Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
M y palms are damp and my heart pounds wildly as I stand at the base of the mountain, right where Fin and I had climbed yesterday. I haven’t even taken a step toward the other side yet, but the fear and anxiety of being so close to the water is already gripping me.
The salve had worked wonders. The slice on my forehead looks like nothing but a scratch, and my hand has healed quickly, leaving only an angry, dark red scar. The aches and pains from being tossed into the jagged granite surface will take longer, and I am lucky I don’t have a head injury. I am sore, but I can move, albeit with a little less range of motion than normal. Brynne would scoff at me and tell me to work through the pain, but she wasn’t here to throw jabs at me today.
Today it’s just me and the water.
I take a deep breath and start the walk to the front of the mountain. There’s a clear path, but I move quickly. The path is unprotected, and just to the right, the trees come to an end, leaving me vulnerable in the open .
Dane and Mara had found no hint of the Castaways last night, no clues to their mysterious hideout. Dane has a theory they don’t settle in one place, and move only under the protection of darkness, which makes them so difficult to find.
His theory makes me feel a little better about searching the island during the day, but if Brynne taught me anything it is that I should still expect the unexpected and be prepared for an attack, especially since Mara’s sighting was in the middle of the day.
Today is just as hot as yesterday, which does not help my anxiety going into this search. I am already uncomfortable with my plan, and the discomfort from my clothes sticking to me and sweat dripping down every surface of my skin just makes it worse. My intention for today is to take in as much as I can. I haven’t spent a lot of time on this part of the island, so I want to get to know it while still staying away from the water.
I’m about to round a bend when I hear a snap in the trees. I reach for my bow to nock an arrow, but my hand comes up empty.
Shit. I gave it to Fin.
I stand still, squinting into the light and trying to see through the dense vegetation and shadows, but can’t make anything out. I continue on, and don’t make it another twenty steps before I hear a sound again, this time movement through the leaves.
“Dane?” I call out loudly, stopping to assess my surroundings. There’s no response. “Dane, this isn’t funny.”
I break my eyes away from the forest edge to glance at the tops of the trees.
No breeze. The rustling had to be caused by something.
“Is someone there?” I call out again. If it is a Voyager, they should answer me, unless it is Dane trying to be funny and sneaking on me like before.
After a few more moments, I keep walking but remain alert. If Dane is right and the Castaways are only out at night, then whatever is responsible for the noise is doing nothing but using up my daylight hours .
I weave through the rocks and boulders in the path until I hear it. A dull roar fills the air, and I know the waterfall is just on the other side of the last bend. I round it and my senses are overwhelmed. A mist much thicker than the one in Blackwood fills the air, soaking every surface. But the mist has nothing against the deafening roar of the water falling into the pools below.
If I wasn’t so terrified of it, I would think it is beautiful.
Water crashes off the side of the mountain, cascading down under a natural bridge of slick rock that crosses over to the other side. Under the bridge, the water flows quickly, then drops into a handful of waterfalls that feed into a blue green lagoon.
I take a step closer, mist soaking my hair and clothes, and crane my neck to see more without getting too close. The lagoon down below is breathtaking. Gushing waterfalls fall over dark rocks covered with lush green moss and plants, and into an elegant pool below. I’ve never seen such vibrant blues and greens, even in art or books back home.
My foot slips on the smooth bridge with my next step, and I throw my arms out for balance before I hit the ground, or worse, slip over the side into the water.
I squint through the mist, trying to make out what is on the other side of the bridge. From here it looks similar, a path continuing around the other side of the mountain, but also one that follows the curve of the sunken lagoon.
I don’t know which way to go. Now that I’ve seen it, I can fill in details on my map, but I am not satisfied that this is enough for today. I need to take a closer look, see if there are any hidden passageways or caves in the rock, but the thought of getting closer to the edge makes my stomach roll and sweat break out on my already misted skin.
I can see the opposite side of the lagoon fairly clearly, and from this vantage point, notice nothing out of the ordinary. But I can’t see the side I am standing on from here without dangling over the edge. I need to get to the other side, to ensure I have at least done a quick observation of both. Maybe once I have seen it all, I can come up with a plan of attack.
I keep my arms extended as I step out farther onto the bridge, my gaze trained on my feet and the slick ground underneath me. I stay in the middle, trying to give myself the best chance not to fall into the water below if I slip.
I heave out a sigh once I make it across and my feet hit solid ground again. Glancing between the two paths, I decide to scout out the other side of the lagoon instead of heading back toward the mountain. I don’t need explosions two days in a row.
I will have to talk to the others at dinner tonight and ask if any of them have tried to explore the lagoon before. The water is clear, but the color darkens toward the middle. I assume it is deep, but I don’t want to be the one to figure that out. There could be underwater caverns, but I won’t be the one to find them. Maybe someone will want to team up and test my theory.
The shrubs and foliage increase the farther I walk along the path of the lagoon. The waterfalls below still roar, but it isn’t as overwhelming as being directly under the mountain. I find a good vantage point for the rock wall on the other side of the lagoon where I had just been standing, and scan it for any clues.
I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and look toward the water. Something flicked the surface, causing ripples in the otherwise calm area of the lagoon. I haven’t heard any of the Voyagers talking about fishing on the island, but wouldn’t surprise me if there were fish in the lagoon. I’d have to keep it in mind if I ever stayed in one of the safe houses and needed to catch some food for the night.
I follow the curve of the lagoon a little more, just to make sure I don’t miss anything when I see it again. It is bigger this time and looks like an actual fin.
Those must be some pretty big fish.
Suddenly all of my nerves and fears about this side of the mountain vanish, and all I feel is peace .
There is no reason to be afraid. It is just water. It’s harmless.
I should go closer and look.
My limbs move as if of their own volition, taking me closer to the edge above the lagoon. I need to see over the edge, see what is hiding behind the beautiful water.
I will be fine. The island won’t harm me.
I step out onto a large point that juts out over a dark part of the lagoon, and I feel like I am on top of the world. Overwhelming happiness and joy washes over me, and I wonder why I ever had any fears of being here in the first place.
I look down into the lagoon and see a flicker in the water again, but this time, it looks different.
Is that a person?
I crouch down on all fours, gripping the edge of the rock and leaning as far over as I can to peer into the water, but there is nothing there. It’s as if she disappeared.
I need to know. I need to see who that is in the water. I know I will be safe. She will keep me safe. I just need to step off of the rock.
I scramble back onto my feet and position myself so I am perched right on the edge, the toes of my boots hanging just over the water. All I need to do is step off and I will be with her, will find her. She will keep me safe in the water. She won’t let me drown.
Warmth spreads over my body, and I smile. I take in one last look at the lagoon and gorgeous water flowing into it from the falls.
I will be fine.
I step off the edge, only air surrounding me. My body is weightless. My feet break the surface of the water, but I am not afraid. She will find me. I am surrounded by beauty, and a soothing melody infiltrates my ears. It calms me further, reminding me of when I was young and the staff used to sing to me.
A slow stream of bubbles escapes my mouth as I relax into the feeling. Something touches my calf .
Is that her? She will bring me to safety, I know it. I am safe with her.
My eyes drift closed as I listen to the beautiful melody, and darkness overtakes me.
Everything will be fine.