Fan Fiction |
by Carmen Yip
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(21 June 2004 – Monday – Cave in the jungle – 9.25 p.m.)
Flora and Gallen were situating themselves besides each other around the campfire. The cold wind was blowing towards them, and Flora’s eyes were intermittently shut to avoid the disturbing source. Gallen took off his jacket and used it to shield her from the wind.
GALLEN: You ok?
FLORA: Yup, thanks. (lowers her head) But I miss Roger…
GALLEN: (mumbling) Expected…
Just then, there was a beeping sound coming from Flora’s bag. She opened it and traced the source.
FLORA: Awww… I received a message!
GALLEN: Whoa, I thought there wasn’t any network coverage here?
FLORA: (presses her mobile happily) That’s because your network is lousy! (opening the inbox) Awww… it’s from Roger! [Message: Flora darling, where are you? I am dead worried! Please reply me as soon as possible when you get this message.] Awww… my poor Roger, he’s so worried about me!
GALLEN: It’s so easy to type a message and send…
FLORA: (happily) Let me reply… But how come there is no reception again? Arghhh… (holding the mobile high and testing the reception) Finally, there is one column! (typing the message) God! No battery? (to Gallen) Hey, lend me yours!
GALLEN: (reluctantly) Ok… (pulls out his mobile and hand it to her) Here…
FLORA: Thanks… (keeps her smile) Oh god! What kind of stupid network is yours? Not even a column, arghh…
GALLEN: It’s fate! Mine has no network coverage, yours has no battery! Forget it, we’ll be out there tomorrow!
FLORA: (pouts) But he’s worried about me…
GALLEN: (muttering) He’s just paying lip's service…
FLORA: Of course not! I know he misses me, and I miss him so much… Roger… we were supposed to go for shooting today… (sneezing)
GALLEN: Look at you! Stop thinking of him when you can’t even take care of yourself! Take my jacket! (wrapping his jacket around her)
FLORA: The fire is dying away!
GALLEN: Let’s just hope the wind will spare us…
FLORA: The… (sneezes again)
GALLEN: (worried) You’re still cold? Come, let me hug you!
FLORA: (moves away hastily) NO!
GALLEN: (shocked) Whoa, do you need such a response? I only meant well, come on!
FLORA: (blushing a bit) No!
GALLEN: I insist!
With that, he moves towards her and hugs her tightly in his arms. She was stirring a great deal in his arms, but he managed to calm her down somehow.
FLORA: Hey! I don’t want you…
GALLEN: (raising his voice a bit) Don’t move and stay still! (she stops moving) Sorry…
FLORA: (fidgeting a bit) You are so authoritative!
GALLEN: (smiles) But you still listens to me…
FLORA: I just don’t want myself to fall sick… I must keep myself healthy to see Roger… I miss him… and his hugs…
GALLEN: Will you stop mentioning him for a minute?
FLORA: What’s wrong with you?
GALLEN: Nothing, but don’t you think we are made for each other? Look how we fit together!
FLORA: Of course not! I fit better with Roger. Your shoulders are too wide!
GALLEN: Isn’t that good? Give you some space to stir and breathe… and furthermore, bears have comfy fur for you to lie on…
FLORA: (smiling) Nah… I prefer lamb, they are so meek and have nice wool... just like Roger…
GALLEN: (pouts) But lamb and piglet are incompatible; sheep are herbivores but piglets are omnivores…
FLORA: Then what about bears? Do they eat piglets?
GALLEN: (grins) Don’t worry, I won’t eat you up…
FLORA: (rolls her eyes) I’m not scared of you!
GALLEN: (grins) That’s the best! Now, close your eyes and sleep. When you open your eyes next morning, we’ll be able to get out of here soon…
FLORA: (smiles) Good!
Then she closes her eyes and fall to sleep soundly in his embrace. He gazes her and dozes off in no time…
(The next day -- 22 June 2004 – Tuesday – same place – 8.30 a.m.)
Flora opens her eyes to find herself lying against the walls of the caves. Gallen was nowhere to be found. She calls out his name, but there was no reply. She extends her limbs in a bid to stretch them, but had toppled the bottle of water near her. The overflowing water had wetted his bag, she used his jacket to dry them hastily. Under the bag was his diary. There was a bookmark and a pen in one of the pages. She looks around to ensure he wasn’t around, then she peeked again…
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21 June, Friday
I looked for her to bid goodbye, but found out that she actually kept my diary. I wondered why she did so. Was it because she was curious to know me as a person? Maybe…
We went to my dream waterfall today, it was gorgeous. But everything would pale besides her, I’m so glad to have some last photos with her. The last one was the best. I requested a peck, and she actually agreed! I still remember vividly how she was blushing when she was getting ready to kiss me. I was a bit shaky myself, and I bit my lips to calm myself down. Then she delivers a quick peck down my cheek. Gosh, it was heavenly, I could still feel the vibration of her lips when they touch my cheek. Unforgettable!
