Project X

The End of All Things: Isle of the Broken

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ISLE OF THE BROKEN

    "Antony, what are you doing here?"

    "Well, is that any way to greet your best friend? I think not. Besides, I could ask you lot the exact same." He pantomimed flipping his hair, even though it was nowhere near long enough to actually do, "Waited here patiently for you all this time, and I can't even get an 'oh, hello, Antony, my favorite person and king among men, it's so lovely to see you; oh, how I've missed you these many, many, many long months'? It's not that hard, really."

    "Uh, it's not that I'm not glad to see you." I began as I stood, wiping my face and dusting myself off, "I'm just, uh... Confused." I finally actually took in my surroundings and realized that we were on a beach. "Where... Are we?"

    "Finally, now there's a good question!" He exclaimed happily, "Oh, I'm so proud of you, what a good boy!" He presented the palm tree forest behind him with a flourish, "Welcome, all! To the Isle of the Broken!"

    He stood there for a moment, seeming to bask in his own drama. His moment was broken, rather abruptly, by Vi.

    "Isle of the what?" He looked annoyed in a way that a diva would when the paparazzi refuses to get their 'good side'.

    "Really, it's like nobody appreciates good theatre these days." He scoffed to himself. "The Isle of the Broken." He repeated, then he smiled widely again, "Or, as my lovely, yet grumpy, husband and I like to call it," He reached behind him, pulling aside a palm tree to clear the view- a feat that would have been terrifying if we didn't have Irwin in our group, "Our favorite vacation spot!"

    We all stood in shock and awe as he revealed a small, yet elegant, hut set just behind the tree-line. Just as he had said, Ryan was there, sitting on a beach chair, sunblock on his nose, sunglasses on his eyes, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, and sipping from a coconut. I saw Antony smirk proudly, apparently deciding we had given the proper reaction.

    "Uh. Question."

    "Yes, Jason?"

    "You guys are... Vampires, aren't you?"

    "Oh, well how kind of you to notice!" Antony exclaimed, bowing grandly,

    "Yeah. Uh. Don't Vampires. And the sun. Like. Not mix?"

    Antony laughed theatrically, and even Ryan gave a chuckle from his beach chair,

    "Silly, silly boy." Antony chided, "Believing such silly, silly rumors. Though, I suppose I can hardly blame you." He beckoned for us to follow as he made his way towards the hut, planting a kiss on Ryan's cheek as he passed, "Ryan, be a darling and fetch me a drink while I show our lovely guests around." It sounded weird that time when he said it, almost like Rain, but with an elongated -un sound.

    "Of course, Antiguine." Ryan responded as he got up from his seat, I think Antony clocked my confusion because he winked,

    "When you live long enough, you change your name once or twice." He told me, "Raeun and I, however, do enjoy using our real names from time to time. At the very least, when we're on vacation." He opened the door to the hut, ushering us in, "Now, I believe you did ask about how we are able to be in the sun, dear boy, and the answer is simple." He gestured to Irwin to close the door behind him, and he scrambled to comply.

    "All Vampires can."

    "I'm sorry?" He laughed again,

    "Now, I will admit, if we don't receive our proper blood intake, we do become much more... Flammable, I should say. But, as long as we are well and goodly fed, well it's lights on, boys!" He led us to the center of what appeared to be the living room, and turned to face us, gesturing grandly with each next word he spoke.