Beached

by Brenda Beem

  That did it. I burst out laughing.

  Zoë took a step back. Tears welled in her eyes.

  “Toni!” Dylan grabbed my arm.

  Takumi spun around to hide his laugh, but his shoulders still shook. I tried not to look at him. I bit the side of my cheek to stop from giggling.

  “Zoë, I’m sorry!” I gasped for air. “It’s not you. I’m, I’m messed up from the whole ordeal.” I tried to hug her. She was stiff and didn’t hug me back. “I’d love to. Now let me see that gorgeous ring again.”

  Zoë wiped her eyes and held up her ring.

  “What did you have in mind for the wedding?” I laced Takumi’s fingers in mine behind my back.

  It took Zoë a few more seconds to recover, but then for the next ten minutes or so, she told us her wedding plans in minute detail. I tried to pay attention and squeezed Takumi’s hand, hard, to keep us both from cracking up again.

  When Zoë finally slowed down, Dylan stood. “We need to get the cons on the boat and get going. Coming or not?” he asked me.

  I cleared my throat. “Dylan, I love you. I always will. But you’re going to have your own family now. I need to stay here with Takumi. We’ll search for the perfect place to anchor Whistler and build our camp.” I turned to the boat. “And while you’re bringing the creeps down, we’ll row out and get some more supplies for while you’re gone.”

  “I can’t leave you here alone. Mom and Dad would…” Dylan started to argue.

  “She won’t be alone.” Takumi stood close beside me.

  Dejected, Dylan pointed at Ned and the ‘B-named’ guys on the beach. “Fine! I’ll ask if they’ll come along and help.”

  He was still strolling over to the islanders when we launched the dinghy. Takumi, Nick, Angelina, and I rowed as fast as we could back to Whistler. Jervis stayed to watch Makala. I shoved as many jackets, towels, and clothes as I could into pillowcases. Angelina gathered her large pack and stuffed it with clothes. Nick and Takumi packed the foodstuffs and half of the pans, plates and silverware. I hunted for sleeping bags and tents, but they were already onshore, so I took pillows and blankets instead.

  “What about stuff for Jervis?” I asked Nick as he packed bathroom items.

  “He’s going with Dylan and Zoë to the island.”

  “I know. But after. Is he going to make a camp on shore, or stay on the boat?” I carried a load to the dinghy and hurried back to the cabin.

  Nick handed me a bag with toothbrushes and toothpaste. “He wants to search for his mom and sisters. I heard him ask Dylan to drop him off in Santa Barbara on the way back.”

  “No!” I froze and stared at Nick.

  “Dylan told him to wait until cell service is back. He promised he would.”

  Angelina had been quiet. She walked over to the radio. “Do you think there is enough battery power left?” She flipped the breakers and the cabin filled with the sound of static.

  The radio was still working. I raced to find my charger cord and plugged my cell in.

  “This is Angelina, come in, over,” she said and waited. There was no response. She changed the frequency, and repeated her call. Still no response.

  On the third try, we heard a woman’s voice. It was the President. Relief flowed over me. She was still alive. We still had a government.

  “…And we are waiting for our scientists to determine how long this cold spell will last. The northern states are frozen over. The ice has begun to stop the flow of many of the major rivers that provide water for the south. Despite previous promises, Mexico has closed its borders to all except those who have Mexican passports, or those vouched for and sponsored by a Mexican citizen.”

  I turned the volume up on the radio. The President sighed. Her sigh gave me goose bumps.

  “Yet all is not lost. I’m happy to report that our service men and women alongside many cell phone providers have resurrected or repaired thousands of miles of cell towers. Southern families, churches, and local organizations are providing shelter for refugees. Food from warehouses all over the country is being shipped and trucked to provide for our people.

  “I pray every day for the survival of each and every one of you. Our scientists are searching for ways to correct this unnatural weather pattern. Some predict we will return to a new normal after five years. Others insist it may take hundreds.”

  “Five or hundreds of years? That’s a big spread.” I moaned.

