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...