INFINITE: Island of the Immortals

2. The Island

Amanda Finch popped her head over the seat in front. Her long auburn ponytail swung across Michael's knees, snapping him from his daydream.

"Oihh captain crazy-eyes wake up. What were you thinkin about?" She wrinkled her button nose, smattered with freckles. Amanda reminded him of Pippi Longstocking – if Pippi had an Australian accent and was old enough to finish high school. She pointed to the window. "We're here. It's the island."

Amongst all that blue was a dark green smudge. As they descended the island popped from the surface of the sea – a peak, then a long beach and a chain of huts arcing over a lagoon.

"Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your seatbelts for landing."

The plane banked away and Michael saw a second island – dense and uninhabited. They spiralled down low over the water. A cliff jutted up before them and they skimmed the treetops into a clearing and a gentle landing. The plane swung off the runway and jolted to a stop. As the engine cut out a deep, bellowing voice could be heard outside. The door seal cracked and an almighty chuckle filled the cabin.

"AHHH-Ha-Ha, Mrs Oaks has it been a year already?"

"You always remember," replied an elderly lady as she stepped out.

"How could I forget? Look at this style, these colours. You're a lucky man Geoff. That's the way everybody, follow my voice, step into the light."

People left the plane smiling like idiots. Wayne and Nicole let the last of the passengers through before they stood up.

"Alright, that's everybody. Close the doors. Take off. Get out of here." A hand slapped the side of the aircraft. "What is this? Who are these stowaways? SECURITY."

"Hi there, you big idiot." Nicole disappeared through the door. Amanda hurried after her parents.

"AH-MAN-DAARRR!"

"Shut-up-ya-face." She leapt from the stairs into the arms below.

The man hugged her like a rag-doll, feet flopping about. He blew a sloppy kiss on her cheek that sent Amanda squirming. A little girl with flame-red hair hung shyly behind his legs.

"G'Day! I'm Uncle Michael. Welcome to the island. You must be the other Michael." His grey hair rolled like stormy sea atop a weather-beaten, tanned face, as lined and imposing as a granite cliff until his contagious smile curled and broke like surf across his lips.

When Michael reached the bottom of the steps he found that the man was no taller than him but exuded a huge presence. Behind his gentle grip was a strength beyond doubt. As they shook hands, a faded mermaid tattoo waved from his forearm.

"Now the way I see this working is if we give you another name. Everyone gets a nickname in Australia anyway. So I was thinking we call you Lil' Mickey or Mike two?"

"Uncle Michael," Amanda scoffed.

"Oh, alright Amanda," he sighed and winked at Michael, just like Wayne would. Same blue eyes as his brother, except his were duller – they'd seen more. "Uncle Michael it is then... Hey wait, that's my name."

"Shut up." Amanda hit him. "You're such a Dag."

Michael liked this guy already. The little red-haired girl waved up at him from behind Uncle Michael's leg, but before he could wave back she hid again.

Uncle Michael's eyes were drawn back to the plane where Jill was taking careful steps down, watching her feet. His face changed when he saw her – all the creases melted away like he'd been squinting against the sun up until that moment. Uncle Michael took the small suitcase from Jill and held out a hand to help her.