Beached

by Brenda Beem

  I rolled my eyes and moved to a little ledge that jetted out. Dylan angled down and away from the falls, then tried going back up.

  I watched his technique for a while and placed my hands and feet exactly where he did. But after a few minutes, I realized I had to find my own way. His arms and legs were much longer than mine.

  The hardest part of the climb was moving horizontally toward the cave. I searched for a hold and wedged my foot into a small crack in the wall. I reached to grip onto a jagged rock, placed my foot on a point that stuck out from the cliff, and stretched out for the next handhold. When I neared the cave opening, Dylan leaned down and hoisted me up.

  It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the dim light in the cave. It was too dark to see far and I wished we’d brought a flashlight. The ground was flat and smooth. A small stream meandered the floor of the cavern and trickled over the cave’s opening to form the waterfall. There was room to stand on both sides of the stream. A number of stone outcroppings and ledges lined the walls of the cave, some big enough to lie down on.

  With running water and places to sleep, the cave would make a great place to stay. I was sorry we hadn’t found it earlier.

  Dylan took a few steps towards the rear of the cave. “It goes back quite a ways, but it’s too dark to see.”

  “I’ll have someone send up a couple of lights.” I tied one end of the rope to my waist and threw the other over the lip of the cave. It landed a few yards away from Whistler. “Angelina, Zoë, Nick. Tie a couple of flashlights or the lantern onto the rope, will you? The cave is awesome, but dark.”

  Nick kayaked to the line. “I had to get into our stash of batteries to make the spotlight work.” He tied a black bucket to the rope I’d lowered, dropped the lights in it, and yelled at me to pull the bucket up.

  Dylan picked up the spotlight and led the way. It was the same light we’d used to search the water for Cole. If Dylan remembered, he didn’t say.

  I followed close behind with a little crank lantern. We hadn’t gone far when the opening narrowed to only a few feet above the stream. Dylan stepped down into the cool water and I followed. We had to stoop low, but after a foot or so, we entered a huge cavern. Dylan shined the light on the stalactites that hung from the ceiling. A small pool of water had formed off to the left. What appeared to be ancient drawings of animals decorated the wall to the right. The stream came out of a small opening at the rear of the cavern, but the opening was too tight for us to climb through.

  “Guess this is far as we go,” Dylan sighed.

  I cranked the handle of my lantern until the light was bright, and stepped over to the drawings. A stick figure of a man with a spear was hunting a heard of small deer. I turned to the side. In the corner next to the drawings, three bare trees, almost ten feet high, stood. I pushed on the one closest to me and it wiggled. The trees had been cut down and wedged into the rocks in the cavern by people at some time.

  The leafless branches cast eerie shadows against the walls, and I shivered.

  “Dylan, I have an idea.” I spun to face him.

  Dylan was on his hands and knees with the spotlight aimed into the tight opening at the rear of the cavern. “What?” He stuck his head into the hole.

  “The trees. I’m pretty sure they’re longer than the cave’s opening is wide. If we drag one of the trees to the mouth of the cave, we could place it across the opening. We could secure our ropes to the log to help us ascend. We could even tie the camping chair on the lines and hoist our gear and Beth up, if Greg and the kids want to join us.”

  Dylan mumbled something about not being able to see a thing.

  “Were you listening to me?” I shoved the tallest tree. It fell over with a crash.

  “Toni!” Dylan leapt up and bumped his head.

  I grimaced. “You okay?”

  “What was that?” He rubbed his scalp and scanned the cavern.

  I showed him the trees and repeated my idea. He moved beside me and lifted one end of the tree that had fallen.

  “Jeez! It’s heavy,” he groaned.

  “But that’s good. It’s strong. And we don’t need to carry it. We could float it.”

  A smile broke across Dylan’s face. “I have an even better idea. Do we still have that enormous piece of fishing net you and Takumi found when you rescued Boots?”

  I thought for a moment. “We stowed it under the v-berth.”

  “What if we tied the net to the log and hung it from the mouth of the cave… We could climb up and down the net instead of the cliff. We could even take the branches off the trees and weave them in and out of the net to make footholds.”

