by Brandon Enns
"You should leave."
Trevor assessed the arrangement, Stefan blocking her as if protecting her. "Just let her go." His dumbfounded look locked in on Erin. "Erin, come with me. We're leaving. We're going home."
Trevor glanced at the blood-ridden kitchen floor.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." The words were not even understood, like he misheard her. He looked dangerous, paranoid, obsessed. His shaking gun was raised uncomfortably at Stefan, making uneven circles in the air.
"He's doing this to you. The island is doing this to you!" shouted Trevor.
"Drop your gun, Trevor," she said.
"Not until he drops his."
"We know what you did."
"I didn't do that!" he snapped like a sick dog foaming at the mouth. "That was him. It was all part of his sick games. Can't you see that?"
"I see that your honestly confused, but—"
"You're going to get us killed, Erin."
"Listen to me. This isn't you. This is this stupid place, Trevor. Let go of whatever it is. You're in control. And we can go home. But you have to slide over your gun."
Trevor shook his head in frustration. "He's filling your head with complete nonsense."
"Tell me the cheating wasn't your choice." His head bobbed back as though the suggestion was ludicrous. She continued. "Please tell me that nothing happened before we got here."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Not a clue. Erin, I love you and I just want to go home with you."
The words hurt. He was only saying them out of desperation. He had never told her he loved her. It was a lie.
"No, you don't. And that's okay. Just put the gun down so nobody else gets hurt."
His shoulders rolled forward in defeat as he lowered to the ground. "We're all dead."
Heavy footsteps came crashing into the living room as Bruce charged up with his rifle pointed straight at Stefan. "I'd keep that gun up if I were you."
Erin sidestepped around Stefan and raised her gun at Bruce. "We all need to calm down," he said.
She glanced to her left. Stefan looked poised to fire, as did Trevor. "You two are family. Without any guns, let's share what we know...Like the photograph I found."
"What photograph?" asked Trevor.
"I have one in my pocket." She reached in slowly and pulled it out. "I can take you to the rest of them. In the cabin." She scowled at Bruce.
"We don't need to see anymore pictures." urged Stefan. "We have evidence. We know that Trevor killed Skye."
"That wasn't me. Erin. That wasn't me."
Erin held the picture in front of Stefan and then tossed it over to Trevor. It fell at his feet. "Listen," she said. "I don't care what you two say—"
The sound of Bruce's rifle filled her ears with a sharp blast, followed by muddled ringing. The smoke was redolent of campfire. Her gaze fell on Stefan, who was keeled over, blood spilling out of him. He rolled over, looking up at her with pleading eyes. The blood spit up from his lips, making her cry out as she dropped her gun and rushed over to tend to him. "You're going to be okay." His stomach was soaked in dark blood, a purplish hue prominent around the point of entry.
Bruce shook Trevor from his trance. "The plan. Getting you home. I'll handle all this. You just need to leave. That's all."
"Erin—"
"Get away from me!" she snapped, holding Stefan, shielding his body from them. He was fading fast. He reached up and touched her cheek, his hand warm from the blood. He smiled at her. She squeezed his hand tight against her cheek, leaned forward, and ran her hand through his hair and whispered, "We got help on the way. Tomorrow morning you'll be on a beach. Mainland. Okay?" She had felt his smile against her cheek, but as she finished her sentence, he gasped for air and was dead. She rolled over onto the floor, wiped her tears, and looked up at the two of them with pure contempt.
"Erin, I didn't want any of this," said Trevor.
She crawled over to Bruce. "Finish the job then. Kill us."
Trevor dropped to his knees to be with her. "What are you doing?"
"Just kill me. Come on!" Bruce didn't move an inch, just stared down at her.
Trevor's voice was a whisper now. "I know you don't believe a word I'm saying. That's okay. I deserve that. I've been a shitty boyfriend. But my only concern is getting you off this island safely and returning you back home with or without me. Your safety is my only priority."
Her laugh was disturbed. "My safety...Something that should only be described as irrelevant."
"Don't talk like that, E."
