The Sword - Chapter Two

Elvendor

The valley was a vast paradise of lush green forests, towering mountains set against a backdrop of translucent blue sky and rolling meadows. The meadows themselves were overflowing with brilliant flowers, imbued with colorful hues that pulsated and danced in a dizzying rhythm to the gentle spring wind. Rivers, streams and lakes flowed with sparkling clearness, and without a doubt the power in these waters sang with every breath, for they were the most abundant source of water left on elder-earth, the most potent with the gift of healing. Everything that is known for beauty and excellence grew in abundance within this valley, its splendor increased a hundredfold. Elvendor knew neither winter nor autumn not even summer…only eternal spring, in its most glorious apex. Stretching from the river Avone towards the white beaches of the east sea, and from the mountains of Elmair to the borders of the Alassar, Elvendor spanned a vast array of land, spotted with quaint villages, painting the view in picturesque perfection. In the very center stood a high steep hill, and from that hill a tumbling waterfall spouted forth, dashing over rocks and boulders to a tranquil, quiet lake beneath. Built up, around and through it was the vast city of the Château Bordeaux. Its white marble walls, built on three levels, tiered one above the other. The highest built above the waterfall, overlooked the entire valley. Fruitful vines, twisting trunks of slivery trees and meandering creepers blooming with profuse flowers, enveloped the magnificent edifice’s turrets, towers and balconies that jutted skyward above the rambling structure. An aroma sweet and thick filled the air, circling the pounding waterfall’s mist in hazy fumes.

On the highest level of the of city, above the waterfall sat a great courtyard surrounded by many gardens, its halls without ceilings, open to the sky and the only shade that of the fruit trees that grew scattered across this level of the city. The Chateau that gave the city its name was a rambling structure that encircled the courtyard and gardens in a thin square. High turrets and balustrades rose up from these walls, the highest in the city and here Elmonte the Wise lived, ruler of the fair people of this valley and the guardian of the Waters of Healing. The wisest and most honorable men in the world met in this courtyard under Elmonte’s instruction and watchful eye and listened to his knowledge and were refreshed. Here also, those broken in body and spirit, traveled from every corner of the earth to receive restoration from the power of the waters and be given a new life of knowledge.

To those who knew of this place, or to others who had heard of such a place, it was a paradise on earth, a place evil had never touched, an Elysium of peace and rest, but to others…they knew better than that…and for one girl it was the end of her dreams and the death of her heart.

Early morning had just brushed its gentle fingertips across the valley, quiet with the laziness of morning. Birds softly twittered in the trees and the lithe shadowed forms of deer glided through edges of the forests. The villages were peaceful and calm, their inhabitants just stirring in preparation of breakfast and the first bathing. In Bordeaux, the last fading notes of the morning trumpet were dancing away on the breeze.

But at the top of the city, in the Courtyard of Elmonte everything was not calm and tranquil. The slim and feminine form of a young woman could be seen rushing at a headlong pace through the immense maze of halls and smaller courtyards within. Her stride was angry and her flashing blue eyes were filled with tears that she frantically wiped away as she ran. Her feet were barefoot, as were everyone’s who live in Bordeaux, and she was clothed in a flowing white dress, girded at her waist with sliver belt and her long golden hair flew behind her like a mantle of sunbeams.

Suddenly she came to an abrupt halt at the observation veranda just above the edge of the waterfall.

Sucking in her breath, both from her run and her extreme emotion, Hahira Nyssa Anaheim gazed down below. She hardly saw the magnificent fountain of water spraying out below her feet. Every nerve within her was taut with emotion, every thought anguished and heated.

It wasn’t true! It couldn’t be! I would feel it in my heart if it was so, she thought frantically. It is not possibly logically for him to be alive… but he is not dead!

Her father’s words only moments before flamed her pale cheeks even brighter.

“Sol has brought some devastating news my daughter,” Elmonte said, eyeing her tenderly and almost sorrowfully,” Ariel has disappeared into the desert.”

Hahira had glanced from Sol, a broad-shouldered youth, who stood to one side in her father’s private courtyard back to her father before her, alarm spreading across her features.

“What are you saying, father?”

Elmonte dropped his gaze to look at his hands for a moment,” He was supposed to regain contact six months ago.”

Elmonte fell silent shaking his great head, gray eyes sad, almost regretful.

“There has been no word.”

Hahira shook her head, denying what she knew her father was trying to tell her,” I don’t understand.”

“It was very foolish of him, Hahira. Everyone knows that those who enter the desert never come back alive.”

Hahira swallowed hard,” Not Ariel, father.”

Elmonte stretched out a closed fist towards her.

“He is dead, Hahira. Sol found this at the edge of the forest one month ago.”

Hahira’s eyes widened in horror as her father open his hand revealing a delicate golden pendant necklace. Only one person in the entire world wore one like that…Ariel.

Hahira took it shakily from his hand, cradling it in her own, fighting back tears.

She glanced up at her father,” This is not evidence that he is dead. He could have lost it.”

“It was his most valuable possession. Do you think he would have parted so easily with it?”

Hahira pressed the necklace to her chest, eyes suddenly flashing.

“Would you give up on him so easily, father? He was like a son to you.”

Elmonte bowed his silver head in undisguised grief.

“I wish it were not so, but I know in my heart it is.”

“Well I don’t!” Hahira stated emphatically, slightly raising her voice,” He is not dead, I refuse to believe it!”

Turning on her heel, sobbing, she had fled their presence, blindly seeking solitude until she had found herself here, above the waterfall.

For a moment she was confused why her steps had led her here, then suddenly she knew…and a face she was beginning to believe, despite her brave words to her father, she would never see again, flashed before Hahira like a vision. His laughing blue eyes, and flashing smile, sent an aching stab of pain through her gut. Hahira closed her eyes letting the memories wash over her like tidal wave…the waterfall…evening sunset…Ariel…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Don’t Ariel, please, you’ll break your neck,” thirty-year-old Hahira pleaded, stepping backward as if that would draw the young, bare-chested youth away from the top of the waterfall. The evening rays of the sun glinted off his gold-chestnut hair, which just brushed his shoulders, bound back by a single leather thong away from his forehead. A delicate golden necklace swung from his neck.

“The water will catch me, Hahira,” he explained calmly gazing down below him, his eyes wild with excitement.

“How do you know,” she questioned, anxiously,” No one’s ever done it before?”

“Well now someone will,” he said, giving her wink and raising his arms to dive.

“Wait!” she hollered,” This is crazy, I wasn’t really serious. It was just a dare.”

“Too late now,” he replied and jumped, sending her into a hysteria of screaming as she rushed forward to stop him. Far below Hahira saw his slim body diving in a graceful arc and split the waters of the lake. She held her breath, frightened to death that he was dead.

Suddenly a dark wet head popped up, flinging water everywhere and laughing in delight. Ariel turned his face upwards towards her and shouted,” That was breathtaking! It feels like you’re really alive!”

“Ariel Galloway, you frightened the wits out of me!” she shouted back, relieved to see him living but angry.

“You need to do it!” was his reply.

Horrified, Hahira, stepped back,” No!”

“It’s quite safe, see!” Ariel shouted splashing water about him.

“No its not, it’s a miracle you’re alive! Fate won’t be so kind a second time!,” she hollered at him.

“Don’t you trust me?” he questioned.

“No!” she shouted back.

“You know you do! Jump!” he replied.

“No I don’t!”

“I’ll tell you my secret,” he said.

That silenced her for a moment. Hahira had been trying for a week to find out what his secret was. A secret he continued to flauntingly taunt her with.

“You don’t have a secret!” she threw at him.

“Oh, yes I do!” he shouted forcefully.

“You promise?” she queried, creeping closer to the edge. Perhaps it really was thrilling…suspended in nothing but air.

“I promise…I’ll even catch you!” a grin split his gleaming wet face in an ivory smile.

“No you won’t! I’ll knock the wind out of you at this distance!” she shook her golden head.

“You won’t know unless you try!” he shouted,” Trust me!”

Hahira took a deep breath, gazing down at the calm waters and at the churning fountain beneath her feet.

This was absolutely insane…but suddenly everything within her wanted to jump, because she did desperately want to know Ariel’s secret. Closing her eyes she did just that, feet first.

