by Larry Dodson
“George put George in charge” Richard, mumbled in a low voice.”
“Why didn’t you just…”
Brandon was cut off by Judy making a “shush” sound as George, Mike and Jordan walked out of the house and made their way toward the table.
“I want you guys to step it up. If you wanna eat your gonna have to work harder or starve. I don’t want to see anyone dragging ass tomorrow.”
Jordan and Mike with rifles in hand smiled as they took up position behind Brandon and Richard.
“Really George? These guys look pretty beat to me. What’s so important we have to bust ass?”
Brandon could see the other members at the table instantly tense up. Mike standing behind Brandon took a step forward and without warning whacked Brandon’s shoulder with the butt of his rifle. The impact of the blow practically knocking him to the ground.
“Number one rule on my island don’t ever question my authority. Do I make myself clear?”
Mike started to raise his rifle butt for another blow prompting Brandon to concede, “Yeah, I get it.”
“Good. This brings me to rule number two. In order to make sure you follow my orders your “significant other” will be held responsible for your actions. In other words if you fuck up they're going to pay the price.”
Everyone sat in complete silence as George turned and walked back into the house. Mike and Jordan walked over to the front porch and sat down on the small step. They seemed to closely observe the group’s reaction to George’s new set of rules.
Mark speaking just above a whisper broke the silence.
“What the hell is happening? He’s out of his fricking mind!”
Richard quietly added, “He was trouble the minute we stepped foot on the island. I really didn’t think he’d go this far. This is the first time he’s used force to make a point. Now he’s threatening to punish the women?”
Brandon began to realize the pain in his shoulder was a direct result of George probing the group’s reaction as he slowly raised control over them to the next level. With Mike and Jordan observing their conversation it became clear any discussion of George would have to wait for the privacy of the shed later that evening.
The women cleared the table as the men discussed events they had encountered on the voyage to the island. All shared one or more similar stories. Brandon chose to remain silent about his encounter with “Sanity” and the t-shirt linking George and his crew to the violence and mayhem. The table conversation carefully danced around any subject that could ignite George’s implementation of "rule number two". An hour or so later the sun began to set as they made their way toward the tractor shed.
The group entered the old garage. The musty smell of dirt, oil and old rotting wood permeated the air. A sail from one of the boats had been placed on the ground to protect the quarter berth cushions from the soil. The shed lacked windows for illumination. Rusty hinges were the only trace where a garage door once separated the room from the elements. A smaller sail attached to the opening now served as the door. Much needed ventilation was provided by the open cracks in the 1X6 planks used for the walls.
Everyone pulled their cushion closer forming a circle in the center of the room. Richard had Amanda keep watch on Jordan through one of the large cracks in the wall. With no light source in the garage it was easy to conceal their movements from the guards. Earlier George had ordered Mike to get some sleep and relieve Jordan around midnight.
Brandon was first to speak. “We need to come up with a plan. Any ideas?”
“Whatever we come up with it’s got to work the first time.” Richard replied, “I don’t want anything happening to Amanda.”
“Do you really think if push came to shove they’d kill us?” Mark asked.
“I don’t think, I know they would. Judy and I came across a 32 foot sailboat right after the big storm. The only trace of the crew was blood splatter and bullet holes.”
“What makes you think George had anything to do with that boat?”
“The name of the boat was “Sanity.”
Richard spoke up, “Sanity, I’ve seen that name before.”
“Yeah Richard, yesterday Jordan was wearing a T-shirt with the name “Sanity” across the chest.”
Brandon had just given the group invaluable insight as to the depths George, Mike and Jordan were capable of going if push came to shove. The next two hours were spent in quiet discussion of escape strategies before calling it a night.
As the sun broke through the morning haze the familiar sound of a banging pot announced breakfast. This time two scoops of oatmeal along with a little sugar filled the small bowls. There was no way in hell you wouldn’t be starving by dinner time. Hell, you were still starving after you ate George’s anemic breakfast portions.
“Well, check it out” said Mark, as LuAnn came out of the house carrying a pot of coffee in one hand and cups in the other.
“George is going all out on breakfast today.”
Mark’s wisecrack eased the tension around the table. The relaxed atmosphere of sitting around enjoying a cup of coffee with friends would soon be replaced as George approached the table.
“Yesterday Jordan thought he heard voices some distance off. I want him to take the three of you and make sure we're the only ones on the island.”
Mike without thinking replied, “Maybe you shouda asked the old…”
“Shut your mouth!” George scowled as he quickly spun around towards Mike.
As George turned to face the men again, Mike’s face turned dark red with anger. It was the same kind of anger Brandon had witnessed over the cigarettes. Mike hated being reprimanded, especially in front of the other men. He appeared to be the type to take his embarrassment out on the next available person in the group be it male or female.
“Like I said, find out what’s going on. Work as a team. Jordan will be keeping an eye on you, Mike's going to stay back and keep an eye on the women.”
