by Bobby Akart
Jake saw it coming and braced for impact. He knew he had to stay out of the water, and if the shark collided with the skiff, it was over.
In the face of certain death, Jake Wheeler summoned all of his courage. He pulled his handgun out of his waistband and turned to straddle the bench, facing down the ocean’s most efficient killer.
The great white rose to the surface as it sped toward him, allowing its massive jaws to open and bare its sharp teeth. Jake had one opportunity to live, and he wasn’t even sure it would work.
He took aim at the great white, allowing it to move closer so he didn’t miss, but not so close that the collision was inevitable.
The jaws opened wider and Jake fired. Round after round after round, penetrating the roof of the great white shark’s mouth and exploding through the top of its body. The shark continued forward, but slower, and it was dropping below the water.
Not enough, however, to avoid an impact with the boat.
The center of the boat lifted out of the water, throwing Jake backwards on top of the supplies he’d removed from the Nautilus. He lost control of his weapon, which fell to the wooden floor. The skiff crashed back to the surface but shook violently from side to side as the wake created by the great white’s attack disturbed the water.
Jake crawled back to his seat and looked around the skiff, hoping to see the carcass of the great white floating nearby. There was nothing. It wasn’t over.
He frantically searched the bottom of the boat, looking for his gun. He pushed aside boxes taken from the Nautilus. Did it fall overboard? Where is it?
Jake was beginning to panic when he sensed the great white’s return. The powerful beast brought with it a presence, a dominant force that was now unmistakable to Jake. With one eye on the approaching dorsal fin, he scrambled about, looking for the .45-caliber handgun that was no match for the great white.
The creature broke the surface again just as Jake found his gun. He’d lost track of how many rounds he’d fired, so he dropped the magazine and quickly inserted a new one into the grip of the pistol in a fluid, efficient motion, much like his adversary’s motions.
This time, Jake took aim for the top of the great white’s head in an attempt to pierce the outer skin, cartilage and skull. Before the great white bared its teeth, Jake fired at its snout and between its eyes. Three, four, five rounds were spent, blasting away at the massive fish in an attempt to stop its advance.
Then Jake heard it. A hissing sound emanating from the mouth and nostrils of the great white. It was familiar to him. Ken Kennedy had made a similar sound at the moment of his death when Jake killed him.
Jake knew the battle was over.
Chapter 52
The Pacific Ocean
Isla Socorro
Jake sat on the bench with his hands shaking uncontrollably. He felt certain he’d killed the great white, but fear caused him to continue searching the surface for the creature’s carcass. Sharks lack the floatation bladder common to other fish. Once it stopped its continuous forward movement, which pushed oxygen-rich water through its gills, it sank to the bottom of the Pacific to die from the gunshot wounds or anoxia, whichever came first.
Jake was brought out of his daze by the sound of a boat motor approaching from the island. Within seconds, the inflatable driven by Miguel and containing two of his men armed with their shotguns had pulled alongside the fishing boat.
“Jake, que pasa?”
Jake managed a shrug and then began to laugh as relief swept over his body. Somehow, he mustered up a bland, coherent response. “Hi, Miguel. I’m really glad to see you guys. Have you got room for me in there?”
Miguel gave Jake a puzzled look. As his men held the two boats together while the inflatable’s wake subsided, Jake quickly disembarked the skiff.
After giving Jake a bottle of water and tying the bow line of the fishing boat to the back of the inflatable, they made their way back to shore. Jake glanced backwards several times to make sure they weren’t being trailed by the great white.
“Jake, we heard gunshots. What happened?”
Jake decided to lie. Retelling his encounter with the great white would not serve to make the villagers feel better about the evening’s successful return of the boys and the rescue of the three women. It certainly wouldn’t make Ashby feel warm and fuzzy. Some things a man just needed to take to his grave.
