Enduring Love ~ Chapter 6
Arrival at the Island
~~~~~~~~~~
The next day we arrived to the island. To our disadvantage, we knew nothing about it. Anything was possible. Our mission was to scour and explore every inch of that island. There were 16 of us total that made up the crew. We all piled into a couple dinghies fully equipped and set off towards the shore.
I stepped out of the dinghy and reveled in the feeling of standing in a place the world had never been. It was remarkable. I stood there and looked up at the sky with a smile and gave a cry of joy. I spun around and tripped over a large seashell partially hidden in the white sand. I fell right into Ace’s arms and simultaneously embraced him in a hug. I was happier than I’d been in years.
The group spread out over the beach just marveling in its beauty thus far. I couldn’t wait to explore past the tree line. I started to tromp my way towards the seemingly dense jungle when an arm pulled me back.
"Whoa, darlin’ you aren’t going in there alone."
I turned around and glared at Brendan. Then I softened and sighed. I knew he was right. I just couldn’t go traipsing through the jungle alone. Safety came first. I just couldn’t contain my excitement. Ace was standing with a thoughtful expression.
"We can either make camp on the beach, or explore into the jungle and just return to the ship for the night after. I say we go in a little ways, but wait until tomorrow before we burrow in deep. We should get a feel for the island today. If you want to explore a bit past the tree line, you don’t go alone. You must be partnered with someone. We can’t be taking any risks."
We all nodded in agreement and started to set up camp. I began pitching my tent, when Brendan came up behind me.
"Can I give you a hand?"
"Sure," I replied easily.
We laughed merrily as we struggled to put up the stubborn tent. When we finally got it standing on its own; Brendan crawled inside to admire our handiwork. He smiled as he sat on the floor of the tent and looked out at me.
"See? We make a good team, you and I. I think we did a great j-ahhhh!"
Without warning, the tent collapsed right on top of his head. I dropped into the sand and rolled around completely hysterical. I laughed so hard, I cried. Brendan tried to free himself, but only ended up getting more entangled. I couldn’t do anything to help him because all my energy was spent towards laughing. He finally managed to get himself out and he stood over me with a mock glare.
"Thanks for all your help."
"I’m glad to be of assistance." I replied easily with a smile.
"Well I’m glad you like to laugh so much. I’m gonna help you out with that." He said devilishly.
"What? No!" I said when I realized the implication.
He dropped down next to me and began to tickle me. I howled with laughter; I couldn’t help myself. It was a weakness. I couldn’t breathe, it was torture.
"Stop!" I wheezed.
"I’m sorry what was that again?"
"Brendan, please?"
"Convince me." He stated.
He looked in my eyes and pressed his lips to mine. I was taken off guard, but I knew better this time. I pulled away, giving him a cool stare. I got up and walked past him towards my tent. I was looking at my feet, and felt eyes on me. I looked up and saw Ace leaning against a tree, glowering at me. He gave me a strange look and walked down the beach in the opposite direction.
Well this is just great, I thought to myself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day we arrived to the island. To our disadvantage, we knew nothing about it. Anything was possible. Our mission was to scour and explore every inch of that island. There were 16 of us total that made up the crew. We all piled into a couple dinghies fully equipped and set off towards the shore.
I stepped out of the dinghy and reveled in the feeling of standing in a place the world had never been. It was remarkable. I stood there and looked up at the sky with a smile and gave a cry of joy. I spun around and tripped over a large seashell partially hidden in the white sand. I fell right into Ace’s arms and simultaneously embraced him in a hug. I was happier than I’d been in years.
The group spread out over the beach just marveling in its beauty thus far. I couldn’t wait to explore past the tree line. I started to tromp my way towards the seemingly dense jungle when an arm pulled me back.
"Whoa, darlin’ you aren’t going in there alone."
I turned around and glared at Brendan. Then I softened and sighed. I knew he was right. I just couldn’t go traipsing through the jungle alone. Safety came first. I just couldn’t contain my excitement. Ace was standing with a thoughtful expression.
"We can either make camp on the beach, or explore into the jungle and just return to the ship for the night after. I say we go in a little ways, but wait until tomorrow before we burrow in deep. We should get a feel for the island today. If you want to explore a bit past the tree line, you don’t go alone. You must be partnered with someone. We can’t be taking any risks."
We all nodded in agreement and started to set up camp. I began pitching my tent, when Brendan came up behind me.
"Can I give you a hand?"
"Sure," I replied easily.
We laughed merrily as we struggled to put up the stubborn tent. When we finally got it standing on its own; Brendan crawled inside to admire our handiwork. He smiled as he sat on the floor of the tent and looked out at me.
"See? We make a good team, you and I. I think we did a great j-ahhhh!"
Without warning, the tent collapsed right on top of his head. I dropped into the sand and rolled around completely hysterical. I laughed so hard, I cried. Brendan tried to free himself, but only ended up getting more entangled. I couldn’t do anything to help him because all my energy was spent towards laughing. He finally managed to get himself out and he stood over me with a mock glare.
"Thanks for all your help."
"I’m glad to be of assistance." I replied easily with a smile.
"Well I’m glad you like to laugh so much. I’m gonna help you out with that." He said devilishly.
"What? No!" I said when I realized the implication.
He dropped down next to me and began to tickle me. I howled with laughter; I couldn’t help myself. It was a weakness. I couldn’t breathe, it was torture.
"Stop!" I wheezed.
"I’m sorry what was that again?"
"Brendan, please?"
"Convince me." He stated.
He looked in my eyes and pressed his lips to mine. I was taken off guard, but I knew better this time. I pulled away, giving him a cool stare. I got up and walked past him towards my tent. I was looking at my feet, and felt eyes on me. I looked up and saw Ace leaning against a tree, glowering at me. He gave me a strange look and walked down the beach in the opposite direction.
Well this is just great, I thought to myself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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