The Lost Ones

Chapter 6

Their searching ground, which was limited to past the rock stairs but behind the barricade created by the beautiful but enigmatic lake, was abnormally humid. There was no doubt that a nearby volcano could be found. That must have been why the lake was boiling hot.

As Kit was collecting thick logs underneath trees filled with red, heart-shaped fruit, he took note of the black and white pigeons that landed in front of him searching the ground where the sand met the tall grass. Their plump bodies never looked more delicious. After only eating mostly fruit for the past few days, he was beginning to crave meat. But the thought of killing his own food sickened him.

He was almost out of the grassland area when he found some trees with slim, hard ropes hanging down from the leaves. After several attempts to detach the vines, he decided that the only way to separate them from the tree was to cut them. If only I had my backpack from the cruise, he thought. Then he remembered. The ship's security had been thorough in making sure that no sharp objects were brought on board. So even if Kit had his backpack, his passport, cruise documents, camera, and phone would be utterly useless on that island.

Just as he was ready to return to Skye, something massive and black past the trees caught his eye. He decided to take a closer look and was surprised to find some sort of rocky vent that protruded from the ground. It had been too tall for him to peer inside, but from where he was standing, he could hear soft bubbling.

"Ooh, what'd you find?"

Kit spun and saw Skye, who had gathered more logs than he had, in addition to a hand-sized stone that looked like the perfect tool to use to cut the vines from the tree. All they had to do was to figure out a way to sharpen it.

Glancing back at the enigmatic vent, Kit responded, "I don't know. It looks like a volcano or something."

Skye scattered the supplies at her feet. "It's too small to be a volcano," she replied, drawing closer to it and pressing her foot against its base. She carefully began to ascend it.

"What...are you doing?" Kit scurried to her side, raising his arms as if to pull her away from the strange landmark. "Don't go near it!"

"I'm checking what's inside," she answered.

"Why? We already know there's lava inside! Don't get too close or you'll get burned," he warned. But the girl ignored him and, as always, continued to do her own thing.

Infused with petulance, Kit folded his arms. She's going to get herself killed and then it'll be my fault. Geez, she's so reckless. When he heard the exasperated gasp he had expected, he rolled his eyes. "Did your hair get singed off yet?" he jeered.

Skye poked her head out, a colorful eagerness decorating her face, and reported, "It's a hot spring!"

Kit gawked at her as she jumped down in front of him. "A hot spring?" he asked with skepticism.

"Yeah! The water is hot, but not as hot as that lake. We could use it as a bath. Plus, it looks cool! I mean, the colors look insane! I don't know how, but the inner part of the water is dark blue, and it fades into a gold color at the rim. It's an art bath!"

Kit was hesitant. But he gazed up at what he initially thought was a volcano. The thought of using it as a hot tub was tempting. But...

He glanced over at Skye, who blinked at him, waiting for an answer. He was about to turn down going in, using the fact that it might be acid as an excuse.

"You can go in first," Skye finally said. "You found it first and I think you need to wash off that blood from your knees and face."

Surprised, Kit asked, "Really?"

"Of course," Skye casually replied. She started walking a few feet away from the vent. "I'll wait over here."

Kit watched her until she stopped moving and faced away from the hot spring. She's really letting me go in alone. He began climbing the vent.

The water inside bubbled majestically. And Skye was right about the colors. The rim of the water looked like thin, gold paint permeating the midnight blue water in the center. Kit could see the reflection of the sun and the clouds.

"Don't take too long," called out Skye.

"Got it," Kit softly laughed. After removing his clothes and placing them on the vent ledge, he slid in.

It was almost like magic. His fatigue and the scratches, cuts, and bruises on his skin had completely vanished. Even his ankle was feeling a lot better, as if it was never injured. This is amazing! He closed his eyes and rested his back against the vent for a few minutes.

When he was finished, he checked to make sure Skye was still looking away. She was. Facing inwards, he pushed himself on top of the ledge and slipped on his shorts and t-shirt. He jumped down and Skye whirled around.

"Easy on that ankle!" she snapped, hurrying over to him.

Kit laughed. "It's okay. I think it's healed, oddly enough," he replied. Untying the sleeve around his ankle, he saw that it had healed. It was no longer swollen and red.

Skye's eyes widened and she looked over at the hot springs. "My turn!" she said. As she climbed in to bathe, Kit waited in the same spot she had waited for him.

Hopefully she doesn't take too long. I don't think I did. But don't girls take longer? Kit decided he should continue looking for more logs. Or sharpen the stone Skye had found so that he could detach the vines from the tree.

Forgetting that he was supposed to be facing a certain way, he turned around to get the stone at the foot of the vent but accidentally glanced at Skye. He couldn't see very well, but he could see enough that she wasn't looking at him. She was splashing water over her pale, bare shoulders.

Rapidly turning around, he tried to cool his burning face. Stop it, Kit! But he couldn't help but steal one more glance at her. This time, they made eye contact with each other. His heart stopped and he attempted to casually look away, as if he was looking at anything else but her. Good grief...

When she got out after what felt like an hour, it became awkward. Luckily, Skye acted as if nothing happened. Unless she really didn't know anything happened. It was better not knowing.

"I don't know about you, but I feel too lazy to do any more work today," Skye said, stretching and suppressing a yawn. "How about we call it a day?"

Kit nodded. "It looks like it's about to get dark soon anyway," he responded, purposely avoiding her eyes. "Let's head back."