Capture the tide.

Chapter 2

Hours later Marina and Joseph traipsed through the forest at the other side of the village, the bushes and shrubs grabbed at her ankles as the low hanging branches scrapped at her face and arms making it difficult for her to walk. The couple times she had thought about retreating back to her room or escaping for a night swim in the cool ocean water that always cleared her head, Joseph had convinced her to keep going... so on they walked.

The damp smell of earth and mud engulfed her senses, that accompanied with the darkness made it feel as if she were being buried alive. She couldn't shake the feeling as the distance between them and civilization grew. Woods, she'd usually avoid them at all costs. Of a morning or late at night when she'd go for her run, she'd always chosen running along the sand at the edge of the water around the coastline of their island over the musk of the woodlands. Exploring caves and rock climbing around trenches to find the most beautiful and exclusive places, places that no one else dared to venture to, places that she could truly call her own.

"How much further?" She whispered into the darkness, the only sign that Joseph was in front of her was the squelch and crunch of leaves and sticks beneath each footfall. The moon light that made its way through the break in leaves above them was barely enough to see her hand if she held it in front of her face, Marina could only just make out Josephs sand colored hair through the shadows.

"Not much further" Joseph muttered in reply, completely focused on steering himself and the task ahead, a tinge of excitement lacing his words.

Shortly after he spoke the squelching ahead stopped, the sudden silence was quickly broken and followed by a thud before a hand reached back grabbing her elbow softly to help her climb a large tree that had fallen in their path. The wood of the trunk scraped her leg as she made her way over, she couldn't see the lone branch until her back leg came over and caught on it causing her to tumble forward. Josephs other hand grabbed her waist, steadying her as he lowered her to the ground with a gentle thud.

"Woah, woah... I got you, don't worry" Joseph said huffing out a laugh as his hand trailed down her arm sending shivers down her spine, she forced herself to be still as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.

"Thanks" she mumbled as she fixed her dress, the soft pink fabric flowed just above her knees, she knew that the hem of the dress would now be covered in small specks of mud as it flicked up over her legs as she walked. The sweetheart neckline showed more than she would have liked, she found herself constantly pulling at it uncomfortably in hopes that it would magically cover more of her. She didn't know why she'd let him convince her to wear this stupid dress, it was completely impractical as they hiked through the woods. Marina had become more and more relived that she hadn't let Joseph convince her to wear heels. Instead, she had settled on a sleek comfortable pair of nice boots which were now completely covered in muck.

The thump of music began to echo around them accompanied by the distant sounds of voices before a light breached the darkness ahead of them, excitement built up deep inside her, she was unable to keep the smile from her face.

Joseph turned to face her with a bright smile of excitement that mirrored her own, he grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze before letting go.

The light and the music grew as they got closer, flowing together in perfect harmony as shadows danced on the trunks of the trees before them. Marina felt her body instinctively sway in time with the music as they made their way towards it.

A large bonfire stood in the middle of the clearing as bodies crowded around it, dancing and locking lips, the strong scent of alcohol hit her so hard that she almost staggered back as a laugh left her lips.

They flowed easily into the crowd, making their way comfortably between people shaking hands shouting greetings over the loud thrums of the music. Marina eyed Joseph as they made their way through the crowd, an easy smile gracing his lips as he greeted the countless familiar faces. The crowd was full of people they knew and some they had never seen before, but no matter who they approached Joseph acted as if he knew everyone.