Adrenaline rushed to her head, as only air met her body. Hahira didn’t dare open her eyes, but she felt the mist of the waterfall fly past her and heard the pounding beneath roar louder. She was too frightened to scream and too thrilled all at once to know what to do. Her body hit the water with a loud splash and Hahira went under, the water enveloping her with it’s electrifying chills…it felt wonderful. Instead of going straight down, like she expected, the minute her head went under, the water flipped her body up and she went shooting towards the surface. She came up gasping, eyes open and laughing gaily…Ariel was swimming beside her, laughing also, his head thrown back; eyes dancing.

“You didn’t catch me!” she accused splashing him.

He laughed, splashing her back,” “What did I tell you? Wasn’t that exhilarating?”

She giggled and splashed him playfully,” What’s the secret?”

His only answer was to dive under and swim away.

“You liar!” she shouted dismayed, before ducking under after him. He led her on a merry chase through the waters, the healing waters of the Great Lake, waters that sent shock waves of delight through your body and mind with every drop.

Almost a little drunk with so much pleasure, Hahira was pleased when Ariel finally stopped swimming like dolphin and crawled up on the rocks near the waters edge, just below the walls of the first level of the city. Gardens sprawled on all sides, vines of flowers creeping along the rocks, searching for the waters edge. Apple orchards threw dark shadows of shade with the approach of evening.

She followed, her aqua dress wet and dripping, clinging to her with every step. Ariel reached down and gave her a hand. He helped her climb higher until they gained some rocks halfway up the waterfall, where the sun’s rays were still shining so they could dry.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, Ariel?” Hahira declared as he flopped down on his back across the rock. A mysterious grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. She sat down beside him, spreading her drenched skirt across her knees.

He only laughed, his bare chest shaking with mirth.

Hahira, unexpectedly felt her face flush with heat. What was she thinking sitting out here alone with this boy, who had no shirt on? Her mother would be scandalized.

She turned her face away, looking towards the western sky, which was growing red with the setting of the sun.

His laughter ceased and she felt him sit up beside her.

“What’s the secret?” she queried, trying to distract her other thoughts.

He said nothing, but she felt his hand creep over hers.

“You.” He said shortly as if that explained it all.

“Me, what?” she asked, feeling unsure of why her head had suddenly gone light-headed.

“You are the secret,” he said quietly.

“How can I be a secret?” she queried, confused

His voice was so low and quiet, she barely heard the answer,” Because you have captured my heart.”

She turned her head, heart pounding, only to find his face inches away. His eyes said everything, she didn’t need to guess further.

He bent and kissed her softly, lips lingering and then pulled away, a chuckle reverberating deep in his chest. Hahira knew better than to say anything, words weren’t needed. She dropped her gaze as Ariel released her hand and pulled her closer, wrapping one arm around her waist. Hahira rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. They sat the entire evening that way, not a word said, as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon and the stars popped out one by one…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hahira opened her eyes, tears streaming down her face, the present came crashing back around her with startling clarity. She could still feel Ariel’s arms around her and the tender touch of his kiss…she could hear the love in his voice and remembered his last words four years ago when he had said goodbye.

I’ll be come back for you, Hahira. I swear it…if I have to move heaven and earth to do it I will. One day you will be mine..

Releasing her clenched fists, Hahira let the necklace fall into her lap. She believed him then, with her whole heart she had…and she did now. Fingering the tiny pendent gently she gazed down at it with curiosity. It was in the shape of a shield, round at the top and square at the bottom. A sword was engraved at its center, entwined with the graceful vine of a mighty rose.

He’d never explained to her why he wore it and she had never asked. But now she wished she had. What secret was there about this boy who had claimed her heart? Who was he?

Ariel had come to this valley with several knights when he was thirty, six years ago, and had lived among them for almost two years. Elmonte told her he was in Elvendor to study the histories of the earth and to be tutored under her father of the Law, the set of rules that governed all the People. The answer had sufficed then, but now…she wasn’t so sure. Once she’d caught Ariel staring towards the north fingering this medallion, tears in his blue eyes. He’d quickly wiped them away when he realized she was there and pretended nothing was wrong and she’d believed him, letting it slip away in her memory. But now she realized it was strange and unnatural. Sorrow was a real thing here in this valley, everyone knew that, but what she had seen in Ariel’s eyes was much more, it was like a part of him wasn’t even there, almost as if his gut was been wrenched out of him and was aching to be made whole. There had been a longing there, deeper than sorrow, more poignant than joy, as if he was being pierced through. What was it?

With effort Hahira swallowed her tears and picked up the necklace to put around her own neck and that was when she saw the letters engraved on the back of the shield.

She gasped and drew it close to read the small words

Withering flower fades, but its seed bears life thrice over. Broken helm was shattered, yet renewed it wields terrible power.

Puzzled Hahira ran the words over and over in her mind. What could they mean? Why were they on the back of this pendant? A funny tingling danced through her belly, almost like excitement or expectancy.

What in the world was that for? She questioned herself, pressing one hand against her waist, to silence the fluttering. Bewildered Hahira lifted the necklace and clasped it around her slender neck. Until its owner returned to claim it she would make herself its keeper…if only to keep her belief alive that he was alive.

Footsteps came towards her left and Hahira stood up, startled. She turned towards the sound.

It was Halfred, her guardian, a powerful hulk of man around his one-hundredth & eleventh year. Since the day of her birth he’d sworn to protect and defend her…even to the death. Faithful, like a loyal dog, he shadowed her every move. But he was more than a dog, much, much more. To Hahira, Halfred was her confidant and closest friend, a rock of security and comfort. Next to Ariel, he knew her better than anyone, even her own mother, Alassia.

As he approached her, his usually impassive face was contorted with concern, which was evident also in his quick lumbering stride…he normally walked slowly and evenly.

“I thought I might find you here,” he said, a small frown tugging his weathered, aging face.

Hahira groped for the right words.

“Father had visitor today.”

“I know, I’ve already talked to Elmonte. I’m sorry, I know you cared for him greatly.”

Hahira set her jaw, defiantly, eyes flashing,” He’s not dead!”

She stomped past him, picking up her skirts, but Halfred grabbed her arm, halting her in mid-step.

She tossed her head, daring him with her eyes. Most servants weren’t allowed to touch their mistresses with such familiarity, but Halfred had long ago passed the bonds of such restraint, towards Hahira and all of her family. He was a father, uncle and elder brother rolled into one.

“Why do you say that?”

Hahira dropped her eyes,” because if he was dead, I would feel it, know it deep within me.”

She paused gazing off towards the walls of the city and the forest,” I don’t feel it and I know he is alive.”

Halfred’s grip on her arm relaxed and dropped altogether, he bent his graying head, observing her sharply.

“If that’s what you believe, than so do I.”

Hahira looked up at him, eyes suddenly shining with tears, several trickling down her pale cheeks.

“Thank you, Halfred.”

He reached up his big hand and wiped away the tears with his thumb, and gazed down at her with gentle brown eyes.

“You know I would go find him if you just said the word.”

Hahira’s lower lip trembled.

“I know, but he promised to come back and I believe him. We just must wait.”

Halfred nodded understanding.

For a moment Hahira turned her gaze back out over the city and then turning on her heel she made her way down the stone walk and without a word Halfred followed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Something stiff, but soft brushed her face and Vickie grunted rolling away from it. She knew was waking up from a deep sleep, and faintly realized she was lying on powdery sand. For several long moments she didn’t care nor bothered to wonder why.

Then a voice spoke, not audibly, but in her head, yet it wasn’t her own thoughts, because she recognized it as unfamiliar voice.

“Awake, awake, my daughter!”

Vickie’s eyes flew open, as anyone’s would do with something as strange as that, and what she saw made her wake up so abruptly and so suddenly that she jumped to her feet in fright and screamed. A huge, monstrous eagle had been standing over her, his golden eyes glittering with an intensity that had frightened her more than his overpowering presence. She hurriedly backed away, tripping over own feet and falling on her backside. First the huge mountain lion and then this eagle; where were all these animals coming from? Just knowing this thing was going to eat her, she screamed again kicking sand in its face.

“Do not be frightened!”

She swung around frantically trying to find who was speaking. No one but the eagle was in sight. He extended his wing towards her; brushing her face…Vickie recognized the feeling from what had first wakened her.

“Leave me alone,” she cried out, trembling.

“Do not be frightened,” the voice repeated,” I have been sent to give you a message.”

Vickie, disbelieving but having no other evidence before her, decided the voice must be coming from the eagle.

