by Daya Daniels
CHAPTER TWO
Tenley
I NEVER THOUGHT WATCHING an ant could be so entertaining. Yet, it is.
Dedicated.
Steadfast.
Patient.
It steals bits of papaya in the sand and marches it back to another ant. It keeps going just like that with military-like coordination. Now, that crumb pile has been reduced to nothing for all its strenuous effort. And then when the last piece of fruit is gone, so is the ant.
With a breath, I roll onto my side and, of course, Brooks is already gone.
The scent of the sea fills my nostrils and the crash of the waves into the shoreline soothes me no matter how unsettled I feel. A bit of sunlight filters through the small slit in the wood next to me and breaks through the palm leaves which cover this hut we’d constructed. It keeps out the wind and especially the rain when it does fall. And at night it’s warm, but it’s far from comfortable.
We figured it was good enough for now.
I didn’t think we’d need anything fancier since we won’t be here for long.
According to the markings Brooks has been carving into that palm tree since we got here, it’s been thirteen days. I purse my lips at the number. Because these have been the longest thirteen days of my life. I miss James. I miss my old life. I miss everything I once had. I look down at the thin dress I’ve had on since we disappeared that’s practically shredding and I want to cry, but I don’t.
I emerge from the hut and absorb the sight ahead of the beach.
White sand. Intense blue sky full of birds which sing their song. Soft warm air. Golden sun.
It’s paradise.
But really, it’s Hell on earth.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
Since the last sightings, we’ve seen no boats, heard no airplanes…
Brooks is constantly watching the sky or running off to the highest point on the other side of this island to look out for any ships that might be passing. We’ve seen nothing since a few days ago. But we did discover makeshift ways to brush our teeth using the stems from the mint plants around here, and occasionally using the ash from the wood we burn as paste. We’ve bathed using the water from the lagoon and the roots from an overgrown soapweed plant that was hiding beneath an eternity of palm leaves. Surprisingly, it lathers up pretty nicely and leaves your skin dusted with an herbal scent after it’s washed away. I consider it a small thing I’m being given—the ability and the means to at least stay clean. So, I’m appreciative even though right now, we need so much more.
We’ve spent hours just scouring the landscape, discovering, attempting to figure out what plant or tool could be used for what. Anything we find above the water line we keep. I can’t remember a time in my life when I’d ever spent this much time in the outdoors. Can’t say I hate it, but considering the circumstances, I’m more inclined to believe that I do.
Brooks had managed to catch fish using the spears he’d carved from tree branches. Last night, we both sat in front of the fire rather disgruntled. I was sick of eating fruit and Brooks hates fish. But that delectable snapper with its crispy skin and flaky white meat glistened beneath the orange fire light and my mouth practically watered to taste it. So, we ate in silence with our fingers, each of us munching off sections of the fish and eating around its bones until it was all gone.
My vegetarian heart was crushed that I’d succumbed to such sacrilege, but my belly was full, and I was grateful to survive yet another night here. And now, honestly, I can’t wait to have more fish for dinner.
These waters are full of them—wahoo, tuna, mackerel… Red crabs scurry along the rocks and shrimp find their home between them. Beneath the crystal blue water are mussels and clams and oysters which can be snagged easily with a hand along with the quick work of a knife and pried away from the rocks.
There’s an abundance of food here and so many herbs growing—thyme, mint, basil.
The mosquito population also seems to be well-controlled.
Kicking a bit of the sand, I march through the lane that’s edged by green and mokara.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
I follow the sound which vibrates the ground and stop when I’m standing in front of Brooks who’s covered in sweat and barefoot like me. His dress shirt isn’t what it used to be, much like the dress I’m wearing. The sleeves have been torn off and it’s stained in places. And his perfectly coiffed hair is nothing but a curly mess which flops across his forehead whenever his head hangs low.
He slams another log to the ground. It cracks easily into smaller pieces. He keeps going.
“What are you doing?”
I’m ignored for a beat and then he stops and stands straighter. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” He breaks another log.
THUMP.
When he stills, he’s panting. “What does it look like I’m doing, Tenley?” He stands straight.
I swallow back my words wondering if I should question him. As of lately, everything that comes out of my mouth seems to cause an argument. To say things have been tense would be an understatement. But Brooks doesn’t understand I’m anxious to get off this island as he is.
“It looks like you’re busting up wood?”
“Yeah, I am.” He wipes the sweat from his brow with an arm.
I scan the beach realizing with his effort what he’s been up to. The heavy logs already laid out on the sand have been positioned in such a way that they read: S and then O…It appears Brooks is currently working on the other S.
He drags the log closer to the shoreline and sets it in place then he places his hands at his sides and gazes up at the blue sky above. He stands there for a little while, lips moving and then his eyes close.
Is he praying?
Does he even believe in God?
Joy had told me that religion is never a topic in their household and that they barely even say grace before eating much of the time. But I suppose that doesn’t mean that someone doesn’t believe in God…just because they aren’t religious, right?
I’m completely unsure of why I want to know so badly.
