Chapter 4

Annabelle and Jack were arguing again.

Not in the least surprised, Lucy rubbed her eyes in the blinding morning light as a usual crowd gathered around the two bickering teenagers. It was now well known amongst the islanders that the two were bitter rivals, and their fights only generated entertainment for the rest of the inhabitants. So far today, Annabelle appeared to be winning.

"That's NOT exactly what you told me when you said you'd 'take care of it!'" She exclaimed angrily.

"Well, I didn't say exactly how I'd deal with it, did I?" Jack glared back. "Does it really matter?"

"You said you didn't even believe in the stupid thing. So obviously, you lied to him!"

"Who cares?! It was the only way he'd keep his mouth shut. And if I recall, it was YOU who said we should keep everyone calm."

"But I also said we should be honest with them!" Annabelle sputtered. "And I was NOT the one who said we should just lie to everyone and tell them there's nothing to be afraid of. There could be something. There could be some kind of animal."

"Oh, like what, Annabelle?" Jack said exasperatedly. "A monster? The big bad wolf? What could possibly be out there?"

Lucy reckoned Annabelle had finally found out about Jack's mock encouragement to Sébastien about killing the beast. And the boy, in return, had gone around blabbing to someone. That kid was like a little girl-he couldn't keep his mouth shut.

Unfortunately, Jack chose this moment to whirl around and notice her standing with a very haughty, I-told-you-so expression. He charged down the beach furiously, and before she even realized, he was yelling into her face, pointing a blaming finger.

"You told her, didn't you? You just couldn't keep your stupid little mouth shut!"

"Don't look at me," she said, shaking her head. "It was all that boy's work."

"Don't try to blame it on Sébastien! I told you you'd regret it, and now you will."

"Wait!" Sébastien cried out from behind. Both turned to see the nervous boy who had interrupted them. "It wasn't her. I told-I told Fillip. Just him! I thought, since he was a hunter too, it would be okay. And he told the rest of the troupe, and...Well..." Lucy crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at Jack, who merely growled under his breath. As he turned his attention away from her and began scolding the boy, she felt a sense of relief. She wasn't about to keep secrets for that tyrannical brat any longer. At least now, it was out in the open.

"I still don't like you, shrimp," Jack muttered nastily.

"The feeling's quite mutual."

"Well, what are we supposed to do now?" Annabelle put her hands on her hips, staring back and forth around the group. Another assembly had gathered around her, much like their first meeting, only now she stood in front of the very outskirts of the forest. A tree branch just barely brushed the back of her worn out tank top soiled with dirt.

"Is the island dangerous, or not?" Someone shouted. Others began speaking out as well, questions and worries flying out of their mouths all at once.

"Quiet!" She yelled. "Everybody be quiet! Just listen to what I have to say." When the crowd settled down, she continued, "We didn't want you to be worried about anything. Which is okay, because we don't know for sure that there is anything to be worried about. But we don't know if there isn't anything to be worried about, either. So what I'm suggesting is, we all stay calm for now. I know, it's not going to be easy. But I have an idea. Me, Jack, and some other people will go out and see what's out there. Because none of us knows for sure. We can't be sure until we've gone to look ourselves."

"I think I can be sure of what's on the island."

A new voice. A stranger, low and alluring, spoke. Annabelle, Jack and everyone else spun around in astonishment. They stared at the spot in the forest behind them, where the voice had come from. Something tall slinked out from behind the trees, a single bare, bronzed leg taking a step out from between.

It was hard to say whether she was a woman, or a girl; impossible beauty exuded from her as she stepped into their full view. But her face was young, maybe older than them but not much older. Youth and maturity mingled together in her exotically goldened face. Sharp cheekbones ran under a pair of shocking eyes. They were blue, as blue as the Caribbean Sea, dark and shining indigo beneath arched brows. Long waves of hair as black as a raven tossed around her body, appearing rough and hassled, but still gleaming as the sunlight bounced against it. As if to complete her look, she put one arm on the swinging palm tree next to her, her long, seductive figure leaning against it with ease. Wearing a nonchalant expression, it was like she had no concern about how she had come out so suddenly and startled everyone, not having a worry in the world. She looked down at her nails, long and unruly, examining them in complete leisure.

