Cut & Run

by Nic Lomax

  The sound of gunfire is unmistakable, even more so when emitted from a high calibre weapon and directed towards your location. The bullets sprayed across the water ahead and over the bow which mesmerised Kai. A concoction of adrenaline and endorphins were released into his blood stream and he acted without hesitation. His body hit the deck like a heavy stone and he remained flat as a pancake as the next barrage of fire headed off the bow.

  ‘Stu’ he screamed ‘stay down! They are just trying to stop us they have zero jurisdiction now, we just need to maintain this heading,’ his sentence was cut short by a stray bullet that clipped the mast. The sound of ricochet seemed to enrage Stu and he grabbed at the shotgun that Kai was lying on.

  ‘Stu! If you return fire they will sink us. Do you understand? Stay the fuck down.’ The short burst of fire seemed to be dissipating and Kai looked over the gunnels to see their oppressor positioned half a mile away and still within Spanish waters.

  ‘I think we’re home free’ Kai whispered, Stu got to his feet making his way towards the bow to investigate any damage. Kai had protested that he should stay down but the pig headed American ignored his requests. No sooner had he reached the bow than another burst of gun fire filled the air, the bullets again sprayed close to the bow and clipped the hull. Stu had dived for cover behind the roof of the cabin but took a hit, letting out a blood curdling scream in a tone Kai had never heard before. Blood gushed from Stu’s wound and covered the fore deck in a thick red glaze. Kai had stripped off his T-shirt and applied it to the top of his shoulder where the bullet had struck its cruel blow. After a quick assessment, it was clear to Kai that the bullet had cut straight through Stu’s arm luckily on the fleshy part and exited cleanly. Kai strapped the wound as best he could, and helped Stu back towards the stern where he offered the alcohol that he had been concealing for their victorious return. When he had the patient comfortable, he glanced to port to make sure that their assailant had given up chase. To his relief, the coast guard had indeed realised the distance was too great and was returning to their home port.

  ‘Fuck Stu, that was too close. It was only a matter of inches for that bullet to finish you and that could have been your last surf trip my friend!’ Stu looked pale and dishevelled and was slipping into shock. Kai ducked below and wrapped the injured sailor in blankets. ‘It’s gonna be sweet Stu, we’re home clear and fairly rich!’

  Stu finally responded ‘Dude that was close! I heard the fucking bullet rip out of me and hit the deck, something that will stay with me forever. Thanks for patching me up bro, I didn’t realise that you were a field doctor!’ It was the first remark that had Kai on his feet and in to the forward berth of the cabin. His fears were realised as he stepped through the door and into water. It wasn’t a lot but it wouldn’t take much water to make the hull list dangerously. Kai set about changing the boats course slightly to lift the hulls damaged area above the water line. His next move was to apply the bilge pump, and remove the excess ocean that had penetrated the hull. All the while he made sure that Stu hadn’t lost too much more blood. He had almost become a master of disaster management. Darkness wasn’t far away and he knew he had to patch the hole with epoxy resin and a fiberglass patch, or it meant a night of uncertainty that could be filled with further complications. He only had one chance to make the patch stick properly. Kai tacked the boat round and tightened the sheets so that the boat heeled over to his advantage. He leaned over the side of the boat to apply the bandage to their war horse. He caught a glimpse of himself in the waters reflection and almost didn’t recognise his watery image that stared back at him. His hair was impossibly blonde and his skin dark. He chuckled to himself Amber would think he looked like Tarzan! He shook himself back to reality in a split second as he got to work fixing the hull. Ten minutes later the resin had gone off and set and the patch looked good.

  ‘Only time will tell’ he said out loud and returned to his stricken friend.

