The Island
Page 12
“Where’s Fae?” the albino repeated, slyly.
“Thim,” rebuked the other man mildly.
Thim took a step toward her and Emma felt a surge of fear.
Itu’s voice held an edge. “Leave her be.” He turned his attention to Emma. “Your father’s death was unexpected.”
“He’s not dead.” Remembering the chisel in her back pocket, she pulled it out, brandishing it. “Stay away from me!”
The albino chuckled and said something in a language she didn’t understand.
“We cannot…stay away,” Itu’s eyes were black with no whites or irises. “We are with you now.” He took a step toward her. “Your grief is fresh.”
Thim circled behind her, closing off her chance of escape. His pale eyebrows raised in a silent question.
“Only once,” Itu said. “And then she is mine.”
Emma watched in horror as the albino’s mouth opened in a soundless scream. His teeth elongated until they became sharp and translucent. His limbs stretched, morphing into long and spider-like appendages. His fingers turned into claws. She was helplessly transfixed, but at the same time, numb to her fear.
Thim returned to his original form and studied her, a quizzical look on his face.
“Pity,” Itu said.
The albino’s gaze shifted between both of them. A low growl emitted from the back of his throat.
“We are taking turns.” Itu’s voice held a trace of self-satisfaction. “She has nothing to give you.”
The two stared each other down, equal looks of intensity on their faces.
Emma took the seconds she was spared and ran.
“Stop!” Itu’s voice rang after her.
Stumbling over the rocky terrain, a scream of panic bubbled from inside. Emma ran faster, heedless of the branches that slapped her face. She crashed through the forest until the overgrown path broke onto the beach. Glancing wildly over her shoulder, she saw no sign of pursuit.
Emma dragged her raft into the water. She had little idea how far the closest island was or if it was even occupied. I can’t think about that right now. Anywhere is better than here. She hoisted herself aboard and grabbed her makeshift oar. The tide seemed to fight her, but the beach remained empty with no sign of either man. After several minutes of intense effort, she finally broke free from the island’s pull. The waves calmed. Emma stopped for a moment to catch her breath.
Silence. The ocean yawned around her, vast and empty.
Ignoring the queasy feeling that immediately took hold of her stomach, and the intense fear on top of that, Emma started up again. She counted out her strokes to stay focused.
“Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen. Shit!” Emma suddenly realized her knots were coming loose. The raft’s driftwood undulated in the waves, spreading wide enough for her knee to slip through one of the gaps. She tried to tighten the knots, but her fingers refused to cooperate. Cursing, Emma picked up her makeshift oar again. There was a splash behind her and she turned with a yelp.
A pale gray fin broke the calm surface and then descended.
Emma froze. Slowly, she pulled her oar from the water. The fin resurfaced and glided by, close enough for her to reach out and touch it. Circling back, the shark’s head broke the surface. White, cadaverous eyes connected with hers before it descended again. Emma blinked back tears of panic and horror.
“This can’t be happening—”
There was a bump against the bottom of the raft and the shark surfaced, its gaze connecting with hers again. Rows of sharp teeth caught the light, rendering them almost transparent. The creature bumped its nose against the driftwood. Emma grasped the flimsy rope that held the wood together. I’m going to throw up. Her raft was coming apart with each wave. The tide was quickly carrying her back to shore. Both fates caused a fresh wave of panic and rendered her immobile. The beast surfaced and eyed her, its light gray skin reflecting the sun overhead. Go away or I’ll throw up all over you. She grasped the oar. I’ll hit you in the face. Or use my chisel. I’m not going down without a fight. The shark scraped its teeth against the side and gave the raft a final push before descending.
It was only when the bottom of the wood grated against rock that she was able to move again. Emma scrambled ashore and collapsed. Several moments passed before she realized that she wasn’t alone. She looked up to see Thim emerge from the ocean, a sly smile on his face. Oh, my god, that wasn’t a shark.