I observe him with interest.
Personally, I would’ve just drawn the word in the sand but when the tide rises it would eventually have just washed away. But with the weight of the logs, there would be nothing moving them unless the sea decides to kick up exponentially. Our SOS in the sand appears to be permanent.
“It looks good.” I gesture with a thumb up.
“Yeah?” He glances back at the makeshift letters and then his eyes are on me.
“Yeah.” I bob my head with conviction.
He makes his way toward me. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah.” I nod, and then slowly start to shake my head from side to side. “The ants…”
“Ah, yeah. They’re bigger than the bees here, aren’t they?” He laughs.
“Yes, they are.” I glance down at my arm that’s red in spots from being bitten from the pesky insects and wince from the pain.
Brooks glares at my skin and huffs. “Honestly, Tenley, I don’t know for how much longer we’ll be able to do this.” He tosses his arms up in the air. “No supplies. No proper shelter. No nothing.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. When he lifts his leg, his suit pants are glued to his skin. Swearing to himself he rips into the fabric and doesn’t stop until the pants have morphed into shorts. He stands straight when he’s done and lifts an arm high, holding the torn fabric in a hand like it’s diseased. “God, I couldn’t take it anymore.” He laughs.
I laugh a little too, snorting a few times.
We stare at the fabric. “All I can think of is what this can be used for.” He smiles. “I can’t think of ever tossing it away, because we need every-single-thing we find around here.”
“I know.”
“I think I came across some aloe on the other side of the island.” He nudges his chin in the direction of my arm. “It could help with those bites.”
“It could.”
“Good. Good. Good.” He focuses on the sand covering his toes.
I fail miserably at stopping the words that fall from my mouth before they actually do. “Were you, um, praying over there?”
His eyes flicker to mine. “Yeah, I guess I was.” He purses his lips. “Why does that strike you as being so strange?”
I shake my head quickly. “Ah, nothing. I just wondered.” A quick breath leaves me. “I guess I was just curious. Honestly. I don’t know why.” I laugh.
Brooks steps closer, eyes narrowed. “Do I seem like a man who doesn’t pray?” He waits patiently for my answer. “I’m no Holy Bible-thumping, Jesus freak, Tenley, but I believe in God. And if we’ve never needed him before we sure as fuck need him like right-fucking-now…Wouldn’t you say?”
“Yeah, I’d say.” I muster a smile practically forcing it to sit on my face for a while.
“Okay then.” He yanks the axe of out the tree stump near his foot where the blade is buried. “Well, let’s go and find some breakfast.” Brooks sets off walking and soon he’s singing.
God, it seems like forever since I’ve heard singing or music altogether.
As of lately, nature and my own sobbing has been the only soundtrack around here.
I follow behind him, enjoying the smooth sound of his voice singing a Creedence Clearwater Revival song I’ve heard Richard play before. We reach the edge of the trees but then I pause. I take another step then stop. Eyes narrowed, I look around.
Brooks stills and twists around to face me. “What is it?”
“Shhhhhh.”
My brows collide, and I stare at the sand a while, absorbing the shrill sound I know I’ve heard somewhere before. I scan the landscape, then spin around to face the perfect beach.
And as soon as I see what I do, my poor little heart beats a little happier.
Brooks
WELL, I’LL BE DAMNED…
I can’t believe my eyes.
In fact, I rub them repeatedly with a fist just to be sure.
Tenley shrieks with excitement and goes darting back toward the beach with quick steps, kicking up the sand behind her.
“Fuck.” I clutch the axe tighter and start sprinting after her.
It’s high tide.
No one and I mean no one, should get in that water when it’s high tide.
Tenley puts her foot to the edge and then she’s in up to her shins, arms out, mouth gaped open for breaths and pushing through the sea.
In a panic and breathing heavily, I drop the axe in the sand and rush in after her.
Cool sea wraps around my legs and soft sand tickles my toes. The sun beats down on my shoulders. I fight the force of the waves as they crest where I’m making my way into the water.
Although we can’t see them at this very moment, the sharks are in the water. I have no doubt about that. The fact that Tenley in her moment of glee has forgotten about the monsters that live under the pristine sea here after our first terrifying encounter with them is unfathomable.
But still, I chase her. “Tenley!”
She doesn’t stop or pause or glance behind her at my yelling.
“Tenley!”
She’s about to dive in and I’m about to have a stroke!
“TENLEY!” I clutch her arm right before she almost makes the plunge. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Her eyes are big. “What are you doing, Brooks?” Her hair whips around.
“We can’t be in this water, Tenley, you know this.” I drag her back toward the shoreline and when she won’t cooperate, I simply lift her out of the water and throw her over my shoulder.
“Brooks, she’ll die!”
“And so-will-you while attempting to get her.” I plow through the water with a screaming, writhing woman slumped over my shoulder who’s calling me every awful name known to the universe.
And then she’s sobbing, again.
Peni’s little monkey cries fill the air as she paddles through the water. Her hands rapidly break the surface and her head bobs with the waves as they wash her in.