The girls' reactions, inevitably, were greatly in contrast from the boys' reactions to this astonishingly beautiful teenager standing before them. Jack, Austen, Sébastien, Fillip, Thayr, and all the other males couldn't keep their mouth closed, hypnotized-all except Maurice, who looked surprised by the girl's sudden appearance, but not particularly entranced. He stood rather closely next to Joelle. Roger, Lucy noticed, was nowhere to be seen. He had probably wandered off on his own again.

Most of the girls, however, gave her a very dirty look; Rosaline and Hazell positively glowered, as Jack proceeded to goggle at her, drool nearly dripping down his mouth. Only Tessarose, Caitlin, Joelle and Annabelle seemed to have no negative reaction. Ruby frowned darkly as well, but not appearing to be out of jealousy, but suspicion. Her practical and heedful nature allowed her not to be resentful of this stranger, but distrusting.

Annabelle was the first to break from the mysterious girl's spell: clearing her throat loudly for everyone to pay attention, she asked loudly, "Who are you? Where did you come from?"

The bored look did not disappear from her face as she parted her full lips to speak. "I have watched all 24 of you on this island for many days." A thick, unfamiliar accent coated her voice. It was rich, and it aroused a very sultry, foreign aura around her. "I know who you are. Who all of you are. But you don't know who I am."

"Thank you, for stating the obvious," Hazell muttered murderously under her breath.

"Well, do you think you can tell us who you are?" Annabelle said impatiently. "Because we're all a little shaken right now."

"You weren't on the plane," Caitlin suddenly called out quietly. Everyone turned to look at the normally silent young girl. Blushing slightly, she went on, "I don't remember you from the plane. You've been on this island before us."

"It was a big plane," the stranger replied simply. "You may not have seen me."

"So you were on the plane?" asked Annabelle.

"Whether I was on the plane or not does not matter." She suddenly stood to her full height, looming over most of them with her long, slender legs. "Like I said, I know what is in the forest, and I can tell you what you need to know."

The assembly was silent. All ears were perked up in wonder and curiosity, waiting for the girl to proceed. Her expression was now sterner, her coquettish half-smirk falling ever so slightly. It was then that they all remembered the subject of why they had all gathered here: the unknown mystery inside the jungle.

"I wouldn't advise going out into the middle of the jungle. Not without proper weapons. Knives and sticks won't do any good against it. Of course, you never know where you might find yourself something to arm yourself with." Her eyes scanned the crowd as they sparkling hintingly. Lucy furrowed her brows, puzzled. What was she trying to say?

"It will kill you before you try to kill it. It's strong, fast, and intelligent. More powerful than even I first gave it credit for. I can't fight it. Nor can any of us."

"What is it?" Tessarose breathed.

"Have you seen this animal yourself?" Annabelle questioned.

"Not directly with my own eyes, but I know it exists. I've heard it, at nighttime." Moving towards them, the strange girl slipped one foot after another down the sand. "I don't have to see it to know how dangerous it is. It will destroy us. But not as long as we stay out of its way." Closing her statement, she pulled her disheveled hair to one side, and returned to her unconcerned stance.

Of course, Annabelle wasn't about to just let this go. Decisions had to be made, oh yes, and chief Annabelle was full of them. Rolling her eyes, Lucy watched as the leader took her position back in front of the group, and said, " Well, you've never seen this so-called monster, and if you haven't seen it, we can't be absolutely positive. I think we should still go and find out more about this."

"But you heard what she said," Jack muttered as if he were under a trance. "It's not safe."

"You said you're the big, brave hunters." She shrugged her shoulders. "If you think it's too risky for you, Jack, I'm sure I'll find others." But the way everyone else was whispering in fright, Lucy didn't believe anyone would go with her on the exploration.

