The Island

Chapter 14

Erika's POV

Cam stands in the doorway. The expression on his face has gone from shock to anger and something else that I detect. Fear? His jaw clinches and I know he's on the verge of exploding.

I get the impression that commenting on the poem right now would be a bad idea.

The wind hits the windows hard making them shake and a crack of thunder explodes from the sky. I didn't know we were supposed to have a storm today.

I look back at Cam and I'm afraid to talk, he looks so angry. I wait a moment, hoping he speaks or moves but he doesn't. Silent tension covers the room. He glares at me as if everything is my fault. Occasionally, I catch him looking at the writing on the wall behind me.

I have so many questions but my instincts are telling me not to ask and to keep my mouth shut. Now is not the time for answers.

He looks at me once more and in the smallest of whispers he says, "Get out." So quietly I almost didn't hear it.

I stand there. Wanting to move, wanting him not to hate me and wanting to know about the poem scribbled on the wall.

But I can't move; can't bring myself to ask the questions I so desperately want to ask. I'm frozen in place. Trapped by his icy blue eyes that seem to glare daggers into my soul.

He steps closer and says it again, a little louder. "Get out." Obviously thinking I didn't hear him. I see his hands clinch into fists.

He doesn't give me much time before he yells and slams his fists against the wall with an animalistic roar, leaving a dent in the wall from the force. "I said get out!"

Thunder cracks again in the sky and the doors from the balcony burst open, slamming into the wall from the force of the wind. The drapes that hang by the doors fly into the room with the winds force.

I run from him; from the room, needing to escape. I can't breathe.

I don't understand and I don't think I want to. He left a dent in the wall. A dent that will need to be repaired by a professional. Who has that kind of strength? Would he hurt me if I had stayed?

I run down the stairs as fast as I can and get to the front door.

"Erika!" I hear Sophie's voice and stop, turning to look at her and see confusion on her face. Her expression changes to surprise as she sees the tears streaming down my face that I didn't realize broke through.

"I can't stay here." I tell her before opening the door and running out into the storm. Ignoring the protests behind me, I run not knowing where I'm running to. Rain falls from the sky, soaking me instantly. I run towards the village as thunder cracks in the sky. I pick up speed to get away from the lightning that may strike at any moment.

When I reach the village, I don't see anyone. Everyone is inside taking shelter from the storm. I don't care though; I want to get as far away from this place as possible. I head towards the forest.

I know there's no way off this island without help and I know no one would help me and there is no way I'm going back to Cam.

As I run, branches hit my face; the trees block my way as if to say to go back, but I wont. I continue to battle with the trees that leave scratches on my body, leaving a stinging feeling behind.

I reach the river and trip on a rock, falling onto the rocks by the stream. I roll over to sit on my butt and look at the scrapes on my knees. As I move, I notice that my ankle erupts in pain. I know I didn't break it because I can still move it.

I start to cry from the frustration, the pain and the feeling of hopelessness. I thought things were going well between Cam and I. I had just had to go and ruin it.