Almost a week has passed since they had reached the island. The girls had packed most of the stuff, they would need for surviving, which included a few boxes of canned food, some water bottles, a matchbox and a collapsible tent.

The tent had only room for three of them, so the girls did not let the boys near it. “Well bringers keeper” said Nelinha, when Will tried to reason with them. Jem knew it was a waste of time and waved at Will to stop him from arguing. Ever since that day, the boys would place down some leaves on the ground and lit a small fire, while they would sleep. Every night one of them was on guard duty. Tonight it was Jem’s turn.

He placed a few banana leaves on the ground and sat on them. Everyone else was sleeping. Nelinha’s hand struck out of the tent. Jem hoped that the ants, would do a good job biting her.

Jem stared into the fire, trying not to think about their current situation. But when you are stuck on a deserted island, along with a group of girls, who don’t share their tent.

Well, that sucks.

Even their food supply was running low. They had refilled all of their empty bottles, from a small stream nearby. They had used all the known methods of food rationing. Soon they would have to find a food source, or their will be no food left.

Roy had even suggested to use Nelinha as bait, for catching fish. But Jem didn’t think she would be happy about it.

It has almost been a week. There is no sign of the The Flying Dutchman, but he was sure that Davy Jones was lurking nearby the island, waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce. He thought about poor Professor Vera, resisting Jones with all his will. Jones might have even killed the captain of the Luxior. He only kills those who shows signs of weakness.

Oh yes the myth.

Jem had read it in a book last year. He remembered the exact quote. A cursed ship, with a cursed captain and a cursed crew. They were cursed upon failing to keep the promise, they made to the sea goddess, to transfer all the souls which died at sea, to the other side. Now haunts the sea and and take people captive from the shipwrecks. He kills only those who show signs of weakness. Those who remain, either has to become a part of the crew or they would be fed to the kraken…

There was something else written there too, about the captain’s weakness, but Jem could not remember it.

He had discussed it with the boys and with Beth, who had promised to keep Nelinha and Will from strangling each other.

As Jem was feeding the flame, his mind focused on his thoughts. He didn’t realize when Beth had crept out of the tent and was not standing beside him.

“Can I sit down?” she asked

“Um…yeah”

Although Jem was still feeding the flame, he felt conscious that Beth was watching him. Finally he decided to break the silence.

“Couldn’t sleep,huh? He asked

“No” said Beth quietly

“I was just thinking” she continued “that if we never make it out of the island…”. She didn’t continue and broke into a sob.

“We are going to make it out of the island and get back our people from the stupid tentacle-beard” said Jem, without believing it.

“I really like you. You are a good person Jem” she said.

Jem did not reply. He kept grazing into the fire. A week ago, this sentence would had made his life. Now he is too disturbed, to express his feeling.

“Umm…too” answered Jem “I wanted to say to you that I…” he never finished that thought. Something was moving in the bushes. Jem quickly raised the gun, he borrowed from Roy.

“Quick, wake the others. But don’t make much sound” he instructed Beth. He was looking at the bushes. He was sure, whatever was moving, knows that hey have been alerted. Slowly Jem moves towards the bush. As all of  a sudden it, emerged from the bush, facing Jem face to face.