Jake feigned a laugh. “You know how it is when you’re on the water at night. Something goes bump and you panic. After the rescue, I was still hyped up and got a little nervous for no reason. That’s all.”
Inwardly, Jake patted himself on the back. He was glad it was dark so Miguel couldn’t see his face. He hoped he’d be able to convince Ashby with his lame explanation, but somehow, he doubted it. She had an innate way of knowing when he was fibbing.
The inflatable eased up to the shore, and several villagers rushed into the water to grab the bow line to pull it onto the sand. Jake would’ve ordinarily jumped out of the inflatable to help, but he was a little hesitant to set foot in the water. In fact, he was most likely never going swimming again, or at least for a long time.
As his feet hit the sand, he struggled to maintain his composure. He was immediately surrounded by the villagers, who were crying and thanking him for saving the young boys. One woman tried to put a necklace holding her gold crucifix around his neck, but Jake wouldn’t accept it. He placed it back in her hand and squeezed it tight before kissing her tear-covered cheeks.
Jake stood and looked over the heads of the shorter villagers, thinking that his visualization of Ashby waiting on the beach for him might become reality, but he didn’t see her anywhere.
More people came up to thank him, including the young boys he saved, who hugged him continuously throughout the emotional reunion. Jake formally met the young girls, all of whom attended college in the States. They were wrapped in brightly colored serapes, handmade shawls and blankets worn as a cloak in Mexico.
Jake accepted various gifts, ranging from bananas to Mexican rag dolls. It was truly a hero’s welcome. The sun was beginning to rise, casting an orangish glow across the water. With a final look out into the ocean, which was now free of dive ships and pirates, Jake accepted his final accolades from the villagers. After several minutes, the excitement subsided and he made his way through the crowd to the path that led to the top of the cliffs.
That was when he saw her perched on a rock, sitting alone. Ashby was beaming as tears streamed down her face. She covered up with her hands, trying to hide her emotions, but she couldn’t contain herself any longer. She stood, but her feet were stuck in place.
Jake ran to her, closing the thirty-foot gap in seconds. He wrapped his arms around her, squeezed her tight, and lifted her off the beach.
“God, I love you, Ashby. I love you so much.”
“I love you, Jake. You have no idea what you’ve done for these people. You are a true hero to them. And me too.”
Jake kissed the moisture off her cheeks, and then he burst into tears, as well, as the reality that they were safe, and together, overwhelmed him. He whispered in her ear, “There is nothing on the planet more important than this right here. You and me. Holding each other. Just the two of us.”
Ashby looked past his shoulder and said, “But you have a fan club, Jake. Look.”
He let her down and turned back toward the beach. The entire group was smiling, holding each other, and crying as they watched Jake and Ashby’s tearful reunion.
“I think they’re happy for us both. Come on, let’s go feel the love.”
Jake led her by the hand and into the group, where the thank-yous and praise started all over again. For several minutes, until the entourage began to make their way up the path to the top of the cliffs, Jake and Ashby enjoyed the moment with their new extended family.
Chapter 53
The Pacific Ocean
Isla Socorro
At Miguel’s insistence, Jake and Ashby retired to the comm
ander’s bungalow, closed the blinds, and blocked out the rest of the world. For the first time since they’d arrived on the island, they were able to sleep together without fear of outside threats sneaking up on them. The liveaboard boats and their motley crews were gone, and the villagers took up round-the-clock security around the naval compound.
Jake slept until two o’clock that afternoon before slipping out of bed and pulling on his pants. He peered through the blinds and noticed a lot of activity in the courtyard. At first, he thought it was children playing, and then he realized it was a steady stream of villagers walking from the pickup truck, up the stairs, and toward the mess hall.
“Jake, is everything okay?” asked a sleepy Ashby as she stirred in bed.
“Yeah, I think so, but something’s going on. A lot of the villagers are here, and they seem to be unloading things from the truck. Maybe we should check it out?”
“In a minute,” she purred. “Come back to bed for a little while.”