  That night the wind was kind to the crew of the “Joint Venture” and she limped on towards home like faithful hunting dog. Though Kai didn’t sleep a wink. He spent the whole night checking the water level in the forward berth and bailed when necessary. Combine this with Stu’s gunshot wound, which had fortunately clotted fast, he was very grateful when the first throws of light flung from the east. The wind was favourable that morning and the sea state was light, so Kai rewarded himself with a joint to settle his nerves from the hellish previous day. He was confident that the temporary fix would hold and later that day they would be close to a suitable harbour to dock. He had mentioned to Stu that the likelihood of the police waiting back at the marina would be high, and that a new plan was needed to get to the jeep. When Stu became a little less delirious from the drug mixed stupor that Kai had concocted for him, it was time for that discussion.

  ‘The only thing that will work is if you sneak us in close to the marina entrance, I’ll jump ship and make for the jeep. If we get back at the time I’m thinking, we will have darkness on our side. Then you head further up the coast past the Kings palace and anchor off. I’ll flash the headlights from the beach and you can float back to shore’ Kai suggested.

  ‘That’s a cracking plan’ Stu said wincing as he moved. ‘I will have to come in close man, my arm is done.’ Kai knew that his friend would struggle with the swim, but this was their only chance. He tried to boost Stu’s confidence by saying that he would be back out on the water in no time. They both knew this was a lie.

  By the time they had reached the coastline of Morocco the darkness had indeed set in which was exactly what Kai had wanted, to conceal their dodgy entry back into the country. As the boat drew closer, the embrace of the twinkling lights of the marina was almost luring them into a false sense of security and they only just realised to shut off the navigation lights, before Kai dived into the sea a mere fifty metres from shore. He made the swim look effortless as he powered through the marina entrance with the stealth of a royal marine. The plan was simple. Stu was to continue north to the rendezvous point and Kai would be waiting. It was a relief to be inside the jeep and Kai fired the trusty diesel engine and sped away into the night. His hand scoured the passenger seat for his mobile. He was eager to see if anyone from home had made contact, especially Amber. He quickly gave up as he nearly veered off the road sliding in the African dust. He swore out loud gave himself a pep talk and drove on towards Banana Beach which was where they were to retrieve the money, get Stu to shore, and sink the boat.

  Things didn’t look promising when the “Joint Ventures” navigation lights came into view. The tide was low and the swell was grinding onto the shore like the blows of a heavy-weight boxer. When the boat looked to be position, Kai gave the signal by flashing the headlights three times. The boat slowed and its bow was pointed out to sea. Then it was the waiting game, and Kai strained his eyes against the remaining light protruding from the horizon and only the moon seemed to be on their side, as its beam illuminated the shore break. Kai heard Stu spluttering as his body was being forced under the water by the menacing waves. He waded through the water, desperate to pull his friend from the unforgiving ocean that could easily suck him into the darkness with its savage grip. He caught a glimpse of Stu and dove forwards into the water. The hypnotic glows of the phosphorescence became disturbed as he fought against the current. He felt something deafly touch his fingertips but was quickly torn away from him. As he dove deeper, he again felt the object and grabbed at it, feeling an arm and a shoulder. It was Stu, they broke the surface in unison and gasped hungrily at the sweet air.

  Stu spluttered and cleared his lungs before he managed to spit out a sentence. ‘Mission accomplished’ he croaked.

  Chapter 6

  Bro’s before Ho’s

  Amber and Marina’s exit from Morocco couldn’t have been more problematic. Amber was in a foul mood, their flight had been delayed due to engine issues and the male security guard had been a little over familiar with them both which almost lead to them bei
ng ejected from the terminal for trying to fight him off. By the time Marina had dropped Amber back at the flat, it was getting dark and the rain was pouring.

  ‘Good old Blighty’ she said, and struggled up the stairs with her bags. She flung open the door and was instantly assaulted with a photo of her and Kai locked in each other arms. She quickly disposed of the photo frame, sending it crashing to the floor. She sat there contemplating how they had got to this as the rain came down harder, hammering at the windows. She decided to finish the bottle of Seychellois rum that they had got on one of their adventures together, and as she poured herself a large glass she toasted herself and her dickhead of an ex, and sipped at the fiery liquor. There was a knock at the door and Amber was happy that Marina was probably back to collect some of her clothes that she had packed in her case. She was surprised to see a very awkward looking Salty standing there, and looked over his shoulder desperately hoping that Kai was behind him.

