The Broken Lives Saga: Short Story Collection – Ellie's Rock
By Dinohunter55
Edge of Paradise – Luxury Yacht
Isla Sorna, Las Cinco Muertes
207 Miles West of Costa Rica
00:39, June 10, 1996
"Can't tolerate your liquor?" Becca said in her sickly sweet English accent as she leaned against the doorframe. A brief chuckle escaped her lips.
Ellie glared up at Becca for a moment before quickly turning back to the toilet. She heaved but nothing came out this time. "It was the food!"
Becca gasped and placed her hand over her heart in an overdramatic display. "Laurence is an excellent chief," Becca said.
"He served me raw food," Ellie said. She coughed and then wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her green pajama shirt.
"It was sushi," Becca said. "That's how it's supposed to be served and I know you know that. My guess is that this was your first time drinking hard liquor."
"I only had a small glass. Shut up," Ellie staggered to her feet and turned to the sink. She ran some cool water and splashed her face. She swished some water in her mouth and then spit. "You're not being very professional right now."
"I'm off the clock," Becca said and grinned. "I'm professional when I'm getting paid."
Rebecca was the youngest and only female member of the nine crew of the luxury yacht Edge of Paradise. A sick call brought her in as a last minute substitution and for that, Ellie was grateful. Becca and Ellie hit it off the first day. It was a secret that they managed to hide so far from the rest of the people on board the ship.
Ellie huffed and looked away.
Becca reached over and squeezed Ellie's hand. "I don't think you'll stay mad at me. After all, we only have a few more days before the ship is back in port. You might never see me again after that. It would be a waste of the time we have left."
Ellie turned and looked at Becca with weary eyes. She knew this was not going to last. It was exciting and new however. The first real spark reciprocated in her life. Her only other romantic interest was in her best friend but she had yet to approach such a difficult situation. They were nearly sisters but the last year had put a strain on that relationship, as the future was uncertain with graduation nearly upon them and the fact Ellie broke up a relationship that her friend had with a male classmate, which was turning serious with long-term potential. Her friend never said anything about it but Ellie suspected she knew. Furthermore, while it was becoming more acceptable, especially in the city they lived, Ellie knew such a relationship would not go over well with her own parents and she was doubtful that her friend was interested in her the same way. Yet, Ellie clung to a small hope nonetheless. To bring up such a subject right now could hurt their friendship more and Ellie just was not ready to risk that yet. Maybe the college life would swing things in her favor.
Ellie slipped her fingers between Becca's fingers and squeezed. She put thoughts of her friend aside and focused on the woman who wanted her now. "I think you're right." Ellie whispered and leaned forward.
Their lips met, not for the first time.
The ship rocked suddenly, throwing the pair into the shower. The weights of the adjoining gym rattled on the rack. There was a loud thud.
"Oh…" Becca said and ran her hand down Ellie's side, following her curves. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Ellie whispered. "That was intense."
Becca looked about to speak when the blare of an alarm sounded. Her eyes widened.
"Shit," Becca said.
"What's wrong," Ellie said. Her mind was still fuzzy with amorous intent and a very slight buzz.
"Something happened," Becca said and pulled away reluctantly. "I hope they didn't hit a reef."
"We'll be ok, right?" Ellie tightened her fingers.
"Yes," Becca said quickly and gave Ellie another kiss. "I got to go see if I'm needed though, got to be professional now. We will have to pick this up later." She gave a warm smile.
Ellie sighed, "Ok." Ellie followed Becca out of the bathroom and into the small gym. She finally let Becca's fingers slip from her own.
"That was quite the shake," Becca said and pointed to the weights. Someone failed to secure the weights properly after use and one of the heavier weights lay on the floor. It appeared to have damaged the floor.
They were exiting the gym and onto the swim platform at the rear of the ship when two of the crew came running down the stairs.
"What's going on?" Becca asked.
The first man ignored her and threw open the door to the engine room, disappearing inside.
"What's happening!?" Becca grabbed the second man. "Terrance?"