I whirl around to face the shoreline ignoring the fist-pounding Tenley is delivering to my lower back. Honestly, I don’t think Peni will make it but she sure as hell is trying.
“Brooks, I have to get her!” She wriggles violently. “If we don’t help her, she’ll die.”
“You can’t go out there, Tenley, unless you want to be ripped to shreds.”
“She’ll DIE.” She sobs. “And I already left her the first time, Brooks. I have to save her.”
Not today…
How on earth did Peni even make it here?
My eyes scan the sea and then they stop on the large object floating in the water.
What the fuck is that?
Tenley is still screaming and beating on me with no mercy. “Brooks, put me down! I have to save her! We can’t just leave her out there! Why are you being so mean?”
I ignore it all.
Edging toward the beach, I watch a battle between survival and pure luck take place. I don’t let Tenley go, only frown and keep my eyes on the monkey, finding myself impressed. Peni’s making great strides, getting closer and closer to land. Her fur is soaked making her look more like a wet rat and her blue eyes are big and pleading.
Tilting my head to get a better look, I decide she might make it.
But then a dorsal fin rises.
And then another.
Surprisingly, the sharks are focused on something else…and I swear Peni spots whatever it is because she paddles faster. And then she dips beneath the water. She’s surprisingly strong if she’s truly been floating around out there in the ocean for days. With narrowed eyes, I wait. Then, I smile when her little head pops up in less than a few seconds and then she’s paddling away again.
The large object floating in the sea gets pulled under but then it pops back up.
“At least let me see!” Tenley’s fist connects with my ribs. “At least let me see her!”
When Peni makes it close enough, I place Tenley down in the sand and retrieve the monkey myself. I pluck Peni right out of the water almost made deaf by her shrill cries and whimpers. Her arms and legs wrap around me and shivering, she squeezes me tight.
“It’s okay.” I hug her a little, attempting to calm her down. “You’re one lucky monkey.”
Tenley shoots me a look of pure rage then wipes all the sweat and tears from her face. “Give her to me, Brooks.”
Peni gladly hops from my arms and into Tenley’s.
It’s like watching a family reunion. The tears flow, and the giggles and kisses are nonstop.
Tenley mumbles words to Peni which I can’t hear and promises her things no human being ever should a damn monkey. Then Tenley plops down in the sand and holds Peni tightly and kisses her cheek.
I feel bad just for a moment and then I know that almost every emotion driving Tenley’s tears this minute only arises from how guilty she feels that she had let Peni go all those days ago.
“I’m sorry.” Tenley nudges her cheek to Peni’s.
Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I pick up the axe. “She must need water and food by now, Tenley.” I stand next to them. “We should get her some water to start.”
Tenley lets Peni go.
I brush my hair away from my forehead and look around. But the fingers that connect with mine steal my attention away for a moment. I glance down at Peni who’s holding my hand and looking up at me with those big eyes.
I laugh a little.
So does Tenley. “See, she likes you.”
“It’s just another mouth to feed, Tenley.”
“Peni eats fruit.” Tenley smiles. “And there’s plenty of it around here.” She stands and observes Peni with awe as she crawls up the length of me and perches on my shoulder.
I do nothing to stop the monkey currently on my back.
Tenley wipes away her tears then straightens her dirty dress.
I only make a face as Peni threads h
er fingers through my hair and starts to chew on it.
“She likes you, Brooks.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I suppose she does.”
“So back to that breakfast…”
Tenley takes the axe from my hand. “I know just the thing that you’ll love.”
“Oh.”
“Yep, you’ll see.” She sets off walking ahead.
I follow.
Peni kisses me on the forehead and yanks on my ears as though they aren’t attached to my skull.
My God.
I’ve got to get off this fucking island.
Tenley
SHE PRESSES A KISS to my cheek, and I stare into eyes as blue as the sea. Her head bobs with each step I take as she perches forward, eyes wide, tiny fingers curling in the shoulder straps of my shredded dress.
We move through the forest of trees.
The birds caw. The insects chirp. And the wind washes through where we stand.
With the sun obscured by the clouds which have settled over the island, it’s dark where we stand. I crane my neck up to the sky and I see nothing but trees. Hundreds of them. If not thousands, which have been sprouting on this island for however many years. So much green along with the vines which are hanging everywhere.
A parrot bursts past where we stand, its vivid colors blinding—pink, blue, yellow—and the flapping of its expansive wings thunderous in the silence.
Brooks moves ahead, axe in his hand and that hand settled over his shoulder.
I trod behind him.
SNAP.
A branch cracks beneath my foot.
After letting out a shrill cry, Peni flies off my shoulders and into the trees. I follow her movement with a gaped open mouth, completely amazed. She jumps and swings. And she laughs. God, how long has it been since I laughed. Seems like forever. When she makes it to a thick branch, she crawls quickly along it, then swings by her tail throwing her arms out as if to say: Hands free!
She truly does look like a spider.
I press a hand to my chest and laugh. “Oh my God, she’s having fun.”