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.
 
 
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