She straightened and stared up at his sharp hooked beak, apprehensively,” Why should I trust you? You’re big enough to eat me if you wanted.”

“But I do not want to eat little girls.”

Now she knew for sure it was the eagle that the voice belonged to. With a suffocating feeling, like when you are trapped in small place with no way out, Vickie realized she was no longer in the friendly woods of Colorado, just up the hill from her house. This was another world! Like Narnia or Middle-earth…only she wasn’t reading a book she was living it. She just stared in mute shock up into the eagle’s golden eyes…which did not seem as vicious as they had moments before.

“Where-where am I?” she ventured to ask, her voice faltering.

“You are in the valley of Elvendor, in the southern of kingdom of Elder-earth.”

“Really?” Vickie queried in disbelief, then sarcastically asked,” And who are you?”

The eagle stepped towards her and to Vickie’s surprise his beak moved as he spoke,” I am Rion, counselor to Lord Elmonte.”

Vickie had no idea who lord what-ever-his-name was, but she suspected he was important. The eagle spoke his name with great respect. Brushing the sand from her dress she pushed herself to her feet and glanced around. For the first time she realized that she and the eagle were standing on a high riverbank overlooking a great river, more clear and clean than she had ever seen before. A vast forest lay directly behind them, with tall towering trees and open space underneath, lit by patches of sunlight from above. Across the river was another forest, exactly like the other. Returning her gaze back to Rion, the eagle, she pursed her lips in thought, obviously this other world was real, unless she was dreaming…but no, this was not a dream. But still logic continued to argue hotly against her five senses. Who ever heard of such things?

“So how did you find me?” she asked.

“I was told you were coming?” the eagle replied shortly.

Vickie shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant about it.

“Who would know I was coming? The last thing I remember I was in drowning in a creek and now I wake up and I find myself here. Can you explain that?”

“It is not for me to explain, only obey. I was told I would find you here by the river and here I have found you. Now I will give you the message I was given to tell.”

Twisting his noble head high, his white neck feathers ruffling slightly in the wind he began to speak,” You are Vickie St. John, daughter of Light, handmaiden of Darien. Tomorrow is always a new day, and tomorrow you will find your heart. Look towards the sunset and do not fear. Stand firm and look for the red and the gold that is hidden and you will discover the love of the ages.”

Vickie wanted to laugh loudly, but she didn’t, instead she giggled,” That doesn’t make any sense, Rion. I know better than to believe in such nonsense.”

“Nonsense!” the eagle’s voice rose and his golden eyes suddenly did glitter fiercely, but then they faded and he calmly continued,” Darien will not be mocked, young woman. You are here because of him and he does not fail in his choice of servants. You will understand even this riddle before long.”

Not silenced yet Vickie replied,” I do not know this Darien. Is he like the king or something?”

The eagle shook his head sadly,” I’ve never questioned before, but now I wonder. Not know Darien and yet he sends you as his servant?” he continued to shake his head,” I see I have weary job ahead of me.”

Vickie thought he was a rather weary looking bird anyway, but decided to keep her mouth shut. Obviously she didn’t know a thing that was going on, which scared Vickie, though she tried to hide it. And where was Daniel? Had he found himself here as well in, what had Rion called it…Elder-earth.

“Come,” the eagle motioned with his wing,” ride on my back and I will take you to the Chateau Bordeaux .”

Vickie shook her head. She had a terrible fear of heights.

“No, I-I don’t want to.”

The eagle squawked in impatience,” I must take you to the chateau. You’re hungry are you not?”

Reluctantly Vickie nodded her head in agreement. Her stomach was rumbling.

“I thought so. At the chateau there is food, clothing,” he eyed her school dress suspiciously,” and soft beds and even water for a bath.”

Vickie began giving way,” How far is this chateau?”

“So many questions,” Rion croaked this time in exasperation,” just over this forest. Not far at all.”

“What is this Chateau Bordeaux?”

She grinned, knowing she was getting on this big bird’s nerves.

He squawked again,” It’s the home of Lord Elmonte and the citadel of the Great Waterfall.”

“Very well,” she huffed walking towards him,” How do I get on your back?”

“Gently please,” the bird said,” I do not enjoy loosing feathers. I’ll bend down and you hop up.”

He did so and with some frightening slipping and sliding along his sleek feathers, Vickie managed to haul herself up. She sank into the feathers like they were a soft feather bed. It’s lovely, she thought.

“Hold on tight,” he warned as he lifted his wings. Vickie felt no sudden jolt or abrupt lift, but the ground dropped suddenly away, river, forest and sand. It stole her breath and made her stomach flop and she gripped the feathers around her in fright. Vickie squeezed her eyes shut and prepared for a long journey, wishing she’d never agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Hahira was brushing her long golden curls absently with her fingers and staring vacantly out through her window to surrounding city below when the knock came on her door.

“Come in,” she said without turning around. She heard the door open and footsteps. A man cleared his throat as if to request an audience. Hahira turned and seeing Halfred, smiled tenderly and stepped towards him her hands outstretched.

“I was hoping it was you,” she greeted warmly.

He took her hands, squeezed them and bowed his head in respect.

“I have been sent by Rion,” he explained.

Hahira rolled her eyes,” What does the old bird want this time?”

Halfred cleared his throat again uneasily,” I’m afraid it’s a bit complicated. I think I should bring you to see it.”

Despite her own gloom, which had foreshadowed anything else since early that morning, Hahira couldn’t help being curious.

“What do you mean?”

“If your ladyship would be so kind as to accompany me, I’ll explain all.”

“Very well, you intrigue me.”

Halfred turned on his heel and led the way down the hall and through the many rooms of the large chateau until the he stopped at one just above the gate that led to the second level of the city.

“She is in here,” he hinted, shoving open the door so Hahira could enter before him.

Hahira stepped in and looked about as he followed her. She recognized the comfortably furnished room as an observation post that looked out over the gates into the lake and misty waterfall. Soft couches, elegant draperies and silk cushions adorned the room. Awkward contraptions for gazing at the stars and far away mountains stood peeping through the wide bay windows, supported by metal frames. At first she saw no one, but then movement caught her eye and near one of the wide windows, nearly hidden by the drapes, stood a young girl, several years younger than herself. She was dressed in a strange brightly patterned dress that shockingly revealed her bare white ankles and over that she wore a very short jacket. Her hair was long, straight and a light brown, her skin a bit fair, very much like Hahira’s own. And she was very small and petite. Her big brown eyes were wide with open admiration and wonder as she gazed at Hahira. She shyly clasped her hands behind her back. Hahira glanced at Halfred for the promised explanation.

“Well Halfred what is this all about?”

“Rion found her by the river. She was all alone, bewildered and lost. She doesn’t seem to have family or relatives or anyone. Knowing of her ladyship’s kindness and compassion for the orphans he brought her here.”

Hahira turned back towards the slender girl and stepped towards her, arms opened wide,” Oh, my dear, I am so sorry.”

She took Vickie hands in her own,” What is your name?”

“Vickie,” the girl replied, and then she added,” I’m not an orphan.”

Hahira frowned and threw a glance towards Halfred, waiting with his big arms crossed at the door.

“The poor thing seems to be half out of her mind, my lady. She keeps saying she’s from another world and swears she came here through the river.”

Hahira wrapped an arm around the girl’s thin shoulders.

“You must be so tired and scared, my dear. Why don’t we get you cleaned up and into fresh clothes and find you some food.”

Vickie nodded, but couldn’t help saying,” Rion believed what I said.”

Hahira half-laughed, her voice tinkling like bells,” I’m sure he did. He’s a prophet Vickie, and they’re always strange.”

Vickie didn’t reply, but couldn’t help stiffening in anger that these two extraordinary, medieval looking people refuse to believe her story. Rion had warned her they would, before he brought her here to Halfred. Just humor them, my girl, their eyes are only half open to the truth. One day they will see all. Vickie, after spending almost an hour on the great eagle’s back had grown use to the strange way he talked, but she wished someone besides a bird believed who she was, instead of thinking of her as half-starved waif and orphan. She of course hadn’t believed it at first either, but with every passing hour she remained in this odd world Vickie had no other choice.

