In the late morning, Cody woke up. When he turned his head toward his right he was surprised to see Bailey still asleep. He could only guess that she was very exhausted from the previous day's travels. He also had a feeling that her soul must be restless worrying herself about surviving on the island, getting back to America and taking care of her and Jake's wedding. The very thought of Jake scratched the chalkboard of Cody's mind. His name was like a huge line of chalk crossing over intricate formulas on a clean chalk board. Cody clenched his teeth and growled. He had never met Jake but he didn't like him at all. Why couldn't he be the one to ask Bailey to marry? Why couldn't it be his ring that Bailey was wearing on her ring finger? If he and Bailey were engaged and stuck on the island then Cody would have the right to have an arm wrapped around Bailey's waist and kiss her good night and cuddle with her while they slept. He could do so much more for Bailey if he could only call her his. Frustrated, Cody abruptly got up and grabbed the spear from his left side. He walked out of the hut and looked around the abandoned village. He wanted to smash something but barely any breakable objects were left behind. Just then, Cody heard some rustling in some nearby bushes. Cody jerked his head toward the left and watched the leaves move to and fro. He got into a fight stance and waited.

In the meantime, Bailey woke up. Her eyes fluttered open and took in her surroundings. Warm sunlight peeked through the entry way of the hut. Bailey smiled at the sight of sunlight. She happily got up and wiped off dirt from her black slacks and fixed her shirt and tank top. Once she was ready for the day, Bailey grinned to herself and sauntered out of the hut. She walked a few paces when out of nowhere a snake lunged at her. She was frozen with fear. Luckily, a spear bolted through the air and struck the snake in the head. In an instant the snake was dead. Bailey's heart was beating twice as fast. Then Cody came into view angrily grumbling under his breath and picked up the spear with the snake still attached to it. He whacked the head of the spear against a tree and the snake's head had split into two. The snake's body dropped to the ground with nothing to hold its head together. Cody wiped any remaining blood on the spear onto the ground. Once he had gotten out his frustrations, he turned toward Bailey. He tried his best to give her a gentle smile but she stepped back away from him.

"Good morning, Bailey. Did you sleep well?"

Bailey didn't say anything. Instead, she backed up slowly and then bolted into the safety of the brush.

"Bailey, wait!"

Cody went after a frightened Bailey. After running for a few yards, he finally caught up with Bailey and grabbed her by the elbow. She jerked backwards and slid down on the ground taking Cody with her. They fell flat and hard on the ground. When they opened their eyes, they found out that they were in a compromising position: Cody was on top of Bailey and their faces were very close together. Bailey felt anxious and pushed Cody off of her. Cody stumbled on the ground and Bailey stood up. She stared at him with shock and fear. She stuttered and then began to walk back to the village by Cody grabbed her by the ankle and forced her down back on the ground. He then got a hold of her and laid down on her back. Bailey struggled with Cody's weight on her back, but she soon stopped moving around. With Cody's hot breath blowing on her neck, Bailey learned to calm down.

"Bailey, what's wrong with you?"

"Cody, I don't know if I should trust you anymore. You seemed so angry when you killed that snake."

"You mean, you ran away because of me and not because of the snake?"

"Yes. I mean, I was petrified by the snake but I was even more scared of you. I have never seen you so angry before. I was so shocked to see you that way."

Cody lowered his head out of shame but he tightened his grip on Bailey's wrists. He did it in a possessive way. How was he possibly to show Bailey that he had feelings for her if she was afraid of him? Bailey bit her lip to suppress the pain. Cody heard a light whimper come from Bailey's mouth. He immediately released her wrists and got off of her. Bailey rolled over so her back was resting on the ground and looked up at Cody with awe. She could see hurt and regret in his eyes.

"Bailey, I'm sorry that I scared you. The last thing I want to do is to lose trust in you. And I certainly would never think of bring any harm to you. I was only trying to protect you and I guess I had other things on my mind which made me angry. I am truly sorry. Will you forgive me?"

At the very moment that Cody asked forgiveness from Bailey, he had extended his hand out for her to take. Bailey took Cody's hand and he helped her stand up from the ground. Bailey's eyes connected with Cody's.

"Cody, I'll forgive you if you forgive me. I'm sorry too. I don't know what came over me. It was just so shocking to see you the way that you were."

"Of course I forgive you, Bailey."

"Then I forgive you, Cody."

