Sunshine

by Wenner, Natalie

  We moved on to the boat next-door. “The Lily-Anne” wasn’t what I had imagined, but it would work. It looked fairly used, was well stocked, and had plenty of room for fuel. Plus Sunny seemed to like it. I took him back to the house, while Marcus finished up with the boat.

  “Alright the boats ready. It seems like it will be easy to steer, but you gotta figure out what direction to go. I took out some of the unimportant stuff and added more fuel.”

  “Are you sure it was unimportant stuff?”

  “I have no idea, but it came out easily and that’s all that matters.”

  The conditions in the morning seemed perfect. The sky was nearly clear the current would soon be heading out. We loaded up the boat with our remaining supplies and I sat on the bow taking in our last minutes near land. We will have to dock again of course, but I hoped that wouldn’t be until we were in paradise. Who knows, maybe we will find an uninhabited island that doesn’t have Jacks, people, or even polar bears. Or we might end up getting attacked by killer whales or somehow end up in the arctic. God I have no idea what I’m getting myself into.

  I put Sunny down in the hull. I had set up a sort of playpen to keep him contained, while I helped Marcus get out of the dock. It took quite a while, but finally we made it out to open sea. I watch as the beach faded father and father from view. We had done it. I had done it. Sunny would be safe now. No I don’t know that for sure, but I feel it.

  Marcus is even lightening up. “Well, we did it. Good job, Buttercup.”

  He leaned in and lightly pressed his lips against mine. It’s not enough for me so I grab him, wrapping my arms around his neck, and melt into him. Suddenly I hear a beeping noise. I try to ignore it, but it is really freaking loud.

  “Do you hear that noise? It’s a very loud beeping. What could it be coming from?”

  “I don’t hear anything.”

  “Seriously how do you not hear that? It’s like an alarm is going off in my skull.”

  “Emma, I don’t hear anything. Are you ok?”

  “Yeah, it’s nothing.”

  I kiss him again, yet the beeping is still going strong. I won’t let it ruin this moment.

  Chapter 27

  Finally

  The next few days went very quickly. The beeping finally stopped after an hour. We are far out to see at this point. I want to go to the Bahamas, so we are heading south. For the first time I can relax. There is no danger from Jacks. They can’t reach us out here. I was a little paranoid though and checked to see if one was hiding, under the bed, in the shower, in the toilet.

  Marcus was still worried about humans, or as he called them pirates. I couldn’t only imagine Captain Jack coming after, but I guess it is possible. I feel safe though. Things are really looking up.

  Sunny and I are currently sitting on the deck as Marcus steers. I have realized I didn’t pack enough sunscreen and I have to keep him in the shade. He already looks like a cherry. I check the map and see we are in shallow water.

  “Marcus you should put down the anchor. The water is shallow enough.”

  “Ahoy, Captain.”

  We haven’t kissed since the first night, but we are closer than ever. I can see the love in his eyes even though he hasn’t admitted to it yet.

  After the anchor is set I hand Sunny over to him and he’s pretending to throw him overboard as I come back up with our dinner.

  “Hey, he’s not fish food put him down.”

  Sunny starts to whimper the instant he is pulled back over the rail.

  Tonight’s meal is canned tuna on crackers with a side of canned potatoes and corn. I’ve warmed them slightly over the propane stove.

  “Have I ever mentioned how much I’m sick of canned food? I miss hunting”

  “Well when we get better at boating you can try out the fishing gear; just don’t catch any whales or sharks. That reminds me of the first time I met you.”

  “Oh yeah, how’s that?”

  “You reminded me of a shark. Honestly I hated you.”

  “Well you didn’t float my boat either, sweet pea. You seemed like an airhead, but then I was suckered in by your good looks.”

  “Ha, very funny. You pitied us.”

  “A little, but it all worked out for the best. If I hadn’t met you two I would still be alone wondering the Earth. It was a horrible way to be living.”

  “Yeah our life wasn’t too great either. Sunny sure knows how to pick them, thanks kiddo.”

  I rub his head and realize he’s got almost the whole spoon in his mouth.

  “Calm down, buddy. You’re not supposed to eat the spoon to.”

  Once the sun sets we head below and I place Sunshine in his bed. I look to Marcus’s wound and it’s finally healed enough to not need a bandage. My pinky is a different story. I keep using it and opening up the cut. Marcus wraps it in about a pound of gauze, because he’s sick of having to stitch it up.

  “Now stop using your damn pinky. Man I’m worn out.”

  He lies down beside me, “What do you think the Bahamas will be like?”

  “I don’t know I’ve never been that far south. I’m guessing they will be beautiful. I can’t wait to eat a fresh coconut.”

  “They are gross and no, I meant Jack wise.”

  “I bet they will still be there. The islands are close, so we will probably have to find a far out island to be safe. I’ve been looking and I think I’ve found a couple of possibilities.”

  “That would be nice. I don’t like being stuck on this boat and I’ve always dreamed of owning my own private island, King Marcus. You do realize you will have to live under my rule. I’m going to outlaw bras.”