The young man was pale and wide-eyed. He looked up the stairs and then grabbed hold of Becca's arm. "Get inside before it sees you!"
"What's going on?" Ellie asked. She shrieked as Terrance pulled her into the engine room after Becca.
Ellie tripped and landed on the grated floor. She sucked in a pained breath. Her pajama bottoms were not much protection against the hard metal and she was sure it left a mark.
"Terrance!" Becca shouted. "What's going on?" She moved to help Ellie.
"Shhh…" Terrance put his finger to his lips. "It will hear you." He moved to the door and shut it, leaving the room largely dark save the dull red lights on some of the equipment and faintest light coming through the small window on the door. The room smelled of oil and grim.
"What the bloody hell is going…" A roar cut Becca off and she froze.
Something hit the boat and the entire vessel shook. A massive thing sloshed water as it moved along the other side of the aluminium hull. The window darkened as great form moved past.
"What's out there," Ellie whispered. She staggered to her feet and got close to Becca. She breathed quick and shallow.
The sound of breaking glass, timber, and fiberglass came from above, loud and clear. Muffled screams followed. The ship rocked. Metal squealed and a tear opened in the aluminium hull near one of the two large engines. Ellie and Becca screamed. The men rushed to cover the women's mouths.
"It will hear you," Terrance whispered through gritted teeth.
Ellie forced herself to silence even as the tears flowed and her heart hammered.
A loud, repeating, metallic thumping vibrated the hull.
"Someone detached the anchor chain." Terrance whispered after a moment.
The engines rumbled and fired up filling the chamber with noise.
"They're going to make a run for it," Laurence shouted over the engine. He was a middle-aged brute of a man in appearance but as sweet as his baking. "Hopefully Captain Broward has his wits about him."
"He better make it far enough," Terrance shouted and pointed, releasing the hand over Ellie's mouth.
The long tear in the hull gushed water with every wave. The ship began to move and the water increased. The unseen creature roared again. The ship listed heavily to port and water poured through the tear. The engines revved hard. Something scraped against the hull, a section of the ship crunched and collapsed. The ship lurched and rolled. It broke free of whatever dragged it down. Water hissed as it splashed on the engines but they kept working. A new rumble joined the engines as the pumps kicked in to lower the water level. Still, water kept pouring in through the tear.
Ellie reached over hand took Becca's hand, squeezing it. She was happy when Becca squeezed back.
"What was that thing?" Becca shouted.
"I don't know," Terrance said. "It came out of the water. I was helping Laurence clean up the kitchen when it attacked. It nearly grabbed us."
Laurence moved silently past them.
"What about everyone else?" Becca said.
"I don't know," Terrance rubbed his forehead. "Some people fled to the guest rooms below and I saw a few make a run to get higher. I don't know."
"Did you see Amanda?" Ellie said. Her heart pounded.
"Not after she went to see Captain Broward on the bridge a few hours ago," Terrance said.
"Christ!" Laurence swore from the door and crossed himself. "Would you look at the size of that thing?"
Ellie hesitated but encouraged by Becca's tight grip, she moved to the door with the others. The yacht picked up speed and left a broad wake behind it. In that wake, a massive sail rose from the sea and a long crocodilian snout seemingly several times the length of a person plowed the water. A large tail caught the moonlight as it moved serpentine behind the beast.
"What is that?" Becca said. She tightened her grip on Ellie's hand.
"I don't know," Terrance said, "But I don't think it is fast enough to catch us."
A shiver ran down Ellie's spine as she stared into the monster's eyes. A dread that it would catch her eventually ate at her gut. The beast slowly slipped beneath the waves as the ship left it behind.
"We need to find Henry and let him know about the tear in the hull so he can patch it," Terrance said. "I hope it's the only one."
The ship curved north and followed the island's shoreline closely.
"He might have a hard time getting down here," Laurence said as he learned forward and looked up.
Ellie pressed forward to see what he was looking at. Above, part of the upper deck broke away from the sky lounge and blocked the stairs up on either side of the swim platform. The top deck bore a worrying crack beneath where the lifeboat sat. Voices shouted from beyond the debris but it was difficult to make out the words.