Emma had barely gotten ten feet before he tackled her to the ground. Thim tried to grab her hand but missed. She hit him in the face and rolled out of his reach. Scrambling to her feet, she bolted down the path toward the cabin. Thim headed her off, forcing her to change direction. She plunged blindly into the forest until it became too overgrown to run. She turned to face her assailant.
Thim slowed behind her and stopped. He gave her a sharp-toothed grin, seemingly in no hurry to end the chase. Emma snatched up a broken tree branch and took a swing at him.
Dodging it effortlessly, he shook a clawed finger at her as if she were an errant child.
“Get away from me! I’ll kill you, I swear I will!”
Excitement flared within the albino’s eyes. Toothy smile still on his face, the challenge was there.
Emma took another swing at him and it connected with his thigh.
Thim let out a low whistle and cocked his head to one side. His next movement was a blur. Pinning her to a tree, he held her arms to her sides. Rough bark dug into her back. Their gazes locked, and Emma saw there was more than one hunger in his eyes. A carnal smile tugged on the corner of his mouth. Inhaling her scent like an animal, he dragged his teeth over the delicate skin of her throat and along her jawbone.
Emma’s scream, raw and full of terror, rang through the forest.
The albino’s eyes took on a feral glow. Thim held her gaze, his intent burning into her with an unbearable intensity. Loosening and tightening his grip, he lunged at her throat as soon as Emma tried to struggle free.
Emma’s wrist brushed against the chisel in her back pocket. The chisel! “Please don’t hurt me,” she begged.
His look told her he had every intention of ignoring her plea. The albino growled something unintelligible and slid a snake-like tongue across her mouth.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Emma made her move. She grabbed the handle of the chisel and plunged the blade into his side.
Thim staggered back and looked down at the weapon as if inspecting an insect. He let out a low whistle and pulled the chisel out. Bloodless, the skin knitted together until his side was unmarred. He tossed the chisel aside and turned his attention to her again. A small smile played about his lips.
A bright flash of light filled Emma’s head as he backhanded her. Everything went black.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A SHARP PAIN REGISTERED in her head. Licking her lips, Emma tasted dried blood. She opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by darkness and the smell of earth. The cave. Shit. A wave of nausea overcame her and she waited for it to pass. Emma staggered to her feet. The cave spun around like a merry-go-round and she steadied herself against the rocky wall. Her vision focused again and she stumbled toward slivers of daylight that filtered from above. The opening of the cave had been covered with stones.
“Let me out!” Her voice was raw.
She climbed up the shaft and slammed the heels of her palms against the cold rock. Emma dug at the edges with her fingernails to no avail. Dropping to the floor again, she searched the ground for something to use as a tool. Her fingers closed around cold metal. My knife! She clutched the paring knife and allowed her eyes to adjust to the dim light. Her attention was drawn the corner. I may regret it, but I have to see what that is.
Cast aside like leftovers from an animal’s meal, was what looked like a pile of animal bones and remnants of something larger. Emma inched forward. A skull with tufts of gray hair peeked from underneath the frayed remains of a nightgown. Fae’s nightgown.
Emma stifled a scream. She’s de
ad. Fae’s dead. Panic came in waves. You knew she was, Emma. Oh, my god, I’m next. Her thoughts scattered until they became focused again. She clutched the knife in determination. She climbed up to the shaft, and found what looked like the smallest rock wedged in the entrance. Using the paring knife like a pick, she dug an opening large enough to slip her fingers through. Emma wiggled the rock back and forth. Cold sweat beaded on her brow. After several moments, it finally came free. She pushed it out with a silent cry. Now, the opening was big enough for her to maneuver the surrounding rocks. Wedged tight, it was as if they hadn’t been moved in years. She worked in focused determination.
By the time she dug her way out, the setting sun had cast an orange glow over the clearing. Emma hoisted herself from the cave with a relieved sob. The forest was still with no sounds that would indicate the two men…or whatever they were, were coming for her. Were they planning on keeping me buried until I starved to death? Or was it for something else? The thought caused a fresh wave of panic. Stuffing the dulled knife into her back pocket, she stole through the woods toward shore. I’ll swim if I have to.