  “That’s a great idea.” I looked around. “This is a cool place.”

  “It is. But don’t tell Nick.”

  I grinned. “You’re mean.”

  “Me? They’re the ones who won’t let us get on our own boat. I think we should set up the net ladder. It wouldn’t take long, and we need the extra storage space on Whistler. By the time we’re done, maybe Beth will be better. At least we’ll all have a great place to sleep tonight.”

  “And bathe.” I knelt and let the pure clean fresh water drip between my fingers.

  We got the small hatchet from Whistler and chopped the branches off the tree. Then we tied a rope around the log and rolled it into the stream. Dylan pushed the front of the log with his foot to keep it going. When we were close to the cave opening, Dylan jumped in and hoisted the front of the log up and out of the water. Together we rolled the log across to the cave. The log stuck out more than two feet on both sides of the mouth of the cave.

  “Is that enough to hold it in place?” I asked.

  “Looks like it,” Dylan said. “But just to be sure, let’s get another log.”

  The second tree was even longer. We tied the two logs together and placed them back down across the opening.

  We lowered the remaining rope and yelled at Whistler for the net. I wrapped the top of the net around both logs, and wove my line through the net and around the logs. I dropped the edge of the net in the stream and secured it on the bottom with boulders. The net wouldn’t stop an adult, but it might keep one of the kids from being swept off the cliff.

  Then we dropped the net down the face of the cliff. On our first try, we’d centered the net too much. Part of the net disappeared in the waterfall. We hauled it back up and moved it over.

  When we dropped the net again, it fell perfectly down the side of the cliff and just barely touched the sea.

  We had a ladder to our home for the next day or so. Dylan and I argued about who should go first. I won.

  As we rowed back, everyone, even Greg, fired questions at us about our cave.

  Our cave. The thought made me smile. It truly was the first place we’d found since the tsunami that felt like it could be a home. We couldn’t stay until Dylan and I found our parents, and I talked to Takumi, but we could come back. When I asked how the fishing had gone, Nick and Makala held up three fish and a lobster.

  “Wow. Which one did you catch?” I asked Makala.

  “The big one.” Makala pointed. “Can we have a fish picnic in your cave?”

  “Sorry. Zoë said we have to stay away from you.”

  “Why? I want to see your cave.” Makala pouted.

  Zoë stood on the stern of Whistler. “What was it like?”

  I told her about the pool of water and the drawings on the wall.

  She folded her arms. “Did you find firewood? It’s cold down here.”

  The cave had actually been warm, I realized, as icy sea water splashed my leg. We’d left the tree branches in a pile. I waited for Dylan to offer go back up for them, but he didn’t.

  We scrambled onto the rowboat and began rowing back to the dinghy. Little Byron was busy pretending he was fishing. He’d toss a line into the water and quickly pull it out, flipping drops of water across the dinghy.

  He was cheerful and appeared completely recovered. Beth was even sitting up, awak
e. Her cheeks were a little red, but she seemed better. Greg however, was agitated.

  “Is everything okay?” I got aboard the dinghy and pulled my sleeping bag up and over my lap.

  “I want you to help us get up to the cave. It has water and would be a great shelter. Once we’re settled, you can leave and go find your family.”

  Dylan and I looked at one another. “We can’t abandon you here. How would you hunt or fish for food? You couldn’t go off and leave the kids. The cave is great, but not a safe place for a toddler.”

  “Beth is six years old. She can keep an eye on Byron if I have to go out for a little while. They would be safer up in a cave than back at the camps of Santa Barbara. I won’t take them back there.” Greg inhaled and closed his eyes for a moment. “My wife sacrificed her life to get away from the disease and criminals in the camps.”

  “We won’t make you go back to the camps. We promise. But there are good people here on the island that you could join up with. You need help with the kids.”

  “Forget it, then. I’ll get them up there by myself. We’re safer alone.”

  “Does Beth still have a fever?” Zoë had been listening.

  Greg felt his daughter’s forehead. “I don’t have a thermometer. She feels cooler. The pills you gave us seem to be working.”

