Black Hearted

Part 92

The day was bright with a gentle breeze that was breathtaking. Mark had never felt more relaxed. As they circled the little island, Mark casually climbed to his feet to help Nate raise the sail and get the anchor ready. Sean listened to them tell him the safest way to pull up to the island and then became distracted. Within seconds of Sean seeing a Sea Turtle, he jumped ship. Nate chuckled as he tied the sail down, telling Mark coolly. "At least he's excited to be here." Mark huffed, tossing the anchor into the water and gathering the mooring lines as he replied. "How is he supposed to man a ship if he jumps ship?" Nate leaned on the folded sail rail, casually telling him. "Come on, Mark. Don't you remember seeing your first island? How excited were you to get off the ship?" Mark smirked, hoping down from the ship to land on the shore. Digging the mooring line into the sand to ground the ship, Nate tossed a few bags to the shore. When they had finished with the ship, they started setting up on the beach to stay awhile.

When Mark started to sweat from setting up the bonfire, he stripped his shirt off and began working on the tent. Nate became less and less helpful as he watched Sean splash around in the water with the turtles and sea lions. It wasn't long before Mark was the only one still working. Shaking his head, he mumbled to himself as he set up the tent with a smile. "Well... It's been a while since I've had to do this anyway." Taking the red sash off his waist, he wiped the sweat dripping off his body. Standing up, he admired his work until Sean's laugh drew his attention to the water. Sean was splashing Nate with his tail, squealing whenever Nate lunged for him. Mark walked to the shore to collect their clothes before the water took them. Hanging them on a branch to dry out. Mark then climbed up some palm trees to cut a few coconuts down. Sitting down on the beach, Mark stabbed one and brought it to his lips to drink the sweet water inside. He hadn't tasted that in a long time, and he missed it.

Cutting out the coconuts, Mark started mixing his rum with the coconut, pineapples, and limes on the island. Taking a sip, he coughed at how strong he had made it but liked it. Making another, he carried it to the water and called out loud enough for them to hear. "NATE! HERE!" Nate abandoned chasing Sean to rush for the shore. Nate reached out for it without leaving the water and Mark chuckled out to him. "Don't give it to your sea friends, got it?" Nate brought the coconut drink to his lips, stating out playfully. "And waste good rum? Not a chance." Mark took a sip of his own drink, when Sean swam up asking curiously. "What are you drinking?" Nate took a long sig of his drink, before chuckling out. "Nothing." Sean narrowed his eyes on Nate, grumbling out. "Very funny. I can smell the rum from here... Where's mine?" Nate looked to Mark, asking curiously. "Have you ever given him rum?" Mark took a long embarrassed sig, before grumbling out. "Ya... He can't handle it. Trust me."

Sean folded his arms, pouting out. "Yes, I can!" Mark raised an eyebrow, sarcastically shooting back. "And the ghost shark made of rum that terrorized my crew?" Sean waved a dismissive hand, mumbling out. "That doesn't count... I was dared." Nate glanced between them and Mark threw in. "He came to my cabin so drunk off his ass... You know what the crew told him to say to me?" Nate shook his head and Mark took another drink. He didn't get to answer, before Sean blurted out innocently. "I think I remember that now... Wasn't I trying to tickle a pickle?" Nate spit rum all over Sean's face. Mark had to turn away from them to swallow before lost his drink too. Looking back, Nate burst into hysterical laughter. Sean blinked, wiping the rum off his face as he said innocently. "I still don't get it..." Nate grinned gesturing Sean closer. Mark shook his head, telling Nate lightly. "No, Nate! Don't tell him!" Nate didn't listen, touching Sean's cheek, he leaned in a whispered in his ear. Mark took another long swig of his drink.

Sean's face went from confusion to wide eyed shock before he looked at Mark and blurted out. "Those feckers! They set me up!" Mark laughed loudly, dropping to his knees in the sand. Nate laughed, watching Sean snatch his drink to sip some like he was trying to wash his mouth out. Just as Sean was going in for a second longer swig, Nate took the coconut from him as he told him seriously. "Whoa, slow down. That stuff is not as light as it tastes." Sean hiccupped, then pointed to the shore as he excitedly squeaked out. "Sea turtles!" Nate jumped, whirling around as Sean raced for the shore a bit farther down. Farther down the beach, baby sea turtles were inching across the sand toward the ocean. Mark winced as he saw the seagulls circling over the beach now. Nate lowered his drink when he saw it too. Sean didn't notice and crawled across the sand to pick up a baby turtle from the sand. They heard his scream though. Both Nate and Mark rushed across the beach. A seagull a snatched the baby turtle from Sean's hand and in quick response, Sean swatted it into the water with his tail. As more seagulls started to come down, Sean did his best to scare them off.