Grounded On Juniper Island

A Visit From the Tropical Knights

The sound of the gong flipped Oleg out his hammock. Someone was at the front door. He laid his face down on the wooden floor trying to stop the pounding in his head. The echoes of the cicadas in the forest coming from his window felt like pins being stabbed into his ear drums.

It had been a restless sleep, disturbed by a recurring dream in the night forest. He stood at the edge of a large hole, much larger than one he found Jane in. Cries, screams and howls of pain echoed from its depths and then it stopped. He awoke and tried again but he couldn't fall into a deep sleep. The gong decided he should no longer slumber.

"Get up would you," called out Ivan who thudded into his room. "These ain't any normal guests. The Tropical Knights have arrived."

Oleg moaned as he began to crawl  to his Father. Ivan puffed out his lips as he grabbed his son by the shoulder.

"On your feet mate," he said holding out his hand.

With his hands outstretched, he followed suit and was lifted onto to his feet. He stared into the mirror mounted near the entrance of his bedroom. He fixed his hair putting it up in a bun. Any sight of grubbiness could offend the Tropical Knights. It would mean grave consequences for him and his family. They were the police, the politicians and the leaders who made sure that law and order remained on Juniper Island.

"Jane." he thought. "If the Knights knew about her she would upset the whole balance. Imagine what the consequences would be." But before he could ponder anymore the gong rang again.

They both rushed to the living room. Five straw mats laid on living room floor; the best two would be reserved for the Knights.

The Yardell's house was not as splendid as some of the Bounders on the Island but it had all they needed. They had sturdy hammocks to sleep on, mosquito nets to ensure they had a good nights rest and a statue of the sun in each room- a tribute to Pyra the Sun God.

The stilt house had been able to withstand one monsoon after another. To the Yardell's it was their sanctuary. As Ivan once said, "I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world even if it meant I could be a Tropical Knight."

"Sit down on that mat,"  said Ursula pointing to the most tattered mat next to her. Her words were barely audible. She had channeled all her energy into holding her wide grin together. Oleg dropped to his knees and shuffled his bottom onto the mat. His reluctance was clear in manner he sighed. Ivan sat next to his wife's left. The two kissed then stared at the hole in the wall. It was otherwise known as the front door. At the entrance stood a middle aged man. The slickness of his hair didn't match his hardened face. He fitted the persona of a police officer perfectly. The pointed orange cone hat that sat on his head added the finishing touches. Next to him was a young adult, but not just any young man.

It was the man of the hour.

"Kai!", called out Oleg  in a sharp broken voice. Saying his name felt like he swallowed sandpaper. "When did you become a Tropical Knight?"

"As of four thirty this morning," interjected the older Knight. "I am rather proud that I get to take my nephew out for his shift. Bloody awesome one would say."

"Cheers to that," said Ivan with his thumb in the air.

"Well congrats"- the only uncomfortable thought he could think of.

"Thanks bud, I am sure one year they'll let you win the Great Bound. Uncle Devin said they're all about equality in the Knights." Kai finished his statement with raised eyebrows. Oleg bit his lip and drew his eyes to Devin.

"It is in the works. Obviously there is protocol we need to follow. But enough of that, we have come here with more concerning news to discuss."

As Devin and Kai made their way to their mats, a ray of sunlight filled the room. Outside Oleg could see a group playing a game of soccer. Laughter abounded from them. It reminded him of the fun Kai and him use to have as a children. It was before the age of thirteen when training for the Great Bound became Kai's everything. Now Kai and him were even more further from each other than he ever thought.

Ursula offered the Knights tea. Devin declined her offer explaining to them that his visit was to be brief but of the upmost importance.

"Two bounders are missing," he said in a weary tone. "It's been forty three years since something like this has happened."

Ivan and Ursula looked around with gaping mouth while Oleg gulped.

"Could this be linked to Jane?", he thought.

Devin waited till he had their full attention and continued the story.

"The two who are missing are Lorne Hazel and Tina Burgenheim."

"I saw them last night," shouted Oleg before he could stop the thought escaping from his mouth.

"Interesting," said Devin shifting his eyes to Kai, urging him to take notes. "Please tell me what you saw."

He hesitated as Kai press his pencil against his parchment note pad. He flopped out his hand as if he was asking him to give him something. He took a deep breath and willed himself to talk in a clear voice.

"I remember seeing them at the after party of  the Great Bound . I guess it was about nine o'clock as the moon had shone like a candle in the darkness. I was doing my typical thing walking around lonely, waiting for time to pass."

Kai chuckled himself. Unimpressed, Devin whacked him over the head. For a moment, Oleg quietly rejoiced believing justice had been served.

"Go on son," urged Devin who had snatched the pad and pencil from Kai. This caused the young Knight to bow his head in embarrassment. 

"Well I made myself to a clearing that was away from everything. You see, I can't think clearly when there's so much going on around me. Anywho, that's when I saw them hand in hand running East to the forest."

"I see, so in the direction to Bounders Beach."

"Yeah that's right. Everyone knows it's a spot where lovers would go. They both had that twinkle in their eye. At the time I didn't think much of it as I really couldn't care less what they were up to."

"So are you sure you didn't see them anywhere else?"

"I swear by it. They ran so quickly into the forest, they were gone by the time I looked back in their direction."

"Sounds valid to me, don't you think Kai?"

"I suppose," grunted Kai.

His thoughts swirled a vibrant red. He nodded at Kai. With that gesture, he was out the door trailing behind his uncle.

The Oaf had turned Kai into a fool. He made a mental note not to forget it.

Once the Knights had made their way next door Oleg marched out the door.

"Where do you think you're going?", called out Ivan. His head poked out the door like a bird in the hollow nest of a tree.

"I am going to the Lieberg's," he said flaring his nostrils.

"Ahh new friend a see. How exciting!", rejoiced Ursula clinging to Ivan.

But before he gave them a chance to reply he was running through the town. The stilt houses enclosed him,  collapsing onto him like we has travelling through a transparent tunnel. The Bounders he passed stopped in their tracks;"stunned mullets" some would say.

"I wonder what the Oaf is up to?" said one of the onlookers. He was an elderly Bounder who was walking with his friend.  He responded to him with a shrug and furrowed eyebrows.

Oleg ignored them and  ran towards the forest. It was the track that led to the field of the Great Bound.

The Liebergs were a lie.

There was only one thing on his mind. 

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Thank you for reading the story so far. It's an odd so I hope you like. Please vote on the chapters if you like what you see. Also feel free to leave comments. 

Lots of Love, 

JA :)