Hahira took her hand gently and led her out, ringing for servants as she did. The huge man, Halfred, disappeared and Vickie had no time to wonder as she was whisked away to a steaming, sudsy bath, which she couldn’t help enjoying, despite the disgusted way the elegantly dress maidservants clucked over her outlandish robes, as they put it. They discarded both the dress and jacket with apparent dislike. They were quite dirty and smelly, Vickie had to admit; a mixture of river water, musty sand and an eagle. Then came the new dress, a gorgeous pale green silk, that fell to her feet, just brushing the floor, and drew up to her waist very gracefully into many folds, tucks and seams. Creamy white ribbons, tied in dainty bows fell from a high princess waist, delighting Vickie’s girlish soul. Then two the maids set her down and brushed her wet hair until gleamed like satin. Meanwhile Hahira herself brought food and set it before Vickie on a small table.

“Really my lady, you’re treating me like a princess,” Vickie protested.

“Nonsense, child,” Hahira fussed, dismissing the maids when they had finished their task. She seated herself beside Vickie urging her to eat.

Vickie was famished, but she was also very curious and a little in awe of this beautiful young woman who had so swiftly taken her, a stranger, under her wing. Now that the activity around her had quieted, Vickie eyed her secretly while she ate, not failing to also appreciate the succulent, ripe fruit she had been given and then finely roasted meats and tangy cheeses.

Hahira was quite a bit taller than Vickie, who was rather short any way for her age, but she carried herself with noble dignity and such strong strength, that Vickie would have imagined her much older if she hadn’t given the girl a closer look. Hahira’s long golden hair flowed freely over her slim, straight shoulders. Her face was creamy and smooth and her eyes a startling sapphire blue. She wore a pure white simple dress, tapered around the waist and falling in elegant folds to her ankles. Her feet were bare, a fact which Vickie noted, was the way of all the women she had seen thus far, but Hahira had them properly tucked under her long skirt. A golden pendent swung around her neck, glinting with the mid-afternoon’s sun that shone through the open windows.

She was talking again, her full pink lips, flashing a white smile here and there.

“You must not fear of want again, my child. My father will most gladly take you into his household as he has many others, at least until we can found out who you are. Do you remember how you came to find yourself in this valley?”

Vickie nodded,” The river brought me, or at least I think.”

“Right, you already told me that,” Hahira bit her lip, gazing at the girl compassionately and patiently,” What about before that, do you remember anything.”

“Oh, yes of course,” Vickie popped a grape in her mouth,” I was with Danny. We had been walking in the woods, going home, when a huge lion attacked and chased us into a mountain stream. That’s when I fell in and I-I think I blacked-out,” Vickie shrugged,” When I woke up Rion was standing over me. Freaked me out something awful.”

Hahira nodded, a little bewildered by the small girl’s odd words, such as blacked-out and freaked, but she replied,” This Danny, the friend you speak of, do you think he is here also in this valley?”

Vickie shook her head and looked away from Hahira,” No—no I don’t think so. I—I don’t know where he is.”

Hahira wrapped a tender arm around the girl,” It’s all right, we’ll find him.”

Vickie raised a trembling face to the Hahira, the food forgotten,” Everything is just so sudden, my lady, I don’t know where I am, I don’t know anyone here, except you and Rion of course, and I—I’m not even sure I could get back to my family.”

”Oh, of course you can my dear…but enough of that for now. You are exhausted I can see that. No more talk until morning. Finish eating and then lay down right here on this couch. I’ll see to it that no one disturbs you.”

Rising, very gracefully, she smoothed Vickie’s hair and then left, softly closing the door behind her. Quickly, on her bare feet she ran to her mother’s room to tell her of this strange little girl and ask her what they should do. The poor thing was terrible befuddled and confused. So focused was she on this young girl’s plight, she failed to realized that her troubled thoughts of Ariel had slipped away in her zeal to care and serve another.

...a small unfinished beginning to a new short story.

Sarah spun around laughing, her chain of flowers waving in the air. Dancing across the green field of daisies after her pet sheep, Rose, she sang happily. Today she would be leaving this village. She’d met a man the night before who told her of a great city down the path into the valley below. Great and wonderful things were in that city, he told her. She would be a fool if she continued to linger here in this pitiful village looking after her sheep. Sarah eagerly agreed to meet with him today and follow him to this mysterious place.

Now she waited.

A voice shouted from the mountain, and Sarah stopped singing to look up.

Samuel, her least favorite person in the village, was running towards her. His face sweaty; blue eyes glowing.

“Sarah, we must get the others! Wait till you hear where I have been!” He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the village, causing the chain of daisies to drop underfoot.

“Samuel, stop!” she snapped, trying to jerk her hand away.

“No you must come, I’ve seen the king,” he said in a rush of words.

“Samuel, what on earth are you babbling about?” Sarah asked in irritation as she bent to retrieve her fallen flowers.

“You know the king who is always sending us gifts,” Samuel explained very patiently.

Sarah rolled her eyes,” That is very nice Samuel.”

She picked up her flowers and began walking towards the village, eager to get away from him. Samuel followed her, but she ignored his jabbering nonsense, sighing with relief when another group of children appeared and he went running towards them.

Nothing was going distract her from getting out of this village. Not even the king. A king she had never seen, a king she did not care about. All of her young life she had lived in this village. She had been completely happy, completely satisfied, for the village was a lovely place. But then she had met the man in the woods, the man with the entrancing green eyes and comforting deep voice.

Suddenly her entire life had seemed like only meaningless euphoria. The words he spoke opened an entire new world to Sarah. Adventure, danger and discovery awaited her below the mountain. Longing was stirred in her heart...she knew there had always been a bigger world than her tiny village.

As Sarah passed the excited group gathered around Samuel she glimpsed the man standing in the fork of the path at the edge of the village.

Sarah skipped towards him, dropping her chain of flowers yet a second time. His tan face split into that entrancing smile that had so captivated Sarah the second she had met him.

“Are you ready, Sarah?” he asked as she approached within earshot, he held out his hand.

“Yes,” she replied softly, slipping her small hand into his large one.

“Than follow me,” he said turning back down the path. For only a brief second, doubt lingered in

Sarah’s mind as she glanced back over her shoulder. The houses of the village stood strong and straight, their bricks covered in flowers, the children’s voices echoed with laughter and song, she could see their familiar forms weaving in and out of the gardens and pathways and across the meadows. She quickly turned away, they were all trapped here.

One day they would want to leave themselves as she was doing now. Turning her face quickly away, Sarah’s eyes stuck to the path. She had made her choice.

to be continued...

The Island - Chapter Three

Chapter Three: Ryan

Ryan watched the trees constantly as he trudged ahead of the girls down the beach. Ever since waking up he’d felt apprehensive about the forest. Not that he wasn’t just a little aprehensive...worrried...frightened about the whole nightmarish ordeal he’d found himself in.

The entire island screamed insanity at him. But the forest was weird.

Ryan glanced back at the two girls. The blonde and the brunette. If he wasn’t so freaked he might find the whole experience a little interesting. Who would have guessed he would get two at once?

But he didn’t have time think about it. He was still struggling with the whole experience with Emery...which unsettled something deep in his gut. The girl shouldn’t be alive.

And as for Christine...there was a strange strength about her that intrigued him. Most women would have gone ballistic at the sight of Emery, torn up and bloody. Christine had flown into action immediately at his side. He had no idea of her past, but he felt she was dependable. He would need that...if they were to survive the island.

“Who likes coconuts?” he asked stopping near the tree that stuck out from the treeline.

Both girls grimaced.

He guessed that was a no.

Ryan blew out a breath,” Well, it’s all there is right now.”

He gave the tree a thump with his fist and a couple hairy fruits tumbled to the ground.

“Impressive,” Emery said with a smirk, crossing her arms.

Ryan frowned, kneeling and digging in his pocket. Nothing...he’d forgotten he’d already checked his pockets for his knife.

He muttered a curse under his breath.

“Find a rock or something we can break these on,” he told the girls, picking up the fruit.

Christine immediately bent retrieving rock from the sand.

“Here.”

He took it and bashed the fruit against the stone. He handed it to Emery. She took it with a disgusted look in her eyes.

“We’ll have to learn to like it, unless we can get the courage up to enter that forest and find something else,” he told her. Then he broke the other fruit and handed it to Christine.

“What’s wrong with the forest?” Emery asked, making a face as she took a sip of the coconut juice.

Ryan glanced at Christine. She shrugged. Obviously neither knew how to explain it. But both knew the other had felt something earlier.

“It’s just weird, that’s all.”

Emery starting laughing.

“What? You’re afraid aren’t you?”

Ryan stood to his feet, feeling angry at her jab.