The men filed behind Jordan as they walked past the house. Mike standing just out of George’s view, smiled as he held his fists shoulder high grinding his hips in and out simulating the motion of having sex. Brandon knew his antics were meant to regain his power and control over the group by inciting rage and torment among the men. Anyone foolish enough to be baited into losing their temper would subject Judy, LuAnn or Amanda to the whim and will of their sadistic captors. Instead of finding a place of safe refuge on the tiny island Brandon and Judy had found themselves the latest inhabitants of
“Living Hell, Population 9.”
Chapter 13
Cupid Strikes
As the men dispersed into the tree line George ordered Judy and Amanda to take the five gallon plastic jerry cans over to Mark’s boat. Filling the containers and returning to camp would take a couple of hours. In addition to the water, George had noticed quite a few bottles of wine and liquor on Richard’s boat the night of the meeting in the marina. He wanted them brought back as well. LuAnn, whom he seemed to have an attraction toward, was ordered to remain on the grounds for laundry duty. Mike sat at the front porch cleaning his rifle.
Judy and Amanda rolled the squeaky wheelbarrow full of empty plastic water cans down the path toward the dinghies. They worried about LuAnn being left alone in the camp.
“Think she’ll be okay?”
“No Amanda, I don’t trust George at all. You’ve seen the way he looks her up and down.”
“Yeah, the same way that tattoo freak looks at me.”
“Not quite, Jordan looks at you in love, George looks at LuAnn in lust. There is a big difference.”
“She’s in great shape. I think she could kick George’s ass if he tried anything.”
“Now you know why he left Mike with him in camp.”
“Think that’s why he sent us over for water? Just so he could mess around with her?”
“Partly yes and George doesn’t like drinking boiled water from the cistern. He prefers the filtering system on the boats and it gives him
time alone with LuAnn. The sooner we get back the better.”
The women finished filling the water jugs and retrieved a few bottles of Richard's wine before making their way back to the shore. They secured the dinghy and loaded the heavy water containers into the wheelbarrow for the short trip back to the house. As they entered the grounds they were greeted by Mike.
“Well ladies, took you long enough.”
Judy couldn’t resist the temptation. “You should try it. You can work on your tan and get a little exercise at the same time.”
Amanda burst out laughing at the thought of Mike in a bathing suit.
“Knock it off little girl before I drag you behind the house and teach you what big girls do.”
“Touch her Mike and it will be the last lesson you’ll ever give.”
“You’re starting to turn me on Judy. Why screw the chick when you can fuck the hen.”
Totally disgusted with Mike’s crude remarks the women continued rolling the wheelbarrow to the front porch of the house. Judy and Amanda carried the water into the kitchen. Through the window they could see LuAnn taking the freshly dried clothes down from a makeshift clothesline. They could see George sitting a short distance away in the shade observing her every move. LuAnn smiled at Judy and Amanda as she entered the house with an armful of clothes.
“How’d it go ladies?”
“Let’s put it this way, we’d rather lug water all day than be stuck in camp with that fat asshole. How about you, any problems?”
“You mean other than listening to George’s constant sexual innuendoes every time I have to bend down to pick something up? No, not really.”
“Both of us have noticed how he constantly stares at you. He seems to be getting more possessive of your time. Now Mike is starting to give us a ration of shit. Between the two of them something bad is bound to happen.”
LuAnn lowered her voice as she spoke, “If I had a bottle of poison we’d be out of here tonight.”
Judy filed that thought away as being one possible solution to their problem.
Chapter 14
Loose Lips
Jordan had the men fan out within eyesight of each other as they began their search. They carefully walked in unison looking for any signs of a trail or other indications of recent foot traffic. Compared to the previous two days physical workload, searching the island came as a welcome monotony breaker. The morning sun rapidly heated the islands, humid air. An hour and a half into the search Jordan called the men together for a short break.
Brandon thought this might be an opportune time to question Jordan. “How long have you known George?”
“Awhile I guess.”
“How did you meet?”
“Through Mike.”
“Well, how did you meet Mike?”
“At work.”
It was obvious gathering intel on George through Jordan wasn’t going to happen. Jordan’s one or two word answers revealed little to no useful information. It was unclear if he was deliberately being evasive for fear of divulging anything that could be used against George or just wasn’t much of a conversationalist.
Mark took another approach. “I let my hair grow out like yours when I was in high school. I liked the rebellious “Rage against the machine” look. I never got into the tattoos though. I guess I thought it would be too painful. Did they hurt?”
“Not much.”
Well, Brandon thought, so much for taking a shot at befriending the kid.
Jordan stretched as he stood up signaling the break was coming to an end. “You guys ask too many questions.”
Jordan’s reluctance to answer personal questions forced Brandon into taking a completely different approach. He turned to Richard as he asked, “Judy and I were wondering how Amanda is dealing with having her life upended?”
“She’s doing as good as could be expected. She misses not being able to finish her senior year.”
“Did she have a boyfriend in school?”
Jordan suddenly took interest in the topic of Amanda as he reseated himself in the shade. Brandon hoped Richard understood the dynamics of why he was bringing up Amanda and what was taking place.