  Salty had come by to drop off the Volvo and to explain what had unravelled in France. Amber listened intently to Kai’s best friend and his crazy stories, told in the quirky manner that only Salty could. She smiled thinking of the dynamic duo living the boyish lifestyle on the continent. Salty’s demeanour darkened when he mentioned how Stu came on the scene.

  ‘I don’t know’ he said, shaking his head, ‘it was like the dude had some magical hold over him, and that Kai needed to push himself further and harder to impress him’.

  Amber shrugged her shoulders and poured another drink and one for Salty too, she pondered before she spoke ‘he never could be tamed, god knows I’ve tried for years. He’s an enigma Salty… I guess that was part of the attraction. The thing is I always thought I could tame him, and that maybe, just maybe, he would grow the fuck up.’

  Salty instinctively grabbed her hand as she started to sob. ‘Look Amber he’s an idiot and he loves you deep down, he’s just a little lost’.

  Amber stood and looked out of the window, winter was starting to cast its shadow over the south coast now and the lone tree being buffeted in the garden below was desperately holding on to the last of its foliage. She wondered how long she was going to hold on for before she had to let Kai go. The two shared more stories and the bottle of rum was slowly consumed. Talk turned to their past and the adventures that the three of them had together. It was a special time, their heyday and it made Amber sad knowing finally that this era was ending, and the chapter was to be closed forever.

  ‘Salty’ she slurred ‘you ever wonder if I made the right decision?’

  ‘What do you mean? Decision about what? Coz if you’re talking about your choice of beverage this rum is killer!’ They both burst into laughter and this lightened the mood. She did notice that Salty had held his gaze possibly for a little too long and this made her feel good inside. It was nice to be noticed again and maybe even to be fancied. She realised that Salty, although not the best looking of Kai’s crew was definitely the most loyal and she had always suspected that he had a secret thing for her. Tonight she may just push this a little further, she knew it wasn’t the right thing to do but she was drunk, hurting, and quickly losing her inhabitations.

  Salty didn’t stand a chance against the allure of Amber’s siren like charms, and as the alcohol took its desired effect he found himself being drawn to her cat-like movements. She was stunning and he knew better than to make a move on his best friend’s girl, but Amber was playing this game well and she knew how to push a horny guy’s buttons.

  She padded out to the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror, she still had it, that was for certain and she delicately applied a little more lip gloss and undid a couple of buttons exposing her cleavage.

  ‘Salty, do you fancy another drink’ she said knowing perfectly well that he would. A slurry reply confirmed her suspicions and she poured the final dregs of the illicit liquor into their glasses. She sat back down and made it so she was perched only inches away from Salty. Again they chatted about the good old days and Amber made subtle moves to put a hand on Salty’s knee, all the time playing with her hair, and staring into his eyes. Talk led back to their break up and Amber began to get upset, or at least appeared to.

  Salty offered his comfort and wrapped his arms around her, her breast pushed against his chest. He could smell her hypnotic perfume and longed to kiss her. She stroked his chest slowly and looked up and into his eyes. It was only seconds before their lips locked and they began to kiss passionately. He pulled her on top of him and she felt his arousal and begun to rub herself up and down on him as she removed her top and bra exposing her pert round breasts. There was a moment where they both realised what they were doing was wrong, but neither of them protested as their animal instincts took over. Salty lifted her clean in the air her legs wrapped around his waist and they clumsily made their way to the bedroom, never once unlocking their embrace but once on the bed Amber suddenly became very aware of the situation she had put herself in, and in a final attempt to dissuade his advances she pulled the sick card and made her excuses fleeing to the toilet in tears.

