Chapter 11: Karl
I lie, in the darkness of our tent, stunned by what just happened between Alex and I. Finally, unable to sleep, I crawl out of our tent to lie on the beach. There are so many stars out tonight, it's amazing. Do I go wake Alex and show her? Not yet, but I will. The stars are so breathtaking, that I cannot seem to leave. If word gets to Ben of what Alex and I have done, I'm as good as dead. My father, and Juliet would try and spare me from my fate, but Ben will kill me. An now I can see why. He doesn't want his daughter to get pregnant. He doesn't want her to be Juliet's next patient. He doesn't want to watch her die. Depending on tonight, he might have to. An I will be blamed. I would be the father, and I would be executed. I also don't want to see my beloved Alex die. While I'm working through all this in my mind, I don't hear him come up behind me. "Well, well,well, Little Karl. What are you doing up so late, Karl?" It's Sawyer. "May I?" He gestures to the sand beside me. "Sure" is my reply. "So, what are you doing out so late?" "Looking at the stars." I say. "What are you thinking about, Karl?" He asks. I'm about to respond, but change the subject instead. "Sawyer, you had sex with Kate, right?" He chokes. "Where the heck did you hear that?" He splutters."Alex told me." I answer. "Why are you asking?" He asks angrily. If you're looking for tips, then-" "Weren't you concerned?" "About what?" "Getting her pregnant." He turns to look at me, shocked. "Did you and Alex-?!" I nod. He chuckles and says. "So what, Alex gets pregnant, you're the father. Ya you're sixteen, and so is she. I've seen worse parents than teens, Karl." "No, you don't get it. It's different here. People, women who get pregnant on the island, they all die. Every last one of them." He looks shocked. "And.." "And you and I might be responsible for the death of Kate and Alex." "No, that's nonsense Karl. Honestly." "No it's not." I say, shaking my head. "Want to know how many women I've seen die here, James?" He stares. Then I say. "Look James, what would happen if Kate it pregnant? You both know you're not very good parent material." "I get what you're saying kid. I better get going." "To Kate?" I call as he walks away. I hear him laugh, as he walks away, until he's a speck on the beach. Then I go wake up Alex. She too, is amazed by the beautiful night sky. We lie on the dark beach, hand in hand, staring at the night skies. And I feel very much a Romeo to her Juliet. And somehow, maybe having sex with her was not a bad way of showing her how much I am desperately in love with her.