“Of course not...but I’m cautious. We don’t know anything about this island.”

Christine stuck her finger into the coconut’s soft inside, and then licked it.

“I don’t know how people eat this stuff.”

Ryan sighed, glancing from one to the other.

“Ok...what’s the first thing people do when they are stranded on an island?”

“Scream for help,” Emery stated sardonically.

The girl had a mouth on her.

Ryan grinned,” No...good try. They find water, food and shelter.”

Christine just smiled at Emery’s quip.

“Why don’t we keep going down the beach,” she suggested.

Ryan turned away and began walking.

“Come on then.”

He heard Emery drop her coconut into the sand as she and Christine followed him. Neither said another word...so he didn’t either.

Three hours later they were standing on a rock-strewn promontory, staring out into the endless sea. The island still continued on, continuously it seemed towards their left, curving sharply inland.

The sun was beginning its downward descent to the western horizon. A brisk wind blew into their faces.

Ryan shielded his eyes from the glare.

“This is real,” he stated out loud.

Both girls stared at him. They all knew it was true.

“We should build a fire,” Christine said quietly, beginning to shiver. The evening breeze coming off the water was a bit chilly.

Ryan and Emery agreed so they climbed off the rocks onto the beach, searching until they found a nice hollow behind a large boulder that shielded them from the wind.

Ryan scavenged for stray branches near the forest’s edge, still hesitant to enter the place. The girls sat back against the boulder, talking in low voices. About what, Ryan didn’t wonder.

Returning to them, he attempted to light a fire. Unfortunately it didn’t work at first since he had no flint and no matches. He could feel Emery’s angry eyes on him, not that it was his fault.

“Wonder why our kidnappers forgot to stick a lighter in your pocket?”

“Mmmmhhh...wonder why?” He shot back irritably.

Christine sighed," I’ve seen people do the whole boy scout thing with the sticks. Maybe that might work.”

Ryan glanced up at her, exasperated.

“Look do you want to do it?”

It wasn’t fair of him to take his frustration out on her, instead of Emery. But he did.
Christine crossed her arms, looking down, obviously hurt.

Eventually he gave in to what she’d suggested and the fire did indeed start. All three huddled together as the evening shadows crept across the beach.

Ryan leaned his head back against the rock, glancing at both girls who were silently staring into the firelight on either side of him.

“So...maybe we should figure out what we have in common that would give someone a motive to put us here?”

Emery was the first to respond. Christine was silent.

“We’re about the same age, other than that I don’t see anything similar.”

Ryan felt a coldness in her tone. What was with the girl?

“Listen, I’ve never seen either of you before in my life, but that doesn’t mean we’re not connected somehow.”

Both girls looked apprehensive about this statement.

“Or maybe we’re just victims,” he added.

Both tended to agree more with that.

“You don’t think we’ve all died and this is the next life?” Emery suggested out of the blue.
Ryan noted the abrupt tilt of Christine’s chin at these words. She immediately replied.

“Of course not. If I was dead, I would be in heaven. And if this was heaven, you two would not be the only ones around.”

Emery’s eyebrows lifted slightly,” Well, I can see you’re a religious nut. How can you be so sure you would go to heaven?”

Christine’s shoulders stiffened, and Ryan felt another dispute coming on.

“Look,” he intervened holding up his hands,” I agree with Christine, this couldn’t be heaven. Obviously we are alive...so what could we have done to give someone a reason to put us here.”

“You mean like criminal record or something?” Emery asked.

Ryan shrugged,” I suppose.”

“Well, I don’t have one,” Christine said quietly.

Ryan wasn’t sure, but he thought Emery’s eyes darkened slightly. Maybe it was just a trick from the firelight.

“There’s no reason not to be totally honest here, I’m mean what have we got lose?” Ryan added, grasping for anything.

“I don’t have one,” Christine repeated, she threw him an irritated glance,” Do I look like a criminal?”

Ryan shrugged,” No...sorry, I’m just trying to figure things out.”

Suddenly her tone had grown angry. Ryan hadn’t expected such a reaction out of Christine.

Emery was watching them both, eyes lowered..

“So what about you?” she asked, leaning back against the rock.

Ryan crossed his arms,” Me? Nothing really. Highschool stuff...you know messing around and things.”

That was truth...well most of it. But the other no one knew about, not even the cops.

She lifted an eyebrow, locking stares with him.

Now Ryan was sure her eyes darkened, despite the fact they were already a deep brown.

Then he asked the question on the tip of his own tongue," What about you?”

She fell silent, not replying. Ryan felt Christine stir beside him, glancing between the two.
Then before Emery could speak, a human voice split the night air with a loud cry.

It came from the forest. All three jumped to their feet.

“Ok...I’m scared,” Christine admitted stepping behind Ryan.

“What are we gonna do?” Emery asked him. He noted her ready stance for defense. Feet planted wide apart, arms ready. If he wasn’t wrong, the girl could fight if needed.

The cry rent the silence once again. The voice was pleading for help. A man’s voice.

“I-I think maybe we should see who it is,” Ryan dared to suggest.

“And if it’s a trick?” Emery lowered her voice.

“You weren’t...and we helped you,” he pointed out.

“But she wasn’t in the forest,” Christine added.

“Then I’ll go by myself,” Ryan said quickly, bending to grab a stick for a makeshift torch. He was not flaunting heroics...what if someone was really in need of help?

“I’ll go too,” Emery said quickly, following his example.

The voice now began moaning, the sounded carried in on the breeze.

“Well, I’m not staying here by myself,” Christine stated, she fell in step behind Ryan as he walked into the darkness outside the ring of firelight. Emery strode towards his right.

Their smoldering torches only put off a weak light.

He heard Christine muttering something under her breath. No doubt praying...since she was a religious nut, as Emery had put it.

If it helped, fine, he wouldn’t complain.

He believed in God...it had just been a long time.

Ryan stopped that train of thought before he got distracted, knowing he needed to focus on the situation at hand.

They reached the edge of the forest and then paused. No matter how brave his words, about going in alone, Ryan couldn’t help the hesitation.

There was just something about the forest. It unsettled every feeling within him.

The voice began moaning again, the words now vaguely audible. Something about God and forgiveness.

Christine sucked in a breath beside him.

“Ryan...” she whispered. He wished she wouldn’t talk like that. The fear in her voice freaked him out.

“All right, stick close,” Ryan tried to say calmly, stepping off the sandy beach onto the cool moist earth of the forest floor.

The thick trees immediately shrouded them in a deep darkness. And an eerie noise, like the scurrying of a hundred mice erupted around them. Christine let out a small shriek, and grabbed Ryan’s arm. Emery’s hand went to her mouth as everyone’s eyes shot to the ground. But there was nothing there. The sound still persisted.

Ryan motioned to keep going and they continued on, following the distant voices. Thick roots threatened to trip them; wet sticky branches slapped their faces.

Ryan could hear Emery grunt every time one hit her and Christine’s small cries were punctuated with gasps. Other than that the only sound was the constant pitter patter of tiny feet from some invisible animal. Ryan gripped the torch tighter and plunged farther on. They were nearing the voice now.

Ryan climbed over a rotten log, turning to help Christine, when they all froze as the voice spoke directly over their heads.

“Help me...”

***********************************************************************

Christine

Christine was not sure what they were seeing. She touched Ryan’s arm.

“What is it?”

As he and Emery held the torches high, all she saw was a tangled mass of black rope hanging from the nearest tree.

Ryan slowly lowered his torch. Emery crept closer, sliding over the log, her arm brushed Christine’s.

Another cry erupted, coming straight from the dark mass.

“Oh, God help me!” and then followed a series of strangled yelps. A man’s voice; without a doubt.

The ropes started squirming, jerking and convulsing. Christine jumped in fright.

“There’s someone in there,” Emery gasped in horror.

Ryan stepped forward.

“Hello!” he shouted.

The convulsing instantly stopped.

Christine held back a scream, as a hand suddenly popped out of the black mess. The fingers groped the air.

“Get me out of here, I beg you,” the man pleaded.

“How did you get in there?” Ryan asked, Christine saw him scan the area around the tree.

What if there were other traps? She suddenly felt her limbs freeze, terrified to even move one foot.

“I don’t know,” the man replied, his voice did sound disoriented.

Ryan threw the girls a glance. Could this person have simply woken up in that net?

“Here,” he handed Christine the torch.