Both Cody and Bailey smiled. Relief washed over their bodies like how tsunami washes over a country's coastline. With such overwhelming amount of relief surging through them, they brought each other in a warm embrace. When they parted, they felt a spark of electricity. Bailey didn't know what she was feeling for Cody at the moment. She was confused what just transpired. She couldn't explain what she was feeling for Cody but she feared it beyond the limits of friendship. As for Cody, he was all warm and fuzzy and happy. This hug was different from any other hug he's had before. He had sudden urge to touch Bailey's heart and keep it safe in his hands. He soon found out the harsh reality of his feelings for Bailey. He wasn't just infatuated toward her and he wasn't just hot for her, he was in love with her. He knew it and it scared him. Cody glanced over at Bailey.

"We probably should return to the village."

"Yeah."

Bailey turned around and walked back toward the village. Cody picked up his spear and followed Bailey back to the village. When they got to the village, everything was deathly quiet. It was far too quiet even for two people who felt awkward being around each other. Cody and Bailey were concerned. They wondered how safe they were in the abandoned village. They quickly and quietly went back in the hut. Bailey instinctively hid behind Cody while he got his spear ready. They could hear rustling among the bushes from outside the hut, but they weren't sure what to expect. Cody lurched forward and saw nothing from outside. He left Bailey behind in the hut while he peeked out to see if it was safe outside. With no sign of danger, Cody waved to Bailey that everything was okay. Bailey meekly left the hut and stayed close behind Cody's backside. She was nervous and on high alert. She only relaxed once she saw that Cody had put his spear down and would let drag against the fertile soil. She backed away and came over to Cody's right side.

"Cody, what do you suppose that was?"

"I'm not sure. It probably was just an animal passing through the trees around here. Come on, let's see what we can find from this abandoned village. Maybe we'll find more clues on what happened to the people who used to live here."

"Are you sure we should do that?"

"Bailey, it was your idea. Besides, don't be so afraid. I won't let anything bad happen to you. And, by the way, you're starting to scare me. I haven't known you to act so vulnerable"

"Well, you saw a different side of me. Is that okay?"

"Yeah…"

"Okay then. Let's start searching for objects and clues."

"All right. I'll check the left side and you check the right side."

"Kay."

Cody went on the left side of the village while Bailey went on the right side. As Cody searched for significant clues, he occasionally glanced over at Bailey. He wondered if she felt anything special between the two of them when they had pulled away from the hug. He wondered if she still saw him as a friend or more. Cody shook his head. Even if Bailey saw him in a different light didn't mean that she would have the heart to go behind her fiancé's back even if she didn't harbor any romantic feelings for him. Cody knew that Bailey didn't love Jake because she had told many times in different ways that her love for Jake was love from a parent for their child or love from a sister to her brother. Cody sighed and then returned to searching for clues. After an additional ten minutes, Cody stumbled upon a hut that had all sorts of articles that hinted that the previous owner was a witch doctor. Cody looked at all that was left behind; mainly tools, documents, spells and books, and saw dried up blood on a nearby slab of stone. Cody's eyes widened. The dried blood had left a trail and it curved down the ground and out of the hut all the way to the backside. There, Cody found some bones of a human skeleton and spears and what looked like axes. Cody frantically searched for Bailey with his eyes until he saw her directly across the way from him.

"Bailey! Bailey! Bailey! Come over here! I found something!"

Bailey jerks her head toward Cody's direction and saw him waving at her with both arms. She crossed the middle path of the village and came over to where Cody was.

"What is it?"

"I found some things."

"Really? Show me."

Cody proceeded to show Bailey the hut that used to belong to witch doctor, the blood on the ground, and the bones and weapons in the back where the trail of blood stopped.

"Wow. This discovery is astonishing. Good job, Cody."

"Thanks."

"This is really helpful. These clues obviously indicate that there must have been some sort of manhunt and spell or curse involved. Now, the question is how did the people leave?"

"I don't know. But do you suppose that the curse is still in effect."

"I highly doubt that, Cody. Typically curses only affect the people that it was intended for. I don't think curses are contagious. They're not diseases that be passed on by physical contact."

"I guess you're right. But I would hate to know what the curse was. It must have been really bad if it caused a whole population of people to leave their home on this island."

"It must be. Say Cody, are you hungry? We haven't had anything to eat since we woke up."

"You know, now that I think about it, I am a little hungry."

"We can continue our investigation about the abandoned village once we have food in our bodies. We should go look for food now so that by the time we have something to eat that we'll be hungry."

"Yeah. Okay."