"Alright, alright!" The enchantment was broken; his signature snarl returned to his face as he marched towards her. At a gesture of his fingers, other hunters scurried to follow him. Hazell led the way without hesitation.

"Don't go," Lucy heard Joelle said to Maurice strongly. "I think we should listen to what she said-what if you get hurt?"

"So? What's the matter? I-I mean, why do you care if I get hurt?" By now, the whole crowd was watching the two with great interest. In reply, she reached up on her tiptoes and kissed the boy quickly on the mouth. Whoops and whistles filled the air as an astonished and pleased smile came upon his face. He returned the kiss more fervently. After a minute, they both parted, blushing. Joelle was beaming with happiness.

Chuckling to herself, Annabelle gathered the hunters for the expedition into the forest, and the people gradually scattered, most of them seeming fairly assured. The newly formed couple wandered off to a log of their own, arms linked and shoulders leaning against each other. Many of the boys, however, lingered around to leer after the mysterious girl. Plenty of unanswered questions were still in the air: Who was she really, and how did she suddenly appear out of apparently nowhere? How long had she been in the forest, watching them? However, something intimidating about her strange, unexplained aura refrained them all from asking any more.

"Alright, Jack, Hazell, Thayr, Austen, and…where is Roger? He'd be great help, since he's the oldest and biggest in size."

"Disappeared on his own again, I guess," Jack suggested. "We'll be fine like this."

"I'd like to come, too." It was the girl, already holding up a long spear she had apparently snatched from the ground. After staring at her wondrously, Annabelle coughed and answered, "Sure. But I think that's Roger's. Give it to him once he comes back." Walking up the beach, she suddenly turned. "Hey, you never told us your name. What is it?" As the others waited curiously for the stranger's answer, she lifted a brow with a sly smile.

"I'm called Mathalina," she said. She pronounced it Mad-ta-LEE-na.

The hunters and Annabelle each in turn introduced themselves to the newcomer, and trekked into the forest, leaving Lucy alone to watch them with discontent. Naturally, she had been left out of the exploration squad. But at least they didn't know how good her hearing was. She could always just listen to every detail of their plans.

Splashing his face, Roger leaned over the gleaming water with crouched feet. The still lake rippled wildly as his fingers dipped in. Satisfyingly refreshed, he grabbed his water bottle and began filling it up. It were days like this, when the sun was just out but the heat was bearable, that he enjoyed coming to the lake the most. He could only visit this place during the day for hunting, and this morning everyone had been distracted by the quarrel between the head hunter and Annabelle. It was the perfect time. Roger deemed it pointless, all of their fighting, but as he sipped his water, memories of what his father would say came to mind:

"Son, it is good to argue for what you want. You're going to need to learn how to fight, be more aggressive. You'll need it once you sign up." Nodding robotically, he had merely sat on the couch listening to the on-going speech from the colonel. Roger just wanted to block his ears as he raved on about the usual: everything his son would have to endure once he enlisted. Like him. Following the same, proud path he took.

Thinking of his father didn't help his mission for tranquility. It only hung a grim cloud over his head. He didn't have a mother to support his opinions-she was long dead, killed by her own ill-ridden body. "Leukemia," the doctor had explained indifferently, when he was just ten years old. That doctor was a moron. Roger knew his mother had longer to live. He had felt it in his bones. After slamming papers off the table and leaving the hospital in anger and disappointment, he never tried to remember Mother again. Even at the funeral, he couldn't cry. But he knew that any life with her would have been better what he had now.

No one came to look for him. No one cared that he had vanished into the forest again. Good. It would give Roger time to be. Being around so many people exhausted his mind, and often he'd need solitude, to rest and collect his thoughts.

He inhaled in fresh air, one of the many parts he loved about the island. Outdoors was where he spent most of his time, getting away from schoolwork and hioverbearing father, and here Roger could enjoy it every day. So for that morning, he sat, breathing in the calm, stillness of the water glistening below his feet. Everything was at peace. Nothing could faze, or distract him now. He leaned back, slowly, closing his eyes to complete the wonderful moment.

