“The bluffs?”
Holt nodded then picked the body up by the ropes near the chest and dragged it toward the door. Alex hurried to join him, took the ropes by the ankles, and helped him move the body. Holt glanced at her and managed a tiny, grateful smile. Alex and Holt pulled the body from the lighthouse and into the partially moonlit night. To Alex’s surprise and possible horror, Damon leaned against a tree in the woods and watched them. Alex gasped and nearly dropped Bronson’s bound legs.
“Don’t worry about him,” Holt casually replied without looking at the man.
When she looked back into the woods, Damon was gone. “What did he want?”
“Just making sure I got home.”
Alex stared at him with some surprise. “He helped you?”
“In his own macabre, narcissistic way,” Holt replied then briefly eyed her. “Make no mistake; that doesn’t make him our ally.”
Alex again looked at the woods hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious man. Is that what he was doing by the bluffs when she saw him? Was he attempting to figure out what happened to Holt as well? She wasn’t stupid enough to trust him, but she found it hard not to accept him as their ally if he saved Holt’s life. What possible reason would he have to help Holt? There had to be good in the man. As she helped drag Bronson’s wrapped corpse to the nearby bluffs, a thousand thoughts raced through her mind.
They took a moment to rest while Holt peered over the ledge to the beach below. Just a few yards further there was nothing but ocean. They toted the body a few yards over and then pushed the bundle over the edge. Alex straightened and watched Bronson’s body plummet into the water below. For a moment, she almost felt sorry for him. For some odd reason, her aunt loved the man. Her pity quickly ended when she imagined him tossing Holt off a similar bluff further from the lighthouse, purposely trying to end his life so he could turn her into his personal plaything. She suddenly felt sorry for her Aunt Trisha. At least she didn’t live long enough to know what sort of man she’d invited into her life.
§
Nearly an hour later, Holt kneeled before Alex where she insecurely sat on the lower bunk. He gently touched her hands folded on her lap and frowned while eying the bruises on her wrists and face. She wasn’t sure if he was sad, sickened, or angry at what Bronson had done to her. Sorrow seemed to win.
“I’m really sorry, Alex,” he practically whispered while gently caressing her hands.
She met his gaze with some surprise. “It wasn’t your fault. He nearly killed you.”
He drew a deep breath and stared into her eyes. “Yes, it is my fault,” Holt informed her and again frowned. “I should have seen through him. I should have taken action immediately when you told me your concerns. I should never have turned my back on him.” Holt stood while holding her hands, pulled her to her feet, and stared into her eyes. His anger seemed to resurface. “I should have trained you to defend yourself better.” He held his breath while keeping his hostility under control. “Starting tomorrow, I’m teaching you everything I know about martial arts so something like this will never happen again.”
Alex smiled overjoyed and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you!”
Holt held her a long moment then finally pulled away. A pleased smile suddenly crossed his face.
“Oh, I almost forgot--” He approached his wet pants on the bench and removed a single pearl attached to a braided cord. He handed her the homemade bracelet. “Happy birthday, dear.”
Alex affectionately touched the pearl on the bracelet and grinned with delight while meeting his gaze.
“I love it,” she proclaimed. “Thank you!” She again hugged him.
Chapter Nineteen
Six years later. Alex slept peacefully on the top bunk. It was just a little after sunup when she woke to something loud rattling around outside. She jumped gracefully from the bunk, landing softly on the floor in her bare feet. Alex had grown into a beautiful woman and looked even more like her aunt. Her long, dark hair was moderately wild despite daily brushings. Too much time on the beach and roaming the jungle kept her hair untamed. On her left wrist, she wore the braided bracelet that now contained six pearls, one for each of her birthdays since being stranded on the island.
Holt slept on the bottom bunk and didn’t wake from her stealthy landing near him. Alex crawled under the covers on the bottom bunk, nestled against him from behind, and clung to his abdomen. Holt woke and patted her hand.