  “Shush!” Angelina put her finger to her mouth.

  The President continued. “I encourage everyone to work together to provide shelter, food, and water to those in need. I’ve ordered the military to re-establish law and order in our southern cities and refugee camps. Crimes should be reported and criminals will be punished.

  “I assure you the government of the United States is strong and working hard to provide for its people. I am still your President. Please share this message with those who have not heard it. God Bless!”

  The radio grew static. A male voice came on. “This has been a message from the President of the United States broadcasting on the Emergency Broadcast System. This message will repeat in sixty seconds.”

  Angelina checked her cell. “Still no service. Can we listen from the beginning?”

  I unplugged my cell, checked the time, and turned it off. “No, we should get back. Dylan will run out of daylight if he doesn’t get started soon.” I grabbed a heavy down comforter and four pillows off the couch, threw the gear in the dinghy, and climbed aboard.

  Takumi handed his goods down to me and paused. “Give me a second.” He hurried into the cabin and returned to the dinghy with our two sets of snorkeling equipment and one of the spear guns. “I’d like to spear some fish, or maybe find a lobster or two.”

  I grinned at the thought of fresh lobster. “Then we should take the kayaks. Dylan can have the dinghy with them, and we’ll still have water transportation.”

  We discussed paddling the kayaks back, but in the end, towed them behind the dinghy.

  Dylan, Jervis, Zoë, the cons, and a few men from the island were waiting on the shore when we got back. Dylan held a gun on the bad guys. Scarface was still knocked out and slept on the gravel with his arms tied behind him. Baldy sat on the beach, his arms and legs wrapped tight in duct tape.

  Angelina relayed the message from the President to the group. Dylan took out his cell and checked it.

  “Still no service?” A guy I hadn’t seen before asked Dylan.

  “Nope,” Dylan said.

  “At least yours has a charge. Mine’s been dead for a week,” another said.

  “We’re going to need to put some water in the water tanks before we go.” Dylan reached for one of the plastic bins. I grabbed the other and followed him.

  “Getting married, huh?” I asked as I washed my face and hands in the fresh water stream. “You’re only eighteen, you know. What about college?”

  Dylan waded into the stream with his bin. “Those old dreams are gone. I love Zoë, and besides, she’s having my baby.”

  “Are you going to wait until we find Mom and Dad?” I rolled up my pant legs.

  “No, Zoë wants to be married when we meet them. She doesn’t want to be the pregnant girlfriend.”

  “Okay. Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy for you.” I carried my bin into the stream.

  Dylan hauled his full bin out of the water and groaned as he carried it to the beach. “Wait and let me carry yours. Heavy!”

  When both bins were on shore I waited for Dylan to catch his breath. “Let’s row the dinghy over here. Easier than carrying them down the beach.”

  “Good idea,” Dylan turned and yelled. But we were too far for anyone to hear.

  “I’ll tell them,” I said and turned to leave.

  Dylan stopped me. “Zoë has never had many girlfriends. I’d appreciate you being a little nicer to her.”

  “Me? You don’t think I’m nice enough to her?”

  Dylan glared. “She’s pregnant. Give he
r a break.”

  I forced myself not to roll my eyes and nodded. “You’re right. I’ll do my best.” The crew had sorted out the gear from the boat and some of it was going back. The three islanders only brought one small bag each, but when the water bins were loaded, the dinghy was full.

  “I don’t feel good about this.” Dylan stared at me.

  “About what?” I asked.

  “About leaving you here.” He moved toward me.

  I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed. Giving Dylan a hug wasn’t something I’d done, not for years, but it felt right.

  “Be safe,” I whispered and kissed his cheek. Then I turned to Zoë and forced a smile. “You too, future sister-in-law.”

  Chapter Eight

  Despite my brave words, I couldn’t stand on the beach and watch Whistler sail away. Instead, I grabbed a load of gear and headed back up the steep embankment to the campsites. Takumi promised he’d follow right behind me as soon as he got the kayaks secured.

