The Island

by Daya Daniels

  “Right now”—I point to the map on the table—“I think we need to discuss how for the last hour that you’ve been here you’ve managed to change our climbing route.”

  “It’s for our own safety.” Her lips are pressed together.

  I suck in a breath and let my arms down when I think her mental gun is holstered.

  Ignoring her statement, I tip my chin up. “And how you’ve neglected to introduce yourself to the summit party you’ll now be guiding to the top.” I gift her with a bullshit smile. “Not very friendly, is it?”

  She blinks and doesn’t say a word.

  This woman is fierce as fuck.

  Determined.

  Unshakable.

  Not one to be toyed with.

  She has a concrete façade.

  But still, she doesn’t scare me.

  If a man like Sebastian thinks we’re in the wrong hands with a woman like this one who will be leading us up this mountain, he’s sorely mistaken.

  I debate for a second, but I feel the need to point out there are a few things Anni hasn’t factored in with her arrival here to base camp. The most pressing conundrum Anni may find herself having to face is that every climber here is already doubled-up in a tent...except for me.

  Which means, she’ll be bunking with moi.

  Joy. Joy. Joy.

  So, she’d better be nice, but I figure it’s too late to wish for that.

  I’ll get to the rest of the matters later...

  Annika Weathers has made quite an impression on me.

  I don’t know if I want to go jerk off or strangle her.

  “Is everything okay in here?” Gilda’s voice seeps into my ears when she steps inside the tent.

  “It sounds like we really need to do some team bonding,” Musa says, when he appears right behind Gilda.

  “I just think we all need to calm down.” Ollie moves away from us and starts messing about with the communication equipment.

  Soon, everyone who now crowds this tent is talking, joking, and laughing about the weather, and the climb, and the fact we’re now out of tangerines.

  My eyes are only fixed on Anni’s and hers are stuck on mine. This entire tent could blow up and I still don’t think she’d take her rage-filled gaze off me.

  I’ve made her that angry.

  “I really think we should talk about the route.” Sebastian’s hand lands on my shoulder. I ignore him. “I really think we should talk about the route, Kai.”

  “Has the route changed?” Racine’s girly voice cuts through the chatter when she bounces into the tent then scans everyone who’s crowded inside it.

  Sebastian only nods and gives Anni a dirty look. “Yesss...the route has changed. Because as you can see we have a new guide who has a blatant disregard for how everyone in her summit party feels.”

  “I am not here to care about how you feel, Sebastian,” Anni growls. “I’m here to get you to the top of that mountain.” She points upward. “And back down in one piece.” She lowers her cute chin for a millisecond. “I am not the type of woman to say: Please. Or ask: May I? Or who will wonder ever about what-you-think.” Glaring at me, she blasts me with blue. “I won’t ever be asking you: Is this okay? Is that okay? What do you think?” Her tone is mocking as she bobs her head around while wearing a silly fake grin.

  Sebastian almost chokes on his words.

  “We will do what I say is best for this summit party.” Anni’s eyes smile.

  I focus on her lips. The shape of them. How pink they are. How the top one is much fuller than the bottom one. Pretty lips. A kissable pout. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better mouth that looks quite as delectable as hers does when it’s shut.

  “I’ll advise the team about the route change in a few hours.” Anni holds my gaze, still.

  Everyone leaves the tent except for Ollie.

  Slanting my head to the side, I observe her, drink her in like sweet, tasty milk.

  And something deep inside me almost cowers.

  Okay...

  So, maybe I am afraid of her.

  And not because she could hurt me...

  But because I think I just might deserve her wrath.

  Annika

  ALL RIGHT, SO MAYBE I overreacted...

  It’s 21:00.

  The mood has calmed and all the tension from earlier seems to have dissipated.

  I’ve eaten a delicious dinner of grilled turkey and couscous along with fruit and lots and lots of tea. The bunch far off are enjoying their beers, dancing and singing beneath the chill, and the rest of us sit next to a small battery-operated heater. I’m grateful for its warmth and each time the heat skirts over my cheek, I’m reminded of how tired I am.

