The Island

Chapter 12

Erika's POV

It's been a few days since the events with the pirates unfolded and I spoke with Cam. I haven't seen anyone in the last few days other than Sophie. It seems as though Cam is avoiding me and Gordon seems to be laying low as well.

Today, I will do something different.

I'm going to seek out Gordon. I haven't seen him since we got back and he has to be around somewhere. This house is large. Maybe he will be in one of the rooms that I've not seen yet.

I walk around the house, exploring. Room to room I peak in and find there are a lot of guest rooms, a library, a workout room, and a theatre room. So far, I have yet to find a TV room. Wonder if they have TV here. With a theatre room, maybe they watch TV there?

I walk down a dark hallway and find a door that is open that usually closed. Peeking inside, I see Gordon watching TV on a large, grey L shape couch. I walk in and sit down beside him, watching the TV.

I can feel him staring at me while I focus on the TV.

"So," he says casually, "find anything new?"

I get the feeling he hasn't talked to Cam about what happened a couple days ago. Otherwise, I am sure he wouldn't have asked how he did.

I sigh. "A few things. But I'm not sure it's worth the trouble anymore. People aren't ready to know about this island and its secrets."

"So, you've uncovered everything you need to know about the island?" he questions.

I shake my head. "I didn't say that." I pause. "The more I learn, the more I believe this island should be kept a secret. The world doesn't need to know such a place exists. People aren't ready to know about a place like this."

Gordon is quiet for some time.

"What did you find out?" he asks curiously.

"Well, there's some giant being that roams the forest-"

"You saw him?" Gordon asks as he cuts me off and sits up straighter. His dark eyes look at me in surprise to hear this information. Gordon didn't expect me to run into the giant being.

"It was giant and large." I pause thinking back to the large shadow in the darkness. "Wait, did you say, him?"

Does Gordon know the creature?

"How clear did you see him?" Gordon asks. It sounds like Gordon is trying to keep his composure.

"Not very. It was dark so all I could see was the outline of a large figure." I pause for a moment. "Why do you refer to it as a him?"

"Because, the giant as you put it, is a him." He shifts in his seat. "What else happened?"

"I learned that the pirates can't be trusted, that Pandora really is magical and the people of Pandora really do have powers." I sigh heavily.

"How'd you figure all that out?"

"Well the pirates are just sneaky little buggers and for the other two," I pause and lift up my wrist showing him the fire tattoo. "This is how I know."

"You got one?" he asks surprised but he quickly shakes it off. "What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know. When I got here it was my assignment to figure out Pandora and its secrets. I knew you guys were hiding something, so it turned into trying to get information. Now, I don't think uncovering the truth is worth it anymore. What I've learned isn't something that the world should know."

He looks at me with a confused expression, obviously needing some more information.

"I work for a company that unravels the secrets of the world, mainly paranormal. My last assignment became pretty popular based on what I found and what I told people of my discovery. It got to the point where I couldn't go outside without people lining the streets for autographs and paparazzi taking my photo, tracking every move I made in California. I took this job thinking I wouldn't find anything, that it was a lost cause. But now, knowing what I know, I don't think I can write about it. If I do, the island won't be hidden for long." I tell him.

"If it makes you feel any better, I don't think you should tell anyone either. It's safer." Gordon said. "Lie about your findings, hide the existence of the monster you saw and the magic of Pandora." His eyes are serious while he speaks and I know he means for me to do everything he says, and I will.

"Thanks for the chat Gordon." I tell him, giving him a hug. "I need to go do something." I tell him smiling. I get up and walk out of the room but as I exit, I bump into Cam.

"Oh, what are you doing?" I ask and the look on Cam's face looks like I caught him with his hand in the cookie jar.

"I was, uh,-" I knew he wouldn't be able to come up with something and I knew he had been listening.

A smile spread on my face, "You were listening."

He rubs the back of his neck and his cheeks turn a little pink. "Yeah, Sorry." He apologizes and walks away.

I stand in shock; I never thought I'd hear him say those words, ever.

***

When I get back to my room I know that I have to do something with my time before going to bed for the night. I'm glad that I had that talk with Gordon. I appreciate him listening to me.

I get on my computer and turn it on to send off an e-mail to Emily and Gregory.

To: Gregory

Cc: Emily Clark

From: Erika Strong

Re: Pandora

Hey guys,

It's been a month and I still don't have the answers I need about this island. I really don't think this place has any significance. Everything that I've read before I came here seems to be false. I don't know what to do anymore but I don't want to go back to California yet. I'm just not ready yet.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll hear from both of you soon.

Erika.

Lying didn't feel right, but I knew it was for the best. They didn't need to know the truth, it's better this way.

I put my laptop away and grab some pajama's from my bag. After changing into them I crawl into bed. Lying in bed, I think about the day. I still can't believe Cam apologized. A smile spreads across my face remembering it.

I roll over in bed and close my eyes and ever so slowly, I drift into sleep.

I wake up in my room and a hooded figure stands above me. "Don't be afraid." A female's voice says from beside me. I look at her but don't see a face. The blue hood covers her face. "My name is Allura and you need to see what I'm about to show you." The woman says and touches my forehead.

I am no longer in front of the woman. I'm now in the middle of the forest with noise coming from the bushes ahead of me. It looks like a male figure is standing in the trees. Suddenly, the wind picks up and thunder cracks in the sky and the man in front of me transforms into a large monster. I didn't get a good look at it before I'm pulled back to the woman.

"When he shows you, you will know." She says and I feel like I'm being thrown backwards into the darkness.