  Once again she was alone with her mirror image and she was not happy with who was staring back at her. Smeared makeup, ravaged hair and the general demeanour of the common, drunk slut she had almost become, and with his best friend too. Now she really did feel sick with the feeling of utter disgust and remorse. She scowled at her reflection as she removed the dregs of her makeup wondering if the witty Americans pictures of Kai with that girl really were somehow fabricated, and that she had nearly slept with his friend, purely out of spite. The room began to spin and Amber made her way to the bedroom only to find Salty asleep. He looked peaceful enough and harmless to boot so she crawled in next to him and closed her eyes. As she slipped off into a rum based coma Salty stirred and suddenly became aware of Amber asleep by his side and stared at the sleeping vixen that was nestled against him. She was perfect and Kai just let her slip away like a wave he deemed not perfect enough to ride.

  He knew exactly what he was doing as he pulled the covers down exposing her breasts and posing with her sleeping beside him. His right arm outstretched with his phone taking numerous selfies. Amber stirred and quick as a flash Salty rolled over like a child being caught doing something he shouldn’t. Amber muttered in her sleep but quickly drifted back off. He scrolled back through the images and smiled to himself. He would show Kai exactly what he had lost and what he had gained by him leaving and chasing his dream. Drunk, he selected the best image to destroy Kai’s world and sent to him via private message. Just like that, the wheels were set in motion to push Kai’s existence to the limit, and determine his and Amber’s fate once and for all.

  The morning light tumbled through the window, although it was shrouded by the dank misty winter that had well and truly took hold. Ambers head was banging from the night before, the rum’s poison was clearly still diluting her blood. She rolled over and saw Salty lying there asleep and her heart sank to new depths she had never experienced before. It was only the final realisation of the clouded images that drifted back through her consciousness that released her from the grips of remorse. To validate her broken memory she peeked under the duvet and was pleased to see that they both were still wearing underwear.

  ‘Thank fuck’ she muttered. How the hell was she going to explain all this to Kai, let alone face Salty? It was her turn to quietly slip away in to the morning drizzle to ponder what had gone on, and also what she was going to do to ensure Kai knew how she felt.

  Amber quickly left the flat dressed in her finest hippy getup, baggy Indian trousers, hoody and a bobble hat to conceal as much of her hung-over brokenness as possible. She would normally have the radio cranked up to the max and be singing her heart out, but today was not a day for rejoicing. In essence, she felt like a total skank, but had he driven her to this, or was it just an easy way out to start again. Her vibrant orange Suzuki Swift tore through the quiet streets of a sleepy Southbourne as she tossed these thoughts over in h
er mind. One thing for certain was that a good strong coffee and a chat with her bestie would offer some light to her dilemmas.

  Amber couldn’t actually believe the very words that were tumbling from her lips with the ferociousness of a river that burst its banks. The more she spoke, the more she couldn’t stop its flow. All the while Marina stood there open jawed, not really comprehending the drastic nature of the previous nights shenanigans, and how they could affect her future.

  ‘So you didn’t fuck him then? So what’s the problem?’ she offered whimsically.

  ‘The problem is I was so close to doing it! The problem is its Kai’s best friend and I still love Kai’

  Marina then went on a mass offensive of how Kai had constantly let her down, ripped her heart out and put her life on hold while he lived it up in dream land.

  ‘Marina, he does love me though, he always has. I just need to find a way to let him grow. I know we will be together again.’

  ‘Amber, your always making excuses for him. Maybe this was a sign? And even if it’s not, it’s not like he’s going to find out that you and Salty nearly did it! Christ that makes me want to hurl!’ she laughed.

  ‘That’s not the worst bit! How am I ever going to face Salty? He is so sweet and I know he really likes me…’ Marina was laughing now, imagining the lewd scenario in her head.

  ‘Listen Amber, on a serious note, I think you know the answer to all of this. Put Salty straight, he will hurt for a while but he’ll come round. Kai is a completely different animal altogether. I would be honest with him and tell him the situation. Then it’s up to him’.

  As Amber digested this barrage of constructive abuse from her friend, a few thousand miles away the Moroccan sun was also making its debut, as it creeped over the Atlas Mountains, bringing with a lot more than the cold light of day to the traveller who lay sleeping in the village below.