  Nick and Angelina wanted to stay on the beach, and let Makala play. They mentioned going in the water. Kat said the place where we’d gathered fresh water was a great place to swim. The creek emptied silt along the shore, and the silt made an almost sandy beach.

  Boots’ barking and the sounds of merriment followed me as I worked my way up the hill. I tried not to be annoyed at the fun they were having, but the load I carried was heavy. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and wondered: what was taking Takumi so long?

  I stopped at what was left of the pile of gear our crew had abandoned earlier and unloaded. As I began sorting it into piles that would make campsites, I took inventory. We had two small tents. Each tent could sleep two people at the most, three if one of them was as small as Makala. We were short at least one tent. I placed the tents off to the side and divided up the gear as equally as I could.

  While I wondered which pile to put a fishing pole and tackle box in, I heard laughter coming up the trail. I couldn’t place the laugh. A few moments later, I heard Kat’s voice and then she giggled. Takumi said something I couldn’t make out, and then there was that strange laugh again, deep and throaty.

  Could the deep belly laugh I heard have been from Takumi? I tried to think of a time he’d laughed out loud, totally unrestrained. I couldn’t. We’d been too busy trying to survive to find time to let go. And on the boat, when we did have fun, we had to be quiet. Someone was always sleeping.

  It shouldn’t have, but it bothered me that he could laugh like that with Kat. They’d just met. It didn’t make it any easier to know she was beautiful in a gothic, mysterious way.

  I was still holding the pole when Kat and Takumi appeared over the edge of the embankment. Takumi was loaded down with gear. Kat’s arms were full of pillows. I showed them where to dump the stuff.

  Kat waved at me, whispered something in Takumi’s ear, and took off toward her campsite. Takumi chuckled. His eyes seemed to sparkle. When he leaned down to kiss my cheek, I stepped back. The sparkle left his eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  I turned my back to him before I said something I might regret, and found myself staring out at the empty harbor. My heart began to pound as worries about Kat disappeared.

  Whistler and Dylan were gone. I searched the horizon, but the boat was nowhere in sight. What if he ran into trouble? What if a giant storm came up? What if he never came back?

  I inhaled the sea air. It was too late to panic. Dylan would be back. I’d stayed for Takumi. It was the right thing to do. And so what if Takumi laughed with a beautiful girl? He wasn’t the type of guy who would say he loved me one minute and then go off with someone else the next. I’d only known him for a few weeks, but a girl can tell, can’t she?

  The important thing was the danger to us was over. My brother knew what he was doing. I was being silly. Takumi had the right to laugh with Kat. I wanted him to laugh.

  I just wanted him to laugh with me.

  I finally swiveled back around. “I can’t believe Dylan and Whistler are gone.”

  Takumi laid his pack down. “Are you sorry you stayed behind?”

  I peeked at the bay, then back at Takumi. “No. I wanted to.”

  His sparkle was back. “Let’s go for a hike, then.”

  I took his hand in mine. “Okay! But before we leave, will you help me pitch the tents and get this gear stowed. It’s going to rain.”

  Takumi’s shoulders slumped. He glanced up at the sky and grimaced. When had I become the not fun girl? I didn’t want to be that girl, but someone had to put our stuff away.

  We set up camp under the clump of trees I’d spied earlier. The scruffy pines had withstood the tsunami and would provide a little shelter. Also, the ground had a type of leafy plant growing on it that would be a little cushion. The island campers had set up on ground that was rocky and hard, but they had air mattresses. We didn’t.

  The first tent was already put together when Nick and the girls arrived from the beach. Makala and Angelina dropped their loads and headed to the doctor’s hut to dry off and change. Takumi raced after them and handed Angelina her gun. Nick stayed to help us finish setting up.

  The moment the tents were up and everything was finally stowed, Takumi took my hand again. “Let’s get away from here before something else needs to be done.”

  I grabbed a raincoat. “Okay. Nick, Takumi and I are going for a hike. We’ll be back by dark.”

  Nick was busily arranging two sleeping bags in one of the tents. If he answered me, I didn’t hear it.