"We'll climb it," Terrance said.
Laurence nodded.
"It doesn't look safe," Ellie said. She stepped further out onto the platform to get a better view, Becca's hand clasped tight.
"We'll lower something down to get you," Terrance said. "It's safe here for the moment."
"I'll stay will Ellie," Becca said. She released Ellie's hand but wrapped her arm around her shoulder and held her tight.
Terrance nodded and started up one stair while Laurence climbed the other. They aimed for the metal railings though Laurence looked like he would try to use a protruding flagpole as a foothold.
Ellie hugged Becca tight for a moment. Both shivered a bit. Ellie was at a loss for words and so dared to look back in search of the beast. It was gone for now though she could not be sure if it followed them from under the water. Whoever was driving followed the shoreline closely however. She noticed several large rocks just breaking the surface in the ship's wake.
"Everything is going to be alright," Becca said. She gave her best smile but it was far from genuine.
The boat rocked and listed heavily starboard as metal squealed on rock.
The force threw Ellie and Becca overboard.
Ellie panicked in the cold water. She was unable to see, unable to determine where the surface was, and blindly grasped for anything she could. She was going to drown! Something grabbed hold of her and dragged her to the surface. Ellie gasped and thrashed.
"I got you Ellie," Becca shouted, "Calm down."
Ellie's eyes focus and she saw Becca was holding the front of her shirt at arm's length. Slowly, Ellie's movements calmed as her high school swim lessons took hold. Becca treaded water easily and kept one hand on Ellie.
"Man overboard," Terrance yelled from the water nearby. Laurence joined his voice to the call.
Ellie looked and saw the ship was no longer listing but steered away from the island at speed.
"Help us!"
If anyone heard, it did not show as the ship left them alone in the dark.
"They left us," Ellie cried. A hundred thoughts raced through her mind and the most fearful quickly rose to the top. An image of that sail rising from the water beside them or a curved fin stuck in her mind. Worst of all, the thought of jaws widening beneath their kicking legs to swallow them whole sent her heart racing more than the cold water ever could.
"Let's get to that rock before the current drags us out further," Becca urged and pulled at Ellie's shirt in the direction.
Ellie fell silent but did her best to follow Becca's lead, reassured by the hand leading her. Terrance and Laurence followed while shouting for the ship. They fell silent too as the roar of the beast came from some distance away. It clearly stopped the chase not long after disappearing beneath the waves. Ellie thought she heard an all too human scream.
Laurence reached the rock first. It was a small island in and of itself as well as surprisingly rough. He helped Ellie up first and then Becca. Terrance found his own way up. A flock of resting seabirds took flight or dropped into the waves with loud protests.
Much of the rock glared white under the moonlight and felt rough underfoot where not slimy. It smelled terrible. Ellie was barefoot and took great care with each step. She did not need her shoes while walking the soft carpets and wood floors of the yacht. She dearly missed them now.
The group settled at the top of the rock in an overhanging cleft. Ellie and Becca huddled close for warmth while the men sat silent and sullen. The light of the ship disappeared north. It was hard to tell from the damage but it appeared to lean slightly to one side and the lifeboat overhung the other side.
"They left us behind," Ellie whispered.
"But we're alive and safe," Becca said. She gave a reassuring squeeze.
It did not help and silence returned to the group.
Ellie shivered as the night breeze chilled her through thin, soaked pajamas. She did her best to squeeze out some of the water from her long sleeves. The green showed streaks of white and she resisted trying to wipe it off knowing it would only spread.
Becca was faring a little better as she was still in the neat white of her uniform as part of the crew. She twisted water from the long skirt hanging over her smooth legs.
Ellie rested her head against Becca's shoulder, not caring what the two men might think at the moment. It gained her a soft smile from Becca. If either of the men noticed, it did not show.
Laurence stood and walked around the rock.
"I'm tired," Ellie whispered.
"Me too," Becca said. "But we should stay awake until we warm up some more, I think."