"So, MataLEEna." Jack hurried to walk along the gorgeous being. His blue eyes shined with excitement, bare abs flexed even more than usual. Only now did Annabelle notice that what the new arrival was wearing: a linen garment, with the center hacked off to reveal her bare bronzed midriff, was draped around her lengthy body. When she saw the back, she realized it was actually a cropped tank and a skirt that reached just above her knees, and then fell behind her legs like ripples. Everything about her appearance gave the impression that she'd been living on the island for a long time. Nonetheless, despite her unkempt, tangled black locks and primitive clothing, she was breathtaking; clearly more beautiful than any of the other girls on the island. Even Hazell, with her flawless curls and stunning eyes, or popular Rosaline, couldn't compete with it. For this reason, Annabelle assumed, the hazel-eyed girl was walking at the back fuming while even her stepbrother ogled at Mathalina. His expression was one of pure, simple desire, while Jack's was lustful and coveting. Dangerous. Following the girl, he continued to flirt uncontrollably. Only today it was much off his game. "Where'd you get the outfit? Cuz it doesn't exactly look like you picked it up at the mall." He looked her up and down with a smug grin. "But I doubt anything would clash with that body of yours, huh, sweetheart?"

Mathalina didn't show signs of displeasure at this, but merely replied, "I made it myself. Since my old clothes weren't very suitable for this environment."

"Yeah, I'm not so comfy in these jeans, either. Maybe we should all take off a few layers." The girl did not react to his devilish wink, and Jack scowled in dissatisfaction. Next, it was Austen's turn to have a go with her. 15 minutes into the forest, and every boy had taken their chances to toy with and allure the girl. Each time, she drank it all in without any sort of reaction, not embarrassed or annoyed, or flirting back. Nevertheless, the boys didn't give up: and the only two other girls on the trip had been force to watch it, Annabelle in exasperation and Hazell in jealous wrath. So they were both glad, when the group finally reached the heart of the jungle. Or at least, where Mathalina had pointed out. They weren't quite in, however. According to her, it was much too dangerous to approach any closer.

"This is as far as I'll take you," she said firmly. "I won't go past this place." She pointed to the long wall of vines covering up the way into the very center of the island. The trees all enclosed around this area, darkening it by shading it from the sun. The hunters gazed around with curiosity, and Annabelle knew then that she had to make a decision.

"Be very, very still," she whispered. Bending her body low, she crept along the bushes, taking caution not to rustle a single leaf. After watching for a moment, the others began to follow her actions. Mathalina stayed behind, keeping her word and not moving an inch closer to the vines. Annabelle peeked her eyes through the branches. Nothing moved. A songbird overhead swooped down, chirping excitedly, causing Thayr to nearly jump in fright. As the hunters waited, she and Jack moved in closer to the barrier dividing them from whatever lived behind. It was then that a low, sputtering sort of noise could be heard. Leaning in with her ears perked, Annabelle could make out hissing sounds, something spattering around like hot oil.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you," drawled Mathalina, leaning against another tree just like she had before. Complete tranquility and perhaps even boredom crossed her face.

"And what makes you such an expert?" Hazell hissed dangerously.

"The two closest, Annabelle and Jack, should be able to hear how vicious it is, yes?"

"All I hear is…these hissing noises," breathed Jack, eyes fixed on the gaps between the bushes. "I don't really know what it is."

"Then we can only assume that it's not something to be messed with," Mathalina concluded. "I think we should go back now." Annabelle wasn't sure of what to do at this point, but the new girl's words seemed fairly rational; it wasn't safe at this point, with their primitive weapons and few numbers, to venture into the home of whatever could be inside. She retreated, gesturing for the hunters to follow. Austen looked as if he was eager to explore and find out more; he followed grudgingly. From the way his smug smile had vanished, Jack was obviously scared. She couldn't help but smirk as the hunters' leader strode back down the hill faster than anybody else. At the least, this mysterious "beast" had deflated his ego a little bit. It was doubtful that he'd be hunting near the jungle center any time soon.

