Yuxuan (REMASTERED)

Chapter Six

When our boat brushed against the sand, Hansel was the first one out. He dropped to the ground and began kissing the land, before spitting out the golden dust.

I grabbed both of our bags, and James helped me onto the land by holding onto my hand. I let him, since he was a lot nicer than his brother. I wasn't too fond of Peterson after our argument earlier.

"Alright old man," Peterson brushed his slacks off and stomped through the sand. "We need to find food, a reliable water source. This island looks pretty big. You think it's where you and Miss. Noles need to be?"

"There's no way to tell without a map," Hansel frowned.

"Well that's just fantastic," Peterson cursed under his breath.

"But if we look at the plants around the island, I may be able to tell. There are certain fruits and herbs native to Thailand."

"Then we'll start from there," Peterson raised his head and eyed the sun. It was just over the horizon, meaning that darkness was coming very soon. "Well, then, onward we go."

"Wait, maybe it's better to stay here and wait until morning. We don't know what lies ahead past those trees." I suggested.

"Don't tell me, you're afraid?" Peterson teased me. I felt my face flush and denied it.

"No, I'm just wanting to be safe!"

"Look around, love," Peterson snickered. "We're lost on a beach! Safety comes to those who make it."

"It's better to be safe, than sorry! Hansel can't see in the dark, and I don't want to. I don't want another rehash of today—"

"Oh, bloody heck, don't bring up the whole sinking ship sputter anymore! We are past that. We found land, haven't we?" Peterson reached inside the boat and pulled out two rifles.

"Beauty they are, aren't they?" Peterson chucked one of the guns at James who caught onto it firmly. "There's no need to worry, Miss Noles. You've got your safety right here."

"Do you even know how to operate a gun?" I raised a brow.

"What man doesn't?"

"Hmph. I still suggest we stay here. Going further away from the shore at night will only result in the blind leading the blind!"

"Alright then," Peterson sucked his teeth. "You stay here then, James, Dr. Braun, and I will lead."

"Wait... what—"

"You're scared of a little dark? Aye? Perhaps it is for the best." He nodded at James who began stomping through the sand and toward the tall plethora of trees.

"You can't just leave me here!" I protested, but Peterson shoved me back aggressively. I slipped and my back hit the sand. The hot soil made its way up my neck and some of it into my gown.

"Be a good girl and stay here."

"You can't leave me!" I hissed. My father was paying them to protect me, but they were keen on leaving me behind. I knew that going into that forest was a suicide mission. It would be too dark for any of us to see the danger.

Would they stay if I offered them more than what my father did? They wanted money, right? "If you leave me here, I'll tell my father when we go back to London,"

"Oh really?" Peterson challenged me.

"He won't pay you a dime! I'll pay you more if you do your job! How much do you want?" I huffed.

"Settle down, Miss, we aren't abandoning you. We are only searching for resources to help us survive until we find help." James explained, "It's better for a woman like you to stay here. A lady like you doesn't belong in the forest. In a way, we are doing our jobs."