Cody and Bailey go on a short trip to get some fruits to eat. When they return to the hut, it is nearly eleven in the morning. They eat quietly and they follow up with an analysis of the clues Cody found. After some significant time, Cody and Bailey take a break and rest since the humidity is getting to them. They realized a while back in their journey that the deeper they went inside the rainforest, the more humid it would be and more humidity meant frequent rest and replenishment. Bailey explained to Cody that she would take a quick rest but she asked him if it was okay if she took off a few layers. Cody told Bailey that she should do that was good for her health. Bailey smiled and indirectly invited Cody to do the same thing by teasing him about the advice her gave her. Cody blushed from embarrassment as he watched Bailey turn her back to him and slipped off her button up, short-sleeved pink shirt and took off her shoes. He also took off green shirt and black hiking shoes and rested near Bailey. He watched her as she folded her arms over her chest. What he wouldn't do to just touch her body. Cody knew that maybe he was silly but he would be willing to give up his life if it meant making love with Bailey once before he died. He was so angry that he couldn't have he. If only there was some small loop hole that he could use to his advantage. If he could find one, then he could express his feelings for Bailey without feeling guilty. Cody propped himself up on his elbow and watched Bailey rest her body. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose and fell under the steady weight of her arms. As Cody stared at Bailey, feeling at ease, he imagined a life with her. They would be the same position as they were now but they also would be married and on a bed with a soft mattress. They would have had three children. Cody could imagine how their nights would be when the kids were around and when they weren't around. When they would be around, he and Bailey would softly and sweetly peck each other on the lips or share a quick kiss. When the kids wouldn't be around, they would cuddle in bed and if they were in the mood, they would partake in sexual activities that could lead to making love. Cody could just imagine him and Bailey as an old married couple, one who have been together for a long time, sitting next to each other in rocking chairs on the front porch with a table covered with iced tea and snicker doodles separating them. They would have weekly visits from their grown-up children and bring the grandchildren with them. Bailey would always feed the family and Cody would always help her in the kitchen leaving little kisses on her cheek and lips. And when they went to bed, Cody would keep Bailey close to him.

Getting lost in his fantasies of a world filled of 'what if's', Cody had unconsciously scooted close to Bailey and slung an arm over her body. He was smelling her hair in his subconscious state and his hand was finding a comfortable spot in Bailey's curves of her hip and waist line. Once Cody could feel Bailey's body under his palm, his eyes popped open. He wondered how he so close to Bailey without realizing it until just now. On the inside, Cody was panicking. Would Bailey wake up and find Cody cuddling her? What would she say or think if she did find him leaning close to her? Cody carefully slipped his hand off Bailey's waist and rolled away from her body. Just as Cody rolled away, Bailey rolled on her side and moaned. It was a pleasurable moan and it sounded like she had uttered a name. Cody leaned forward and waited to see if Bailey would repeat the name. Sure enough, Bailey repeated the name and it was Cody's. Cody was happy and confused at the same time. He was hopeful that she was having a romantic dream about it. If not, at least she was thinking about him. If Bailey was dreaming about him then that meant for Cody that he was important to her. Cody was silently celebrating for the fact that Bailey had reserved some sort of space for him in her heart. He didn't know exactly but at least he had a spot. All of a sudden, Bailey stirred. Cody stopped his miniature celebration and looked over at Bailey. Her eyes fluttered open and rolled her head toward Cody's direction.

"Hi, Cody."

"Hey, Bailey. Do you want to figure out about how people left the island?"

"I think we got some time. As long as we stay out of danger and take care of ourselves then we should be fine."

"Bailey, are you okay? You don't seem like you want to do much anymore."

"It's probably the humidity."

"Are you sure? You seem awfully tired."

Bailey yawned and rolled on her side. Cody poked her but all he could hear was a soft breath of Bailey as she slept. He knew that they were tired out by the searching, hiking, foraging, and the humidity, but Cody didn't think that it was normal for Bailey to be so tired. Then again, he was barely tired. Maybe he had a problem. At any rate, Cody didn't like where things were going for him and Bailey. What they had been put under a curse but didn't know what it was? Cody feared for the both of them and tried his best to not rest and sleep. He had resolved to stay strong for Bailey. Out of the blue, Cody could hear rustling from outside the hut. He stood up and grabbed his spear. A lone figure could be seen from a distance. It emerged from the bushes across the hut and advanced toward Cody. The lone figure moved with deliberate steps. Cody stood right of Bailey as he stayed on guard. The mysterious figure revealed itself as a thin, elderly man. He had brown-tan skin, white hair in a long braid and had on khaki pants, sandals, and a red shirt. His brown eyes kind and glistened with life through his glasses. He raised his right to Cody as a sign that he meant no harm. Cody was hesitant but lowered his spear after some deliberation of deciding that the man before him was harmless. The elderly man approached Cody.