The remains of her raft was nowhere in sight. Emma ran up the shore to look for it when she stumbled across Itu perched on a pile of driftwood. His hair, caught by the ocean breeze, swirled around his shoulders like snakes. His eyes were once again gone from their sockets.
“Thim is looking for you.” His voice held an edge. “He is being…base.”
Backing away, Emma dislodged several rocks with a clatter.
Itu’s nostrils flared. “Do not run.”
“Fuck you.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to prevent your father’s death.” His sightless gaze connected with hers. “Even if you had been there…when he needed you.”
His words cut her to the bone. She hadn’t allowed herself time to dwell on the possibility that the phone call had been real. “You’re tricking me. He’s not dead.” He can’t be dead. He can’t.
Itu grasped the pouch around his neck and advanced. “I am very sorry about him, Emma. It is hard to lose those you love. I know this. I have lost many. You are alone now, like I am alone.”
Emma’s thoughts spiraled out of control. Gideon had forgotten about her, Nathanial had no reason to remember her either. She would die on the island. She would die like Fae had died.
“Be wary of my counterpart.” Itu spoke deliberately. “You have more to worry about with Thim, than you do with me.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“I have not harmed you.”
“Your friend has.”
His body tensed. “As I said, Thim is not my friend.”
Don’t trust him, her inner voice warned. He’s not human. You don’t know what he is, but he’s not human. “Let me go, Itu.”
“Even if I do, Thim will not.” His voice was filled with compassion. “I have no control over what he does.”
“Where is he?”
“As I said, he is looking for you,” Itu replied. “I do not wish you to die, Emma. I will hide you until he can be reasoned with.”
“Hide me where?” Emma balked. “Back in the cave? No.”
“You have a strong spirit, like your grandmother.” His voice was soporific as he continued to speak. “Did your father have the same? I’m sure he did. I’m sure he fought death until the bitter end.”
Emma’s grief threatened to overcome her again, and she clenched her hands into fists. “You said you were looking after my grandmother. You lied.”
“I did not lie. I was looking after her.” A wave crashed behind him. Itu took a step toward her. “Unfortunately…I cannot trust my counterpart to do the same.”
“Keep your distance,” Emma bit out. “How are you going to reason with him?”
“I have my ways. Go to your grandmother’s cabin.”
“No.” Emma shook her head. “I’m leaving this island. Even if I have to swim—”
A slight look of panic crossed his face. “Do not swim, Emma. I am warning you. You will not survive it.” He paused. “Stay in the cabin until I come get you.”
“Don’t tell me what to do—” Emma started. “What if Thim shows up? What then?”
“He won’t.”
“If I allow you to reason with him…you’ll let me go?” Emma studied him, looking for signs of deceit. “You’ll get me a boat or some other way off the island?”
“I will find you a way off the island.” A wave crashed behind him and he seemed to shy away from it.
Don’t trust him, her inner voice chattered. Itu stood between her and the ocean. She contemplated how fast he’d be able to move if she made a dash for the water. And then what? Swim to the next island as the sun quickly sets? Or get eaten by Thim when he turns himself into a shark again? Great plan. Seeing no other option, Emma backed cautiously away.
“His last thoughts were of you.”
“Whose last thoughts?”
“Your father’s.” Itu clutched the pouch around his neck. “He wanted so very badly to see you. Deep down, he knew death was near. It is why he put the…doctor off.”
Her throat tightened. She turned and blindly headed through the forest. By the time she reached the cabin, the tears came. She locked the door behind her and collapsed onto the living room floor. Emma cried until she had no tears left. This can’t be happening. What if Thim comes for me? What if Itu is lying and they both kill me anyway? Oddly, she was suddenly overcome with the overwhelming need for sleep. It claimed her like a drug.
* * *
Emma was startled awake by the sound of Itu’s voice. He crouched over her.
