could persuade you?" Ernest asked. She looked up at him.

"Tell me why you did it," she said. "Why you abandoned the others."

"Are they really our responsibility?" he asked mildly.

"They were your friends," Ruth said passionately.

"We've done nothing to be ashamed of," Kath interrupted. "The injured were too weak- it would have been a waste of energy to look after them when resources are limited. The others could have joined us if they wanted, but they wouldn't leave the injured. So it's their fault if they're in trouble now. If there's competition, the strongest side will win. That's nature."

"So you abandoned your friends to starve and maybe die, because you were afraid you'd have to work a bit harder?"

"Shut up," Kath said, and hit Ruth. Ruth looked at her, hopeless and sad, but determined.

"Do what you like," she said. "I doubt I can stop myself giving in under duress, but I won't talk willingly. At least I'll be doing something to help my friends, which is more than you could be bothered to do. I'd be ashamed to beg you for mercy, because you don't have any."

Kath had the gun in her hands again. For a minute Ruth thought she would fire, but instead Kath hit her with it. And again. And again. That was the beginning. All her fear and frustration she took out on the helpless girl in front of her.

Ruth looked at Ernest, her face, despite her words, begging him to intervene and stop Kath. But he did not. He did not join in, but neither did he say a word or lift a finger to stop what was happening.

Normally Ruth was a quiet person but she couldn't stand the cocktail of emotion any longer. She screamed, all the anger and hurt and frustration and pain and fear finding voice. She wondered, miserably, if her friends would hear her cry. Would they have the sense to ignore it, to realise that unless they completed their mission neither she nor anyone else would be safe? Would they even care? She remembered Patrick's hug. It comforted her even now. He cared. The other Ruth would care. Of course they did. But there was nothing they could do to help her now. She just hoped it was worth it.
 
 
The story continues...

Misplaced 6, part 4.

Patrick and Nick stared at Ruth, unable to believe what they had just heard.


"So that's why you went off?" Patrick said. "But why didn't you tell anyone you were going?"

"I didn't know if I would be brave enough to actually do it, and I didn't want to look a fool," Ruth said. "And- I thought someone would have wanted to come with me. I went alone because I knew it was risky and I didn't want any of you to be in danger. I mean, we couldn't afford to loose other people, but I don't matter very much."

"That's not true," Patrick said. "And now you may have saved us all- you can't say you don't matter."

"I'm not so sure," Ruth said. "Anyway, it doesn't matter now. I just hope the rest of you can get away safely."

"We can't just leave you to-"

"You've got to go," she said urgently. "Or you'll never get away. Do they know about us- about how we got here?" Nick shook his head. "Then don't tell them. I've heard them talking, and it scared me. They're only concerned about their own survival and they'll do anything to ensure that they have the best chance. They won't care about what they do to the rest of you."

"But what about you?" Nick asked.

"Kath said I should have thought of that before running off, and she was right. I'll try not to tell them about the cave or the radio, but I don't think I can keep it up for very long if...you know what I mean. You'll have to get the stuff and get back through quickly, or they'll attack you. If I were to run away with you they'd attack now, and we wouldn't stand a chance. You've got to go."

Nick looked at Patrick. "She's right. We've got to get that equipment first, and get the injured to safety. Once we've done that we can work out a rescue plan." Patrick looked back at Ruth, but before he could speak Ernest came hurrying over and they saw that Emma was returning with Kath and the others. For a moment Ruth caught Ernest's eye, and thought she saw sympathy in it, but it was only for a moment, and she wasn't sure. Had he overheard them? Well, it was a risk they'd have to take.

"Well?" Kath said, looking at Nick and Patrick. "I thought we made it clear that you guys were to stay out of our territory?"

"I told you," Ruth said. "They didn't know. It's not their fault."

"Collective responsibility," Emma said.

"Is that really fair?" Nick replied. "We didn't even know she was thinking about it, so how could we have stopped her?"

"But why did she come? And how come she- and both of you, for that matter- seem, well, different. When we left you Ruth was injured and barely conscious, and you, Mick, were a gibbering wreck! What's going on?"

"I don't know what you mean," Nick said. "When you left, we were still in shock from the crash and the attack, but now that's past, and we've recovered. So has Ruth. As for why she came, that's a question for her. I can't answer that."

"Nor will she," Emma said. Ruth glanced at Ernest out of the corner of her eye. He was watching her. He knew something, he must do from the way he looked. But he didn't say anything.

