The Strange Island

Alexander Li

Jayden was on a stranded island with no idea how he got there. He got up and stretched in the air, the hot sun beating on him like a microwave. How did I get here? Jayden thought. Have I just been transported to another dimension? To survive on the island, he knew he needed food and water, so he explored the place.

The island was similar to a desert. The sand was a pale yellow, like old paper and the only living beings were cacti, weeds and a few bugs. Surrounding the island was a dark purple ocean that looked like a poisonous potion. The island was relatively small, only as big as an amusement park. It was hotter than an oven, burning like fire. Jayden thought he was going to melt in the fiery heat.

Jayden explored the island barefoot. The sand ran past his feet like flowing grainy water. Water. I need to find water, but the ocean looks poisonous, Jayden thought. Suddenly, just in his luck, he saw a small pond, just beyond a crowd of weeds. He ran to that pond, took a sip, and let out a big “ahhhhh” of satisfaction. The water hydrated him and cooled him down like an ice cold popsicle was spread over his insides. Jayden took another couple of sips. It was like magic, he was even getting a bit cold. Refreshed, Jayden went to explore the island some more.

Jayden walked around the island for several hours. This is getting a bit boring, thought Jayden. By now he had walked around the island a few times, and the sun was setting down the horizon. He was getting very hungry. His stomach rumbled with agony, sounding like a struggling lion in a trap. I wonder where I could eat, Jayden thought. Suddenly, a nest appeared on top of the arms of a cactus. Inside the nest, Jayden could see five white eggs with blue speckles. Perfect! Jayden thought. Eggs for dinner. He made a fire by rubbing two sticks, and cracked open an egg. But instead of yolk, a bald slimy thing came out. It had orange eyes, a yellow mouth, green watery skin, and no legs. Jayden had never seen this creature before. The slimy thing opened its mouth and made a beeping sound. Beep! Beep! Beep! Jayden blinked.

Suddenly, he was transported back into his bedroom. Huh? What just happened? Have I just received the power of transportation? Jayden went scrambling along those thoughts. A moment later, he realized the whole thing was just a dream and the beeping noise was coming from his alarm clock. But the dream seemed surprisingly real…