But the pleasure of this didn't last long-everybody jolted in alarm as a huge, dark boar leapt out of the bushes and ran across the clearing they had been walking through. When it disappeared, excited chatter ran through the group.

"That was the biggest pig I've seen on the island!" Hazell exclaimed, stunned.

"Dude, that thing was HUGE. I bet we could feed everybody for two days with it!" raved Austen excitedly.

Jack could only stare open-mouthed after the creature. But Annabelle could see he was already formulating a plan in his mind. Another strategy, another attempt at catching a pig. She wasn't sure he really had what it took to kill a pig. The first few were probably just lucky strikes.

"There are plenty more where that came from," said Mathalina musingly. Predictably, she was the only one who had kept poised, barely flinching while the pig darted away.

"Alright…well…" Annabelle gasped, trying to catch her breath again. "Let's get back to camp and let them know what we found." The troupe began walking across the clearing, and back into the familiarity of the beachside forests. As they hiked, Mathalina approached her silently. Until she was at her side, Annabelle didn't even notice the stealthy girl slithering next to her.
"Oh, hey, I didn't see you," she said, startled.

"It's alright. I just have to tell you…" She leaned in close to her ear, and lowered her voice even more. "I do not think it's a smart idea, to tell everyone exactly what we've found. They might get even more worried, and nervous. I think it would be best to keep the details to ourselves, for now, and tell them what they need to know."

Annabelle stopped, turning to look at her in mystification. "And what is it that they need to know?"

"Just that there is something in the very center of the jungle, and no one should ever go near it. I know that as long as we don't approach the center, it won't harm us. That, I think, is all that they need to know. For the time being." Without warning, Mathalina dashed off to the front of the line, leaving her to ponder. There was something exceptionally wise and discerning about the way this girl spoke, and it seemed like it could convince even Annabelle of things. And she wasn't one to be easily persuaded. Trudging through the dirt slowly, she allowed everyone to follow Mathalina in the lead, giving herself time to think over her proposition. This newcomer was sure to be of great assistance on the island, she decided, no matter where exactly she had come from; it would be smart to take her words in consideration. After all, Annabelle knew it would become difficult sooner or later to take charge of all the teenagers on her own. Jack was too stubborn to be of any help, always vying for his own ideas, and she couldn't think of anyone else with enough leadership potential. So Mathalina, and her superior knowledge about the island, would have to do.

"Caitlin!" Racing down the beach with every bit of energy in her little body, Lucy screamed her name in delight. "Caitlin! Hey, Caitlin, what are you up to?" Looking up at her friend, Caitlin drew circles on the sand with her fingers. She waited patiently for the girl to take a seat next to her on the log. "Gosh, it's really hot today, isn't it? I love the sun, though. Say, Caitlin, what do you think of that new girl, Mathalina?"

"Is that her name?" She mused. Caitlin had already known, of course, but her head was up even higher in the clouds today. Humming cheerily as Lucy went on about the new, mysterious arrival, she saw Joelle and Maurice laughing nearby on another piece of driftwood. Seeing the latest, happy couple lifted her lips into a smile. It was so nice to see that even in a remote place like this island, love could be found. As she watched the two cuddle into each others' arms intimately, her friend snapped her finger in her face.

"Hullo? Caitlin? Have you been listening to anything I've been saying?"

"Yes, of course." Her voice was absentminded as her eyes peered up into the matching-colored skies. "The weather's beautiful today, isn't it, Lucy?"

"Yes…I suppose it is." Lucy stared at her strangely, and then quickly continued with her own topic. "Did you hear what Mathalina said? She thinks there's a monster in the forest. A monster! She must be at least 16 years old, and she believes in such a thing! If you ask me, it's all a bunch of nonsense. Don't you think so, Caitlin? Caitlin?" But Caitlin did not reply. Fluttering her lids, she slowly closed her eyes, drifting off into her own, mindless dream. In the dream, everything was hazy, yet she could see clearly where she was going. Everyone on the island, Annabelle, Jack, Lucy, Mathalina, they were all floating in the sky. The clouds changed colors, from pure ivory, to violet, to a vivid canary. The sights and shades were stunning in her head.

