The Island

Chapter 4

Erika's POV

The man's steel blue eyes glare at me as if I'm unwanted. He could want nothing to do with me yet why do I care otherwise? I shouldn't. This beautiful man is nothing but a stranger to me with his strong jaw line, the four O'clock shadow that screams sex appeal and don't get me started on that body. I can't say I don't want to know him.

"Erika Strong," Gordon announces suddenly, snapping me out of my inner thoughts. "Meet the owner of the house, Cameron Baker." Gordon takes his seat beside Sophie and Cameron.

The table is silent as everyone grabs food. I continue to feel Cam's eyes on me, analyzing and assessing every move I make. "So, Erika," He finally speaks in a deep, accented voice, and my body does an involuntary shiver. "What's brought you to the island of Pandora?"

"My boss sent me on a wild goose chase to research an island with abnormal legends. He has this crazy idea that the island is Pandora." I respond, playing with the fruit on my plate.

I think Gregory sent me on a wild goose chase, but I notice Cam and Gordon exchange an odd look. Maybe there is some hope after all. "And what exactly are the legends surrounding Pandora?" He asks and midway through the sentence, he looks at me, his accent coming out more.

"They say the people on Pandora are cursed, but with what, no one knows. There's a wide range of rumors from tattoos to magical beings." I answer.

He laughs without humor, "You've come all this way just to find out if people of this island are cursed, yet you have no idea what this curse is? You're basing it all on rumors that may not exist." He states, seemingly amused.

I always knew Gregory's plans were stupid, but after hearing Cam summarize the mission, it sounds even worse. My hope slowly dies out as if it wasn't there at all.

"Yes, I suppose so." Responding as if Cams words didn't affect me. "The whole point about legends Mr. Baker is to find out if they exist. Pandora is supposed to be cursed, and yet no one knows with what. I am here to find out the truth."

The table is silent as we continue to eat, the only sound that can be heard are the forks and knives scraping against plates.

"You're welcome to stay here while you're on the island, in the room I gave you." Cam suddenly states making no room for argument. For some reason, he didn't seem happy about making the accommodations. If he didn't like it, why would he offer? There must be more to the man that sits in front of me.

Cam stands from the table, and I notice he's very tall with wide shoulders and narrow hips. "Let me know of your findings." He orders before stiffly walking away.

The table was silent for awhile as if everyone was trying to understand the strange man. "Sorry about his manners, he's still learning how to associate with people." Gordon smirks after the door is closed.

"Is he always such a ray of sunshine?" I ask sarcastically, which makes Gordon smile and shake his head.

"He received some news before you came in." Sophie states. "It wasn't something he wanted to hear." She says, before shoving a fork full of scrambled eggs into her mouth.

"Erika, why don't you tell us about your dreams from last night?" Gordon suggests.

I don't feel I can trust them yet. The dreams suddenly happening now, doesn't make sense. "Well, I only remember one." I lie. "There's a man that was completely covered by shadows. The wind was howling through the night, and the man turns into a large monster. Honestly, I wasn't in the dream long enough to get a good look at him. I woke up when he turned." I sighed, shaking my head. "I have a feeling this isn't the last time I'll have this dream; it certainly isn't the first."