"We were all in shock, back then," she said, remembering from her dreams the sheet terror of the crash and the attack. "We were all scared of what was going to happen. But that doesn't mean we have to go on being hostile- can't you guys agree to co-operate with us?" She looked hopefully at Ernest. He had stopped Kath from summarily shooting her earlier, and now he seemed to be keeping their secret for them. She hoped that he might listen to her appeal- if anyone could stand up to Kath, it would be him.

Kath laughed scornfully. "Well, you two might as well get lost if you've got nothing else to say," she said to Nick and Patrick.

"Can't Ruth come with us?" Patrick asked.

"You said it wasn't your responsibility that she trespassed," Kath said. "So it's up to her to take the blame. There's something you're not telling us. So she stays here, and if any of you trespass again, we'll kill her. And I mean it." Looking at the expression on her face, they had no doubt about that.

"Goodbye, Ruth," Nick said. "Hope to see you again soon."

"Goodbye," she said, knowing that was unlikely. Patrick looked at her uncertainly.

"Go on," she said quietly, but he could see a tear in her eye. He gave her a quick hug.
 
"Goodbye," Patrick said, "And thank you. For everything."


"Goodbye," Ruth said, smiling. They turned to go, and didn't see the tears trickle down her face.

The tears weren't just from fear and sadness. Whilst she had meant everything she said in urging her friends to leave her behind; part of her, of course, had been secretly hoping that they wouldn't. She didn't blame them, of course- it was the sensible thing to do. This wasn't a time for heroics- more lives than hers were in danger. But it was just too much for her.


"So they've abandoned you," Kath said sarcastically. "Aww. And I'm sure you thought they'd rescue you. Well, life doesn't work like that I'm afraid. People are selfish. So I suggest you help us, because you're at our mercy."

Ruth looked up. "If I help you, then you'll kill my friends, all the people you once called friends. And I'd know I was responsible for that...I'd have become as bad as you."

"Better than being dead," Kath said, holding up the gun once more.

"Is it?" Ruth asked quietly. "I told my friends to leave me. I want them to escape. If it costs me my life, then I'm willing to pay that price."

"Really? Are you sure that's not just bravado?"

"I hope not," Ruth said quietly. "And I'm afraid that I will soon find out."

"You're right to be afraid," Kath said menacingly. She was standing close to Ruth, threateningly close, enough to make Ruth flinch backwards. Part of her was already wishing that she had chosen to escape with the others.

Kath laughed. "Scared already? Later on I'll make sure you're really afraid."

She needn't bother, Ruth thought. She was already terrified. She had done the right thing, she knew, in telling the others to go. But now she felt so alone.
 
 
The story continues...

Misplaced 6, part 3.

"What were you doing?" Kath asked again, but Ruth didn't answer. She stared at the gun, unable to think what to say.


"More to the point, what are we going to do about it?" Ernest said.

"You know what we said," Kath replied. "They were to keep out or risk being shot."

"But we wouldn't actually do that, would we?" Sophie asked uncertainly, looking from Kath to Ernest.

"If we don't protect our resources, we'll starve," Kath said. "Would you prefer that?" Sophie subsided unhappily.

"I still say there's something she's not telling us," Ernest said. "I don't think we should be so quick to dispose of her until we find out what."

"Well then," said Emma, "Let's contact the others, tell them we've got her and ask what's going on."

"Good plan," Kath said. "Now we've got her we can make them answer."

"The others don't know I came," Ruth said quickly. "They've got nothing to do with it." She didn't want them to talk to the others and to discover the truth. Now that she had heard them talking it didn't seem a good idea for them to find out that more people had arrived on the island- more people meant more competition. She could guess how Kath would react to that. Her glance fell upon the gun once more.

"Don't blame them for what I've done," she said. "That's my own responsibility. Leave them alone."

"You should have thought of that before you came," Kath said. "

"I didn't think you'd be so unjust as to punish them for something I'd done!" Ruth replied angrily.

"Shut up," Emma responded. "Unless you're going to be helpful."



Ernest and Emma were dispatched to the other camp to arrange a meeting. The others went about their business, but from a distance kept watch on Ruth, who was tied to a tree. Ruth watched them in turn, trying to work out what it would be best to do. She could see that half of those in this camp were held there by their fear; fear of starving to death or falling victim to the Creature, and fear of what Kath might do with the gun. She kept it with her all the time. So the others went along with her out of fear, and the sense of protection that being on the side with the gun gave. But they weren't entirely happy with Kath's belligerent attitude, Ruth could see. Perhaps if Kath tried to force them into actually carrying out her threats they would refuse, and the situation on the island could be defused. But with the gun as an ever-present threat, Ruth was too scared to want to risk that. If she was wrong, if they were intimidated into going along with Kath again, she would die.