  Gilda, who I’ve gotten to know much better over the last few hours, pats me on the thigh. “I’m glad you’ve changed the route, but I have high doubts we’ll be getting out of here anytime soon.” She nudges her chin in the direction of the open flaps, where the big snowflakes fall, and the wind has picked up.

  Shoving my hands in between my thighs, warming them, I nod.

  The weather concerns me. If the snowfall is heavy over the next few weeks, it only increases the chances that we’ll be trudging through sections of knee-deep snow. But a more pressing concern is the number of climbers here, all taking the same route, which means the potential for endless queues as we ascend is irritatingly high. It all means a longer wait. More patience will be needed. And more energy from every single climber here.

  The window during the year to climb this bitch is narrow, which explains the crowds. June, July, and August are the ideal times. Outside of that, you’re pressing your luck.

  Pemba, one of the Balti porters, takes a long swallow of his tea. He ruffles his hair when he’s done and points up to the sky. “We believe this mountain should be respected.”

  A tidal wave of head nods follows his statement.

  “I can’t say I agree more.” Musa is stretched out, almost asleep.

  Pemba throws his arms up in the air dramatically, splashing tea everywhere. “And when she’s angry, you’ll know it. When you’ve upset her, she’ll strike back. When you take from her, she’ll take from you.” He nods furiously.

  “It sounds like you’re talking about a bloody woman,” Sebastian chimes in.

  Pemba’s eyes go bright. “I-just-might-be.”

  “Well, if that’s the case then it would make sense that she behaves like she’s bleeding from her slit whenever she doesn’t get her way.” He frowns. “It wouldn’t be that simple, right? I guess you can’t just shower this bitch with diamonds and expect her to be on her best behavior for at least a week. One can only hope what follows after that are days of insane blow jobs.” He barks out a laugh. “She’d permanently be living on her knees.” Sebastian grins, haughty and stupid.

  God, I can’t stand this guy.

  “You must respect the mountain.” Pemba says the words with precision.

  In all my years of climbing, whenever the porters make a move on any of these peaks—maneuvering through an ice fall, securing ropes, crossing a ladder they’d just secured over a crevasse—beforehand, they always made a peace offering to the mountain in the form of a prayer. The Balti porters know humility, respect, and grace.

  Something one or two climbers in this summit party could afford to learn.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Sebastian drawls.

  “I say just don’t fuck with her and then maybe she’ll let us all get to the top and back down with our lives, so we can make it back home to tell our families all about it.” Tyrone cracks up laughing.

  I smile.

  I know this mountain well and all she’s ever done for as long as I’ve known her is take from me. She ruins. She kills. She bleeds you out, then steals your soul.

  With pitiful eyes, Ollie reaches out and squeezes my hand.

  “Do you think all of us will make it back down the mountain in one piece?” Racine’s voice is timid.

  All the laughter di
es in one breath.

  Her question surprises me. It’s straight to the point. She’s simply speaking the same question aloud that every climber here wonders but won’t dare utter.

  “Of course, Racine.” Sebastian makes his way over to her and smooths his hand over her hair. The gesture is oddly personal and pacifying. Tells me the pair are a lot more than two climbers on a team together. I’d say they’ve swapped fluids more than a few times.

  “I suppose if anything happens to us way up there a helicopter will come.” Racine smiles.

  No, dear.

  There’ll be no rescue. There hardly ever is on this mountain. There’ll be no one coming for us. In a time of tragedy, we’ll hear nothing but crickets! Besides, helicopters perform poorly in thin air. And we’ll be far above where they can reach safely without crashing.

  I should tell her all of that, but I don’t.

  It annoys me that she’s on this mountain clearly unaware of these facts.

  Racine keeps her eyes on me as if she’s looking for my assurance still, even though Sebastian’s hands are all over her like he paid for her flesh. She hugs herself tighter and every ounce of worry that’s swimming around in her cerebrum is sketched all over her face like messy art.

