The Island

The moon light cast over the blue waters of the bay.  Oceana and her best friend Carson stood in awe over the radiance of their new home.  “Wow, ain’t it purty?”  Oceana whispered.   “Can you believe that we actually get to live with it all…”  “Oceana LOOK!!!!” Carson screamed. Her blonde curls whipping through the air. She shot her finger out into the darkness.  Oceana squinted her sea green eyes.  “What is it?!?!” “Carson what is it!” “A pod……… of BLUE WHALES!!!” Carson screeched.  “Really?!” “They shouldn’t be this close to the shore,” Oceana explained with a look of concern on her face.  (Radio buzzed.)  H... E…L…..P….. (Radio buzzed).  “Carson did you hear that?!”    “Yea, I wonder….” Carson reached for the radio.  “Hello, hello?  Come in this is the Aurora….. We hear you…. is something wrong?” Carson spoke.  (Radio buzzes.) HEL…..P!!    “What is wrong…. Who is this?” Carson shouted.   (Radio buzzed louder)  My ………name………(buzz)…….A….pril……… PLEASE!!!....HELP!!!!!!!!!!  “Carson, what’s going on?!?!” Oceana shrieked.    “I don’t know….”  Carson began. (Radio buzzed)  We……….R……..Ip…….recked...........Help!!!! (Radio buzzed)  “Where, where are you?!” Carson screamed.  This……..Island……..this….God…….Forsaken……..island…………is …………………(Radio buzzed silent). “Hello?” “The island is what?!” Carson shrieked.   (The radio was silent for awhile.) The girls stood there, anxious.  Carson started reaching for the radio……….. horrific screams came from the radio. The girls leaped back. Oceana lost balance and toppled over board. “OCEANA!” Carson shrieked as she dove for the edge of the boat.  It was silent no splash, no screams, just silence. “O-ceana?” Carson began….. (Radio crackled).  Please……help………Bermuda…………… the ……….island………….the……island…….(radio buzzed).  IS…….ALIVE!! (Radio went dead).  Carson pulled Ocean out of the freezing waters. “Wwwhat ddid she say?” Oceana shivered.  “The island is alive.” Carson spoke emotionless.  “What did she mean by Bermuda?”  “I don’t know Oceana, but let’s get you inside before you freeze.” Carson spoke bluntly.  The girls scurried into the heated cabin. Oceana sat shivering on the bed while Carson made cocoa. “Do you think it was a prank?” Oceana said as she jugged the drink. “I don’t think so…..” Carson walked over to the port hole. “I think we should go.” She spoke softly. Oceana just stared.  Carson turned toward her. “We heard the call for help, so it is our duty to help.” Oceana nodded. She never spoke she just nodded. “I’m going to town…..be back at 500…..we leave at 6.” Carson didn’t say more; she grabbed her bag, a hoodie, and her sneakers and strolled out the door. Oceana just sat on the bed wrapped in a red wool blanket and stared almost brainlessly at the wall. Carson hopped on her bike and started down the road.  The misty air stuck to her face as she pedaled down the dock. It may only be three A.M. but she knew one store was up. She made a sharp turn, her tires squealed on the moist wood.  The alley was just around the corner; she pedaled faster. As the corner neared, a dark figure caught the corner of her eye. Her head shot to the side. The figure had disappeared! Carson straightened her head. A large shadow stood before her. She hit the brakes. The bike spun out of control and threw her from its bars. She landed with a large thud on the ground.  The figure neared her, closer, and closer. She stayed down, afraid. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Carson stood up, and dusted of her jeans. “Hey buddy, watch where you’re going next time OK! You could of……..” Her eyes met his. “Sorry,” he began, “I’ll be more observant next time.” She studied him for a minute. He was tall about 5’10’’, with shaggy brown hair and the most gorgeous brown eyes she’d ever seen. Her cheeks reddened. Her blue eyes sparkled as her heart leaped from her chest. He laughed. “My name’s Dustin,” he began as he offered his hand. “Carson,” she squeaked. Embarrassed she turned away. He put his hand on her arm. His warm touch sent chills through her spine.  “You own that boat over yonder right?” Dustin said as he pointed to the Aurora. “Yuppers, inherited it from Ocean’s grandpapi.”  Carson spoke sweetly.  “Can I see it?”  Carson looked in his eyes. They weren’t like any eyes she’d ever seen. These eyes had sadness, fear, hope, love, and a story. He was one that had seen a lot in his young life. “Sure,” Carson stuttered. “Now?” he pleaded. “Not now, have to run some errands first.”   “Going on a trip?” he asked. “I’m a great navigator, and and…..” he paused. “I’ll have to see what Oceana thinks,” she spoke softly. “I won’t be a bother I promise!” He pleaded. “Just wait,” Carson said impatiently. “Oh, sorry.” He sighed. Carson stood there for a minute as thoughts tossed and turned in her head. “Well, I guess….” She whispered. “YES!!” he shouted. Carson gave him a look of SHUT UP, and his mouth slowly shut as his eyes hit the floor.  “Sorry,” he whispered. Carson walked over to her bike and bent back the handles to their old position. She started walking toward the alley. “Well come on then,” Carson motioned. Dustin was behind her like a duckling to a duck.  She stuck to the brick walls of the buildings to lessen her chances of being seen.  He followed her closely.  A thin light streamed from a cracked wooden door at the end of the alley. Carson swiftly walked up to it. She knocked three times, jumped on one leg six times, and then whistled a short tune.  The door opened a crack. Then it flew open sending Dustin to jump back and stumble onto the brick ground.  A large man stepped out. “Carson, long time no see!” the man chuckled as he gave Carson a bear hug. Dustin picked himself up and dusted himself off. Dustin looked at the man. He was large with a long curly brown beard. He looked about like the spitting image of Santa Claus.  The man beckoned them inside. He stepped back behind the counter then spoke, “So what can I do you for little missy?”  “Big Al, can you keep a secret?” Carson whispered. “Can I keep a secret?!” Big Al boomed with laughter. Dustin jumped.  Big Al looked over Dustin.  Dustin looked different to him. Big Al leaned in towards Carson and whispered, “Who’s the boy?”  “He looks outta place…” Big Al spoke quietly. Carson glanced at Dustin. His eyes wandered around the room. He did look as if he didn’t belong in this small town. Heck I wouldn’t even call it a town. It’s more like a small blemish on Mother Earth’s skin, a place with not even over one-hundred people. Heck barely even twenty people lived here.  Dustin’s eyes met hers.  He smiled. His teeth were too white to belong to a fisher’s son, or a farmer’s kid. Carson grew dumbfounded. How much did she REALLY know about him?  Heck they just met and already he wanted to go on a year long trip with her. Her skin began to crawl. “His name is Dustin,” Carson said. Big Al eyed the boy up again. “He don’t look right here. Where’d ya met em?”  “Actually,” Carson whispered, “He just came out of nowhere….”  “Don’t turn your back on him girl,””I don’t like him.”  Carson nodded, “Okay Big Al, I will…..see you around.”  Big Al smiled, “Be strong little girl.” Carson turned around to Dustin. She sighed, “Let’s go.” The wooden door slammed behind them. Big Al hit the button under the counter. A voice came over the speaker. “Yes, boss?” Big Al picked up the phone, “I have a mission for you.” He said bluntly. “This time I want it done right.” I don’t want her back.” “Make sure she stays, she deserves her punishment.” “And make sure they don’t find her.” “I don’t care what you have to do.” “She isn’t coming back alive, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!?!”  (Other side of phone) “Ay-ay boss.” “It won’t happen again.”