She struggled not to cry. Just at the moment she had found the radio, just as all their problems had seemed close to being solved, this had to happen. Another day, a few more hours and this nightmare might have been over. Now everyone would have to endure for longer- possibly for the rest of their lives, however long that might be.

She heard a shout in the forest behind her, and a few moments later Emma and Ernest emerged into the clearing, with Nick and Patrick not far behind. Her Patrick, not the semi-monkey from this island. Ruth wondered how much Kath's gang had known of Patrick's and Mick's instability.

"Wait here," Emma said as the group came up to her. "I'll go and find Kath. Ernest, you stay with them." She disappeared towards the beach. Ruth looked at Ernest. She wasn't sure what he thought of what was going on.

"May I speak to my friends alone for a moment?" she asked. Ernest looked at her. "Can we trust you?" he asked.

"I promise not to try to escape," Ruth replied, meeting his eye.

"All right," he said. "But be quick. You've got till the others get back." He walked a bit further away, until he was out of earshot if they spoke quietly but not out of sight. Nick and Patrick came closer to Ruth.

"Well, so here you are," Nick said. "And I have to say it's no one's fault but your own, running off and leaving Ruth like that."

"I know," Ruth replied. "Don't make it any worse for me. I know I was silly, and I'll pay for it with my life. They'll kill me if I won't join them, I'd be dead already if it wasn't for Ernest. I know I deserve it, and I hope I can bear it. But there's worse than that, and I am afraid..."

"We can't just abandon you," Patrick said urgently, glancing at Nick.

"Come on," Nick said to her. "We'll make a run for it." Ruth looked at them, longing to say yes. But she shook her head.

"No. I promised I wouldn't."

"Why bother about that?" Nick asked, surprised. "You know what they've done, what they'll do to you if you stay. Do you think they expect you to keep your word? They don't even know you."

"They do know me," Ruth said. "The other me. And she would keep her word, like I must."

"We'll say we forced you," Patrick said. "Then you won't be to blame."

"Yes I would," she replied. "Don't think I'm not grateful," she added. "But I can't do it."

"You're scared of what they might do if they caught you trying to escape."

"It couldn't be any worse for me. But that's not what I'm afraid of- I'm afraid they will force me to tell them what I found."

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't just sneak into their territory for fun," she said. "I went to the crash site, looking to see if there was any useful equipment there or whether they'd already taken it. And I found it."

"You found radio stuff?" Nick's voice did a sudden drop in volume but rose in excitement. "You mean it definitely survived the crash?"

"Yes, it looked like it was in working order. I tried to take it with me, but I couldn't remove it, I didn't have any tools. You'll need to cut it free. So I started back to camp to tell the rest of you but I was seen and caught."

"Do they know?" Nick asked eagerly. Ruth shook her head.

"I don't think so. I don't think they even realised that's where I'd been, or they'd have asked me about it. It should be safe until you have a chance to get it. The plane's so burnt, it's easy to see why they struggled so much more than us. All the tools and things we had were destroyed. They seem to spend the evenings together round the fire, for fear of the monster. That's probably the best time to get it, especially if you approach from along the coast."
 
 
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Misplaced 6, part 2

And then, just as she was about to leave, she saw it. It didn't look much, just scratched metal, but she was pretty sure it was some kind of communication system, and it seemed pretty much undamaged. She picked her way towards it. It would need tools to get it free, and she didn't have a clue how to work it, but Nick would. It meant rescue, safety, a return to normal life. She hurried to get out of the wreckage and return to tell the others.

She was halfway back to the hideout among the rocks when she heard a noise behind her and turned to see that she was being followed, silently, by Emma. For a moment she was going to shout out a welcome, then she realised. It wasn't Emma. It was the other Emma, the one of this world, the one who had abandoned her friends. She wouldn't be following just to say good morning. Ruth had crossed into their part of the island, and she had been seen she would be in trouble. She remembered what the others had said about the gun.