When she opened her eyes, her friend was stomping off in the other direction, huffing. Immediately, Caitlin felt bad for ignoring her. The girl clearly was clearly no stranger to neglect and scorn: any more would probably end in unpleasant results. Lucy was actually quite a genius; she was definitely the most knowledgeable one on the island. It was just unfortunate to see how the others, especially Jack, treated her, when she had so much to offer them. Even Annabelle didn't always entirely defend her. Needless to say, Caitlin respected the older girl's decisions, but everyone made mistakes. This time, her mistake had been overlooking Lucy.

As she got up and began following her footsteps in the sand, she passed by a blissful Joelle buried in Maurice's shoulder. It soothed her, to know that amidst times of distress and panic, stranded on a deserted island, at least two people could be happy.

Cracking up at her new boyfriend's silly jokes, Joelle nearly fell to the ground. Maurice watched the lovable, free-spirited girl in fascination. With what luck did he find such an amazing person in a place like this? He couldn't help gazing at her in admiration. When she noticed, she stopped and flushed lightly, her cheeks tinting a rosy color. It was so lovely. She was the prettiest, happiest girl he knew. Her body radiated with carefree joy.

"So, how come we've never talked before?" He asked once the laughing had stopped. "I mean, I know I saw you in biology across the room a few times, but I don't remember ever talking to you. Did you know who I was, before here?"

"Not really," she admitted. "I guess we just had our differences, you know. Never really had a chance to mash."

"Tell me, Joelle," he said, changing the subject. "How are you such a cheerful person? I mean, you are so optimistic, and just altogether so peaceful. I don't think I've ever seen you in any mood other than happy."

"Hm…I don't know, maybe it's just this place. I love it here. Maybe this island is making me a cheerful person."

"So, you weren't a cheerful person before?" A sudden realization hit him. "Hey, I actually do remember you. You were always so quiet, and you had Bryan as a lab partner. Maybe it is the island, cuz I don't remember you being like this."

A sad smile spread across Joelle's face, and Maurice could see thoughts memories returning to her. She didn't look grim, but a little more unnerved.

"I'm sorry. Did I bring up something wrong?"

"No, no, it's fine. I think…I think I want to talk about it." He waited quietly as she shifted closer to his body, looking up at him.

"Then talk about it. You can trust me, Joelle."

"I know I can…" Her voice drifted off into a soft, melancholy tone as she began speaking. "I've always had trouble trusting people. It was very hard for me to trust even you, Maurice, but I could tell you were a good guy. I haven't known any good guys all my life. And I'm not just talking boyfriends, I mean…I haven't known very good family."

"Family…as in your father?"

She nodded slowly. "My father…he-he died when I was 10."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Maurice patted her sympathetically. He might have predicted this coming. But nothing prepared him for what the flurry of words that came out of Joelle's mouth next.

"I killed him." Before he could scream something out in shock, she hurriedly continued, "For as long as I could remember, he abused my mother and me day and night. He tortured her, and he nearly killed her every single day. And I had to watch it happen. But she couldn't do anything about it. She was too weak. So by the time I turned 10, I was…insane. I think I really did go crazy. Everything he did to her, all of the pain and the screaming…it literally drove me out of my mind. One night, I just couldn't take any of it, so I just…killed him. I killed my own father, Maurice." Blinking, she took in a deep breath. "I killed my father. But he was no father."

Maurice couldn't speak. He simply gaped, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. Joelle…how could someone so bright and beautiful have such a dark past?

"How did you…how did you cope with…I mean how did you deal with something like that?" He finally said, dazed and confused. "And-and how does that possibly explain how cheerful you are?! How can you be so happy, so bright and cheerful now-"

"When I'm a murderer?" She finished.

Backtracking immediately, he stammered, "I didn't mean it like that. I swear, I'm just lost, Joelle. What happened to make you such a…a peaceful person? After all that horrible stuff?"

