Lisa woke up to Jackson shaking her, and immediately kicked in the direction she figured he'd be in. She missed, but felt his hand clamp around her ankle as he yanked her out of bed and onto the sandy ground.
"Come on, Leese, rise and shine. We've got a big day today." She debated asking him what he meant, but was too scared of what the reply might be to actually ask. "I've been talking with some of the people around, and it turns out that that kid with the headphones is actually one of those internet ministers, so we're all set." She stared at him in awe for a moment before responding.
"Did you miss all of last night? I don't want you, I don't love you, hell, I don't even like you! So please get it through your head that I am not marrying you."
"That's a shame, Leese, because that means that you'll have to go with the alternative. The new punishment for defying the leader is quite severe." Lisa felt her heart beat faster as she contemplated all the things he possibly could have come up with.
"What, you're having people build cages to act as a jail?" Why does my voice have to shake so much? It's not helping the brave act.
"Oh, no. Even better, actually. I found a cliff with sharp rocks at the bottom. Guess what the new punishment is." She stared in shock, unsure of what to say.
"You…you… honestly intend to shove people off a cliff if they don't listen to you? Please just take a moment to realise how insane this is."
"I don't just intend to; I already did. You missed that doctor who tried to attack me with a spear this morning's execution. More's the pity, really- now we need to train someone else in medicine. So, what's your choice? Comfy life as queen of the island, or painful death by rock?" He looked like he was actually enjoying watching her squirm, and Lisa found herself praying for some act of God that would result in his immediate death. He had let go of her ankle, but gotten hold of her shoulders and was holding her in an iron grip, not allowing her to even sit up.
"I need time to think." Had been the first thing to come to her mind, and she hoped that he would at least give her a little time to think of a better way to escape him.
"But sweetie, you yourself said yesterday that you wanted this. So there's really not much to think about, is there? Unless of course, you've changed your mind, in which case just let me know, 'cause that cliff is a few miles away and I want to be back by lunchtime." She remained silent. He can't do anything if I don't answer him. "Leese, come on, we haven't got all day. I have an island to run."