You are stranded alone on a deserted island. Write a letter to a friend describing your daily survival routine and how isolation is changing your outlook on life.

Dear my best friend.

I imagine the colorful leaves dancing mindlessly and landing softly on the ground at this time of the year at your place. I can hear your footsteps stomping on the piles of leaves, crushing them satisfactorily, perhaps with your two boys; I assume they would be joyfully scattering them.

It’s been 14 days since I was stranded on this deserted island. They were the longest fortnight I’ve ever experienced.

After the first week, I reached the conclusion that the rescue team showing up and saving me would be unlikely. However, I had already consumed all of the snacks in my luggage by the time I realized the rescue wouldn’t be searching for me.

I have been barely surviving because I discovered that many types of berries are thriving behind the beach area. I was running on empty after having been starved for 3 days. Due to extreme hunger, I was in a state of hypnagogia, walking around the beach area, and then I happened to stumble upon the bush where berries grow. So, ironically, I can obtain my favorite fruits, blackberries, which are hard to find in my country.

By the way, have you ever seen the movie “Cast Away”?  I attempted to start a fire while recalling a vague memory of how the lead character, played by Tom Hanks, did it in the movie, using a sharp wooden stick and coconut fibers. After many failed attempts, I had a breakthrough, and I figured out that using dry wood is the key. And ever since, I’ve been trying not to extinguish the fire because I hear howling at night.

It’s unbelievable how quiet it is during the day; there are only pleasant sounds of the ocean waves, the wind swaying leaves, and strange birds’ songs I had never encountered before.

On the contrary, at night, it turns into a kingdom of wild creatures; not only howling but also the sound of some creatures running through the forest, perhaps hunting? As soon as it gets dark, I dig a hole in the sand to make a space where I lie down, and I cover myself with sand and leaves; “Becoming a part of the island” is my intention.

Although I sense that creatures in the forest are aware of my presence, and they’re aware that I’m aware of them. Therefore, I would never set foot into the forest since I’m a visitor who is borrowing a small portion of the island. I want them to understand that my existence wouldn’t be an issue, and I respect their territory.

Besides, I can easily fall asleep before howling reaches my ears, due to tiresome work during the daytime, and observing the constellation helps me sleep faster, even though I only know Orion.

A tiny part of me wants to push myself to traverse the island. In the movie “Triangle of Sadness,” people were stranded on a deserted island like me. They survived for countless days while dealing with the depletion of supplies and the turmoil of relationships. One day, some of them finally took action to explore the island. At the end of the movie, they found an Airbnb-type of gorgeous resort hotel, not far from where they were doing survival. Hilarious.

By the way, I made a friend. It’s a sea turtle. I named him “Wilson,” like Tom Hanks named a face-painted volleyball, which was his best friend during his survival days.

Wilson comes ashore occasionally and raises his hand at me, saying, “Hi!” If I could swim and if I could breathe underwater, I believe he would navigate me to a safer place.

Anyway, he will deliver this letter to you at least. I will enclose this letter inside an empty water bottle and tie it to his shell, like a double shell; I hope it won’t make him swim slower. So, I guess, see you soon.

P.S. This is important! If this letter reaches you, please send a rescue team to look for me. But! Please come quietly and try not to disturb everyone who inhabits this island, preferably fewer than five people.

Thank you in advance. Bye for now.