For the first time Sam dreaded the calm.
The animals on this island haven't met them with any unease, they never learned to fear humans for the predator they really are. Thus the rainforest never became quiet around them, except for this very moment, which meant only one thing: another hunter was hiding amongst the trees. And it was dangerous enough that it silenced the entire jungle.
Ice spread through his veins upon hearing the deep sound coming from the thicket, like thunder rolling from the distance. His worst fear became reality. They were truly not alone.
He tightened his grip around Claire. They had to get away from here.
"Hey, wake up!"
Nervously he pinched her cheek until she finally awakened. Slightly disoriented she turned her head until her eyes found his.
"Sam?", she mumbled. "What´s going on?"
He took a deep breath. "Claire, I need you to stay calm. There is a wild animal here and I have no idea what it is. We have to leave!"
"Eh?!"
As if the creature wanted to erase her doubts it let out another deep growl. Claire gasped in shock upon the sound but before the scream could escape her lips Sam held her down, afraid that she would provoke the animal.
"Stay quiet!", he hissed. "Do you want to kill us?!"
She shook her head as much as she could under his tight grip. Slowly let go of her mouth and pulled her up. On high alert he scanned the surrounding thicket while she flitted towards James and shook him by the shoulder.
"What?", he croaked after waking up to the frantic look on her face.
"There is a dangerous animal. We have to leave!"
"Not this again…", he groaned. "What is this, Monday?"
After extinguishing the last remains of the fire they left the small clearing and headed towards the nearby stream. Fearing an encounter with whatever hid between the leaves and getting lost they decided to continue their journey through the shallow water.
"Great…who knows what swims around here… ", complained Claire; the thought of leeches and other parasites latching onto her made her shiver with disgust.
"Come on, how bad can it be?", asked Sam with an eye roll.
Like the hero he wanted himself to be James marched forward, pushing the logs that floated down the river out of their way. From afar he saw an especially large one heading towards them. He was already surprised by its strange shape and size but even more by its sudden movement when it came into contact with his spear.
When he realized what he truly hit it was almost too late.
"Snake!", he screamed. "SNAKE!"
Without thinking he threw his spear at it but missed. Horrified Sam watched the now agitated snake lunging after James who turn threw a large log at it, causing a massive splash.
"Stay back, Claire!", he yelled and pushed her away before running towards James, who still kept on blindly bashing around. The panic made him completely forget about his surroundings, causing him to slip and fall head bent over into the river.
When he arose from the water James stood frozen with the spear back in his hand, ready to strike again.
"Where is it?!", he gasped.
"I have no idea but I have it with this motherfucking snake on this motherfucking island!"
An deceptive calm fell upon them, marked by their short breaths and the rippling of the water. They almost considered the fight to be over when a loud flash made them scream in surprise. Sam stumbled back as the snake shot towards him. Deep golden eyes locked into his. He raised his hands before his face, gaping into its massive jaw.
The world around Claire came to a halt. Nothing could reach her anymore. All she saw was the giant reptile and the one it was about to attack; beneath her feet a big rock in the water.
She ran.
The next second she held it in her hands; ignoring the fear, the pain in her arms and the cold of the water. All her actions were incited by one single thought, one picture inside her head, giving her strength she never felt before her entire life.
"Don´t move!"
With all her might Claire raised the rock over her head before smashing it down. Water splattered on fell on her face, blinding her.
"Claire! Sam!"
James voice pierced her ears. Slowly she opened her eyes, and found him sitting right in front of her with a big rock between his legs and the dead reptile under it. Fear clutched around her heart.
"A…are you alright?!", she asked him with a trembling voice.
His knees were still shaking when he got back up with her help. Expecting the worst she held her tears back as he let his hands wandered over his body.
"I…I think I´m…fine?", he replied in slight disbelief.
Upon hearing those words she threw her arms around him and pressed her face against his chest. His heart beat louder than the crashing waves. He was alive.
Tears fell on his shirt as Claire silently clutched onto him. Sam gasped in surprise, feeling every muscle turning stiff.
"Come on, you don't need to cry.", he laughed nervous and stroke her head. "There, there."
Awkwardly he turned his head away from her when he noticed James staring at them with mouth wide open. He raised his hand above his head, barely able to fathom what just had happened.
"That. Was. Overkill!"
