RESTLESS HEARTS

CHAPTER 13

•SHAWN•

I'm not sure what that woman's deal was, but she's definitely not on my list of favorite people right now.

Why wouldn't she help me? She literally saved my life and then just took off, leaving me here to fend for myself. Seriously, what the hell?

I'm lost, exhausted, and hungry, and my throat feels like sandpaper from not having a drop of fresh water in hours.

I never saw any of this coming. Right now, I'm just clinging to a sliver of hope that my friends made it through too and someone found them for help.

My memory is a bit fuzzy, and the pieces don't quite fit together. All I can remember is hanging out with Andrew, having a laugh, and then boom, an explosion, and I plunged into the water. That's it.

What on earth actually happened? How could there be an explosion? Did something go wrong with the engine or was it some other mechanical issue?

I dropped my head into my hands, taking a deep breath to try and stay calm. I have no idea where I am or if I'm anywhere near a town.

That lady took off in a Jeep, so she must be staying somewhere nearby. I'd rather stay put here on the beach than follow her into the wilderness. Who knows, she might decide to use that gun of hers on me.

Daylight is fading fast, and I'm running out of ideas. I don't even know how to build a makeshift shelter, for Christ sake!

I get up, find a fallen coconut tree branch, and drag it into the shade. Gathering a few more, I lay them down side by side until they're thick enough to lie on.

There. I can sleep on this tonight. Tomorrow, I'll do some exploring to figure out if this island is as remote as it seems or if there are more people around.

I've got to find a way out of here.

As darkness falls, I lie down on my makeshift bed, putting my arm behind my head and gazing up at the sky.

The sound of waves crashing on the beach is oddly soothing, and it makes me miss Shay. I hope she's okay back home and doesn't worry too much if she hears about my situation.

Knowing how my other sisters treat her when I'm not around, I'm a bit concerned for her. I hope she knows I'm alive and finds a way to get help. She's smart enough for that. But I doubt she'll take matters into her own hands because my parents like to handle things themselves.

Well, I just hope they find me soon because I don't think I can last out here much longer without shelter, food, or water.

I close my eyes for a moment, listening to the waves, letting everything fade into the darkness.

A growling sound nearby startles me awake. I didn't realize I was dozing off. It's pitch black, but there's a full moon casting faint light.

The growl comes again, and I sit up, my skin prickling with fear. Something rustles in the trees nearby. I strain my ears, slowly getting to my feet, trying to spot what's lurking in the shadows.

My heart thumps loudly in my chest as fear courses through me. Another low grunt comes from the other side, and I jump.

Please, don't let it be a wild animal...

I reach out to feel the sand with both hands, searching for something to defend myself with. My hand finds something buried in the sand, and I pull it out—it's a long stick.

The animal grunts again, and I whirl around, holding the stick defensively.

What was that? A wild pig, maybe?

A deep growl from behind freezes me in place. I turn slowly and see a dark silhouette a few feet away. It's massive, but I can't quite make out what it is—a wild pig or a boar, perhaps.

It sniffs the air before moving closer, and I step back with each of its movements.

I'm trapped. Should I run or stay still?

Before I can decide, it charges toward me with angry growls.

I trip over something behind me and fall onto the sand. Panic sets in as it closes in, and I clutch the stick tightly, ready to fight back.

My heart leaps in shock as a gunshot shatters the night. I blink, and suddenly, the animal lies motionless at my feet.

I release a breath I didn't know I was holding. Bright lights shine from behind the trees, nearly blinding me. I shield my eyes and see another dark figure blocking the light.

I finally spot where the light is coming from—it's car headlights. The person standing in front of them just shot the animal.

I get to my feet, shaking sand off my clothes, and look at the person again. It takes a moment, but I recognize her—she's the same woman I met a few hours ago, the one who's now saved me twice in one day. If this weren't a life-or-death situation, my ego would be seriously bruised.

"Get in the car if you want to stay alive," she says, not needing to repeat it. 

I waste no time getting into the front seat of the Jeep with her. After what just happened, I don't want to spend another minute on that beach, especially knowing there are more wild animals out there.

We drove for about twenty minutes. The way she expertly navigates through the trees and wilderness tells me she knows her way around this island.

Why did she come back for me, though?

The car rocks as we drive down a muddy trail and approach a small cliff. From the top, I see a cabin below with lights on the front porch.

So, this is where she's staying.

She gets out of the Jeep first, and I follow slowly. She kicks open the front door, and I step inside, surprised at how spacious it is. It looks much bigger on the inside than it did on the outside, with wood decor, leather couches, and a well-furnished kitchen.

Honestly, I'm impressed.

She drops the keys on a small wooden dining table in the middle of the room and turns toward me, her piercing gaze intimidating.

"Don't ask questions about what happened tonight. I brought you here not out of sympathy, so let's get that straight."

Damn. So straightforward, okay.

"I just don't want to be held responsible for a dead body on this island since I'm the only one living on this territory and the local town is miles away."

Great, so there is a town nearby, which means I can get help. But hold on a second, what does she mean by not wanting to be held responsible for a dead body?

"You can stay in that spare room over there."

I look to where she's pointing, and there's a closed door down the hallway. She walks toward the couch and grabs two neatly folded pieces of clothing.

"These are the only clothes I can offer you. We don't exactly have the same style. The bathroom is opposite your room, and if you're hungry, help yourself to anything in the kitchen. But don't get too comfortable. You're still not welcome here. Until I figure out how to handle your situation, you're staying with me and listening to what I have to say. Is that clear?"

That's a lot to take in, but I nod anyway.

"Yes, ma'am."

She gives me a stern look, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"Goodnight."

She places the folded clothes on the table and turns to walk away.

"Hey, wait." She shoots me an annoyed look over her shoulder when she stops.

"I didn't catch your name. I'm Shawn, by the way."

I extend my hand for a handshake, but she just glances at it and keeps walking, disappearing around the corner. I awkwardly retract my hand and rub the back of my neck.

"You can call me Jules!" she shouts from a distance, and I can't help but crack a smile.

Jules. That's a pretty name.