"Well…it's true. I did kill someone. And for a very long time, I had to live with the fact that I was a murderer, the fact that I'd murdered my own father. After that, my mother was so horrified of me. She knew I'd become completely mental and out of control. So she shipped me off to an institution for the criminally insane." She chuckled humorlessly. "I was charged for patricide and put under 'special care' for 2 years. After they let me out, I went through some pretty intense therapy for another 2 years. I've only been off for a year now. I think, between that, my mom finally realized I'd done something good for her. I'd saved her life, and she understands that now. But that's not why I'm able to be so calm all the time."

"Then what is it?"

Joelle breathed in deeply. "It was just before I got on this flight. Right before we boarded the plane, my mom told me something…something that changed everything…

She wasn't listening. Her mother spoke, rambling on about safety on her very first flight, and going on a big trip by herself, but she wasn't listening. Words always tuned out of her ears like a low, faint buzz. Her mind was like a big, complicated maze, and Joelle hadn't let anything in from the outside for 5 years. It would only muddle it up more. Nothing from other people's lips could be trusted. Not even her own mother, who had forsaken her and blamed her for something she couldn't help for so long. Finally, she had realized what Joelle had done was for her own good. But it was a little late.

"Joelle, listen to me, there's something important I have to tell you before you get on that plane."

"Listening, Mom." She wasn't. Of course she wasn't. The girl simply hummed a tune in her head to block out the noise.

Mother grabbed her wrists vigorously, wide grey eyes glinting up at her. Glaring, she wrenched away in vexation. Never before had she seen so much strength in her mother, even years after their tormentor had disappeared. Thanks to me.

"I want you to really listen. I am telling you, this is the most important thing I'll probably ever tell you, sweetheart. It's something you should've known years ago. Before you…"

"Go on, mother. Just tell me. What have I done wrong? Something other than what I did, something even worse?" Her eyes flashed furiously, blinking back tears.

"No, no, this is not your fault. This is my fault, Joelle, all my fault. I should've told you so long ago…your father-" at the mention of the unspeakable monster, she flinched in horror. "The man you killed is not your father, Joelle. He-he was my husband. But not your father." Releasing the woman, she stared at her in shock. Blubbering mindlessly, she sputtered, "But, b-but, who…?"

"Your real dad and I separated when you were a baby. I haven't seen him since, and I have no idea where he is now. Then I married him…the man you've known your entire life to be your father is just a stepfather. Nothing more." As Joelle continued to gape open-mouthed, her body frozen rigid to the ground, Mother grabbed her shoulders eagerly. "Don't you see, Joelle-you never have to think about it again. Yes, it did happen, and you did kill that man 5 years ago, but you never have to feel the guilt of killing your own father again. I should've told you before, I really should've, but there was just no chance. And I didn't want to mention it until I knew you were better. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for-for everything I did, and for not protecting you from him… I'm sorry, Joelle. I love you." She was so stunned, she couldn't pull away as her mother wrapped her in a tight, emotional hug. Tears of realization, understanding poured out as Mother sobbed into her shoulders. Everything she said was true…she could finally be free. Free from the pain, and the guilt. Free from the ropes binding her down to that terrible night, when she mercilessly put a knife through the man she fully knew was her own father…All of it was suddenly gone. Knowing this, Joelle vowed at that moment, that once she got off this plane, she would finally be at peace. She would let herself go, and once and for all enjoy true tranquility, wherever the plane led her.