"I deserve this." She looked at her red hands. "It was coming around the bend sooner or later. After enough time, I just always thought it'd be later."
"What're you talking about?"
She finally lifted her head and looked him in the eyes, no longer caring to gauge his intentions. "I've been so sick. Sick of waiting for it. I was intending to ask what your plans were, but I don't care anymore. Just let Ashton go. He's a good person, okay?"
Erin grabbed hold of his face callously, digging in her nails slightly. "If you're still in there, I hope you don't remember any of this shit."
"Let me help you up. I'm not going to hurt you."
"Okay," she said, emotionless. She was dragged up by her shoulders and when Trevor let go of, her she crumbled. He caught her before she crashed into the floor.
Trevor carried her across the inner part of the island, past Bruce's cabin. She stared at the logged cabin and thought of the pictures. Teresa.
They entered the trees and the wind changed directions. The rain stopped its roaring pace and fizzled to a dainty drizzle, droplets hitting her forehead. They walked through the trees, heading toward where she remembered the boat dock was.
They arrived at the dock. Stefan's yacht was there, but there was no Arnie. Bruce stepped aboard and searched for keys but cursed when he couldn't find them. Stay a while. Stay a while. It played on a loop, making her feel stoned again. She didn't fight it. She couldn't anymore.
"No keys?"
"Nope."
They emerged from the shadowy edges of palm trees. The Royal Family. They were all dressed in current clothing, unlike the photo she had discovered. Erin could feel Trevor backing up with short steps until he finally sat her down in the sand. He was stammering as he tried to speak. "How did you get out?"
"Because I wanted to. And I deserved to," said Sebastian.
Each one of the Royal Family had a weapon in their hands; the hatchet in young Jhett's hand, the dagger in Cassidy's, Sebastian with his trident, and Teresa with the smoothly polished and rustic revolver. She fingered the short shaft of her gun gently, and a devilish grin settled permanently on her face. Trevor raised his gun, his eyes widening. Erin was still lifeless, along for the ride, craving nothing but misery. Distaste appeared to hit Teresa's tongue as she cringed at the sight of Erin sitting on the wet ground in such a helpless fashion. "My child..." Teresa stepped toward her in attempts to comfort her.
Trevor intercepted with his gun. "Back up. I won't ask again." She hardly broke stride and he fired, hitting her square in the chest.
She stopped for a second and continued walking, the next three bullets doing nothing. They penetrated nothing, only shifting her shoulders with each blast, the bullets disappearing into the abyss. She knelt down, providing Erin with enough distance for her own comfort zone. "My sweet dear…I knew you were lovely from the beginning. I could see inside you. There was decency along with the darkness. I'm sorry for your pain, but you had to see. Did you see?"
A warm elixir bubbled inside of Erin. It felt like silk and peace. Comfort swarmed her, wrapped its arms around her, swaddling her until her heart slowed down. Heat rose to her face and chest. "Very few are able to find it again." Teresa was beaming with pride and love. "You, my dear, will be just fine." Her hand extended and touched Erin's face. Her touch was transcendent. Unconditional love was the only thing Erin felt. "You belong with us."
Trevor stared slack-jawed,
ass in the sand. "Erin, don't touch that crazy bitch. You hear me? Don't listen to her. They killed Skye! They did!"
Bruce stepped off the boat and looked at the family. The reverent silence drew a smile upon his old round face.
"We're leaving. You’re letting us leave!” Trevor demanded.
Sebastian smirked. "Go on then."
Trevor looked back at the boat, then at Bruce. "Where is Arnie?"
"Arnie has been taken care of."
"What are you talking about?" Trevor stood and grabbed Bruce by the collar. "You've been lying to me?" Trevor grabbed his throat. "You're dead. You're all fucking dead. I'll see to it. And you want to kill me right here, right now? My father will come for you. He will ruin you all!"
Sebastian stepped forward. "You're right about your father. Not your choice of words now, but what you've been feeling at the center of you. It'll progress slowly, but progress nonetheless. You wouldn't have handled it well. We've already played it out I'm afraid."