  Zoë floated the thermometer over to us. Angelina was piling some small pieces of wood in the barbeque. Nick was cleaning the fish.

  “I’m sooo hungry,” Makala complained.

  “We’ll have dinner as soon as I get the fire going.” Angelina blew and sparks flew. “Nick kayaked all the way out of the mouth of the bay to find this wood, but it won’t last. How long are we going to stay here?” She stared at Dylan.

  “We need our water tanks full. Doesn’t sound like you guys got that done,” Dylan said as he tidied the lines. Dylan and Nick still avoided one another.

  “While you were off playing Dora the Explorer, Angelina and I made three trips to the falls. But then I had to search for fire wood so we could cook your dinner.” Nick concentrated on the fire.

  “Whatever!” Dylan said. “Send me over one of the kayaks. While you’re fixing dinner, I’m going to make a quick trip out of the bay and see if there are any settlements close by. We could use some help towing Whistler in the morning and I want to ask around about our parents. I won’t be gone long.”

  “Fine.” Nick tossed a bottle of water he’d refilled into the kayak, and then floated the kayak to Dylan.

  Greg placed the thermometer under Beth’s tongue and we waited. He read the results and showed the thermometer to me. Beth still had a slight fever, ninety-nine point four, but that was much lower than it had been.

  “The medicine is working,” I told Zoë.

  “She still has a slight fever.”

  “Ninety-nine point four isn’t much of a fever,” I mumbled as I picked up Byron and rocked him.

  Greg touched my shoulder. “I want to check out the cave. Will you watch my kids for a little while?”

  Byron was asleep and Beth was easy. “Okay. Take your shoes off to climb the net. Works better. I’ll watch the kids, but don’t be gone too long.”

  Beth scooted over to me and asked me about my family. I offered to tell her a story instead. Makala sat on the stern of Whistler, wrapped in a blanket, and listened. I told them both Makala’s favorite story about a little mermaid. Byron woke up and cried when he realized his father was gone. Beth tried to comfort him, but he wouldn’t stop whimpering.

  Makala began singing: “Twinkle, twinkle, little star.” Byron finally stopped fussing to listen. Beth joined in the song. I stared up at the darkening sky. For the first time in weeks, I had a glimpse of a star between the breaks in the clouds. Then it was gone.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Greg came back from the cave energized. He grabbed Beth and hugged her so tight she squealed. The dinghy rocked back and forth. “You should see it, Beth. It’s everything your mom and I hoped to find on the island. I wish she…” He turned away and stared up at the waterfall.

  “All right,” Nick said from Whistler’s stern. “I’ve heard enough about this cave. Zoë, Beth’s fever is going down. Let’s call her good. I want to see it too.”

  Angelina smiled. Makala jumped up and down. “Can we go, Sissy?”

  Zoë shook her head. “If you all get sick, don’t blame me.”

  “Either the antibiotics worked, or she got better by herself. It doesn’t matter. You said if her fever went down, we’d all be safe. She’s better. Don’t you want to check it out? Toni said there’s a fresh water pool. We can take a bath!” Angelina grinned at Makala. Zoë’s eyes got huge. “I didn’t think about that. Was it a hot springs?”

  I shrugged. “No, it’s cool, but not cold. Just imagine. Fresh water. No salt drying on your hair or skin.”

  “Okay, then. I agree.” Zoë grinned. “The little girl is well, and Toni and Dylan can get back on Whistler.”

  ****

  We ate fish and boiled seaweed, then organized ourselves for the short climb up to the cave. I reminded everyone who was climbing to go barefooted and headed up first with my shoes and supplies in my pack. Angelina followed me. Nick carried Makala on his back and then went back for Beth.

  Greg insisted he could put Byron in his pack. When he got to the top, I took Byron from him. Zoë came last. Her backpack was stuffed to overflowing.

  Boots barked and barked from the closet on Whistler. We’d agreed he’d be safer on the boat, but he wasn’t happy.

  I turned on the spot light and gave a tour. The children had to be held when we stepped into the stream to enter the large cavern. Everyone was fascinated by the art on the wall and the hanging stalactites.

