Overwhelming Nights

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Cece sat in the sand with Isa and Spencer playing with their hair gently while watching over her sons as they played. Now that everything had been built and the other islanders were sent off, everything had become more silent. No one had had the mouths to raise their voices when the emptiness among them lurked.
"James." She called to him.

Jay wondered through the giant hut and exhaled. Without his family there was no need for them to have this much space. He made his way up on a ladder and hopped into what would've been there room. Shaking his head he climbed down and walked off to the forest and climbed as high as he could. "Dawn!" He shouted listening to the echo of his voice and hoping for a response.

Mason stood up with his hands on the wall and tilted his head listening to different sounds. His hearing had been slightly more powerful recently making him turn his head and stare in awe.

"Why, daddy?" Chase asked curiously crouching down to reach a hand over to touch the water.

Benjamin nodded then huffed. "Where did Jacki and Dawn go anyway? Alex has been starving himself and he won't leave his bed." He told her and laid on his back pulling her over to sit beside him.

Cece groaned and laid down holding her. "Hush, baby, come on let's go night night."

"Well, everyone's only been through the middle of the island and to the North and south of it. Where do you think they are?" Ashlee shrugged.

Spencer shook her head. "Dada!" she sobbed.

"The west or east?" Benjamin mentioned giving a wild guess. "Or they could be chilling in a cave becoming cave women." He nodded. "Teaching their children the ways of the wild."

"Daddy's coming." Cece said and continued to rock her. "You just have to sleep for a little then he will be here." She reassured her and kissed her head. "Sleep with mommy, princess."

Spencer slowly stopped crying and shut her eyes as she sniffled and hiccuped.

"West." Ashlee said. "But don't tell Jay."

"That's it baby." Cece said still hushing her gently and rocking her.

"I won't." Benjamin responded. "What about Alex?" He asked curiously.

"That's fine." Ashlee nodded.

Spencer fell asleep moments later and clung to her mother.

"I doubt he has enough energy to make his way over there but might as well give it a shot. Come see." Benjamin said gesturing for her to follow as he made his way out to Alex's hut and looked at the figure curled up on the bed with his back to the door looking pale and sickly. "Alex." He grunted a bit disappointed in how the man just let himself waste away like a dog who had lost it's mate or owner.

Cece tilted her head back and stared up at the ceiling holding her daughter protectively close.

Ashlee followed him and crossed her arms.

Alex stared at the wall blankly and didn't bother on turning to them. Quite frankly, he didn't care unless it was his family.

Benjamin scowled. "Man I ain't playing with you, you need to get on up."

Ashlee put her hand on his shoulder and shook her head. "Alex, get your ass up and come see your damn wife and kids."

Alex turned over as he heard Ashlee speak. "You know where they are?" He managed barely above a whisper.

Benjamin crossed his arms. "Yes they're on the west side."

"Come on." Ashlee said. "I'll show you."

Alex got to his feet though dizzily but quickly picked up his energy to go search along with Ashlee. He had lost more then just a few pounds he looked a bit gaunt.

Benjamin looked at them curiously and followed along.

Ashlee stopped once they were about four feet from the hut the girls were in and nodded for him to go see.

Alex slowly made his way over to the hut and walked in. "Jacki?" He whispered quietly.

Benjamin nudged Ashlee for them to get going. "None of our business." He told her.

Nathan pulled his mothers hand. "Mommy look it's uncle Alex."

''better not have brought your brother.'' Dawn said and peeked her head out at him.

"No." Alex said shaking his head. "I just want to see my wife and daughters." He said softly.

Nathan crawled in back beside his mother.

"She's sleeping in there." Dawn said and pointed inside the hut.

Alex walked into the hut and noticed Jacki. He slowly crouched down by her bed and began to cry quietly.

Jacki woke up to the sound of crying and looked down to see Alex. "Alex?" She asked curiously.

Alex didn't look up from his arms. "I can't eat or sleep I'm sick." He sobbed.

"Alex I'm so sorry." Jacki breathed and pulled him up beside her.

Alex hugged her and nuzzled against her. He felt like a lost puppy who had just found it's owner. "Don't leave me again..." He begged.

Jacki nodded quickly and kissed his head. "I won't I promise."

Alex leaned in and kissed her affectionately. "The girls, are they okay?" He asked.