Chapter Three #2
“Whatever that was, we scared them off.” Brian didn’t know if that was true, but it’s the kind of thing his grandfather would have said.
He smiled in the darkness at the thought, then winced.
Shit, his head hurt. The headache sent tendrils of pain and tension down his neck and spine.
He was pretty sure it was only a mild concussion, but Advil wasn’t cutting it.
He shifted, no spot on his ass now that wasn’t numb. Anxiety flapped as he blinked in the blackness, and he stretched his hands out as if to make sure the crevasse hadn’t magically closed around them. Maybe they should try for the beach after all.
But no, there was no sense in getting lost. The tide had to be out, because he couldn’t hear any waves. Best to wait for dawn. Here in their mini cave, they had shelter and were reasonably sure there were no dangerous insects or animals with them in the crevasse.
Of course, for all he knew, a python was stalking them from the treetops, waiting to drop down and strangle them. Or a tarantula was scuttling across the jungle floor, about to crawl right across them. He yanked his legs back in and tugged the net tighter.
Troy spoke hoarsely. “So. Um, are you married? Kids?”
“No. Was married out of college, but it didn’t last.”
“What was her name?”
“Alicia.” Brian wondered how she’d feel when she heard the news. Last he knew, she was living in Seattle with a daughter from her second failed marriage. He hoped she knew he’d truly loved her once. God, it was all so long ago. Another life.
There had been Alicia and later Rebecca. The guys from his dorm in university, the other pilots and crew he’d been so close with back in the States. They were all from…before. He wondered if they’d mourn him.
An intense pang of yearning hollowed out Brian’s chest. He wanted another chance. He wanted to tell them he was sorry. How strange to think he hadn’t spoken to his friends in years now.
But he’d stopped answering texts and messages, and eventually they’d stopped trying. Not that he blamed them. When he thought about it—which he usually avoided at all costs—it was hard to believe how easy it had been to exit so many lives. To just…fade away.
Troy said, “I dumped my girlfriend right before I left. Fuck, I was an asshole. Now she’ll think I’m dead, and I can’t say sorry. Not that I’m sorry we broke up. But…I’m still sorry in general. You know what I mean? I dunno. I’m rambling.”
He could feel Troy shivering where their shoulders touched. It was humid and mild, and they had the emergency blanket, but their clothes were still damp. God, they just needed this night to end. “We should really try and sleep.”
“Right. Sorry. I’m just—” The shriek rattled through the trees. “Just feeling wired now. Go ahead and rest. How’s your head?”
“It’s okay.” He checked his watch, which was fortunately waterproof and had a light.
“What time is it?” Troy gazed at him anxiously in the faint glow of the watch.
Oh, hell. “Not quite midnight.”
Troy groaned. “Morning is never going to come.”
It really, really wasn’t. As much as he didn’t want to get lost in the jungle, he needed to stretch out and sleep, and so did Troy. To hell with it. He groped in the pack for the flashlight. “You went back to the beach earlier. You know the general direction?”
“To our right. I think if we stick close to the cliff, we’ll be fine.”
Brian hadn’t thought of that, and the risks of tripping or getting lost in the darkness now seemed insignificant compared to the need to reach the open expanse of the beach.
“Okay, I’ll take the pack.” He turned on the flashlight and handed it to Troy before carefully folding their blanket and mosquito net, blinking in the glare. “Can you manage the suitcase?”
The light shone up at Troy’s face, illuminating the cleft in his chin and a bruise darkening his cheek. “Uh-huh. Let’s do this. Can’t stay here.”
Brian took the light and scanned the trees and around the jungle. The beam hardly penetrated the dense foliage, but at least he didn’t see any eyes reflecting back at them. He had no idea which snakes actually lived on this particular island, and he didn’t want to find out. Ever.
Troy was already on his feet, and Brian pushed himself up, leaning on the cliff face. Everything spun, and he stood still, clutching the flashlight as his stomach rebelled.
“You okay, man?” Troy squeezed Brian’s shoulder, his hand firm and grounding.
“Yep. Just need to get the pack on.”
“It’s cool. I got it.” Troy shouldered it.
Brian wanted to argue that Troy shouldn’t have to carry the pack and drag the heavy suitcase, but just standing and walking was enough of a challenge.
He led the way, keeping his right hand on the cliff wall where the jungle abruptly ended.