Could she outrun Emma? She doubted it. Nevertheless she began to run for safety- if there was any- as fast as possible. She didn't dare look back, but she didn't need to. She could hear Emma getting closer behind her. Still she ran on, breathing becoming difficult, disorientated and unsure where she was heading. The footsteps behind her seemed to slacken a little, and for a moment she wondered if against all hope she would escape.

Then Kath charged out of the trees to her left and knocked her down. Before she could get up Emma was beside her, twisting her arms behind her back. She struggled, kicking and trying to stand, but she heard a metallic click and looked up to see Kath aiming the gun straight at her.

She went limp as her limbs seemed to turn to water. Her mouth, opened to cry out, closed again without uttering a syllable. She did not protest as Emma tied her hands behind her back with a creeper and led her off to their camp, Kath still pointing the gun towards her all the while.

Their camp consisted of some inexpertly built shelters near the seashore, not far from the stream. Ernest, Adam, Amy and Sophie were standing around a campfire, but as they saw Emma and Kath approaching with their prisoner they came to meet them.

"Caught her red-handed, trespassing on our territory," Kath said.

"Well, you seem to have healed remarkably quickly," Ernest said, looking at Ruth. Then he looked closer. "Wait a minute, you're not Ruth! But-are you Ruth? You look like her, but..."

Ruth looked up, unsure what to say. She wasn't sure how to explain the truth in a way that these people, evidently hostile, would believe. And if they did, once they were aware of the truth, what might they do? They would probably feel threatened by the prospect of more people on 'their' island, using 'their' resources. They might decide to take action to reduce the percieved threat, they might even carry their hostility into invasion of the other island. She decided that for now the best course of action was to say as little as possible.

"Yes, I'm Ruth," she said.

"You can't have recovered that quickly," Amy said. "That's impossible!"

"Unless she was faking how bad it was, trying to get pity and avoid work," Kath said. Ruth fumed inside, remembering how weak the other Ruth was from her injuries.

"You saw what she was like when they found her," Ernest said.

"I saw what she looked like," Kath said. "I don't know how bad those injuries really were. Anyway, of course it's her. Who else could it be?"

The others looked uncomfortable for a moment. "You know Adam said he thought he saw David and Becky in the forest yesterday-" Hannah began, but Kath butted in.

"He must have been seeing things. We all know they're dead, we saw them killed. How could he have seen them?" No one replied, but Ruth didn't think they were all so sure as Kath was.

"Maybe there really are more people on the island," Amy said. "I was just saying to Adam that I'd seen Tom down near the stream and he said that was funny because he'd seen someone who looked like Tom from a distance at the other side of the island."

"Other people who look exactly like the others?" Kath said scathingly. "I think Adam's seeing things again. You want to watch out, this island's sending you crazy."

"Or lay off the mushrooms," Ernest said. The others, except Adam, laughed.

"Actually," Emma said, "I'm not so sure. There do seem to be more people around, although how I can't imagine."

"Another crash?" Ernest said. "But surely we'd have noticed."

"It must be a rescue party!" Sophie shouted excitedly.

"We'd have noticed," Kath said.

"Would we, though?" Amy said. "I mean, we've not always kept the best look out."

"She'll know," Kath said, kicking Ruth. Everyone turned to look at her, faces eager with the hope of rescue. What will they do if I tell them the truth, thought Ruth fearfully? They'll kill me!

"No rescue party has arrived from outside the island," she said. "I wish it had, but it hasn't."

"So why are there more people around than usual?" Emma asked.

"There's no one else on the island," she said. "Only us who were in the crash."

"You're being very careful with your words," Ernest said, looking at her closely. "I can't help think there's something you're not saying."

Ruth said nothing, thinking it was probably the wisest course. Ernest was too clever for her, he would see through anything she tried to say.

"What were you doing trespassing, anyway?" Kath asked.

"I've got as much right to go anywhere on this island as you have," Ruth said. "Why should I have to be answerable to you for everything I do?"

"I think this is answer enough," Kath replied, holding up the gun and aiming it towards her.
 
 
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Misplaced 6, part 1.

Man, however well behaved at best is only a monkey shaved.

They all spent the night in the makeshift camp among the rocks. Although everyone agreed they would be safer and more comfortable back in the well-built shelters on the other island, the Ruth of this world was still quite weak from loss of blood and movement caused pain, so they didn't want to try to move her. Mick had been anxious when he heard this, and looked almost ready to run away, but perhaps shame or the realisation that there was nowhere to go had kept him with them, although he kept looking round anxiously at the slightest noise, afraid that it might be the Creature.


