Chapter 6 #2
Grant put his hands out, palms facing James, as if asking for mercy.
“I can appreciate that, but I’ll be honest with you, man.
We're doing everything we can, but this is kind of out of our league. We’re just a security team from the states, and mostly we deal with fights and minor accidents at worst. We do have protocol for this kind of thing, which I’ve never seen happen in the ten years I’ve been doing this kind of gig, and that's to contact the Bahamian police.
But, look, they only have one boat they can send out and we weren't able to contact them until this morning. I know how that looks and sounds, but I want you to trust me when I say that the proper authorities are handling this.”
James’ phone felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket the entire time Grant was talking. Nothing he was saying was adding up.
“Why am I essentially being threatened against making a statement then?”
Grant put his hands up again, this time in defense.
“We’re just a third party hired for this, okay?
The festival doesn’t want anyone making statements that will interfere with an international death investigation, and we’re just being asked by their higher ups to pass that on.
That is not our policy. If it were up to me, you can say whatever you want.
I can take your name and whatever if you want, but I will have to pass that onto the festival. ”
James scoffed.
“Hey, man,” Grant said, pulling a sly grin. “I don’t agree with it. I’m just the messenger.”
“Yeah, sure,” James said. “Well, if you’re not going to be of any help, then tell me where I can speak with someone who is with the festival. I want to give my statement to them.”
“Be my guest,” Grant told him, as if he was inviting James to go for a swim. “They have a tent near the main stage where we’ve been told to report any incidences to.”
James turned without another word to Grant.
He got as far as the corner of the dormitory building when he decided to include the names of the security guards in his report who were “just following orders.” If the island reps wouldn’t listen to him, the internet would have a field day with the mishandling of this whole situation.
But when he rounded the corner to head back north and looked toward the woods, no one was standing there anymore. James entered the forest, expecting to see the first guard standing just inside the trees. However, he didn’t encounter anyone for several yards.
Maybe they’re both in there with the body now, he thought, shuddering at the idea of seeing Ryan’s body in the bright lights of day. Rather, he wanted to rile up whatever drama was necessary to get the kind of reaction he felt was appropriate for this whole mess.
In daylight, James actually enjoyed walking the trail.
The vegetation lacked the malice of night time, and instead embodied the natural beauty of the Bahamas.
The cabbage trees hushed in the wind like crepe paper streamers.
Alongside the trail shrubs shone like succulents James cared for back in his apartment, and larger bushes of green leaves with red veins grew alongside plants with tiny purple flowers that opened up like fireworks to reveal their tiny yellow stamens.
The heat of the day rose the temperature of the rock clearing ever so slightly, giving a deeper earthy smell to the warm rocks splattered with water.
He could clearly see the whole area of the waterfall and the stones below it, and it was completely empty now.
No guard stood near the body to prevent tampering—and no body lay below the water.
What was the first guard doing here, then? James thought. Was he really just preventing people from coming in here? Then why was Grant in here?
He spun around, recalling in high definition the details of the night before.
Walking just to the right of the path, he found where he’d been standing next to Cassidy after his date for the night got boring.
He relived overhearing Cassidy talking to Apricot about the video, trying to take the same steps he’d taken last night.
Then, he remembered, she’d stepped past him, and he’d turned to follow her gaze.
In turning now, he saw blue skies above the waterfall, but last night in the darkness he’d seen Ryan’s form emerge from the shadows.
And then, Ryan’s foot caught on something, maybe a wet rock or his own ankle, and he fell.
James winced, reliving the moment so vividly that he once again saw bits of bone and brain burst from Ryan’s head.
None of which remained on the rocks now.
James rushed to the spot where Ryan’s body lay the night before, slipping on the rocks himself, and nearly falling on his ass. The rocks showed no trace of blood or bone in their crevices. Even following the weak stream for a few feet didn’t reveal any dark pools or white matter.
A cold chill washed over James as he realized with dreadful certainty what was happening here.
His head turned so quickly to look over his shoulder that his entire torso twisted in the direction of the woods and then the trail, fearing he’d been spotted by whomever was behind the cleanup.
If someone was watching from the woods, there was no way he hadn’t been seen.
With complete disregard for the slick rocks, James took off down the trail and back to the beach. No one awaited him on the warm sand, and for that, he was thankful. He sprinted until reaching the dormitory again and then pressed his back against the warm brick.
Had he been seen? Who was he running from? Where should he go? His head swam with questions.
Maybe no one was in there. Maybe they left to tell whomever that someone wanted to make a report and is stirring up shit, but they didn’t get my name and they don’t know who I am.
Then a thought birthed in his mind, beautiful and sudden as opening an oyster and finding a pearl inside.
And someone with the kind of information I have could really stir some shit up here. I came to this island looking for a way out of the magic game. I think I just found my exit.