“You’re up early,” he teased in a warm, weary tone. “Even for you.”
“I thought I’d get an early start and beat the morning rush hour traffic,” she announced cheerfully. “Anything special you want for breakfast?”
“Hmm, yes,” Holt announced while lazily dreaming. “I’d love some French toast with pineapple syrup and crisp bacon.”
“Mangoes it is,” she chirped while resting her head on his shoulder. “What are your plans?”
“Nine holes at the country club, brandy with the boys, and a little wild boar hunting,” he replied and attempted to glance at her but was unable to meet her gaze. “Feel like joining me?”
Alex wrinkled her nose and cringed. He’d tried numerous times to con her into boar hunting with him, but she couldn’t stomach the idea.
“No, thanks,” she informed him. “I don’t mind eating what you kill, but I don’t care to see how it’s done.”
“What are your plans?” he asked while rolling onto his back so he could face her.
“I promised Monster we’d go swimming. You know how he loves the water,” she replied cheerfully. “Maybe do a little sightseeing.”
“Sounds like fun,” he announced. “Maybe I’ll join you later.”
“As long as you promise you won’t turn all science teacher on us,” she teased then grinned. “Do you need anything before I leave?”
Holt smiled warmly and indicated his cheek. Alex smiled and kissed him.
“I’ll be back before lunch,” she announced cheerfully and sprang up from the bed.
“Late as usual, I’m sure,” he remarked with a sigh. “Remember our deal. If you’re late, you have to clean up after lunch.”
She smiled in response then turned and hurried to the cabin door.
Chapter Twenty
Alex walked along the worn path in the woods while carrying a four-foot long bamboo pole. She heard the trees rustling nearby, appeared curious and looked around. The area was deathly silent and almost creepy. Despite her reservations, Alex continued along the path. She heard the rustling sound again. Something large silently dropped from the trees onto the path behind her and rose up threateningly. Alex sensed something.
Without looking behind her, she dropped to the ground, rolled, and popped up in a crouched position with her stick held defensively. The large, black creature stood an imposing six feet tall on its hind legs. Monster snarled while baring his large mouthful of razor sharp teeth. He cracked his six-foot long, bullwhip tail before pouncing on top of her. Alex used the stick horizontally to catch the two-hundred-pound creature, placed her foot to his belly, and tossed him over her, throwing him roughly to the ground.
Monster hit the ground, rolled, and was immediately back into attack position, now on all fours. He gurgled and cracked his tail. Alex spun toward him and twirled the stick above her head. Monster leaped onto her and tackled her to the ground, pinning her shoulders. As her pole flew from her hands, Monster snarled with his long teeth only inches from her face. Alex stared at the large teeth and laughed nervously.
“Okay, okay,” she cried out, wincing in pain. “You win! Off!”
Monster jumped off her and scaled a nearby tree. Alex slowly stood with some stiffness, brushed off the dirt, and reclaimed her pole. The rustling sounds from the tree suddenly stopped. She heard a repetitive thumping. Alex looked around in panic then hurried to a nearby tree and quickly scaled it. She crouched in the crook of the tree while listening to movement along the path. Alex clung to her pole and watched the
path wondering what had Monster on high alert.
Damon appeared with his machete strapped to his hip and his pack over his shoulder. He stopped and looked at the path where she and Monster had wrestled. Alex marveled at the handsome man, who hadn’t changed much in over six years. His hair was still short in a businessman cut and not a hair out of place. He wore his seemingly freshly washed shirt with the first two buttons open, allowing her a generous view of a light coating of dark chest hair. Something about the sturdy, rugged man stirred strange feelings inside her.
Alex looked at Monster, who clung to a nearby tree facing upside down while watching Damon. Monster was almost statuesque. Alex looked back at Damon while he studied the attack scene. He straightened, scanned the area, and then continued along the path. Alex watched him until he was gone then looked at Monster. He gurgled softly. She climbed partway down the tree and jumped the last few feet.