  “Yes,” I say firmly. “We’ll all be making it back in one piece.”

  Have mercy on us all.

  Racine nods. “Yeah, I told my kids I’ll be on the front page of our local newspaper back home in Eureka Springs when I make it to the top.” She laughs.

  “That’s great,” I tell her, unsure if I mean it.

  The last thing I need in this summit party are a bunch of fame seekers.

  The biggest one here is half asleep...

  Musa checks his phone every few minutes like an addict, updates his blog, posts on Instagram. The entire fucking world knows this man is at base camp. I don’t know what he’ll do when we move up in elevation and we lose cell phone reception.

  “And where in the hell is Eureka Springs anyways?” With a scowl, Musa’s eyes pop open.

  “This woman is from the country!” Tyrone laughs out loud. “I’m tellin’ ya, the country. Eureka Springs doesn’t get more country!”

  Whacking Tyrone in the shoulder, Racine smiles big. “It’s a little town in Arkansas. I’ve lived there my entire life. It’s perfect. The kids love it and so does my ex-husband.” Racine makes a face. “He lives nearby us still even though we aren’t together anymore. People think it’s weird. But, I say if the kids are happy, then I’m happy.”

  “That’s good,” I tell her.

  She runs a hand through her hair. “Are you married?”

  “No,” I whisper.

  Racine tips her head forward a few times. “Oh.”

  I avoid her questioning eyes.

  “I’m never getting married.” Musa laughs out loud. “I end up with enough stress from my Instagram fans. Plus, I get too many girls to be settling down with one.” He frowns. “Unless they’re into group sex and sharing.” He smirks. “If that’s the case then I suppose it could all work.” Making himself more comfortable, he goes back to sleep.

  “Trust me, you don’t want more than one wife, especially at the same time.” Sebastian lets out an exhausted breath. “They take your money. Then your sanity. And before you realize it, they’re already killing you slowly.” His voice lowers to a cryptic whisper. “The next thing you know, you’re completely dead.”

  The conversation becomes animated, then really, really stupid.

  I yawn.

  Gilda does too, then stands. “I think I’m ready for bed.”

  I shoot up next to her. “I’ll need to bunk with you tonight.”

  She frowns. “I’m sorry. My tent is full to the max.” She bites her lip. “I think everyone’s tent is full. The only free spot is with—”

  “Who?” My question comes out quick, desperate.

  “I guess someone could switch,” Gilda suggests.

  I scan all the heads that shake from side to side.

  Interesting.

  It appears no one wants to bunk with the beast.

  A tiny scoff leaves me. I set my thermos full of warm tea down, breathing the fresh mint leaves that swim at the bottom of it before I do. I give them all one last stare. No one relents or offers the homeless girl a place to sleep for the night.

  “I think you’re on your own tonight.” One of Musa’s eyes cracks open.

  I feign a laugh in response to his joke.

  Gilda gives me a pathetic stare before she heads off, yawning.

  I suppose I could make it work.

  I’ve slept in far worse places...

  It’s not like I’m stripping down to my underwear. I’ll sleep just like this tonight bundled up inside my sleeping bag. Doesn’t matter where I must rest my head, just as long as I get adequate sleep so I’m fresh in the morning.

  Marching my way toward the tent flaps, I toss them all a wave good night.

  As soon as I step outside and beneath the stars, the frigid air hits my nostrils.

  Looking up, I find the north one. Big and bright in a sea of black and thick gray clouds that drift over it, failing to blot out its light by one bit.

  He always did love that star...told me it made him feel like he could never lose his way, no matter how dark it was. Or how far away he was from me and my hugs and kisses. A tiny breath escapes from me when I imagine his face, handsome and sweet, rosy cheeks, big eyes, thick hair, and that smile of his always lit up my day.

  Then, I turn to face her.

  The bitch.

  Standing in all her glory with her snow-capped, crenellated spires.

  The clouds appear like smoke billowing around her poisonous peaks.