The unknown thing which haunted the island seemed to deserve the initial capital letter. While they were out looking for food Rachel and Emily had found a footprint on the beach.

"It was huge," Rachel said when she was telling the others about it that evening around the campfire. "Really scary."

Ruth was talking to both the Toms, asking if much had been done to search the plane and the site of the crash for useful equipment.

"It was too burnt for much to survive," the Tom of this world had said. "And it wasn't very safe, so we kept away at first. We were afraid of another explosion."

"And no one's been back since?" Tom asked.

"We can't," the other Tom replied. "It's in the part of the island belonging to the others, and they won't let us go near."

"So they've probably searched it already then?"

"I doubt it," Tom of this world said. "But anyway, nothing much could have survived the fire."

"Apart from the gun," the Charlotte of this world said.

"More's the pity," Tom said.

"What gun?" Ruth asked.

"The pilot had a gun with him, in case of hijackers I suppose. It survived. Kath was the first to get hold of it. That's why we had to agree to them going off and to keeping out of their part of the island."

"They threatened you?" Ruth was appalled. As if it hadn't been bad enough before. She stared into the fire, grateful once more that in her universe the crash had turned out very differently, but shocked too by how people she felt she knew had behaved so frighteningly.

As she sat thinking she thought she heard something behind her. She turned quickly, afraid it would be the Creature. But it was Patrick. She had noticed that he was missing from the circle and had assumed he had wandered off as usual. She had been worried that he might meet the Creature, but had thought that his usual streak of luck would probably save him from coming to too much harm.

Behind him was the other Patrick. Still looking as bedraggled and apprehensive as he had earlier, but his expression was not quite so wild and animal-like. Everyone turned and stared for a moment, as the two Patricks stood there awkwardly.

Ruth looked at the other Ruth. She could tell that she was shocked by his condition, but relieved to see him alive and apparently well. Ruth stood up and went towards the two Patricks.

"I'm glad you're ok," she said. "I think it's time we all got some rest."



Ruth had wondered if she would have any more of her dreams that night, and if so what she would dream of, since her alternate self was lying next to her. Once she woke up to find the other Ruth talking quietly to Monkey Patrick, but apart from that her sleep was undisturbed by dreams or monsters.

The next morning, after breakfast, most of the group dispersed to look for more food and firewood. Ruth had been told to stay near the camp, to look after the other Ruth and tend the fire. But once she was sure that all the others had gone, she stood staring out over the island for some minutes, then turned and went to talk to herself.

Not long afterwards, she was cautiously pushing her way through the undergrowth, making her way towards the place where the the plane had crashed. It was not hard to find; there were scorch marks and a trail of burning. The others had been lucky that a torrential rainstorm just after the crash had put out most of the fires.

She looked at what was left of the plane. The fire had done far more damage than the crash. Unlike in her universe, the whole wreck was blackened with smoke and as she cautiously climbed up into the wreckage she felt highly unsafe.

The whole back section of the plane had been hit the worst by the fire. That was where those who had died had been sat- Ruth remembered that in her world too they had sat there together to discuss the technical plans for the next show. In her world they had been lucky- the fuel leak had at least meant that there was very little fire. Everyone but the pilot had survived. She wondered what would have happened if the same people had been killed as had died here. They included most of the more practically minded ones, and as much as she might joke about techies spending more time 'supervising' than actually doing anything productive, she knew that without them the aftermath of the crash could have been much worse.

The fire had also, it seemed, destroyed most of the travellers' luggage, including all their tools and equipment. That had also made it much harder for them to survive. But worst of all had been the gun. Looking round, Ruth was very grateful that the plane she was on had not burnt.

Slowly, treading very carefully, she worked her way to the front of the plane. She reached the cockpit. It was crushed, but much of the machinery didn't seem too badly damaged. She realised that she didn't really know what she was looking for here. What would radio equipment look like? Or anything useful? And anyway, it was all fixed in place, and she didn't have the tools to free anything. It would take someone with Nick or David's skill to do that. She supposed those were the reasons why none of the others had tried. That, and the fear of the creature and of the other humans.
 
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Misplaced 5, part 5.

Ruth was the first to return to the makshift camp among the boulders, with a bundle of firewood and some water. She put her load down beside the fireplace. Carefully she built a fire, lit it, and put the water on to heat. She pulled some of Patrick’s ‘tea’ leaves, wrapped in a scrap of cloth, from her pocket and brewed it with the boiled water, and then took it over to the other Ruth. Claire was asleep on the far side of the fire.