"You see, Maurice, now…now I know now that I didn't kill my father." She stared off blissfully as she spoke. "I did kill someone, and that'll never change. But I don't have to carry that extra guilt on my shoulders anymore. I did it to save my mother, and to save me. So I'm giving myself permission, to start living a happy life." Joelle glanced at the boy sitting next to her, her face lifting into a small smile. "And I told myself, no matter where the plane takes me, I'll let myself be free. So here I am. And I'm keeping my word." Letting out everything to someone else, finally revealing her dark, miserable secret that had haunted her dreams for 5 years, was the best finish on her path to freedom. Now that the person she trusted most on the island knew all of her history, and wasn't judging her. Maurice pulled her into his arms, mussing her hair and rubbing the back of her head gently. "It's okay, Joelle," he whispered into her ears. "You're secret's safe with me. I told you, you can trust me. Nothing's changed." His voice comforted Joelle, and elatedly, she lowered her head slowly onto his shoulders, wrapping slender arms around his waist. Feeling the warmth radiating from the loving boy's body, she felt more joy gushing inside her than ever before, threatening to cast out from inside her like a beam of sunshine. She nearly wanted to cry; someone cared about her enough, someone could really look past the horrible thing she had done and still want her. Everything was okay now. She was safe, safe and at peace in his arms. Her eyes closed naturally, their hands and fingers tightly intertwined.

Mathalina moved like a panther, striking here and there around the forest under the setting sun. Her legs were bent, eyes fixed on emptiness as the girl slipped and slithered between the trees. She could smell the familiar smell of the lake, only a few kilometers away. It was close. How she remembered the nights she had spent by this lake. How much she liked it, she could recall.

After the rest of the group had returned to camp, Mathalina had chosen to stay behind, stating her wish for a little privacy. Being amongst so many people, following the years of solitude she had spent on the island, was certainly overwhelming. She could use a little time to herself, and the jungle was a comforting place for her to be. Dashing across the grass clearing again that she had known for three years, wind blew back her raven hair. The whoosh of cold air was wonderful on the face. As much as she loved the tropical environment, it just got too warm sometimes. Knowing warmth and heat all her life, from the place she grew up, Mathalina would care for some change in atmosphere.

Indeed, she knew her way around the forest: the lake appeared almost immediately after the clearing. Dancing nimbly down the rocky ground, her fingers touched the water and her naked feet dug into the dirt. Breathing in the fresh air, it felt good to just be back in her habitat once more.

A rustle in the trees caused her to spin, raising her arms in preparation for attack. Bare hands were all she had, but she had survived without weapons before, and if it really became necessary, the spear was discarded only meters away. Moving silently, she crept back into the forest in search of the noise.

Lifting up a heavy branch and peeking through the leaves, she found herself falling into a meadow. The sun hardly reached this part of the forest-evening was stimulated as the evergreens cast a circle around the field of grass. Small in size, but ultimately beautiful, this place would be the perfect haven to sit and think for a while. If someone else had not already been there.

Approaching the figure in caution, she could make out a boy, no older than her sitting on his knees and hands. The handsome face wore an astonished expression, startled by the girl's sudden appearance. His hair, Mathalina could see, was dark chocolate, his lips flawless in shape and form. A pair of forest green eyes stared back at her, unable to look away. For an eternity, neither broke the connection, gazing at the other in stunned wonder. It was as if they were drinking in each other's beauty, taking in the strange, alluring aura that both possessed.

"I apologize," began the girl, and deeming that this boy was safe to talk to, she reached out her hand. "If I've disturbed you. But I quite enjoy being alone in the forest myself." He didn't seem to know what to say. Finally blinking, the boy accepted the hand and tried to pull himself up. Another look of surprise crossed those beautiful eyes when she pulled him up easily, as if he were a feather. She resisted the urge to smirk to herself-no one ever expected the strength she had in her slender arms.

"I'm Mathalina." Her breath was warm on his face, transfixed by its hard, coarse glamour.

"Roger," he murmured back. His sight didn't leave her skin, glowing beneath the setting sun. "My name's Roger."

"It's very nice to meet you, Roger." Each word she spoke like an individual sentence, pronouncing slowly and steadily.

"It's...a pleasure." She put her finger on his lips, so no more words would be spoken. Pulling her lips up into a sly, half-smile, Mathalina turned on her feet, and pranced back into the trees. The boy named Roger remained on his knees, mouth still wide-open as she disappeared like a cloud of smoke. But the girl knew he'd find her again.