“What are you doing?” she asked in a whisper.

Ryan didn’t reply but shouted to the man.

“I’ll try to get you down! Just wait a minute!”

“Ryan...” Emery began, but he cut her off, with a swift shake of his head.

“I’ll be all right, you two don’t move,” then he slowly began to walk forward, testing the ground with every step.

Christine watched, hardly breathing, until he reached the base of the tree trunk and turned around.

“I can’t feel my legs,” the man said in a hoarse voice.

“Just hang on,” Ryan replied.

Christine watched as he disappeared into the branches of the tree. She and Emery waited, listening to scraping of his feet against the rough bark. Then he suddenly let out a delighted shout.

“What is it?” Emery hollered. The tree limb above the net was shaking.

“There’s a knife up here, tied to the branch,” Ryan said.

“Well, that’s a good thing,” she replied.

“Yeah...” his voice trailed and then silenced followed.

A strangled gasp escaped the man’s lips suddenly. It sounded like he was dying!

“Ryan hurry!” Christine urged, panic capturing her voice.

A grunt was the only reply and more frantic scraping. The rope and entire netting began to tremble.

Christine and Emery waited, eyes tense, watching the black forest around them. The eerie noises still persisted, circling their small rings of light.

Suddenly the net collapsed in a tangled heap on the ground. Christine and Emery glanced at each questioningly. What if there were more traps?

The figure inside the net moved, arms and legs trying to detangle themselves.
Christine jumped forward at that, not caring about the danger. Emery followed and they both began pulling away the mass of heavy thick ropes.

Christine grimaced as strange smell met her nostrils. Something was on the ropes and it left black smudges across her hands. She wiped them on her shorts and continued tugging on the ropes.

Ryan then appeared, a long knife in his hand,” Here I’ll get.”

He began slicing the ropes away from the body that lay enmeshed under them. Emery help pull them back as Christine held the torches above them for light. The man groaned as he was freed, and stirred from his position lying face downward on the earth. Ryan knelt, one hand on the man’s back. He rolled him over.

The man was young, most likely their age, and of middle-eastern descent. Dark curly hair, framed nut-brown angular face. Blood covered his lips and chin, apparently from a busted nose, during the fall.

His eyes fluttered open, revealing dark brown irises. Ryan ripped off a part of the man’s tattered shirt to staunch the bleeding.

“Sorry about that, it was the only way to get you down,” he said, holding the piece of cloth to the man’s mouth.

The stranger pushed himself up, taking the cloth away to hold it himself.

“Who are you?” his dark eyes darted from Ryan to Emery and then to Christine.

“We’re friends...I think,” Ryan said,” but the real question is who are you? And why are you here.”

“I am Kasim Ahmed...” his voice faltered, as he stared into the dark forest,” And I don’t know why I am here.”

“That makes it unanimous,” Ryan chuckled sardonically and stood; extending one hand to help Kasim to his feet.

“We’re all stranded on this island, but no one knows how we got here.”

“Island?” Kasim’s dark eyes flew in confusion, but he let Ryan pull him to his feet.

“Yeah...an island,” Emery repeated.

Kasim’s winced as he dabbed the blood on his lip.

“I thought I was dreaming.”

Christine and Ryan actually shared a small smile.

“...more like a nightmare,” Kasim added, his face was remarkably pale,”...there is something in these woods.”

Everyone shared a common stare of fright.

“Lets get out of here then,” Ryan said, grabbing the torch from Christine.

No one questioned this statement. Everyone ran after him.

The pattering feet intensified. And suddenly there was a low groan in the trees around them...or maybe it was above them...or behind. The sound could have come from anywhere.
Christine let out a small scream, tripping into Emery. Emery grabbed Christine’s hand and pulled her as the two girls broke into a hard sprint.

Kasim was pushing them from behind. Ryan’s single light bobbed ahead.

“What it is it?” Emery panted, eyes frantically darting over her shoulder.

“Don’t look back!” Kasim warned in a frantic whisper.

Another groan echoed behind them. The four young people ran harder.

Then suddenly they stumbled out onto the sandy familiar beach line. They all fell to their knees only a couple yards away from the glowing fire.

Everyone’s breath came raspy and sharp. Christine couldn’t help the tears of fear falling down her cheeks. Their heads whipped around towards the forest.

Another groan, that sounded more like a growl than anything else, erupted from just inside the tree line. The forest was itself completely black, the darkness of night no longer invaded by their weak torches.

Ryan was the first to crawl towards the light. Emery followed. And Christine felt Kasim pulling her arm...but she couldn’t move.

The growl had struck such a deep terror in her heart. Like perhaps, someone would feel from something that threatened their life. Christine had never had her life threatened before...she wasn’t sure if the feeling was real.

Kasim grabbed her by the waist now. She could feel his arms trembling as he dragged her after the others. But still she was frozen with fear.

Ryan was throwing more wood on the fire, heating up the flames so it would cast a wider circle of light.

Christine let Kasim set her down beside Emery who was huddled beside the boulder. The other girl’s brown eyes were wide.

“What’s her name?” Christine heard Kasim ask Emery.

Emery replied accordingly, voice nearly a whisper.

Kasim touched Christine’s face.

“Christine, snap out of it,” he ordered firmly. Christine heard him, saw his face only inches from her own, felt his hand, but somehow she felt disconnected, the fear still tightly clutching her heart with icy fingers.

Then he slapped her.

Christine leaned back against the boulder, her eyes slowly locking into his. The stinging sensation brought her back to reality. She glared at him. How could he be so calm and collected after they had been the ones that had rescued him?...his strangle cries still echoed in her ears, like and eerie melody. Those had been the screams of terrorized man. And now he was calming her from her own terror.

“Sorry,” Kasim apologized sitting down beside her. She immediately forgave him, closing her eyes, trying to breathe evenly. What ever he was, she was grateful.

Emery’s hand crept over hers. Only a couple of hours and already the two girls were bonded by the mere fact of survival.

Ryan sat down on the opposite side of the girls, and the four of them huddled together, eyes frantically searching the distant, very dark tree line. Ryan and Emery whispered their names to Kasim.

No more noises followed the last growl, nothing moved...just silence.

“Did you see anything when you were trapped in that net?” Ryan asked, peering around Emery and Christine at Kasim.

Kasim didn’t answer at first, his eyes downcast towards the sand under their feet. Christine shoved back her hair, waiting for him to answer. Her eyes still watched the distant forest.

“Well...like I said, I thought I was dreaming,” Kasim began,” and maybe...perhaps at one point I was, how else....how else...” his voice trailed.

Christine swallowed and glanced at Ryan. She couldn’t help looking at him for assurance, for guidance...he seemed so strong...but then so did Kasim, despite his apparent disorientation.

“And?” Ryan encouraged Kasim on.

“Well...how else could I have seen myself?”

“You saw yourself?” Emery asked incredulously.

Kasim shook his head,” I must have fallen asleep in that trap somewhere in there,” he looked just a little freaked even by his own words,”...it was a nightmare, hellish and indescribable in depth. I barely recognized myself.”

Christine wasn’t following, or maybe she was just trying to convince herself she wasn’t.

“What do you mean?”

Kasim shook his head,” I don’t know...it was like...it was like nothing I have ever seen before...”
Words seemed to fail him as his eyes darted towards the forest again.

Ryan then spoke, changing the subject, obviously understanding Kasim’s reluctance to explain what he’d seen.

“So where exactly in the “real world” are you from?” Ryan couldn’t help the sarcastic lilt to his voice.

An odd smirk creased the young Arab’s dark face.

“I was a second year seminary student in the United States.”

Christine thought that was ironic.

He continued,” My home country is of course, Iraq.”

“What did your family think about that?” Christine asked; that meaning seminary school.

Kasim’s smirk faded, as a heavy shadow seemed to cloud his dark eyes.

“I was pretty much disowned.”

Christine frowned,” I’m sorry.”

“Yeah...that’s tough,” Emery replied. Christine glanced at the girl, vaguely wondering of her tone hinted she understood disownment.

“It was worth it though. One day I hoped to go back and share the gospel of Jesus with them.”

Christine smiled softly,” That’s lovely, Kasim.”

Emery’s voice was a little cold,” To bad you’re here now.”

Ryan suddenly yawned.

“I know it seems impossible, but maybe we should try to sleep, and take turns watching. In morning light, maybe things will look better.”

Everyone knew that was a wishful thought, but even so a small ray of hope shot through their hearts.

