I awoke to find myself covered in sand, my head throbbing.
I sat up slowly, trying to get my bearings.
It was so bright. I squinted my eyes as I looked around.
A beach. That is where I was. But how did I get here? Slowly, my memory of the past few events came back. The storm... Falling... Drowning. Then, why wasn't I dead?
In front of me, nothing but calm ocean. To either side of me, the beach stretched out and in front of me, like arms, to form a bay. Behind me, was a jungle.
But it was not your stereotypical I'm-so-dangerous-keep-out type of jungle. Nor was it the bright-and-happy kind of jungle. This one had an air of magic. It is hard to explain, even after so long, but it felt...mystical. it was something that could not be placed, but at the same time, it was unique.
And it is something I will not soon forget.
As I sat staring at the jungle, I saw a gold orb of light fluttering between the trees.
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The orb was about the size of a softball, that left behind a trail of glowing fragments, like gold leaves, which slowly disappeared.
I could see no other path to follow, so I carefully stood up, swaying as my vision went dark for a moment, and followed the orb.
I kept a good distance behind the orb, not knowing what kind of creature it was or how dangerous it may be.
Though I must say, it probably knew I was there. It was a creature of light and air, as silent as the breeze. Where as I am a creature of earth, something that can only be silent up to a point.
I ducked under a giant leaf as I continued on the path.
Wait, path?
I stopped as I realized how odd this was. A path, in the middle of the jungle on a deserted island?
Or was it?
As if they had heard my thoughts, I was suddenly surrounded on all sides.
I looked and saw seven children, ranging in age from seven to seventeen, around me with swords drawn. Three more were in the trees with bows tight.
The lost boys.
Before I could process this more or even raise my hands in surrender, I felt cold metal hit the back of my head, hard. And I was rendered unconscious.