RISKTAKERS: The only way to survive

chapter seven

Chapter 7 - The Feeling Is Mutual Nathan
I Feel The Same Way

It was April, and the air was intoxicatingly sweet with sunlight and the fragrance of the damp earth. Moreover, the sea was riotously blue and turbulent. I sat infront of the cottage's wooden bench and squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the sweet effect of nature on my deepest core. I am trying to stop any of my thoughts even just for awhile as I quietly listen to the soft sound of the waves and feeling the sweet touch of wind against my skin. My life used to be normal and almost way perfect. No worries running all over me and no heavy burden planted in the depths of my personality. I am loving and being loved back. But why does it feels like the other way around now? I am so lonely and troubled, traveling and having my journey alone. Fighting a battle all alone, even there's no assurance of winning. Before, there is always a reason for me to wake up everyday because I still have my love ones. But they were taken away from me, and even the only man I love was taken. Where did I go wrong? Why do my life needs to have a chapter of such a tremendous test? Is God testing my faith and strength? If He does, I want him to cut my agony already and I want Him to help me get through this tunnel. I can't wait to see my light again.

"Are you meditating?" A voice suddenly asks and I open my eyes to look at the owner of the voice that I surely know who.

"Kinda," I say, shifting my sight at the almost steady water.

He sat beside me, so close that my left arm was touching his right arm. I sat still, my eyes still fixed on the sea.

"How are you?" he asks and I see him from my peripheral vision that he glance my way.

"I don't know," I shrug, thinking that my answer was suffice. How am I, really? I have no clue. So far from being fine and so close to being a wrecked damsel.

"I am in not in position to ask you what seems to be the trouble." said he, letting out a soft chuckle. Yes, you're inept.

I nod as I squeeze my eyes shut for the second time while fiddling on my fingers. Should I be glad that he disturbed me from recalling my thoughts? I sat here to cast away the substance of my killer thoughts. But I end up recalling them, didn't I?

"Have you burned a house?" I ask blankly, my eyes still closed and I felt his arm raised a bit and went back to its place after he heaved a deep sigh, subsequent of his soft whimpers.

I slowly opened my eyes and shot him a look, his facial expression shifted to a little dim aura.

"No," he denies. "That's not what I intended to do, it was really just for fun."

"Burning for fun? Wow Nathan, where on earth have you got that interesting idea?"

He chuckles, shaking his head.

"To cut the long story short-my braveness was challenged by my foes," he says grinning and I open my mouth to speak but he continued what he was saying. "What else should I do? Decline the challenge? Tch, not in my blood," he boasts while I gave him a gross groan and he tilts his head and studied my face. I battle my lashes as my eyebrow rose, giving him a what's-wrong-with-you-look.

"I just well, give them the show." he winks, licking and pursing his lips.

"Ugh! Why so arrogant? Stay away from me," I gushed while pushing his arm violently when I was about to hit him when he caught my wrist.

"I hate you Juls."

"The feeling is mutual Nathan," I reply. "I feel the same way."

"I know you do." I pull my wrist away from his grip. "Good for you."

"Where's Luke and Travis?" I ask, my eyes suddenly scanning the surroundings. I haven't seen them since they left the kitchen.

"Don't ask. I'm not a concierge staff," he ruggedly reply, stands up, and walks away from me. My brows snap together. What's wrong with that horrid creature? I wonder. I'm about to lean my back on the small hard fence behind me when I heard Barrie's voice. I look over my shoulder and saw her wiping her hair with a towel. Hence, she took a shower. She's now wearing a navy blue dress with pink simple ruffles on its edges.

"Where is he going?" she asks, sitting beside me, the spot where Nathan was seated seconds ago. I shrug my shoulders as a reply. I don't even know why the the actual heck he ditched me. I can smell Barrie's strawberry shampoo scent every time she rubs the towel. Barrie was sweet and sound and she asked me to call her Barrie since it's her preferred nickname made out of her initials B-A-R.

"I'm sorry," she says. "My cousin, Nathan, is very much unreadable... he's mischievous, but if you'll get to know him more, you'll be amazed."

The corners of my mouth turn up and responds, "I think so."

"C'mon swim?" she offers as her eyes twinkled.

"Man seriously? In case you missed it, you just taken a shower." I say, waving my hand at her face.

"And so?"

"What? No, I don't want to." I shook my head and finally leaned my back on the fence.

"I'll tell you more about Nate then?" she queries, making me jostle on my seat.

"I appreciate the offer Barrie, but no, thank you."

"Mhm, okay. I'll tell you more about Colton," she snorted.

I didn't say a word.

"Colton is a talkative monster," her first description made me sit up straight, my eyes flickered with surprise as I scrunch up my face. "His appearance is the kind of ideal guy, yet he's every girls nightmare. He's playing every girls' heart, and breaking them into microscopic pieces. You won't wish meeting him, you won't last a minute or two, talking to him... He's a mad man, even the devil can't beat him." she states while playing with her towel when she paused. "He's always in trouble and no one can tame the beast in him... We don't know what happened to the old sweet Colton. He just vanished."

I’m lost in words. I don’t actually care. But the thought of Colton being way worse than Nathan? I knew it. My insticts were telling me not to go to this resort because it was a bad idea. We aren't safe. If he'll find out that we are criminals, he will probably hand us over to the police.

No.

I won't let that happen. I cannot be intern behind bars. Not yet. I need to get out of here... with or without Lucas and Travis.

Later, evening.

"Hey!" I snapped out of my thoughts after hearing Barrie squeal. "You're spacing out Julie." she heckled with a laugh.

"What?"

She wails while laughing continously. "Are you scared?"

I glare at her, making her snort, obviously trying to hold back her laughter.

"I was just kidding!" she says which made my amoking hormones calm a little and I scrutinize her laughing face as I saw a vein popped out in her neck, her face color turning a little red.

"So funny," I speak as she shakes her head while hitting her lap with her towel, "I suddenly-pfft!" she breathlessly says. "I can feel the-" she stops then continues laughing. "The deadly sarcastic tone of your-"

"Alright, finish laughing, take your time."

The preposterous venom of blood that's running through her vains was absolutely same as Nathan's.