  “Oh shut up. Queen Emma sounds better to me. I would outlaw nicknames.”

  “Ok, your majesty.”

  I rub his forehead with the back of my hand. He really is good looking, my god. He’s still sporting that mysterious bad boy thing that would drive anyone crazy.

  We stare into each other eyes for a bit.

  “You know I love you, you and Sunshine.”

  “Yes, I know and I love you too. Sunny loves his father as well. I would know I am his mother”

  His face lights up and I think this is the best moment of my life. We cuddle up on our small bed and fall into a deep slumber filled with dreams of our happy future together.

  Chapter 28

  Dark Abyss

  After being on the ocean ten days I should have felt happy. We were getting very close to our new home and I could spend more time with my two favorite men, now that we weren’t constantly in peril. However, this morning I woke up feeling off, in fact yesterday I felt a little off too. I feel very depressed. As I looked at Sunny I saw a waste of my time. I should have left him to the same fate as his mother. I don’t know why I spend so much of my time trying to keep him alive. Marcus too is on my last nerve. He just kissed me on the forehead, what the hell is up with that. He too was a waste of my time. I would have been so much better on my own.

  “Are you ok sweet pea, you seem a little off today?”

  “Excuse me, didn’t know I had to be perfect every day of my life.”

  “I’m sorry I’m just worried.”

  What was I thinking I didn’t believe any of those things? I love my family. Why was I having such an off day? I better apologize quickly.

  “No I’m sorry, today just isn’t my day.”

  “It’s ok you’re allowed. I’ll set the anchor and watch Sunny so you can have some time to yourself.”

  Later alone on the deck I looked out onto the water and see an escape. How easily I could just jump off. Marcus wouldn’t hear me and when he came back up to call me to dinner I would be long gone. Maybe the sharks would get to me or I would just float down to the dark bottom. I smile as I imagine myself sitting on the ocean floor surrounded by angler fish. Too bad their aren’t piranhas in the ocean. That is all I wanted at this moment, but as I dangle my feet into the water I feel something in my heart pull me back. This wasn�
��t me. I was losing it.

  I pull myself together and head down below where I eat dinner with my family and I kiss them both goodnight.

  “Good night, Emma. Are you feeling better?”

  “Yeah, I’m ok. I’m just tired of being at sea I guess.”

  “Everything will be better once we settle in to an actual home. I promise.” He gently rubs his hand over my arm as he speaks. My whole body is now covered with goose bumps.

  “I love you baby, now get some sleep.”

  “I love you to, Marcus.”

  Later I awake and stare at my family while they sleep. They are so full of hope so fully happy. How can they be so happy in this world? I get up and put my hand on the stove knob for about an hour debating if I should just put them out of their misery now. It would be quick they wouldn’t even wake up. What the hell, no, I can’t do this.

  I head out onto the deck to catch some fresh air and it hits me. I am losing my mind. Literally I no longer have control of my mind, it’s been hijacked. The beeping was that of my implant turning on. It’s been a week since I heard it, have the levels of testosterone met their limit? I do have all the first day symptoms. I can’t hurt my family. I should just jump off and save them from myself. Oh my god, I’m going to turn into a Jack.

  But what if I don’t and I’m just over reacting. Those people in Baltimore might not have known what they were talking about. Should I wake up Marcus? I finally decide on keeping myself hostage. I grab a considerable amount of rope and tie myself to the railing. There’s no way I would be able to get out of this without a knife. In the morning I will either be back to normal or I will have lost my mind only slightly more. Until morning it is I guess.

  Chapter 29

  The Longest Day

  -Marcus

  I wake to a very cold bed. Where is Emma? I look over and Sunny is still in his bed, but she is nowhere to be seen. This isn’t right she should be down here. I grab my gun and run up the stairs in a panic.

  I see her instantly. She is tired to the railing, tied isn’t the right word it’s more like she is chained as if she’s a prisoner. Who the hell did this? There must be someone on the boat.

  “Emma, Emma wake up. Who did this to you? Is there someone on the boat?” I am torn between setting her free and going to Sunny.

  Her eyes snap open I can see they are blood shot. They look everywhere, but at my face.

  “Emma, it’s me Marcus. You’re alright I’ll get you out of here.”

  The second I say it she focuses on my face and I don’t know how to describe the look in her eyes. It’s as if she’s would do anything to get to me. It’s so intense it’s frightening.

  I cut one of the ropes and she finally takes her eyes off me. A very faint whimper comes from her and then she is whispering.

  “I must tell him, but he won’t understand. He will try to kill me. Maybe it would be better. Then I wouldn’t go after the baby. He’s such an idiot.”

  “Emma, what are you talking about? Emma, answer me right now.” I grab her face and stare right into her eyes. I can now see the tears.

  “Marcus, Marcus, oh my god I’m losing my mind. The beeping, oh the beeping, it was so loud. It turned it on, now I’m going to be one of them. You should just kill me now. I’m not safe.”

  “What are you going to turn into? You’re not making any sense. Who tied you up?” She now has a crazed smile on her face.

