PREDATOR ISLAND (Sea Lab Book 2)

CHAPTER 19

After Sarah climbed into the jeep, Jake got in and patted the seat on the back of the headrest. That was Dylan's cue to move along since he swapped places with Savannah to allow him to drive. He took the message in stride and pressed his foot to the gas pedal. The vehicle rumbled forward, brushing aside the leaves and limbs that crowded the overgrown dirt trail. In the front passenger seat, Savannah now studied the old map, comparing it to the newer one, occasionally glancing up at the jungle scenery, most certainly searching for the mysterious waterfall. She didn't seem fazed by the claw marks on the tree, or she needed a distraction to keep her mind off the trouble lurking in the rainforest. Maybe that's why she turned back to the maps and the treasure hunt? Jake felt like he could use a distraction too.

To the left of the road, the river ran its course, washing along its banks, wide enough that Jake doubted he could jump halfway across it. As they drove, the water tried to hide itself behind a continuous mangle of vines and low lying branches. This was true wilderness, untouched by man.

Birds called from high up in the trees, drawing Jake's gaze. When he looked at Sarah, she stared at him, her eyes narrowed and her lips tight together, an expression he'd seen a lot of lately. She'd been through so much. He knew she was struggling to cope. Maybe she needed a distraction too? Next to her, Tony had his head turned, watching the trees on the other side of the river. Poor Rachel held onto the back of each headrest, her body twisted sideways to fit between Sarah's knees. Her eyes roamed the canopy above them, endlessly. Everyone seemed on edge, wanting to keep going for different reasons and wanting to turn around to get off the island, back to the safety of the yacht for reasons even more obvious.

Jake peered into the wild growth, expecting an apex predator to launch itself at them at any moment. But nothing happened. Nothing jumped from the mix of ferns and the occasional purple flower dotting the roadside. Sarah had a point. What she said earlier about something being wrong with the place. The island was cut off from civilization, and if there was a wild animal lurking in the greenery, following them, or better yet, hunting them, they would be helpless without weapons to defend themselves. The more he thought about it, a gun would be nice. At least a pistol to tuck in his waistband.

He glanced Sarah's way again. She had her eyes on the river that rushed beside them. It roared, masking the sound of the jeep...and any noises a predator might make in the jungle. Besides the birds and insects, the water seemed like the only sign that life could inhabit the jungle.

Jake wiped sweat from his brow. They wouldn't last long on a deserted island like this. Either they'd drive each other mad or starve to death. A person could only eat so many coconuts.

He could tell by Dylan and Savannah's preoccupation that they weren't concerned about finding the second ranger station. Dylan drove slow, his eyes darting up at a break in the trees. A green covered mountainside jutted into the sky. Savannah jabbed at the map and looked up, pointing at the summit. They were looking for the treasure.

"How close are we to the other ranger station?" Sarah said, raising her chin to look over Rachel's shoulder at Savannah.

Savannah fumbled with the old map, putting it under the store bought one. "Oh, it's on the way, on this trail. We'll get there soon."

"I know this road connects the two stations, I just wondered if you could tell by the mountainside and any other surrounding landmarks, if we were close."

"Judging by the curve in the road up ahead and that cliff face," Dylan answered, "I'd say we're a quarter mile from our destination." He offered one of his toothy grins to go along with his bright eyes.

Rachel twisted to face Sarah. "I'd say they're more concerned about following that old map," she said under her breath.

"She's right," Tony said. "They're looking for the gold, the treasure."

Dylan turned his head, ear perked. "I'm right here. I can hear you whispering. And yes, while we're on our merry way we might as well see where this old map leads. See that mountain rising above the trees?"

"Of course we can see it," Sarah replied.

"We're looking for the waterfall...the one mentioned in the first clue. It should have three separate falls close together, resembling a claw."

"The only claw I'm worried about is the one that scratched up that tree back there," Rachel said. "That thing, whatever it is, could be out there watching us, waiting to pounce."

"Oh, come on," Dylan said. "Do you really think that thing is still alive?"

"They could have already killed it, you know," Savannah said. "Maybe they sent a hunting party out, shot it, and haven't seen the need to reestablish the ranger presence on the island. There's no telling how much it costs to keep a place like this stocked with food and supplies."

"She has a point," Jake replied. "Something to think about."

"But I don't buy it." Sarah leaned forward, crooking her neck. Jake had seen her do that many times when she was defiant about something or trying to make a point. "If they'd cleared the island of danger, then they would've came back to clean up the bodies and give their people a proper burial. No," she sat back and crossed her arms. "The island is still shutdown."

"This is more like a lockdown," Rachel added. She caught Tony's eye.

"Think of it as more of an adventure," he said.

Rachel didn't return his smile. From what Jake could tell, she was scared. Heck, he was too. But he hid it better.

"Now that's the spirit," Dylan said. "We're not gonna let some kitty cat keep us from finding what we came here for." He brandished a pistol with one hand while his other hand stayed on the wheel.

"You brought a gun?" Sarah said.

"Of course, I came packing." Dylan glanced at Savannah. "We have our reasons."

"The pirates," Jake said. "So you do expect them to show up again?"

"They weren't pirates. They were just a husband and wife. Besides, they probably took our money and ran. Bought themselves a hotel room, got cleaned up, and started work on making a family."

Tony chuckled. "Good one, but from the way you describe them, they don't sound like the type to make babies."

"I'd say they're refueling their boat, stocking up on food and ammo, and heading this way," Sarah said.

"Why don't we change the subject." Savannah glared at everyone in the back seat, in particular, Sarah.

The jeep braked, jerking heads forward.

"Would you look at that." Dylan gestured at the path ahead of them. A fallen tree laid in the road, blocking their way. "Looks like we're on foot from here out. Grab your bags and let's go."

Everyone exited the jeep and started hiking. As they walked, they stuck to the twin ruts made from the tire treads as park rangers traveled back and forth from station to station. When they got to the bend in the road, Dylan stopped and held up a hand. The road went right, toward the western shore of the island and the second ranger station, but his gaze turned to the left, his eyes focusing on the mountains they'd been observing.

"Would you lookie there?" Dylan said, a wide grin on his face. He elbowed Savannah. "Seems we've found ourselves a waterfall."

Jake and Tony edged closer and peered over Savannah's shoulder to get a peek at the old map. She was oblivious to their presence as she compared the first riddle, and the picture of the three clawed waterfall to what they saw through the break in the trees. They drew close to the river's edge, eyes on the falling water as it cascaded down a hundred foot bluff and crashed into a shimmering pool.

Mesmerized, Jake could only think of the clue and its riddled meaning: Three claws fall upon glass cloaking the truth. The only question was, what truth was the waterfall hiding, and what did it mean to them?