“No, she felt the boys at school were too immature acting.”
Mark picked up instantly on what was going on. Richard was normally much too protective of his daughter to openly discuss her availability in front of a stranger like Jordan.
“So you’re saying she’s never been on a date?”
“I didn’t say that. She went out a few times with a guy about Jordan’s age.”
The trap sprung. Jordan’s curiosity had peaked as he joined into the conversation, “What happened?”
“Well nothing I hope.”
“No, I mean did she go out with him more than once?”
Success! Jordan’s infatuation with Richard’s daughter had loosened up his mouth. He extended the break another ten minutes in the discussion of “Amanda this and Amanda that.”
The next break proved more informative. Brandon and Mark deliberately chose to position themselves a short distance from Richard and Jordan. It would be easier for Richard to probe for weaknesses in George’s grand plan by casually questioning Jordan in a one-on-one setting.
“Tell me Jordan, what’s George going to do with us when the food runs low?”
“I think some of you will have to go.”
“Go. Go where? With what? George has managed to remove most of our sails, solar panels, fuel and supplies. How are we supposed to get off this island?”
Jordan suddenly realized he had fucked up. Richard had successfully manipulated him into a corner. The only way they were going to leave the island would be in spirit form.
“And what about you and Mike. How long are you guys going to last when the food runs low? Are you going to have to leave the island too?”
“Forget what I said. I don’t know what’s going on. I think we should start heading back now. Let’s go.”
Though their search had failed to reveal the source of Jordan’s phantom sounds, his hormones had succeeded in betraying his common sense. Distracted by a desire to gain an “in” with Amanda by making friends with Richard he had unintentionally revealed their looming fate. Jordan’s attraction to Amanda could very well play a pivotal role in their escape. The best way to topple George’s defenses would not come in the form of an outward attack, it would be in creating dissention from within, and watching it crumble around him.
Chapter 15
Imaginary Music
Just before sunrise the group rehashed the details of last night’s roughly drawn up escape plan. Amanda would indeed play a pivotal role in their escape. The only variable was the timing. Should they implement the escape under the cover of darkness or use daylight to more accurately change the plan on the fly. Night would increase the chances of successfully getting out of camp, but then what. The prospects of being hunted down and shot on the small island would yield the same results as having done nothing at all.
Everyone agreed they would do what they had to do in order to unbalance George’s control. Every gun they managed to remove from George’s arsenal increased their chances of surviving by thirty-three percent.
Amanda keeping watch on the house noticed Jordan exit the door. This marked the end of Mike’s task of guarding the prisoners. Jordan made his way to the shed.
“Jordan is walking this way.” Amanda whispered.
Everyone quickly pulled their cushions back toward the walls leaving no sign of the tight circle they had formed during the meeting. Laying down on their beds would give no indication of the conspiracy that had taken place just minutes ago.
Jordan pulled the sail to one side as he looked into the shed.
“George wants the women to start breakfast.”
“Why so early?” Judy responded.
“We usually start cooking at eight.”
“Maybe he woke up hungry. I don’t know.”
“Good morning Jordan.”
<
br /> Amanda’s greeting caught Jordan totally off guard. This was the first overt interest she had taken in Jordan since captivity. Not knowing how he should respond in front of the others he chose not to return the greeting. It would have been ludicrous of him to wish anyone “Good morning” under their present circumstances.
Shortly after they finished breakfast George stepped out onto the porch. It was unusual to see him holding a .38 caliber pistol. He seemed to enjoy flashing it around. The gun evidently used to symbolize his power over the group. It was also meant to represent compliance or penalty.
“Good morning people.”
Evidently George, unlike Jordan, hadn’t got the memo there was nothing “good” about being held against your will.
“Today I have a special treat for you guys. I thought it would be nice to eat something other than stew tonight so I’m going to send you fishing.”
Whoa, Brandon thought, what’s he up to. It wasn’t the act of fishing that was under suspicion but rather the jovial way it was requested.
Judy exited the house carrying a number of fishing poles taken from their boats. Amanda followed with a couple of tackle boxes.
“I don’t want you coming back empty handed. No fish, no eat.”
As the men picked through the gear the women joined them at the table. Mark looked puzzled as he spoke, “Can you believe he’s actually acting civilized this morning?”
Brandon countered, “Yeah, but you know what they say about something being too good to be true.”
Richard chimed in, “Let’s get out of here before he changes his mind.”
The men and women started heading for the edge of the camp forcing George to yell, “No, no, no! The women stay behind. Just the men.”
Benevolence comes with a price. Any joy from the act of peacefully fishing was now overshadowed by fear of leaving the women unattended in the company of George, Mike and Jordan.
It was easy to do the math. Three couples verses three horny captors with guns. In a world without law and order there was nothing to keep them from killing Brandon, Mark and Richard without fear of repercussions. They were experiencing first hand, a world now ruled by acquisition through brute force. The time would soon come when George would tire of sending the men out to do feeble chores in order to gain private access to the women. If they were going to escape this hell alive it would have to be soon.