“Here,” Ruth said. “It’s tea. Sort of.”

“Thanks,” the other Ruth said. They looked at each other for a moment, unsure what to say. The Ruth of this universe tried to sit up to drink the tea more easily, but slumped back and her face creased up for a moment in pain..

“Can I help at all?” Ruth asked her, feeling helpless. The other Ruth shook her head.

“I’ll be ok. Sorry.”

“Not at all,” Ruth replied awkwardly. “It looks pretty bad,” she said, looking at the makeshift bandages.

“It’s starting to heal,” the other Ruth replied. “I was worried about infection, but I think it’ll be ok.”

“But it’s still pretty painful?” Ruth asked.

“Yes,” the other Ruth replied, looking down. “I didn’t want the others to know, but I’m not very brave. I must have seemed pathetic.”

“I don’t think that’s the only pain you’ve got, either,” Ruth said quietly. The other Ruth looked at her.

“How did you know?” she asked.

“Because you’re like me. And if I was in your situation- I’d be worried and afraid- I am anyway, but it seems to have been so much worse for you- not only for myself but for my friends. I’d feel guilty that other people were having to work harder to find extra food and support me, and that the group has fallen out- which I know I’d feel was my fault- and that’s made life harder for my friends- and might mean the difference between life and death. And I’d mourn for those who had died, and be afraid for the people who had just disappeared, like Pat, and afraid that they’d already become victims of the Creature. And I think that this pain of the heart would be every bit as bad as the pain from those physical wounds.”

The other Ruth looked at her, surprised, but also relieved that someone understood. “Yes,” she said. “You’re right.”

“You might say you’re not very brave,” Ruth said. “But I think I’d go completely to pieces if I were in your situation. You’re better than you think. I wish I could help you, take your pain away.”

“I feel like I have gone to pieces,” the other Ruth said. “I wish I could have done more to help the others, not just lie here and moan. And- well I don’t really know how all this works, alternate dimensions and stuff, I don’t know how much we are the same- but from what I can tell- you wouldn’t do worse than me. You had the courage to come and find us. And that already has helped a lot. I don’t feel so scared now.” Ruth looked at the fire, thinking of her friends who had turned back.

“I suppose so,” she said. She remembered something she had noticed when she first met this other Ruth.

“You didn’t seem as surprised as the others when we arrived,” she said. The other Ruth went quiet.

“It sounds so strange to say,” she said eventually. “But I wasn’t. Somehow...well, I’d been having these...dreams. I thought it was just because I was ill, or traumatised, or something, but they seemed so real...”

“I know,” Ruth said. “I’ve had them too.”

“You have?”

“I dreamed about the crash, not as I experienced it but as you did. I dreamed about the accident where x was killed- in my world no one was hurt, although it was close. And I dreamed about the attack where you were injured. When we first met the others and found that your plane crash had been like my dream, I was scared. It was all coming true. I thought you had been killed.” The other Ruth looked at her.

“Sometimes I think it would have been better if I had,” she said. Ruth reached out and took her hand, not knowing what to say.

“What did you dream about?” she asked eventually.

“The same things, but from your point of view,” the other Ruth said. “But it didn’t make any sense. I thought it was stress, reaction to the crash, but even then it didn’t really make sense until you arrived today.” She looked at the fire and sipped her tea. “There’s one other dream that I still don’t understand,” she said, not looking up. “It doesn’t match up to anything you’ve said has happened to you.”

“What was it about?” Ruth asked.

“It was last night that I dreamt it. It wasn’t very clear- it looked like I- or you- had been captured by the others- by the people I used to call friends- Kath, Emma, Ernest and the others. And I was in pain- although that might just have been my wounds- and they were asking me questions and I was trying not to tell them something. I don’t know what. It wasn’t pleasant. But I don’t understand. Nothing like that’s happened to you, has it?”

“No,” Ruth said. “Maybe that was just a dream. I mean, if your dreams have been about me, then that one should be to, but my friends haven’t done that- they wouldn’t, I’m sure they wouldn’t.” But although she said she was sure, there was some doubt in her mind as she remembered the way they had turned back and left her small group to search for survivors.

As if on cue, Nick came into sight. He had been back through to the others, to tell them what had happened and fetch some tools and supplies.

“Didn’t any of the others come with you?” Ruth asked him.

“No,” he said. “They wouldn’t come. We’re on our own.”
 
 
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