Skye stared into the other's eyes, his own filled with terror. What was he supposed to do now? What would this mysterious person do? Skye saw the knife strapped to Shea's leg. His eyes darted from the blade to its owner. Should I try to say something? It was obvious the man knew English. So...it couldn't hurt to-

A low growl could be heard from the brush behind the Phantom, followed by a roar. Skye yelped and ran behind the primitive man. Gee...that was really manly...Skye thought to himself.

What had been behind Skye was a rather large black bear. And an angry one, at that. It seems that Skye was trespassing in its territory! The bear narrowed its beady eyes at the white haired male, inching closer. "Do something!" Skye pleaded and started moving back.

Shea never budged. "Not yet."

The bear raised up on its hind legs, ready to fell the two in one fatal swipe. That was Shea's opportunity. Building up a big breath, Shea raised his arms and let out a cry. The bear was deterred, but not scared off. But Shea accomplished what he needed to do: buy Skye time.

"Run north!" The brown haired male called out to Skye. "To house!"

Skye hesitated, but did as he was told and ran north. Although, he assumed it was north, he couldn't really tell. But like the other had told him, parted brush revealed a rather well-built, yet simple house near a running river. Behind the shack, Skye could see a large, stone tower jutting into the air. Everything looked so...tribal. He didn't expect anything like this to be on the island.

The door to the house opened with a creak, and Skye froze in his tracks. From the house stepped a man that could only be described as...crooked. He had sharp angles to him, thin to the point where you could see the bone. But he looked strong, nonetheless. He was wearing an animal pelt, legs and limbs bare. The tribal man had surly black eyes, which locked onto the Phantom at first glance. Since there was no one else around this part of the island, Skye assumed this man must have some relation to Shea.

"U-Um...Hello."

The man simply stared, and Skye wondered if he knew English. As they stood there, another loud roar echoed throughout the forest, and Skye trembled. It sounded like the roar was closer then.

Then, the other finally spoke. "Come." It was a deep and sort of raspy voice, and he waved his hand for Skye to follow him inside. What other choice did he have?

Skye followed the tribal man into the shack, and it was rather different than the outside. Pelts of various animals hung on the wall, as well as tapestry with all sorts of colors. There were spears in one corner, knives and axes in another. In the center of the foyer was a large pit; Skye assumed that the two lit fires there. The older man took a seat on a straw mat next to the pit, offering a seat to the Phantom without a word. Skye sat next to him, nervously holding his ankles in Indian style. Who were these people? What happened to Shea? And most of all...what would happen to him?!

He felt a sudden hand on his shoulder. "Wada." The other spoke, gesturing to himself as an introduction.

Skye nodded slowly, before smiling. "Skye."

"Sky?" Wada looked up to the ceiling, tilting his head.

"Oh! N-No, I'm Skye..." Skye tapped Wada's shoulder to turn back his attention, gesturing to himself as the man had done before.

Wada gave a toothy grin...or what remained of his teeth. Skye found it charming; these people must not have had much contact with others, if any at all.

The two saw the door fly open suddenly, Shea standing in it. The first thing Skye noticed was a stream of red running down his arm. The Phantom shot up with a startled look. "You're hurt!"

"Fine." Shea said sternly. He made his way to a chest in the back of the room, using his good arm to pull out a roll of cloth, then went to the back where his room was located. Skye followed after him, leaving Wada alone.

Inside, the tribal man tried to tear the cloth apart, but he seemed in pain as he did. Skye ran over to Shea's side, taking the cloth from him. "Let me do it, you're injured. And I want to thank you for saving me..."

Shea only stared as the male wrapped up his injured arm. "Why are you here?"

"Oh...I...Well, I wanted to see the island!"

Shea wasn't amused. "Do not lie."

Skye let out a large sigh. "I was forced to come here by that tyrant, Vaughn."

"Vaughn?" The brunette thought on it. "Rancher?"

"Yes!" Skye nodded. "That's him. I've been forced to work under him as his slave in exchange for not going to jail. I hate it though. He's wishy washy and I can't tell what he's thinking!"

Shea watched the man get angry. But...It didn't seem like true anger. It seemed like, confusion. Skye looked like he wanted to understand Vaughn. "Leave?" He asked the white haired male.

"I can't, I..."

"Stay here on island. You will be free. Come with us." Shea smiled warmly. "Won't let Rancher stop you." He pointed to himself. "Stay."

Skye felt his face heat up. Shea was offering to protect him from Vaughn...But did he really want to go? Who knew when he would get freedom from his tormentor, the one who held him against his will, and...

"Shea...I'll stay."

(Here guys, have a chapter. I want to update before I go to school, and finish this saga, so have faith

Dedicated to Nicole, Amanda, and the HM Lovers of the world)