"There's a building up there," Laurence shouted. He returned to the cleft before Terrance could get up. "There's a building on the top of the cliffs. I see some piping north of it and I think there's a stairway leading to the top."
"What kind of building?" Terrance said.
"I don't know. It's dark," Laurence shrugged, "Maybe a research station? Don't see any lights but it's big enough that it should have a radio or something that we can use to call for help."
"Is it safe?" Becca asked.
"Probably no worse than sitting on this rock," Laurence said. "I'd rather take my chances on my own two feet than sit here and hope for rescue while that creature is nearby."
"I'm not going back in that water," Ellie shook her head. "Not in the dark."
"Stay here then," Terrance said. "We'll send rescue your way when it comes."
"It's ok Ellie," Becca said. "I'll help you to shore."
Ellie shook her head. Her breathing quickened.
Terrance and Laurence headed away, discussing the start of a plan.
Becca waited until they were gone before she leaned in and kissed Ellie. "We've got to get to shore," Becca said.
"I'm scared," Ellie whispered. She shivered, more from the building terror than the cold.
"I know," Becca said, "I am too but we need to get off this rock. It will be safer on land."
"What else is out there if that thing is wandering around?" Ellie said. Tears started rolling down her cheeks.
Becca sat silent as though the thought never occurred to her.
"Becca, you coming," Terrance called.
Ellie saw the hesitation in Becca's eyes. It made her feel sick with welling guilt but fear held her in place. She could not go back in the water, not tonight.
"Go," Ellie whispered.
"Ellie," Becca said.
"You're a better swimmer and I'll only slow you down without my shoes." Ellie wiggled her bare toes to emphasize the point.
"Ellie," Becca said. She gently cupped Ellie's jaw with both hands and brushed tears away with her thumbs. "When we get back to port, we're going to finish what we started on the boat."
Ellie chuckled and smiled. "I might not want to leave if we do that."
"I might not want you to leave," Becca whispered and then kissed her deeply.
"Alright lovebirds," Terrance said. He stood at the edge of the cleft watching them. "Are you staying or going?"
"I'm going with you," Becca said as she broke the kiss. "Ellie's going to stay here and wait. She'd be barefoot in that jungle if we need to run."
Ellie reached out and squeezed Becca's hand. Becca smiled at her and slowly pulled away until their hands parted. After a moment, Ellie crept out of the cleft to watch them. Becca followed Terrance down the side of the rock until they were at the edge with Laurence.
Ellie's mind raced as she saw Laurence dive in first and then Terrance. Becca looked back, waved, and then took the plunge. Her heart raced as she watched the trio swim towards the next large rock about a hundred meters further into the bay.
Maybe she could have gone with them that far, if only to spent a little more time with Becca. There would be time once rescue came. The thought of showing affection in front of the others worried her. What might they say? Ellie tried to push back those thoughts but they lingered in her mind.
The group reached the next rock and skirted the base. It was slightly larger than the first rock and had steeper sides. Ellie was suddenly glad she did not make the swim. She would have had to swim the rest of the way to shore since there was no way to climb it easily. As the group moved back into open water, a sickening dread filled her that a fin would break the surface at any moment.
Her heartrate climbed with every minute that passed as they made the slow swim the next hundred or so meters to shore. Ellie moved to get a better angle to see them. She reached the top of the rock and found a worn perch to sit. She did her best not to think about the film covering it.
The moonlight was enough that she could easily spot their white clothes against the dark depths. Her eyes followed Becca the most. She moved with a practiced pace. It was not surprising that Becca was a trained lifeguard or that she got a job working on yachts. The sea was in her blood as Becca had said in passing on the first day.
Waring warmth and fear filled Ellie's heart. She decided that she did not care what others thought and was going to explore this relationship to the fullest when they were safe. If that mean returning to Costa Rica after graduation, that was fine by her. It was possible that Becca could work in the United States as well. They would have to have a long talk about the future once safely on the mainland.