Taken aback Claire let go of Sam and tilted her head. "Eh?"
Both their eyes followed James who set his foot triumphantly over the rock, wiggling the dead snake's tail. "You just destroyed a motherfucking python, Claire!", he announced with a bright smile. "Or an anaconda, who knows…"
Shocked she took a closer look. "Did I just carry that?"
"You totally slayed!"
Sam watched her closely as her lips slowly turned into a weak smile. "Are you alright? Can you walk?", he asked concerned, fearing that she would collapse any moment.
"No, no, I'm fine.", she reassured him. "Let's…just keep going."
A strange calm spread through her chest, like the sun breaking through stormy skies. The threads that kept her on the ground snapped, leaving her mind to fly to faraway places. With her head high in the clouds she walked behind James who carried on leading the trail through the waters, only this time more cautiously and thus they arrived without further incident at a white stream cascading over black rocks. A confident grin crossed his face.
"Looks like we hit a dead end.", he concluded. "Guess we hafta climb but don't worry, I'll…"
"Wait."
Suppressing a snarl he jerked his head towards Sam. Suspicious he watched as he strolled past them and walked behind the waterfall. After taking a peek he waved his hand, giving them a sign to follow him.
James felt his jaw dropping upon the sight of the entrance hidden by the wall of water.
"Wait, how did you…?! What?!"
"Wow, Sam!", beamed Claire. "You're so smart!"
Dismayed that he was defeated by Sam and yet somewhat relieved that they found a shortcut he begrudgingly tagged along as they went inside the cave.
The scent of moss and rainwater hung in the cold damp air. Countless crystals captured the faint daylight, drawing stars of all colors on the walls. While Claire and James stared at them in awe Sam approached a small spring. He kneeled down, replenishing their water supply when he noticed another reflection on the water's surface. A chill ran down his spine, although this time it wasn't the cold.
"Hey, you two…", he whispered and grabbed their attention. "Look!"
Above them a huge mass of small in fur covered bodies moved their leathery wings, tiny black eyes and sharp little teeth shined in the dark. James was the first one to find his voice again.
"Fuck this shit, I'm out."
As quietly as possible they made their ways towards the cave exit when a distant growl interrupted them. James could see the daggers shooting out of Sam's silver eyes.
"I know what you're thinking and no, it wasn't me."
"Who else could it be?", he asked annoyed, knowing very well James' seemingly voracious appetite.
"I didn't do it! I swear I…"
He couldn't get to finish his sentence as out of the sudden the air was filled with hundreds of bats. Their high screeches mixed with the screams of the teenagers who crouched over, their hands covering their heads. For a few seconds complete darkness wrapped around them before the bats escaped outside and disappeared into the light.
Breathless the three stared at the other. None of them dared to raise their voice, let alone move. Everything stood still.
It didn't last long.
A roar from deep within the earth tore apart the silence. Under their feet the ground shook violently, making them fall over screaming. Chunks of rocks fell from the cracking walls, covering them in bruises. Aimlessly Claire turned her head in the dark and caught a glimpse of Sam on his knees, frozen. She stood up, trying to reach him but her attempts were in vain. Sharp pain pierced her knees as she hit the ground.
"Sam!", she screamed out but her voice got buried under the roaring sound of the earthquake.
James gritted his teeth. Ignoring the falling rocks that grazed him he grabbed Sam by the collar and put his arm around Claire before rushing towards the exit. Blinded by the light they all stumbled to the ground, lying on the soft grass until the trembling passed.
Exhausted Claire lied on her back, glancing at James who lied face over by her side. "You saved us. Thank you Jay-Jay!"
"I´m traumatized for life.", he wheezed.
She was about to let out a sigh of relief when a faint groan made her heart skip. "Sam?"
Her voice couldn't reach him. He was swept away, tossed around by the waves of fear that drowned him. Dark waters engulfed him, making him choke for air. This was it. It was over. He was out on the ocean, alone, where nobody could find him ever again.
He felt a touch on his shoulder and gasped in shock. He blinked in confusion, there was no dark ocean and no waves, only soft grass beneath him and Claire by his side.
"Are you alright?", she asked and her voice was full of worry.
It took him a few seconds to resurface.
"It´s nothing.", he muttered and brushed the hair out of his face, embarrassed that she saw this side of him. "I'm fine."