“Where do you suppose he’s heading?” she asked while leaning against the tree.
She heard movement within the tree above her. Monster crawled headfirst partway down the tree just inches from her face and stared at her. Alex smiled and pet his nose.
“You’re right,” she announced with a sly grin while nodding. “We should follow him.”
Alex walked quietly along the path, stalking the strange man. Monster spun around on the tree, scurried back up it, and disappeared out of sight.
§
The large pond contained a cascading waterfall down the stone embankment along the back edge. Flowering plant life grew out of the stone embankment. Large rocks and lush foliage added to the tropical beauty of the area surrounding the pond. Damon walked past the pond to a large rock, seemingly with a mission in mind. Alex scurried up a nearby tree to keep an eye on the intruder invading her domain.
“What do you suppose he’s up to?” she whispered to Monster.
Damon kneeled alongside the large rock and removed some foliage from the base. He casually tossed a snake aside then removed bottles filled with liquid and two bundled packages. He took several empty bottles from his pack and placed them in the small pit along with a couple of books, a bundle of clothing, a microscope, and a small, brown sack. He replaced the foliage, filled his pack, and slung it over his shoulder then left. Alex watched as he passed beneath her tree. She had to admit; his presence was a little odd.
Chapter Twenty-one
Later that afternoon, Alex hurried across the clearing and into the lighthouse. She was late for lunch as usual, and it was almost to be expected. Monster leaped from a nearby tree, onto the side of the lighthouse, and scurried up the side to the top, entering through a missing window. Alex set her bamboo pole alongside the door next to Holt’s pole and approached Holt by the fire pit. He turned a slab of meat on the open fire while reading a book. Since he was never ready on time anymore, it would appear as if he’d gotten used to her being late
“Anything exciting this morning?” he asked without looking up from his book.
Alex removed the iron kettle from above the pit with use of a cloth. She poured hot water over a strainer with crushed tea leaves then poured the tea into two cups.
“That guy was prowling around our area again,” she informed him.
Holt cast a glance at her and appeared curious. “Oh? Did he see you?”
“Of course not,” she announced proudly. “Monster taught me how to blend with the scenery.”
Holt chuckled. “So you hid in a tree?”
Alex sneered at his teasing remark.
“Lunch will be ready soon,” he informed her. “Did you wash up?”
“Yes, right before we came back,” she replied then eyed the book in his hand. “Is that a new book?”
“Oh, yes,” he replied cheerfully. “I found a few things on my hunting trip this morning.”
Holt nodded to the bench, indicating the things he’d found. Alex approached the table and eyed the small pile of clothing. She suspiciously looked at Holt as he removed the meat on the spit from the fire. He placed it on a large, metal platter on the table. Alex eyed the second book on the pile. She wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t seen it, although the two bundles and the microscope were missing. He’d been trading with the interloper! Holt passed Alex a plate with a slab of boar meat along with a knife and fork and sat at the end of the table near her with his plate.
“Where do you find all of this great stuff?” she remarked, hoping to get the truth from him. “I never find anything good on my walks.”
“Maybe that’s because I spend more time looking at the ground than you.”
“I guess I need to be a little more observant and maybe I’ll find things too,” she remarked.
“Want to go clamming this afternoon?”
“Yeah, sure,” she chirped enthusiastically. “Monster loves clamming.”
“He’s got the toes for it.”
She eyed him slyly and grinned. “Then maybe afterward we could practice a little.”
“I’m still sore from yesterday’s practice,” he informed her.
“Exactly why you need to practice,” she teased and hid her smile.
“You’re like a little jungle ninja,” he scoffed under his breath. “I don’t see how kicking the crap out of me is going to make you any better.”
“You used to love teaching me karate and making me practice,” she insisted.