Ellie sighed with relief as the group reached the shore and rested near the water's edge. They remained for several minutes. Laurence got up and started following the shoreline. Terrance held his leg while Becca looked it over. Ellie wondered what happened. It was hard to see much in the dark at this distance.
The building drew Ellie's eye. It was dark and only the glint of moonlight on dark windows gave it away. She wondered how old it was. It looked relatively modern so not ruins at least. The pipes were difficult to spot and she was amazed that Laurence could make out a stairway. She could not see it but he was probably right.
Laurence stopped moving and looked at the jungle. Ellie turned her eyes to him and watched. He moved a couple of steps and stopped. Clearly, something was getting his attention in the trees. Ellie's heart quickened. What did he hear?
Slowly, Laurence crept towards the treeline. Why was he doing that? He should stay by the water. Ellie wanted to should out to him but her voice caught in her throat. He was too far to hear anyway.
Laurence stood at the edge of the treeline and looked around. Whatever it was that got his attention must have gone because he visibly relaxed. Ellie thought he was being stupid and that he never should have gone near the trees.
Her eyes darted to Becca. Terrence was on his feet now, though limping. She thought she saw something dark staining the white of his pants but it could be mud. She hoped it was mud.
Back to Laurence, Ellie shook her head. He was still standing there. What was he doing?
A shape blurred out of the trees and Laurence's head disappeared within it. His hands barely came up before something dragged him into the jungle. He did not even make a sound.
Ellie screamed.
Becca's voice carried over the water. "Ellie?" Becca stopped in place as Terrance limped ahead, still close to the water.
Ellie's heart raced as she looked at Becca. "Get back to the rock! There's something in the trees!" She desperately pointed down the beach to where Laurence had been. "It got him!"
Becca looked at Ellie and then to where Ellie was pointing. "Laurence?" Becca called.
"It got him!" Ellie screamed as loud as she could. Desperation took hold and she looked for the quickest way down to the water.
Becca screamed.
Ellie looked up and her heart dropped. Two man-sized monsters broke from the trees and approached the separated pair. They were sleek in shape, snout to tail, and walked on two legs. Each was a different color, one dark, maybe blue, and the other white. The first attack caught Terrance as the beast leapt on him. The second beast paused to watch as Terrance and his attacker fell into the water. They disappeared for a moment before resurfacing, separated. Terrance desperately swam away from shore as the beast scrambled up the rocks. Terrance was struggling to swim and thrashed desperately.
Becca was not so lucky.
The second beast attacked and grabbed hold of Becca's arm as she tried to defend herself. It savaged her like a dog with a toy as Becca screamed. Punches did nothing and only a well-placed kicked freed Becca from the jaws. The release spun Becca around and she landed hard at the water's edge.
"Becca!" Ellie screamed.
The beast recovered and leapt onto Becca's back. Dark claws descended through white clothes and the darkness spread. Becca screamed with a pained anguish beyond words written clear across her face. "Ellie!"
Terrance screamed and drew Ellie away from Becca. Terrance struggled to swim in place as he bobbed in the water. He disappeared beneath the waves for a moment only to resurface a second later, gasping.
"Shark!" Terrance managed before he disappeared again. A large tail thrashed the surface. He did not surface again.
Ellie turned back to Becca. Their eyes met and Ellie could do nothing.
Jaws opened wide and it was over as they snapped shut. Becca stilled and her outreached hand slumped. Her head lolled and she was gone.
The beast that killed her licked its chops and snarled at Ellie but dared not enter the water. It disappeared into the trees alongside the other. The world grew silent.
Ellie stared at Becca, tears flowing freely, as the night waned. The morning fog rolled in and the waves finally carried Becca away. Her body slipped silently beneath the surface.
Ellie was alone on the rock with nothing but her thoughts. Fear held her in place. The edge of thirst and hunger began to tease her slipping sanity.
Strange calls drifted through the mists as it obscured the island from her view entirely.
For now, she would wait for rescue and hope it found her before the beasts did. Part of her knew that hunger or thirst would drive her from the rock eventually. It was only a matter of time.
Ellie buried her face in her hands and cried.