“I’ll go first,” Kasim immediately offered.

“Naw, man...I’ve got it,” Ryan said.

“Please...I can’t sleep right now. Not after the adrenaline rush back there in the forest. Let me.”

Ryan then conceded, and he and the girls sprawled out on the sand. Christine found it uncomfortable, especially when her eyes kept traveling involuntarily back to the forest every five minutes. But eventually exhaustion took over and she fell asleep.

The Island - Chapter Two

Chapter Two: Emery

Emery Stalker only saw a blur of a blue skyline at first. Then slowly everything came into focus. White clouds drifted through the sky like balls of cotton. Her eyes moved around and she nearly started as she saw two people sitting over her, staring. For split second Emery stared back in confusion, but then she wondered why on earth she was lying on the ground. And where was she?

A beach...

Emery tried to sit up and one of the people, a young bare-chested man instantly jumped forward. She thought at first to push her back down, but before she could protest, he was helping her up to a sitting position.

“Are you all right?” he asked, concern written across his young face.

Emery didn’t reply, because she caught herself staring at his unfamiliar features.

Where was she?

“What happened to you?” said the second person, a beautiful blonde girl, around Emery’s own age. She was kneeling in the sand, her blue eyes still staring at Emery like she was some sort of miracle.

Emery didn’t understand their questions or their reactions, as her eyes took in the rolling ocean’s waves to her right and the deep green island to her left.

“Do you remember anything?” the guy now asked, his arms still holding her as if she would fall over if he didn’t.

Emery brushed his arms away, as this last question was one she could actually answer; though how he knew to ask it, still confused her.

“No...I can’t remember anything. I mean...I can’t remember how I got here.”

If she had glanced up then she would have seen the girl and guy exchange a look, but she didn’t. Emery was staring down at her clothes.

These weren’t hers. And why was the shirt so torn up?

Fear and then anger hit her.

“So you’ve never been on this island before?” the girl was asking her.

“Of course not,” Emery snapped,” Why are you asking me all these questions. Can’t you see I’m confused. Where on earth did you two come from?”

The guy, leaning on his knee beside her shook his head,” I’m sorry...we weren’t trying to overwhelm you. You see this is all new to us too. We only just woke up ourselves several minutes ago.”

Emery fists clenched as her eyes met his and then shot to the girl’s and then back again to his.

“What do you mean?”

“We don’t know,” the girl said quietly.

Emery thought for a brief second they were both lying. Someone was playing a cruel trick on her. But then the guy was speaking again.

“What do you remember last...”

Emery began shaking her head, as she realized what her last memory was.

“I was working tables at the diner.”

The words sank in like the ocean’s water did in the dry sand.

She felt the young man moan beside her and the girl just closed her eyes like she was in great pain.

“What?” Emery asked, something clutching her heart like a grip of iron.

The guy stumbled to his feet, walking away from her. His head bowed. The girl’s eyes opened, meeting Emery’s.

“We’ve all been kidnapped somehow...and our memories erased of it.”

Emery’s hands tightened into two balls of anger, clenching the sand in her hands. She breathed in hard.

The girl brushed her hands on her shorts and then held one out. Emery could see her struggling against her own fear.

“I’m Christine,” she said, a small smile playing at her lips.

Emery just stared at the hand for a second. She wasn’t use to friendly people, most particularly girls her own age. But at the moment, they were the only two girls around. There was no choice to but to accept each other.

Emery unclenched one fist, brushing the sand away as well and then slipped her hand into Christine’s.

“Emery,” she said. Christine squeezed her hand gently and then glanced towards the guy, who turned around to face them again. Christine released Emery’s hand. Both could see he was fighting against panic.

“Emery this is Ryan,” Christine introduced,” Ryan, Emery.”

Ryan merely nodded at her, and then held his head.

Emery couldn’t help feeling just a tiny bit of peace settle over at the calm in the girl’s voice. Even amidst this tragic situation the girl was trying to make everyone feel at home.

“We are trapped here,” Ryan told them in a voice nearly drained of emotion.

Emery slowly pushed herself to her feet, sand falling off of her in clumps. For the first time she realized she was dripping wet.

Wait...her mind wandered back to when she’d first woken up. Something or someone had been pouring water on her.

Ryan and Christine?

She glanced at them both. Christine had risen also and was trying to calm Ryan down. Something was missing, but Emery couldn’t place her finger on it. She raked a hand through her hair, realizing she must look a mess, what with the torn shirt and all.

Torn shirt...?


What was it Ryan had first asked.

Are you all right?

Why would he ask that? Emery guessed a strange sleeping girl with a torn shirt might warrant such a question. But it was the way in which he asked it. As if he’d just been frightened and he couldn’t believe she was all right.

Emery stepped towards the two.

“What did you mean when you asked was I all right?” she said.

Both stopped in mid-sentence, stared at her and then slowly glanced at each other.

She knew immediately they were keeping something from her. Emery felt angry again. Perhaps they were indeed lying to her.

Christine slowly stepped towards her.

“Emery...,” she paused, like she wasn’t sure what to say next.

Ryan spoke instead,” You were nearly dead when we found you. Something had torn you up...blood was everywhere...” his words stopped there.

Emery was shaking her head,” No that can’t be, if I was attacked I would felt something.”

Christian and Ryan looked at each other again. Emery was getting irritated at their secret looks.

“It doesn’t make sense, I know, but it’s true...look,” Ryan pointed at the ground just to their left.

Emery’s eyes followed his hand and she flinched as she saw the fresh blood sprawled across the sand. She also saw the trail where they had dragged her towards the edge of the water. A blood-soaked shirt also lay crumpled on the sand. No doubt Ryan’s since he was bare-chested. Emery felt a pang of warmth shoot through her as an image of Ryan tearing his shirt off to save her life flitted across her vision.

“What happened then?” she said in a weak voice.

“The water healed you,” Christine replied with a shrug.

Emery’s eyes shot towards the ocean.

“That water?”

Both nodded. She could see now why they were staring at her with such wonder in their eyes.
She took a deep shuddering breath. She’d barely escaped death, and she hadn’t even known it. What kind of place was this, where the ocean’s water contained healing powers? That is if these two were telling her the truth. But their reactions were too real to be faked, unless they were just really good actors. But Emery was also very good at reading people. And Christian and Ryan appeared to be as genuine and real as they come.

They were obviously confused and frightened, even Ryan. Emery’s eyes periodically shot towards the young man. In a different situation she would have been instantly attracted, but in a different situation he was also was the kind of young man a girl like her was supposed to have nothing to do with. She wasn’t good enough.

“So...so what do we do next?” she asked slowly.

Ryan shrugged,” Explore the island. Maybe will find some way of getting off...maybe even find someone else.”

Both girls stared at him.

“Well...I didn’t expect to find you two...but here you are. Who knows how many people could be here?”

Christine agreed with him. Emery did as well, but she couldn’t help feeling apprehensive. So far they found friends among each other. But what if this island also harbored enemies? It didn’t make sense, but then again it did.

But she did not voice this fear to either Ryan or Christine.

Ryan began walking across the beach and Christine followed him, motioning Emery to hurry up.

The Island - Chapter One

Chapter One: Christine

White light...spinning colors....whispered voices....silence. The girl didn’t feel a thing until a gentle wetness touch her left cheek and lips. She murmured something inaudible and then her hand gripped into the sand lying under her body. Another wave of water lapped at her face. Dark lashes flickered open, revealing deep blue eyes. They widened in confusion and unfamiliarity.

The girl pushed herself unsteadily up, pivoting her head. Long, bedraggled, curly blond hair clung to her head and slim body.

Where am I? She thought in bewilderment as her confused gaze beheld a vast blue ocean, white sandy beach, and a luscious green island. Her hand crept to her face, shoving her dripping hair from her eyes, as she stared around almost in a panic.

The girl jumped, unsteadily to her feet, swinging around, looking back out into the ocean and then towards the island again, her breath quickening.

What is happening?

She took a tentative step further into the beach. The white grains sunk in under her feet, her bare toes dug furrows. Glancing down, she paused in mid-step. Her clothing was not her own. Faded denim shorts and a white tank top; clothing she had never owned. And of course her feet were bare.

I’m dreaming.

Feeling the sand on her palms she brushed them against the shorts, still staring at this strange attire. She began walking again. Then an unfamiliar voice stopped her cold.

“Who are you?”