  Greg held Beth’s hand while she led him around and shined her flashlight. “Here, Daddy. We should sleep here.” She climbed up on a slightly raised area, where the last of the dead trees remained wedged upright in the rocks. “We can hang our clothes on the tree and see, there’s just a little light coming from the cave opening.” She smiled.

  It was the first time I’d seen her smile. Maybe Greg was right. Maybe they would be fine alone.

  “Okay. Everyone out. I want to take a bath!” Zoë laid her bag down at the side of the pool.

  I shook my head. “Nick, why don’t you help Greg carry the rest of his gear … We’ll watch the kids and wash up.”

  “I’m not taking a bath with all of you!” Zoë cried.

  “Leave your underwear on. It’s just like wearing a swimsuit anyway.” I swung Byron up in the air. He giggled.

  Zoë frowned. “But, then it’s not a bath.”

  I started taking off Byron’s clothes. His little bottom was red and he needed a bath more than all of us. Beth watched him while I undressed, then I carried him into the pool with me. At first he was startled, then he splashed and laughed. Byron’s joy was all it took to get everyone in the water.

  Zoë climbed in the water then opened her backpack. She pulled out a couple of towels, some lotion, and a huge bar of designer soap.

  “Soap!” Angelina cried. “You’ve had soap all this time.”

  “Zoë!” I glared at her.

  “Don’t ‘Zoë’ me. I am having a baby. I need to keep clean. I’ve been saving this soap for childbirth. It is a dangerous time for women, you know.”

  “Hand it over,” I demanded.

  “No, I brought a knife. I’ll give you each a little sliver of soap. And that’s it.”

  “You’re giving the bar to me to wash Byron with. Then you can do your slicing thing.”

  “Fine,” Zoë scowled, but passed me the bar. After a while she even offered us one of her towels and a cap full of shampoo. But she had to let us know that she’d brought the second towel to dry her hair. It would be a sacrifice, but she would try to make do with just one.

  Angelina and I dried the kids off first and she held Byron for me while I dressed. Angelina was great with him. He adored her right from the begi
nning. I noticed Zoë watching us with the toddler, but she didn’t offer to help.

  I searched through Greg’s gear for clean baby clothes, or at least a clean diaper. I even found some baby ointment for his bottom. There was a bag of dirty diapers and I thought about Beth’s idea of hanging them on the tree to dry. It took a while for the little girls to act comfortable with one another, but they were soon chatting away. When the girls finished getting dressed they headed for the back corner of the cave.

  Makala said she wanted to see the animals again. Angelina and I found a blanket and laid Byron down to dress him. He started to fuss and Angelina held a musical toy near his face to distract him. I put the ointment on his sore bottom. I wasn’t sure how to use his cloth diapers, but Angelina knew. She showed me how to Velcro the diaper into the plastic liner. The cleanest clothes I found for Byron smelt sour, but at least they were dry.

  Greg and Nick returned with the gear and asked if they could enter the cavern.

  “I’m not dressed yet,” Zoë yelled as she rubbed lotion over her flat stomach.

  “Fine, we have one more load to bring up. And then we should go down and start collecting water,” Nick said.

  “We’ll be ready,” I told him although I hated the thought of leaving the cozy cave.

  While Zoë was busy getting dressed I stole her bottle of shampoo and started washing Byron’s diapers. The water slowly drained from the pool and entered the stream. I hoped Nick wasn’t at the bottom of the falls filling a tub with the water we’d bathed and washed diapers in.

  Zoë was furious with me when she saw me using her shampoo, but I didn’t care. Soon all the diapers were at least somewhat clean. I was spreading the diapers over the tree to dry when the guys came back.

  “Are you dressed yet?” Nick called to us through the cave opening.

  Zoë was tying her damp hair up on her head. “Almost!” She stepped into her pants. “Okay. You can come in, now.”

  Nick carried a large load in fount of him as he entered. Greg followed close behind.

  “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” Byron cried.

  Greg took him from Angelina and sniffed his head. “He smells great. Thank you, girls.” He glanced around the cavern. “Where’s Beth?”