“What ten items would you bring on a deserted island?”

Honestly, Val thought that it was a ridiculously stupid question.

First, she would bring water filter straw, obviously. Bringing along a jug or bottle of water means a waste of space and energy, while a water filter in straw form would require none of that.

Then, she would bring food. Preferably not canned, which would be hard to open without tools (and Val wasn’t about to waste one of her ten items on some can-opener, and her newly manicured nails were too precious to break) but something like crackers and dried fruit.

Of course, Val would never forget the book, “How to Make a Raft,” which could be her possible escape from the island. Only a fool wouldn’t bring it.

Also, she would take her “Edible Foods of the Wild,” so that when she ran out of her emergency-supply crackers, she would be able to search for wild berries, nuts, and eat flowers.

There was no way she would leave her “Guide to Wild Animals.” Val did not have a death wish. She had to know everything about her foes.

One, two, three, four, five, six! The sixth thing she would bring would be her first-aid kit. There were many possibilities on what could happen out in the wilderness, and getting injured is extremely likely.

A first-aid kit will be twice as useful with instructions! A booklet on how to treat certain injuries would be useful.

Eighth, she would bring a bird. Not just for a companion (okay, to be honest, Val would feel quite lonely) but to be able to test out food, water, and even send messages. Water that birds drink out of would have to be fresh and drinkable. Some plants, like mushrooms, are hard to differentiate the poisonous and safe ones. Testing it on the bird would be a last resort.

After that, she would bring a solar-powered handheld fan. Burning to death wasn’t her ideal way to go. Personally, Val would have preferred fireworks, gunships, lasers, and bombs. Literally going out with a bang.

Finally, like the fan, she would bring a portable stove, one of those specially designed for nature ones, and solar powered, too. That way, she could not only cook food, but also warm herself up.

“I would bring my favorite book!” A girl next to her replies, hugging her copy of Aurora Rising. “So that way, I won’t be bored!”

“What a wonderful answer!” Her teacher clapped, looking pleased.

Val scoffed. How would a book like that save you? Well, she supposed one could use it to start a fire.

“I would bring my video games.” A boy behind her said.

“That sounds nice!” Her teacher said.

That was ridiculous on so many different levels, Val thought, rolling her eyes. Where would he get the internet? And where would he plug it in?

“What about you, Val?” Val glanced up. It was her turn.

“Please don’t call me that,” Val blinked innocently, though her thoughts were anything but. “I would bring a hairbrush,” She lied easily.

“Ha!” The boy who spoke before laughed. “You girls and that obsession with looking pretty!”

Val tried to keep her mouth from contorting into a sneer, but she couldn’t stop the scowl that came on her face. “I wouldn’t call it an obsession. My hair just gets tangled.” But if she was granted on an island with him, a knife would do. She could leave his corpse as bait for the bears.

“Thank you for sharing, Val.” The teacher interrupted. What about you, Dee?”