  Takumi led us on a trail that headed inland.

  I looked back at the empty bay. “I thought we were searching for a good place to anchor Whistler and set up a more permanent camp? Why are we headed away from the coast?”

  Takumi kept walking. “I need a break from the sea. The pamphlet we took off the yacht said there was a campground close by. I thought it might be a cool place to check out. There might even be some supplies there. And if there’s a damaged building, maybe we could use the scraps to build a shelter for ourselves.”

  Lost in thoughts of fire pits and a possible chemical toilet, I didn’t watch where I was going, and stumbled over a rock.

  “You okay?” Takumi steadied me.

  I nodded and tried not to limp, but my ankle hurt.

  In some places we walked on a clear path, in others, the tsunami had completely scraped the plants and soil away, leaving deep ruts. What plants we did see were mostly tall grasses, although in the distance, like little mirages, stood clumps of evergreen type trees.

  “Before the tsunami, the path was probably pretty easy. But it can’t be too far. We just have to go inland, keeping the water to our backs, and Devil’s Peak to our right.”

  “Devil’s Peak?” In the distance I could see what appeared to be the pointy top of a mountain. I hadn’t noticed it before. “Scary name!”

  A little further up the trail, I found a patch of low-growing yellow shrubs with small white flowers.

  “Flowers!” I hadn’t seen a flower since we’d left home. “They are so delicate. How did they manage to survive? I’d think the salt water from the tsunami would have killed them.” I picked a small bloom and stuck it behind my ear.

  “Island plants are used to salt spray.” Takumi smiled. “You look good with flowers in your hair.” He pulled me into his arms. “My island girl,” he whispered in my ear and kissed me.

  I couldn’t stop grinning. We held hands as we hiked and kept sneaking glances at one another.

  At a bend in the path we discovered an even larger bush with purple flowers.

  “On the way back I’m going to pick some for Zoë. She’ll be so excited, to have real flowers for her wedding.” I smelled the purple blooms. “She might even forgive me for laughing at her.”

  For about a quarter of a mile we saw nothing but the tall grasses we’d seen before, but up ahead stood an oasis of trees. I hoped the campground was there. My ankle was starting to throb.


  Then the rain I’d worried about came down. I scrambled to put my raincoat on and pulled up my hood. Takumi took out a rain hat and zipped up his jacket. The bare spots of rocky ground became slippery, and I stepped carefully, not wanting to damage my ankle more.

  The rain fell hard. There was no shelter, and after a few minutes, my pants and shoes were soaked.

  I checked my cell. It was after six. “Maybe we should head back.”

  Takumi pointed down the trail. “The trees will keep us dry. Let’s get there and wait out the storm.”

  My ankle ached, but I moved as quickly as I could.

  The rain finally slowed to a drizzle. We came around a huge boulder and Takumi placed his finger to his lips. We watched the field of wet grass on our left side. A ripple was flowing through it. Something alive was headed toward us.

  We took a couple of steps back and searched for some kind of weapon. We had nothing. Takumi took his pack off, and raised it over his head.

  “Do you have a rock or something in there?” I whispered.

  “No!” Takumi answered.

  “Great!” I hid behind him. We were so screwed.

  Whatever was in the grass was charging right at us. All of a sudden, a bird’s head popped up. And it gobbled.

  “A turkey?” Takumi lowered his pack.

  “A killer turkey!” I chuckled.

  The turkey waddled out of the grass and gobbled again.

  “Don’t move,” Takumi whispered, as he slowly took off his coat, and crouched down.

  “What are you doing?” I asked softly.

  “Catching it.”

  Takumi and the turkey stared at one another for a long moment. With his jacket open wide, Takumi pounced. The turkey flapped its wings. Feathers slapped Takumi in the face. Feathers floated in the air. The turkey squawked. Takumi yelled. The turkey broke free and launched itself into the air. It flew low but fast, and was soon only a tiny speck in the distance.

  Takumi lay in the grass face down. His coat was spread out beneath his face. Feathers covered his back.