Part 28: Day 5

McKay shuttered as he felt the first rays of sunlight hitting him from the horizon. He leaned up, grunting heavily. He was growing weary of sleeping on the beach towel he had found. It did nothing to protect his body from the cold sand at night. His muscles ached, telling him to get u. As the Australian leaned forward, he was greeted by an unusual sight.

Taylor and Mandy were sleeping right next to him.

He was thrown back from this realization. Why were they here? If something was wrong, why didn’t they wake him? He looked down to see their fire and noticed it was still burning. Not a single bit of this made sense to him. He gently reached over and shook Taylor awake. The blonde slowly opened her eyes, looking up at the man. “Are you all right?” asked McKay.

“Yeah, “ she moaned, leaning up, “I hope you don’t mind us sleeping near you.”

McKay massaged his cheek, feeling of his five day beard. “I don’t mind. It was just . . .unexpected.”

“We should have woken you up to ask, “ Mandy asked massaged her eyes, “But we just came over to make it look convincing for that guy.”

“What guy?” McKay asked curiously.

“This old guy came to our little campfire last night, “ Taylor yawned, “He was hitting on us too, which is like totally gross cause he is probably old enough to be my grandfather.”

“So to throw him off we told him that you insisted we sleep near you, after what happened to Poteet.” Mandy mentioned.

McKay shook his head. “Good idea. Who is this old man?”

“He went down to sleep near the plane wreckage.” Taylor pointed, “Said his name was Cecil Walker. But he goes by Sawyer.”

“Sawyer, huh?” McKay looked down that way, “I’ll have a chat with him later.”

“No, “ Taylor gasped, grabbing McKay by the arm, “Just . . .can we just stay here from now on?”

McKay could hear the plea in her voice. He was hoping to get closer to them and if their friendship was going to blossom, trust would be the first thing they share. Smiling, he gently patted her on the hair for reassurance. “Of course you can stay, I don’t mind in the slightest.” He told her.

“Thank you, McKay.” Taylor smiled.

“No worries, luv.” He said, looking for his canteen.

Taylor turned back around to him, “What is your first name?”

“Barto.”

“Ugh, “ she scoffed, “I think I’ll just call you McKay.”

“Suit yourself, “He laughed, “My last girlfriend just called me McKay as well.”

Taylor looked sharply at McKay. The Australian paused, and then realized he said something wrong. The young blonde then got up and proceeded to walk into the jungle. McKay gritted his teeth, and scratched his bald head. Mandy walked Taylor disappear into the jungle and the looked back at the outback guide. “It’s not your fault,” she told him.

“What did I say that was wrong, so I’ll know not to say it again.”

Mandy stood up and walked to him. “Like I said, McKay, it’s not your fault. Taylor was in a relationship that she thought would end in marriage but as it turned it, he betrayed her.”

“Really?” McKay was a little shocked to hear that, as it sounded a lot like his past relationship.

“Yeah, so it’s been difficult for her to fully trust any man. I wish I could tell you more, but it’s not my place.”

“I respect that.” McKay smiled.

“Just be there for her. I have a feeling that she’ll need you, eventually.”

“I’ll do what I can.” McKay smiled.

Mandy smiled. She could tell he was a good man. She turned around and walked into the wood to find her friend. Next to the campfire, John slowly became awake. He brushed the sand out of his hair, then tossed another log on the fire. He turned and saw Mandy fade into the jungle woods. “I thought I heard them,” John yawned,” What are the two co-eds up to?”

“They want to join our little party.” McKay said, shifting through his back pack.

“Great. The more the merrier.”

“I think I’ll take them into the woods with me. They could use a change of scenery. We’ll make a trek for a viable water supply.”

“Want me to come with you?”

“Naw, mate. You’re staying behind.”

“Oh?” John smirked, “Want the two babes all to yourself?”

McKay pointed his machete at him, smiling. It was a subtle warning not to make jokes about that subject. “No, the reason you are staying behind John is to improve the shelter.”

“Really?” John looked it over.

“It’s day 5, mate. The rescue party is taking their time getting here. We’re going to have to stay here a little bit longer.”

“Good point, “John said, getting up, “I get us a better shelter. I think I am going to need some rope.”

McKay tossed him the robe he had earlier. John smiled and nodded his approval. “Good luck finding the water, mate.” The archer told him.

“Good luck to both of us.” McKay saluted him.