James turned away, leaving the two have their moment when his gaze fell upon the scenery. Struck with awe the words that left his mouth were barely a whisper.
"Oh, man, look at that…"
The warm wind softly blew the clouds away, leaving the rays of light dance across the shimmering blue that spread before them. Almost reverentially they approached the crystal clear lake embedded in the hills at the foot of the mountain. Small fish and ducks swam amongst the bright green lily pads that were sprinkled across the shore along with the rose water lilies. Everywhere they looked the air was filled with warmth and life.
Serenity surrounded Sam. He wouldn't have been surprised if he would have awoken any moment.
But this was no dream as he soon discovered when James pushed him into the cold water. Meanwhile Claire took shelter under a nearby tree, declining James' calls to join them. The thought of entering deep waters still made her shiver.
She closed her eyes, leaning tired against the tree. Only now did she feel the fights and sleepless nights taking its toll on her. Throughout the entire journey they've barely got enough rest, let alone eaten. Remembering that they still had proviant she reached for Sam's backpack when she stumbled upon his notebook.
Countless of pages filled with detailed sketches and fine writing revealed themselves in front of her. They were beautiful, stunning even but they were not Sam's. Not the one she knew of. For a long time she stared at the drawings, not knowing whenever she should be amazed or worried by them.
"Heeeey!"
Claire could feel the heat rushing in her cheeks by the sight of the boys walking barefooted through the soft grass, wearing nothing but their shorts. In the few weeks they spend here Sam has changed, his chest has become more toned and the sun gave his usually pale skin a gentle touch, bringing out the stormy sea in his eyes.
"Maybe I could get used to this...", she pondered.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing!"
His eyes fell on her hands and the book she was holding. Every muscle in his body turned stiff. "What are you doing?", he asked disturbed.
"Oh nothing, just looking at those pretty drawings. I never knew you were so good at it!"
"Can I have it back?", he stretched his hand out, giving her a crooked smile. "It is more like a diary for me, you know."
"Ah, okay. Sorry."
Somewhat disappointed she handed it back and watched it disappearing into his backpack. She sensed the restlessness in him, how hastily he put on back his clothes and stared into the distance.
"What are you looking at?"
"I don't know…but I´d really like to check on something..."
"Okay, where?"
"Right by the mountain. I´ve got a feeling we could find something there…", he murmured and pulled his collar.
James eye's turned into small slits. "What makes you think so?"
"I can´t really explain it but there is something about this place…I´d like to go there."
Both he and Claire raised their eyebrows at each other. Without waiting for them Sam went ahead, leaving them to pick up his backpack and carry it.
"I tell ya, he was abducted by aliens and replaced!", whispered James but she just smiled and rolled her eyes in response. "Fine, okay, maybe he´s just a shapeshifter!"
Ignoring their chattering he sped up, something was guiding him to a small groove by the foot of the mountain, like waves pushing him towards the shore. He stretched his hands out, pushing away the branches of the thickets.
What he saw made him freeze.
He stepped back and rubbed his brow. Flashes of icy pain ran across his head.
"What the fuck is that?! Is this an entrance?!"
James voice echoed in his ears. Claire brushed past him and let her fingers run across the cold rusty metal. She turned her head towards him. Confusion spread across her face.
"How did you find this? How did you know where to search for…?"
"I, I can´t really explain but….", he stuttered.
And then it all came back to her; the fire he sparked, the weapons he created, the prey he caught almost effortlessly and how he somehow always found his way, all of it creating more questions than answers in her head.
She felt two large hands picking her up and putting her aside. With the hint of a grin on his face James placed his hand on the door wheel. His strong arm muscles turned tense. Under loud screeching he managed to push it open.
Light fell on the hallway.
Sam stepped inside, leaving footprint on the in dust covered floor. Claire followed after, gazing at the cracks that ran across the concrete walls. Carefully she set her feet on the ground, avoiding the shards of glass that lied in her way.
"What is this place?", he heard her gasping.
Waves of shivers swept over Sam. His heart raced. He knew the answer. "This…is a facility…funded by a drug company.", he answered.
"How do you know that?!", asked James bewildered.
"Because I´ve been here before…", he whispered and came to a halt, staring deeper into the darkness.
"…over ten years ago."