But for the odd vine, it was just rock, worn smooth in some places and jagged in others.
He swept the light over the ground in front and then behind so Troy could see where he was walking too.
“Get out of our way, poisonous things,” Brian muttered.
“I second that motion,” Troy whispered.
It was odd, feeling like they had to keep their voices down.
They were surely the only humans on the island, so they could have shouted.
But even though the light only picked up leaves and greenery, sweat prickled the back of Brian’s neck, his hair standing up on end as though dozens of unseen eyes tracked their progress.
The salt in the humid breeze intensified and the jungle disappeared, the flashlight now cutting a swath through open air.
When they both had sand under their feet, Brian switched off the light.
For a few moments, they stood there. Clouds still obscured the stars, but without the jungle’s umbrella, there was enough ambient light reflecting off the sand to see their way.
The tide was indeed out, and aside from the steady hum of chirping from the jungle behind them, the night was silent.
“Let’s keep away from the trees. There are probably coconuts up there, and we don’t want any falling on our heads,” Brian said.
Please let there be coconuts. Even though food was the last thing he wanted at the moment, he knew the protein bars wouldn’t get them far.
“Good plan.”
Troy dropped their baggage far enough away from the tree line, and Brian spread the silver blanket on the sand, keeping his head up as a wave of dizziness washed over him. “Should be another one.” He fumbled in the pack. “Here you go.”
Troy exhaled loudly as he unfolded the blanket, his teeth flashing as he smiled. “Feels good to be out of there.”
“Definitely.” Brian gingerly stretched out on one half of his blanket before wrapping the other side over him.
The sand was a featherbed compared to the stone crevasse.
His head hammered like a drum, and every muscle and tendon ached.
“My kingdom for a hot tub. Or a Swedish massage. Or a massage of any nationality.”
“For real.”
A cool breeze sailed over the sand, and the mosquitoes didn’t seem as prevalent.
He had no idea if mosquitoes carrying malaria or other diseases could be this far from civilization, but there was no sense in risking it.
At the very least, bites were itchy and annoying.
“You ready? We should…let me get the net out.”
Troy shifted closer on the sand, stopping a few inches away. His white tee looked bright against his tan skin as he removed the flip-flops and peeled off his wet socks. He wrapped himself loosely in his blanket and wiped a hand across his sweaty brow. “This good?”
“Yep.” Brian draped the net over them and settled back down, closing his eyes. Okay. Sleep now.
Of course his brain refused to shut off despite his exhaustion.
The minutes ticked by as he fidgeted, images unspooling like the worst movie ever.
The wall of rain, the flashing lights as alarms screamed, the merciless cliff wall where Paula should have been, the pale mystery of her arm at his feet.
The net grazed Brian’s cheek, and he shoved it away, his heart beating too hard.
Troy whispered, “I can’t believe this is real. You know?”
Brian’s throat tightened again, and he pushed away an image of Paula’s teasing smile. “Yeah.”
“Do you think they know yet? That we’re lost?”
“Yes. The airline will have contacted our families.” He stared up at the dark sky, barely able to make out the shapes of clouds. “Well, your family. Paula’s.” What were their names?
“You don’t have any family?”
“Not anymore.” He missed them so much, but at least his grandparents wouldn’t suffer, worrying for him. “The authorities will be investigating. The coast guard launching a search.”
“Do you think…will they think we’re dead?”
He wanted to tell a pretty lie to make Troy feel better, but what was the point? “Yes. Over water, there are rarely survivors.”
“God. My brother’s going to…” He muttered something under his breath. “Fuck, why did I do this? Ruined everything.”
“You couldn’t have known.”
Troy was shaking, his voice thick. “I should have called my mom before I left. And Ty… The things I said.”
Troy’s eyes gleamed, and Brian reached out to awkwardly pat his arm. “It’s not your fault.”
Gripping Brian’s wrist, Troy whispered, “I need to talk to them. Even if it’s just one more time. It’s not fair.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” The bone ached where Troy squeezed, but Brian didn’t pull away.
With a shuddering exhale, Troy let go. “Sorry. I’m freaking out. They’re going to be so upset, and I won’t be there to help.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Brian gave him another pat before curling his hand to his chest.
Troy was quiet for a minute, aside from forceful breathing. Then he asked, “What happened to your family?”
“I was raised by my grandparents, and they’re gone. My grandmother lasted to eighty-four. She passed five years ago.”