She spun around.

A young man stood ten feet away towards her right, his own bare feet, covered in the tides lapping onto the beach. He wore jeans and grey t-shirt. Water dripped from sun-bleached hair and his brown eyes were as confused and disorientated as she felt.

“I’m Christine Linville,” she managed to sputter out,” Who are you?”

“Ryan Littleton,” he replied and took a step forward.

“How did you get here?”

Christine shrugged,” I have no clue. This doesn’t seem real. I must be dreaming.”

Ryan didn’t reply to this, he looked past Christine’s head towards the island behind her.

“If I’m dreaming than you must be part of the dream,” Christine murmured half to herself half to him.

His eyes dropped to hers,” And what if I think you’re just part of my dream.”

Christine felt herself shudder.

“No I’m real.”

“And so am I,” he replied quietly,” Which means...” his words trailed and his eyes returned sweeping across the beach. He seemed worried about something.

“What’s the last thing you remember?” Christine asked him, beginning to believe perhaps he was real. She stepped closer.

“I was at Boot Camp.”

She must have looked confused.

“National Guard,” he explained,” I was walking towards Sergeant Sims...but I...I don’t know what happened after that.”

Something flickered through his face. Christine shivered again.

“I was driving home from class,” she stated, hugging herself.

“And now we’re here...a place we could not be unless someone put us here,” Ryan’s hand swept through the air.

Simple deductions, but Christine was so rattled at the moment, it didn’t make sense.
Ryan stepped closer to her. They were now three feet apart.

“This can’t be happening,” Ryan arms dropped in despair against his body.

Christine fought back a sudden wave of panic. If this wasn’t dream...if this was real...than she and this boy were in major trouble. But who would do such a thing to them? She frantically tried to remember anything she might have done illegally or just plain wrong that would have warranted being exiled to an island.

Nothing.

Why the heck could she not remember anything between this moment and when she was driving in her car?

Christine found herself gazing up at Ryan, whose own gaze was still sweeping in bewilderment across the beach. He was her only human contact, her only source of hope. She wasn’t alone at least. But why was he here?

She reached out and touched his arm. He jerked towards her obviously surprised.

“I just want to make sure you were real,” she said in explanation, dropping her hand.

His forearm was an iron mass of muscle.

Ryan rubbed his forehead, staring at her again. Christine could see the questions flying through his brain.

“ Maybe we should walk around a bit, check this island out....try-try to wrap our minds around the reality of it.”

He was shaking his head, as he stumbled over his own words. He sounded neither confident nor encouraging.

Christine swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. Ryan turned slowly, as if trying to decide which direction to take.

A sudden eerie howl erupted from the trees. Christine screamed and instinctively reached out, clutching Ryan’s arm. One of his hands slid over hers.

“What was that?” she whispered, as both their eyes shot towards the towering tree line.

“I don’t know,” Christine felt his body go rigid.

“A monkey...maybe?” She suggested wishfully.

They both jumped as something darted through the trees, nearly twenty yards inland under a canopy of leafy branches. It was black and huge. And it was there and then it was gone.

Ryan and Christine just stared for several long moments before either spoke.

“The birds stopped singing,” Ryan said quietly.

Christine glanced up at him and then back at the forest. He was right. Since the moment she’d woken up on this island, some kind of tropical bird had been twittering loudly, an entire flock of them in fact.

Now the birds were silent.

Except for the lap of the tides behind them against the sand, the entire island was silent.
Ryan and Christine waited, breathlessly, afraid to move.

Then slowly the birds began singing again.

Ryan’s hand slipped off of Christine’s and she slowly released his arm.

“Let’s just stay on the beach right now,” he said.

“All right,” she swallowed hard and followed as he turned towards their right and began trudging down the beach.

She didn’t ask him what they had seen, because of course, who knew? But shivers continued to course up and down her spine as she remembered the unnatural howl. Was it an animal or a human?

She wasn’t prepared to find out...everything was just overpowering her too much too quickly. She quickened her pace after Ryan. He would protect her...though she’d barely known him five minutes...she felt deep down inside Ryan was fearless. And she instantly trusted him. What choice did she have? At the moment all they had was each other.

They walked in silence for nearly fifty yards, when suddenly Ryan stopped in mid-stride. Christine nearly plowed right into him. She stumbled catching herself against his back.

“What the...”

Her words faded into a gasp as he took off into a dead run, sand flying up under his bare feet.

For a brief second, fear clutched Christine’s heart. But then she saw where he was running to.
A body lay sprawled on the ground just near the edge of the trees. Christine nearly sprawled as she broke into a sprint after him.

Ryan was already kneeling, gently pushing the person who was lying face down in the sand over onto their back. Christine skidded to halt behind him.

It was a young woman, her own age with jet black hair and a tan face streaked with blood. She wore denim shorts just like Christine, but her sleeveless shirt was brown and hanging in shreds off her thin body. More blood covered her abdomen and legs.

“Oh, my God,” Christine prayed out loud, hand covering her mouth,” Is she alive?”

“Yes,” Ryan was feeling the girl’s pulse,” Help me get her away from these trees!”

Christine grabbed the girl’s feet as he hooked his arms under her shoulders and they dragged her nearly half way to the shoreline.

They weren’t alone? How many people really were on this island?

These questions spiraled through Christine’s mind in a vague confusion, as most of her attention focused on alarm at the girl’s condition.

“How are we going to stop the bleeding?” Christine breathed, as they both knelt on either side of her.

Gashes and cuts covered her body. But blood flowed thickest around her neck. Ryan brushed back the girl’s long hair, revealing an ugly gash, nearly six inches in length.

Christine nearly threw up. She’d never seen anything so grisly before. Ryan instantly tore off his shirt, ripping it into strips and wrapped them around the worst cuts, including the girl’s neck.

“I don’t know what to do,” he admitted, hands shaking, as they tightened the makeshift bandages in place.

Blood covered his hands. His bare chest, which rippled with muscles as hard as those in his arms, began to heave convulsively with panic.

Christine started crying, as she realized the girl would die if they didn’t stop the bleeding. They needed medical help.

She gripped the girl’s hand, feeling the slight pulse.

“Oh, God save her,” she pleaded, tears running down her cheeks.

Ryan sat back covering his face with bloody hands, visibly shaken. Christine glanced towards him, realizing he was already giving up.

“Ryan...” she panicked, hand tightening around the girl’s wrist.

“There’s nothing we can do, Christine,” he said, voice choked, he stumbled to his feet. Christine’s eyes followed him, silent tears running down her cheeks.

They couldn’t just let her die?

“Ryan...” she repeated.

He spun around angrily,” Don’t you understand? We could be next! Whatever tore this girl up could come after us.”

Christine gulped, eyes returning to the girl’s limp form. Blood was seeping through Ryan’s shirt around her neck, pooling into the sand under her head.

Christine crawled away from the terrible sight, to the water’s edge just a few feet away and washed the blood off her hands. She could hear Ryan muttering curses to himself behind her. A dark red trail of blood floated away into the ocean from her hands.

Christine suddenly had a strange thought.

“Ryan,” she said glancing up,” bring the girl over here near the water.”

“Christine it won’t help,” he replied angrily.

“I know...” her words trailed,”...but maybe we can wash the blood away.”

She heard him sigh, but then he bent and dragged the dying girl beside Christine, his shirt falling into the sand. Ryan just left it there.

Christine cupped her hands and poured water over the girl’s face.

She heard Ryan gasp before she could even react, as both stared in wonder at what happened before them. Christine’s hands trembled as she slowly held them suspended in the air above the girl.

The cuts and blood on the girl’s face just disappeared. Christine and Ryan’s eyes shot towards the ocean and then back towards each other.

“What’s happening here?” Ryan asked in a low voice.

Christine didn’t reply but started splashing more water on the girl, cupping it quickly over her bleeding neck. The wound completely closed up and disappeared, without even a scar remaining.
Though her mind couldn’t comprehend this miracle, Christine didn’t question it as she frantically covered the girl in water.

Seeming to recover from his own shock, Ryan started helping her.

“I can’t believe this is happening?” he breathed, as one after another the wounds and cuts disappeared into smooth unblemished skin.

Christine didn’t reply again a she caught a movement from the girl’s face.

Her eyes were opening.

Christine grabbed Ryan’s arm, gesturing at him. He stopped, as they both stared at the girl’s face. She blinked, flashing brown at them; then her eyes opened completely.