  She’s incredible, beguiling, bewitching.

  A scowl paints my features and agony flows through me as it did the last time I climbed this peak and almost lost my life. Only thing is, I wish I had, because the life I’d been relegated to has felt much worse than death.

  What is life worth if you aren’t really living?

  Kai

  “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Rising from a crouched position, then stepping out of the tent completely, I peer down at the beautiful woman in front of me, who’s holding her rucksack like she’s had a long day at the mall. Her fire-red hair blows around with the cold breeze and her cheeks are pale beneath the moonlight.

  “I-I-I’ll need to bunk with you.” Keeping her gaze low, she sucks in a breath.

  I resist the urge to laugh out loud, then look around, scanning all the tents that litter this base camp. I step toward her. She takes a few steps back, her expression full of apprehension.

  I run a hand over my jaw and examine her as she stands in front of me, abandoned and rejected. Her shoulders are slumped and she’s clutching all her possessions as if they’re all she has left in this world.

  A moan breaks out of me at the sudden dash of humility I witness in her blues.

  Small. Alone. Still scalding, though, like a hot griddle.

  I slant my head to the side. “There’s no one else you can bunk with?”

  “No.” Her long lashes flutter.

  And for the first time since I’ve met her I think I see worry in her face.

  “I asked around and everyone is already doubled-up.” She points to my semi-warm tent. “You’re the only one who has a free spot.”

  The fates surely have a sick and twisted sense of humor.

  Another little breath leaves her.

  I’m enjoying the desperation in her pretty face.

  Would it be a stretch for me to expect an apology before she expects to lay her head down next to mine, gathering warmth from my quarters, drinking my tea, basking in the cover that my temporary home provides?

  I wait, wait, wait.

  She says nothing else.

  I won’t be getting an apology for her little performance a few hours ago.

  This woman reminds me of a small fire.

  She’s tiny, non-th
reatening, helpful even when she tries to keep you warm.

  Except she burns you when maybe not meaning to.

  I can’t quite decide whether or not it’s intentional...

  After all, I’ve only known this woman for fifteen literally hot and very scalding minutes.

  “Please, Kai.” Her bottom lip quivers as the shiver from the cold moves through her.

  It’s a moral dilemma—one of those ones I seem to always be faced with.

  I suppose if I refuse, she’ll sleep outside on the scree and freeze to death.

  We meet eyes.

  “Please,” she whispers.

  Reaching out, I snatch the rucksack from her violently and toss it inside the tent. “No snoring.”

  She frowns and it’s cute. “I don’t snore.”

  With the flick of my hand, I keep talking. “And I’m not one for small talk. I like to sleep in, so don’t wake me up early. I have a few books you can read, and the radio always stays on low. Got it?”

  “Yes.” She edges past me and goes inside.

  I step in behind her, lower to my knees, and zip up the tent, closing out the biting cold, enjoying the decent bit of warmth that occupies this space.

  In a flash, she pulls out her sleeping bag. And with all her clothes and boots still on, she eases inside it, zips it up, and squeezes her eyes shut. Then, she turns away from me, offering me her back, no attention at all, nada.

  I suppose I must get used to it...

  The breath that rips from me is so big my chest expands with the action.

  I wriggle into my sleeping bag, then pull my knees up to my chest and lean on them. Soon, I drift off.

  It’s morning.

  I awake to the birdsong outside.

  The rolling green hills and the backdrop of one of the most beautiful places on earth fills my vision. I’ve been here for almost a month preparing for the grueling climb ahead I’ll embark on once I’ve left this remote place and traveled somewhere that’s even more barren...on the opposite side of this massive country. I’d estimated that it would take less than a few days to summit.

  I’m not focused, though, and everyone knows it, though they don’t know why.

  Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I roll over to find her form nestled beneath the sheets. Her long hair flows over her curves and her hand is tucked gently beneath her chin. I edge closer and watch her sleep, finding the sound of her little inhales and exhales soothing.