"You don't get to talk about my father."
"Do we need to spell things out for you, Trevor?" said Sebastian.
"You're scaring your girlfriend," said Bruce. "You've been my silent partner. We've accomplished quite a lot."
Trevor's face was blank. Bruce patted him on the shoulder, pity in his eyes. "It's blurry, like a distant memory. It feeds on you because it can and it should. You think your innocent outside of this place? You're as quick to screw the next as some of the worst, Trevor. You should know that by now. Or at the very least just own up to your corrupt ways. So they show you how bad you really are. That's the magnificence of it all. It's just the way it works. Like a well-oiled machine running on sinful gasoline."
"You're all nuts."
Sebastian placed his hand on Trevor’s cheek. "Think about it." Trevor’s eyes rolled back and then he jerked away and staggered back, short of breath.
"Killing us won't get you anywhere. It'll just invite a whole bag of problems for you. I have money. Let's make an arrangement," said Trevor.
"This is our arrangement. And we are lucky to have you."
Trevor pointed his gun and Bruce and pulled the trigger. It clicked. Cassidy stepped out of the shadows, wearing a stunning dress. She was beautiful. "Trevor, please stay. We can be together." Sebastian scowled at the request, deeming Trevor far from worthy of his daughter's affection.
Erin was a bystander, absorbing everything, still feeling a warming sensation. Like morphine.
"Can't you feel it yet?" Cassidy asked, her anticipation resting on glass, waiting to be broken.
"Feel what?"
"You have to let go first. It's amazing when you do. We can be together. Don't make me beg."
Sebastian turned to Erin, ignoring Trevor as something of the past and of little consequence. "Our pain has been insurmountable. You couldn't even fathom."
Teresa spoke, "Sweet Sebastian. He did everything he could. We did everything we could. This was our only option."
"A new start."
"I love it here. It gets lonely though. Loneliness is a horrible feeling, slowly eating away at you," Cassidy said, her hand grazing her arm as she stared into Trevor's eyes.
"Then those horrible men came. They wouldn't take no for an answer. We were only given one warning; there was no second. They stormed the beach and there was no escaping. Our alliances wouldn't be back for days, as they were out collecting supplies. We were stranded, and they came from all angles. They were stronger than us. So we split up, used our knowledge of the small landscape to try and elude them. But they had nothing but time. And weaponry. I went with Mother. Cass went with Dad. But they found us. They were always going to find us, and there was nothing we could do. The blade of the knife hurt so badly. I was scared," Jhett said.
Cassidy's eyes were tear-filled as she spoke softly after her little brother. "We were cornered on the rocks. I always struggled with my breathing since I was a baby." She ran her hand over her chest. "I couldn't breathe. Father tried to stop them, but then I witnessed the spear go through him…He had begged me to keep quiet, but I screamed. I couldn't stop screaming. The bullet went through my chest. I only remember thinking...I didn't get to find a nice man. To fall in love."
Teresa was strong in the midst of listening to her children's final thoughts before their deaths, deaths she couldn't help them avoid. "No mother should have to watch their children die. Those people took no consideration for human life. They only took for themselves. Sinful demons. They exist within so many. Too many to fight off. But we fight for pure life anyway, and we'll never stop. Not a dirty soul will step foot on this island untouched by their own transgressions. They all must pay for what's been done."
"It'd be good to have a friend." Jhett looked to Erin with hope.
"Jhett hasn't been able to stop talking about you, Erin." Teresa was glowing with joy, while Jhett looked at her bashfully, waiting for her acceptance nervously.
"I don't...No."
Sebastian nodded at Bruce. "It's time to get on with the ceremonies." Bruce nodded, turned, and butt ended Trevor as he was about to protest. He crumbled to the ground next to Erin, who wasn't able to muster a squeal.
"Don't be afraid," Teresa tried to assure her. "We look after one another."
Chapter Twenty-six - Trevor
Trevor sat helplessly in the empty room. The four walls of concrete were covered with oddly patterned stains. Without anything to distract himself, he worried for his father. Had he been harmed?