In the end I was blushing too, but I still plucked my courage to take a glimpse of her. She was still blushing under her eyes. And I thought I saw a grin on her face! Was it a grin? Was I dreaming? I felt so sweet in my heart!
This night would be the most memorable one in my whole life, because I was hugging her to sleep. It was such a great feeling having her whole slender form in me. But what was more important was that, I felt like a flower protector, I was protecting her, the whole night! How I wish we would be stuck in here forever, and never get unstuck in time!
But yet she had to spoil it for me! She had to mention that Roger! I was sour, but we had a nice chat alright. I feel that she was starting to accept me, but it was too late! Too late for her, too late for me! I guess I just have to concede defeat to fate and keep this memory forever in my heart. Hope I will learn to forget her in Rome…
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She closes the diary and places it back into his bag, but she found something else. It was an air ticket. The destination was Rome, the time was Saturday’s late night. Saturday! It was today! Somehow, a sense of sadness had invaded her vacant heart, was she feeling disappointed?
But something had forbid her to think further. What was it? A brown, hairy spider just a meter away from her, seemingly having all it’s eyes on her, waiting to pounce on her anytime. Gosh! She yelled like she’s seen a ghost.
Then she moves herself all around the cave in order to avoid that hideous looking little creature.
FLORA: (yelling) Ahhh… help!!! Gallen, where are you? Gallen...
Before she knew that, the spider had clung onto her shoulder, and she was screaming like crazy. Within the next second, she felt that the spider was gone. Replacing it was a strong arm gripping her. She wheeled around in a split second and threw herself completely into his embrace, crying hard.
FLORA: (yelling while sobbing) Where were you? Why did you leave me here alone? Why did you abandon me?
He was shocked by her instant reaction. But it was understandable to him after a few seconds. Everybody has his or her own weakness. And what was his duty again? To protect her!
GALLEN: (stroking her gently) I’m sorry, Flora! I went out to analyze the map and our exact location, to find a way out! I didn’t mean to leave you!
FLORA: (releasing herself, while trying to calm herself down) But you are leaving for Rome tomorrow, aren’t you?
GALLEN: (looking disappointedly into her eyes) Yes… (pauses and talks again) Will you miss me? Seriously!
FLORA: (biting her lips while hesitating) Yes…
A bright grin was displayed on his face, and it soon regained on hers too.
GALLEN: I have another question to ask you, promise me you will give me an honest answer!
FLORA: Ok!
GALLEN: If we had met earlier… or if you don’t have Roger, would you consider me?
FLORA: I…
GALLEN: (gazing hopefully at her) Would you?
FLORA: (whispering) Yes…
GALLEN: Thank you…
His own teary eyes were already brimming with the natural salty substance. He leans forwards and held her tautly in his arms. She closes her eyes and leans herself forward, soaking his shirt with her tears again.
FLORA: (releasing herself) Can we get out of here?
GALLEN: (forcing a smile) Certainly. I think I have found a way to retreat from the waterfall.
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(Top of waterfall – 9.20 a.m.)
Gallen moved himself a bit forward to look at the running water. His own mind was in a whirl like those running water. He stayed rooted there. She joined him and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
FLORA: (gently) Done? Don’t stand too close to the edge, it’s dangerous!
GALLEN: (smiles) Don’t worry, I’m not a child, and I won’t fall down there!
FLORA: (smiles) Ok, let’s go!
Just then, she spotted a hive of bees behind them, she pulls him away and signaled him to squat down. But the bees came attacking their way. Gallen grabbed a lighter from his pocket and tried to scare them away. It did work perfectly. They looked at each other in relief. The very minute, he knew it solely belongs to them.
Then he held her hand and stood up. Unexpectedly, she lost her footing and her whole body was swung down the edge of the waterfall. He grabbed her hand in time.
GALLEN: (shouting) Flora! Don’t let go! Hold on to my hand tightly! I’ll pull you up!
FLORA: (scared stiff, looking down) Gallen! Help! It’s so high from below!
GALLEN: No, Flora! Don’t look down there, look up, look at me, I’ll get you up, ok?
Flora’s other hand was gripping the wall of the waterfall, compiled of sandstones and other rocks. She was landing her weight on the rock she was gripping, but it suddenly gave way…
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PS: Kekeke, funny recent chps, I think they are more for my own leisure than being a part of the story, hahaha...
Anyway, Flora in danger! Will she be rescued in time?