“I have spoken to Thim,” he whispered into her ear. “Sleep.”
She tried to push him away. Her hand slipped down his bare chest and came to rest on his pouch. He removed her hand gently but firmly. The will to fight drained away as fast as it came.
Itu stroked her hair. “Let me in, Emma.” His fingers sought her face and he traced her eyelids. “I can unburden you of your grief.”
Memories of her past crawled from the depths of her soul like unbidden creatures. The memory of her mother’s death, which filled her with anguish. The rejection from her grandmother, which left her confused and lost. The death of her father that had yet to sink in. Itu gathered her close as the tears on his cheeks mingled with her own. Emma lay at the brink of unconsciousness, still fighting him but drowning in the effort. Her hand was crushed against his pouch, and for once, he didn’t remove it.
Nightmares of her dad dissolved into flashes of grief. The memories pulsed like heartbeats. They were overtaken by unfamiliar images, flickering through her thoughts like an old movie. She stood in the forest and watched a house burn. Shrill screams from inside reverberated throughout her core. Flames illuminated the windows. Intense fear, feral and out of control, grew from within along with billows of white smoke and ash. The screams died away as the house burned to the ground. The sun rose and touched the clearing with delicate fingers.
A man wearing a double-breasted coat ran into the clearing. He clutched a top hat in his hands. “Sophie? Ma femme? Anne-Marie, Claude, Phillipe…les enfants!” A wail escaped his throat as he collapsed onto the smoking ruins. Sobs racked his body. “Mon Dieu! Pourquoi m’avez-vous abandonné?”
The sun set and rose in succession. The man didn’t move but kept moaning the same phrase, over and over. A strong scent of smoldering wood lay over the clearing. Wisps of white smoke escaped the ruin in tendrils.
The scene faded into a distant heartbeat. The vision that followed was watered down, as if pulled from an ancient memory. It slipped into Emma’s thoughts, unbidden.
The tribe was cursed to dwindle in numbers until they were almost none. Their collective grief was tangible. Tangible enough to inseminate and give birth to a single being, seemingly of flesh and blood. This being rose from the surrounding ocean and would use water to its advantage. It was duplicitous, offering comfort while being the very one who caused pain.
“She is different than the others,” Itu murmured into the darkness. “Control yourself. We will need to make adjustments.”
His comment brought her into the present again. Memories steeped in grief lingered on her peripheral. Emma struggled against them, pushing Itu away. He gently grasped her wrists and murmured into her ear. The unfamiliar language sunk into her thoughts and took hold like blackened seeds. It became too difficult to fight and she surrendered to darkness.
* * *
Emma woke to a heated argument between the two. After what seemed to be an impasse between them, they both left. She lay on the floor in the fetal position. The scent of burning wood clung to her skin. Her father was gone. She would die on the island. She would die like Fae had died. Her thoughts plummeted and surfaced again. Don’t give up. She tried to roll over, but couldn’t seem to gather the energy she needed. Minutes or maybe hours ticked by. She lost track of time.
Thunder rumbled overhead, followed by strong winds and a downpour of rain. The storm raged into the night and echoed throughout the empty cabin. Emma drifted in and out of sleep. She awakened to Itu standing over her. His impenetrable eyes were once again in their sockets.
“Your grandmother struggled too, though I tried to be merciful.” He knelt. “Thim finished her off. He can be brutal. He is older, and has less patience.”
“If you’re going to kill me, then just do it.”
“I revel in the grief you have given me,” Itu said quietly. “Unlike Thim, I am not impatient.”
A cold realization dawned on her. They’re feeding off me. Thim’s feeding off my fear. And Itu… Wave after wave of grief was pulled from her.
“Let me unburden you, Emma.” Itu’s gaze relentlessly bore into her. He ran a finger along her hairline.
“No!” She jerked away from him. Grief. He’s feeding off my grief. “No.” She backed into the pot-bellied stove. The iron was cold through her thin t-shirt. Her thoughts sharpened. “You said you were going to let me go.”