“That was back when I was the one doing the tossing,” he replied and eyed her while raising a clever brow. “I’m getting old. I don’t bounce like I used to.”
Alex glanced at him with some concern. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Just a little tired.”
“I’ll give you a massage tonight,” Alex announced. “You’ll feel better.”
Chapter Twenty-two
It was late afternoon, and the sun was shining on the small, secluded beach. Alex and Holt were knee-deep in the clear water while digging for clams with their toes. Monster had his head underwater as his claws dug wildly into the sand at the bottom, causing water to splash all around him. Alex and Holt watched Monster bodysurf to the beach then hurl up nearly a dozen clams. He leaped back into the water, swam toward them, and again started blasting into the sand. Alex and Holt exchanged looks and shook their heads.
An hour or two later, Monster lay on the beach with dozens of clams in front of him as well as dozens of empty shells. He pried them open with his teeth and claws and ate out the raw centers while Holt and Alex performed karate moves on each other. Holt flipped Alex over his hip and celebrated like a linebacker scoring a goal. Alex lay in the sand and stared at him, shaking her head at his celebration.
§
Evening had arrived, and the area surrounding the lighthouse was dark. Holt lay face down on his bunk while Alex sat on the edge of the bed and dug her palms into his back and shoulders. He gasped slightly and half looked at her.
“Who taught you to be so rough?” he demanded with his face into the mattress.
“I believe you did,” she teased while grinning. “I have to get the knots out. You really need to let me do this more often. Your back is so tight; I could bounce a quarter off it.”
“It’s coming back to me why I don’t let you give me massages,” he muttered.
“Big baby.”
Monster crept along the ceiling from the lighthouse stairs and slowly approached the top bunk. It creaked loudly as he nestled into Alex’s bed.
She eyed the bunk above them and held back her laugh. “He thinks we don’t know he’s there.”
“That’s because he thinks he’s a poodle.”
Alex crawled over Holt, straddled his thighs, and began massaging the top of his shoulders.
Holt suddenly tensed to her on top of him. “Uh, new technique?”
“I get sore from twisting,” she replied simply. “This works better.”
Holt remained tense, unable to relax. “If you’re sore, you should stop.”
“No, I’m fine now.”
“I’m not sure I am,” he remarked.
“Is the sheet too tight?” she questioned. “Should I remove it?”
“God no!”
She stopped massaging him and stared at his bare back. “What’s wrong?”
“Can you please just get off me?” he practically demanded. “I’d prefer you didn’t do that.”
Alex uncertainly moved off him and sat on the edge of the bed while staring at him. Holt didn’t move, and it concerned her.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m just tired,” he remarked gently.
Alex continued to stare at him not certain she believed him. “Oh, okay,” she gently remarked then moved from the bunk.
Holt still didn’t move, which seemed odd. Had she hurt him? Why wouldn’t he just say she had? His behavior seemed odd lately.
“I’ll, uh, be upstairs in the lighthouse if you need anything,” she remarked timidly.
Holt gave her a slight wave without moving from his position on the lower bed. Alex frowned and headed for the stairs.
Chapter Twenty-three
Two o’clock in the morning. Alex tossed within the top bunk having a difficult time falling asleep after her bizarre interaction with Holt that evening. She felt the bunk shaking, which only happened when Monster was climbing around, but she was certain he was still upstairs. Alex climbed from her bunk to investigate. Within the bottom bed, Holt shivered violently beneath the covers. Alex sat on the bunk and gently touched his shoulder. He was cold and clammy to the touch.
“Holt? Are you okay?”
“I’m freezing,” he chattered softly.
She didn’t understand how he was freezing when it wasn’t that cold. It was actually a moderately warm night. Alex immediately grabbed her blanket from the top bunk and placed it over him. He still shivered. She touched his forehead, appeared concerned, and quickly climbed under the covers with him. She held him against her while he shook and attempted to keep him warm. He clung to her for her warmth.
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