"Young man, how are you?"

"I'm okay for now."

"What's your name?"

"Dr. Cody Martin. I'm an anthropologist."

"Where are you from?"

"Boston, Massachusetts, America."

"You're an American?"

"Yes."

The elderly man then glanced down at Bailey and saw a ring on her left hand. He looked back at Cody and smiled.

"What's your wife's name?"

Cody was confused. He didn't have a wife. Then it suddenly hit him. He realized that the man thought that he and Bailey were married. He glanced back at Bailey and again at the elderly man.

"Oh, no. She's not my wife. Her name is Dr. Bailey Marie Pickett. She's a Medical Doctor."

"Then what is she to you? Your betrothed? I see a ring on her finger. She is yours, is she not? She must be because you spoke of her name with such zeal, passion and love."

"No. She's just a friend."

"What friend is she if you go well with each other? Are you pulling my leg? She must be your mate."

Cody blushed at the thought that the elderly man seriously thought that and Cody and Bailey were a couple.

"Uh, no."

"Hard to believe. When a man goes to great lengths to protect a beautiful and kind woman he must be her lover. Two people do not spend much time bonding and not become mates. She must be with you."

"She's not. She engaged to another man. She and I just met. We got stranded on this island from two separate ships."

"Where is she from?"

"Kettlecorn, Kansas, America."

"Another American like you?"

"Yes. Very much so."

"Beautiful American woman."

"She is."

"Why are you not her man? Why is she not yours? Your wife? Why not?"

"She promised herself to a man she does not hold any romantic feelings for."

"Why?"

"She has a duty to her family. Her marriage to the man will bring financial support for her hardworking family. They are farmers."

"Ah. People of the soil and earth. But she should not marry out of sense of duty. Are they in dire need of financial support?"

"Well, not exactly, but it be would greatly appreciated."

"She should marry a man worthy of her love."

"But she can't."

"She should marry you."

"No."

"All right. You are an odd youth, denying true love which is right of you. May I come in?"

"Of course."

Cody moved to the side to let the elderly man inside the hut. He looked down at Bailey on ground and looked at her tired body.

"She's sick."

Cody whipped his head to the elderly man. His voice was drenched with worry.

"What!? What do you mean that Bailey is sick? Is she going to die?"

"No. Don't think so. She just needs herbs and water. She could benefit from drinking tea."

"Where can we go?"

"You come with me. I can give you two tea to drink. It will restore your bodies."

"But what about our belongings?"

"No one will come to take them. I have been left here on the island to look over the land."

"It must be terribly lonely without any people around you."
"Life is okay. I have companions in the animals. I do not see people very often but I do see people, I welcome them into my home. Please, come with me to my home. Carry your woman in your arms. You love her so you will take care of her. She is weak and needs help."

"She's not my woman. She is Jake's."

"This Jake fellow, is he good to her?"

"From what Bailey has told me, he is good to her, but he is not good for her. He is not her type."

"That's because he is not you. You are hers."

"Would you please let that go? I'm not her lover, I'm not her mate!"

"Says you, young man. I can see your aura blending well with hers. You two are soul mates. You were born for each other, to complete each other. She is your soul-lover."

"Why do you keep saying that?"

"Do you love her?"

"Yes. But she doesn't know."

"Hmmm…"

"What?"

"Nothing. Pick her up and come with me. I will brew tea for the two of you."

"Uh…okay."

Cody placed his spear down and scooped up Bailey in his arms. When he was standing upright, the elderly man began to leave the hut. Cody walked behind him with Bailey in his arms. While they walked to the elderly man's home, Cody had a few questions for him.

"What's your name?"

"Isaac Jones."

"Are you from here?"

"Yes, I was born and raised here."

"How long have you been here on the island?"

"Seventy years."

"I see."

"Do you have anything else to ask of me?"

"I'm done for now."

"I see…"

Then there was complete silence between Cody and Isaac. The rest of their journey to Isaac was deathly quiet. When they got to the small house, Isaac told Cody that he could lay Bailey down on his bed while he got the tea ready. While Bailey slept and the tea brewed, Cody and Isaac waited quietly for their lives to pick up again.

To Be Continued…