Dark Island Book 1 (Complete)

Chapter 11

Gentle waves lapped at the shoreline, inches from my face where I collapsed again. I felt the gritty sand against my cheek. Rolling onto my back, I drew in a lungful of fresh air and let the sun beat down on my skin. My eyes fluttered open against the glaring light. I knew I had to get up, but I just lay there, unable to move. Harold tumbled down next to me. I inhaled the salty scent of ocean, with its hint of coconut. Cheerful bird songs echoed through the air. Monkeys squealed, and a symphony of insects sounded in my ears.
"We're here... Wherever 'here's is.” said Harold, while wiping of sand from his face. He turned and faced the unbroken stretch of shoreline. The only thing that caught our attention was the dozen ships, shipwrecked alongside Tue shore. Somewhat faded away, covered in rust and sea algae.
"Looks like nobody's been here for ages."
I searched the skies for a helicopter or plane, any sign of human life. Surely, someone has figured out our location and will come for us soon. It is only a matter of time, right? But with no supplies, time wasn't on our side. My muscles ached from fatigue, but I forced myself upright.
"Where's the search party?”
"It's early in the morning," said Harold.
"They're probably scanning the water first since they knew we were on a boat. It will take some time to search for us. Besides, knowing your wife, we are plastered all over the news by now. "
His words gave me hope. I admired the breathtaking beauty all around me. Coconut palms dotted the sands, and the sweet scent of flowers wafted in the breeze. It almost looked like a tropical Paradise like the kind you would see on a post card or some commercial for suntan lotion, but without the dozens of shipwrecks. A dense jungle peered out from beyond the Sandy beach.
Jack stood and surveyed the unfamiliar area all around him, when he notices something, someone familiar approaching.
"Jack! Do you see? “Harold shouted from his lungs.
I turned my face and saw Ronnie. He is alive.
"Hey guys, I thought that I was never going to see you again man I'm glad you all are alive. What happened you your leg Jack! "
"Oh it's nothing, just a scratch. I will be fine."
"What country do you think we're in?” asked Ronnie
"I wish I knew, there is no telling how far the storm blew us off coarse.” said Harold.
Ronnie's gaze swept over the rainforest.
"So, uh... You're saying we could be anywhere?"
"Just about,” said Harold, his jaw clenching.
I scooted backwards into the hot sand and sprawled out. It felt warmer than any winter coat I had ever owned. There were sugar white sand crystals between the sand that glittered like snow in the sun on a cold winter day. I scooped some of it up and let it slipped through my fingers.
Harold stared as if hypnotized by the sand. "It sparkles.”
I wiggled my feet, watching the sand gleam around us.
"Yeah, just like at Coronado beach.  What mineral causes this neat glitter effect?"
"Mica, “said Ronnie, dropping next to me, " and there's a relatively high concentration of it here too. "
"Mica crystals, huh? Well that is something for you. "
"I wish I could Face book or tweet all this craziness." said Harold.
The only social networking I dreamed about reaching was a team of Navy Seals or Army Rangers with a giant helicopter or an even bigger boat.
"So, Jack, after everything we've seen, is my theory really that far-fetched?" asked Ronnie.
"You mean, like the UFO's... "
"I can't tell you guys for sure where we are, but I do know one thing." said Harold.
"What?” I asked.
"We should stay right here in this spot and wait for help.”
Jumping to my feet, I turned in a slow circle and scanned the landscape. My frown deepened. There were no people, no helicopter, no sign of anyone hurrying to our rescue, not even a sun-bronzed native hacking coconut open with a machete or slicing up pineapples in a bamboo beach side fruit stand. The jungle beyond showed no signs of civilization either. Wherever we are... I hope help will soon come.