Jake chuckled and sat beside her on the bed. She reached for his arm in attempt to pull him down next to her, but he evaded her clutches.
“Relax, missy. There’s plenty of time for that later. Miguel has promised a round-the-clock security detail for us. We don’t have to sleep apart anymore.”
“Good, come back to bed, then.”
He swatted at her hands as she continued to grab for him. She countered with a pillow throw, and Jake returned the favor. Within seconds, the two were heaving pillows at one another and wrestling in the tangled mess of sheets.
Eventually, Ashby succumbed to Jake’s suggestion, and the two of them emerged from the bungalow. They were first seen by the kids, who ran from the courtyard to greet them. The young boys grabbed Jake by the hands and the girls hugged Ashby as they led them past the administration building and toward the mess hall.
Outside the entrance, half a dozen villagers were bustling about, laying out platters of fresh fruits, vegetables, and smoked fish on the picnic tables. Several looked up from their work to smile and wave to the happy couple before fussing over the spread of food.
The kids pointed Jake and Ashby toward the mess hall door, which they slowly entered. The villagers were decorating the interior with colorful tapestries, tropical foliage, and even a handmade piñata made of papier-mâché, pottery, and brightly woven cloth.
“Is this for us?” asked Ashby. “Miguel asked to borrow the keys to the mess hall while we slept. I had no idea this is what they had in mind.”
“Looks like a heckuva party to me,” replied Jake. He squeezed Ashby’s hand as Miguel approached them.
“My friends, welcome to your surprise party! The children were supposed to keep you occupied while we finished setting up, but since you are here, let us enjoy this joyous day!”
Miguel was exuberant as he led Jake and Ashby toward the food. It was a duplicate of the spread outside on the picnic table.
“This is incredible, Miguel. You’ve gone through so much trouble—”
Miguel stopped and turned to Ashby as he interrupted. “Now, listen to me, my friends. You saved the life of my nephew and another boy dear to our hearts. Do you see those young ladies over there?” Miguel pointed toward the college girls, who were learning how to fill the piñata.
“They seem to have recovered,” said Jake.
“They have been through a terrible ordeal, and I am sure they will continue to need the love and support of us all,” said Miguel. “For now, they can rejoice in the celebration with us, and when the time comes, we will all lend them counsel and prayer.”
Jack and Ashby smiled at one another. Two of the women came up to them, provided cloth napkins, and kissed them on the cheeks. Then they turned to Miguel and spoke in Spanish.
“You are our honored guests and shall be served first. Please, let’s sit at the center table here.”
The women of the village had created a fabulous tropical display, including the native croton plants, birds of paradise, heliconia, and palm leaves. Jake and Ashby got settled in, and soon plates were being placed in front of them, which included all of the island delicacies created by the women of the village.
For the next hour, the kids sang Mexican folk songs while one of the men played a Mexican guitarrón and another played the maracas. The festivities began to wind down by four that afternoon, which allowed Jake and Miguel to walk around the compound alone. The conversation turned serious as Miguel spoke.
“Jake, I am a private man, as I know you might be as well. I am concerned about something.”
“What’s that?” asked Jake.
“Our people have grown attached to you and Ashby. You are our family now, and as family, we become dependent on one another. I am sure when you arrived at Isla Socorro, you did not plan on staying here. I hope that you will consider staying.”
Jake stopped and smiled. He placed his right hand on Miguel’s shoulder and said, “I’m honored that you’d take us in. Ashby and I have talked about it and would love to stay. There is a logistical problem, however.”
“Yes, I have thought of this too. I have talked with the elders in the village about building a home for you both. They have agreed to do so.”
Jake was flattered by the statement, but he wanted to make another suggestion. “Miguel, have you considered moving your people here, to the base? Our ability to translate the Spanish in a logbook we found was not the best, but it appears they will be gone for years while they protect their borders.”