His older sister's passing had taken a toll on the family, as it would any. Her death drove his parents apart as their grief didn't sync well enough for them to go on living together. At a young age, though he didn’t want to, he had to choose. He remembered his mother urging him to not feel guilty about it. It was all right, she had said. It was the best for everyone, she had said. He didn't blame her for leaving. There was no blame to give to anyone. She couldn't stay. She couldn't be a mother anymore. She had to be something else. They would still exchange emails a few times a year, and get together at least once for lunch, but that was all.
That day when his dad spoke of his sister in present tense, referring to her recital...his face was so blank, only for the slightest moment. But it was enough.
And now, they were gunning for him; if they hadn't already.
There was a drip coming in from the ceiling in the corner by the steel door. He rose to his feet and pulled at the door. It didn't budge, and he could hear chains rattle on the other side. Sitting back down and dropping his head between his knees, he stared at the floor stained with his own blood. In the far corner, there was a gecko lizard sideways on the wall resting completely still.
He had to get to Erin. Somehow. She wasn't even supposed to be there. She should have been at home studying.
Trevor's door cracked open and Cassidy slithered inside. She looked like a heroin user, eyes dug deep inside the puffy purple pockets, her pupils dilated. Trevor hadn't heard any rattle of chains or the sound of a lock being taken off, just silence leading up to her entry. She strode toward Trevor, backing him up to the far wall. Her face was urgent and desperate. The conniving manipulation he had seen in the villa was gone, leaving a girl desperate to be held and loved. She placed her hands on his face, and he tried to pull away. Her mouth was warm against his, her saliva sweet, like she had just eaten tart lemon drops. He pulled away again. Her face was stained with tears. "It was supposed to be different," she said. "But I can't have it the way they want it. I've been watching you, Trevor. You're my soul mate." Her fingers were now interlocked with his and he shook them loose. She hugged herself and stared into his eyes. "I can't explain it, but I know. I didn't want to be like that toward you. That wasn't what I wanted in the villa. I just want to be with you." Eyes sparkling like emeralds, a tear rolling down her face, she stepped in closer. "They will see. You're pure again. Pure here." Her hand was against his chest. "Please stay." The words hung. It was difficult to believe they were real, that she was real
. "Tell me you want me," she said.
He closed his eyes and pictured Erin smiling nervously. He whispered, "No."
Cassidy stepped back and wiped the tears from her face, her mouth open as she tried to choke out words. "Why?"
"You know why."
She stepped back one more time and looked down at the floor, her hands trembling, tears falling. "Her?" Her face contorted in disgust. "Her?"
"Yup."
She turned and slid awkwardly through the crack of the door, closing it slowly behind her.
***
Erin’s head was unclear, something that seemed to worsen since her feet hit the sand on the island. Trevor didn't kill Skye. The relief, that didn't do her much good now.
The ceremony...That's where they will kill us. She knew his father would worry, and then scour all of Belize for answers. But Erin had no one else in her life to come calling.
There was a rattle at the door. It cracked open and Bruce walked through. She deemed his neutral face as smug, curling up her toes in her shoes angrily. He had a bottle of water in his hands. He tossed it to her; it hit her chest and fell to the floor with a plastic smack. "We're just prepping the ceremony. We need a little more time so you should drink up. Get comfortable."
"I'm comfortable."
“It's best not to be angry. You should be grateful."
"Grateful?"
"Do you know how many people they've tried?"
Tried? As if they were sampling crackers at the supermarket. "They've chosen you, Erin. You'll be reborn. You're their holy grail."
"Lucky me."
He stepped forward. The knife tucked in her back waistband was waiting. She wanted to reach for it but it wasn't quite time yet. Erin had grabbed it from the kitchen back at Stefan's after she knew they were being hunted. She backed up to the wall, portraying fear, desiring revenge. She looked down to see a gun holstered at his side, but that was moot; he'd never see it coming.
"There's no need to be scared. You're home."