“I was told this as well when they left. However, my people don’t want to leave their homes. They would be uncomfortable here. For me, this base is a resource we must protect from any other wandering boaters who might come upon Isla Socorro. For that reason, both the village and the compound must be protected. You may live with us and assist in protecting the compound.”
“That is a very nice offer, Miguel. I don’t want to insult you by saying no, so I hope you understand my reasoning. Any future intruders will likely come from our east and northeast—Central America and the United States. We must maintain a full-time presence here to guard against that likelihood. Also, there are electronic resources here that Ashby can utilize to keep all of us informed about the coming ash fallout from Yellowstone.”
Miguel nodded and put his arm around Jake as they walked back to the mess hall. “I cannot disagree with you, my friend. We will work out a security plan using your expertise and my people that is good for all of Isla Socorro. Perhaps we can use the barracks to relocate some of the young men who will be assigned here.”
“Yes, absolutely,” said Jake. “We also have the three college girls. Ashby is a professor and knows how to interact with girls their age. They can pick a bungalow to move into and can become integrated into our new community.”
Miguel stopped and extended his hand to Jake. Jake reached out and shook it.
“It is settled, then,” pronounced Miguel.
Jake looked past Miguel, and his eyes moved up the side of the mountain behind the compound. He hesitated and then said, “Yes, I think so. However, Miguel, we all have our demons that haunt us from the past.”
“Oh yes, this I know.”
“Ashby has one she needs to address, and now is as good a time as any.”
Chapter 54
The Pacific Ocean
Isla Socorro
“Are you kidding me? Now?” asked Ashby excitedly. “I mean, I expected we’d get around to it at some point but not so quickly.”
Jake took the rolled-up copy of the topography map and playfully swatted Ashby’s butt. “Hurry up and get in the golf cart before I change my mind. Miguel has shown me a trail that will take us up to the top.”
Ashby didn’t waste any time in scurrying to the front seat of the Cushman. Jake had already loaded a backpack with food, water, and camping supplies in the event they wanted to stay overnight. With Miguel’s men guarding the base, he and Ashby had the freedom to explore that they’d hoped for early on. Now was as good a tim
e as any.
As Jake followed the overgrown trail up the side of the Evermann volcano, Ashby chatted away about how islands were formed through volcanic activity. She told Jake everything she knew about Mathematicians Ridge, a mid-ocean ridge that had been formed by tectonic activity three and a half million years ago. As the underwater volcanic activity became inactive, the few islands that were formed, like Isla Socorro, remained relatively dormant.
She continued to relay her knowledge to Jake as he made his way to the crater. “Did you know that Isla Socorro is the only silicic peralkaline volcano in the entire Pacific Ocean?”
Jake glanced at her and smiled. He decided to play with her, before he realized she wasn’t listening to him. “Actually, I did know that and—”
She ignored his response and continued. “Peralkaline rocks are aluminum deficient. What we are driving on is likely the last volcano to have been formed along these plates in the history of our planet.”
“That’s exciting, Ashby,” said Jake dryly. “My question is whether it will happen again.”
“Jake, it’s like I said. It requires monitoring and further study. I’m so excited. Mont Evermann is all mine!”
Jake chuckled and pressed forward, periodically stopping to remove fallen debris or to cut down foliage. It wasn’t time wasted, as he saw it. It appeared Ashby would be making this trip to the top often.
They reached the base of the steep cone, which rose into the sky. Jake put on the backpack and motioned for Ashby to take his hand.
“Are you ready for this? Miguel says it’s a short hike, but it is steep. We have to watch our footing and—”
Ashby let go of Jake’s hand and ran in front of him, pushing through the thinner plant material as she wound her way around the cone toward the west side of the volcano. She didn’t slow until she reached the peak and approached the cone. Then she froze.
Jake hesitated and rested his hand on his pistol, thinking Ashby had come across some type of animal or a snake. He approached her and saw that the path was clear.