  “I did. The implant turned on. The beeping was it turning on. It must of fixed itself. The doctors said it would beep when I got home and it never did, well out here in the ocean it did, where you have nowhere to hide. Now I’m going to turn into a Jack, Marcus, unless you want to off me now. I wish you would I want to be in the ocean, I’ve always loved the sea.”

  She wasn’t making any sense. She couldn’t turn into a Jack her implant had been faulty, why would it turn on now. Besides the beeping was a week ago, why would it… she said it took a week for the bodies to reach critical levels of testosterone. No, this wasn’t happening. I’m going to cut her lose and she will be fine. Maybe she’s just gone a little crazy from being out to sea. We should dock as soon as possible, no matter the risk.

  I cut the other ropes lose.

  She grabs me by the ring of my shirt and throws me against the railing. She shouldn’t have this much force. She is strong from our life, but not this strong, not stronger than me.

  “Marcus, you’re not listening to me. I’m dangerous tie me back up and when I turn into a Jack tomorrow morning you are to put a bullet into my forehead and throw me overboard without another thought. You have to keep Sunny safe. I’m going to pass him on to you just as he was passed on to me. He’s a freaking hot potato, but you better watch out for yourself all of his care givers die.” Her grin is pure evil.

  “What am I saying? His life has been a sad one already and he isn’t even a year old. Make the rest of his years happy ok? He deserves it. I love you Marcus I want you to know that. Our life would have been magical, but I can’t be a part of it anymore. I’m so sorry for this. Now please tie me up.” She is holding out her hands like she is about to be arrested.

  “I’m not tying you up. You just need to get off this boat you are perfectly fine.”

  “Marcus I am not fine. Last night I contemplated blowing out the pilot light and gassing you both in your sleep. Now tie me up, before I hurt you.”

  I do as she says, because I don’t know what else to do. This doesn’t make sense. When I finish my hands are sore. She made me tie it tighter then I wished. I can feel the tears run down my face as I look at the woman I love. She looks utterly defeated and beyond hope. She is whispering gibberish to herself, but I can determine one word over and over again, no. She is telling herself no.

  I sit with her until the sun rises and then I hear Sunny stirring below. Emma’s eyes look wild in the light and the cries of our child only make them more intense. I head down to change Sunny and I bring him on the deck for breakfast.

  He instantly wants to go to his mother. He sees nothing frightening about her. I take him to the other side of the boat out of her view. When I look over she is fixed on us, breathing very heavy, and I can see her muscles straining against the ropes.

  By nightfall I am exhausted. It has been the longest day of my life. I sailed towards land, but it becomes pretty obvious that this is futile. Emma refuses any food or water I try to give her and when I got too close trying to force feed her she head-butted me. I saw double for quite sometime after. She hasn’t talked since this morning only grumbling with herself. I am losing her.

  I bring Sunshine over to his mother before bed. I am afraid she is right. She won’t be herself in the morning.

  “Sugar, I brought Sunshine over, you know your son. He missed you today he kept saying mama.”

  “Mama” Sunshine says right on queue.

  This brings her back to us. “He’s saying Marcus.”

  “No look at him, he means you.”

  She looks down at her son and they both smile.

  “I guess you’re right. That’s right, honey, I’m your mama. Mama is sick, though, and I’m not gonna be around much longer. I need you to be a good boy for your daddy.” He looks up at me.” That’s right that’s your daddy. He’s gonna take care of you. He’s strong and will keep the monsters away. I hope the world is a better place when you get older. I love you, my Sunshine.” I can see tears roll down her soft beautiful face. I can’t hold mine back either. This moment is too bittersweet, I feel as if I could kill someone. I should have been able to protect her. I should be able to save her. Why didn’t she tell me earlier? Maybe I could have found a way to take it out. Maybe we could have found someone to help.

  “Alright Sunny say good bye to your mama.” I want to keep him here all night, so she can see how good of a job she’s done. She kept him alive against all odds.

  “Bye Baby. I love you. Try not to forget your mama; I know your daddy won’t let you.”

  “Mam
a” at that I take him down stairs and after a bottle he falls soundly asleep. I feel envy for this baby, because I know what’s coming next and it’s my worst nightmare.

  Chapter 30

  My Story

  -Marcus

  On the deck I stop to admire her. She is still beautiful in the moon light. I’ve been with many women, but none like her. She’s stronger than I could ever be. She kept a newborn baby alive in hell and it wasn’t even hers. She had no attachment, except a promise. She may be nearly gone, but she kept that promise. I will never let anything happen to him.

  I have often wondered if she picked me or let me stay around just because I would help her keep him safe. That may have been true in the beginning, but I know it wasn’t like that long. We somehow met our soul mates on a planet with only a handful of people.

  The thought that Sunny wasn’t going to remember this woman that had saved him, loved him, his mother was heartbreaking. I couldn’t help, but feel pity for us both. We would have to live in a world that was a little less bright, that was not darkened only further by the evil that destroyed it.

  When it had all happened I was living in a friends basement. Maybe friend isn’t the right word. He was a guy I had gotten drunk with a few times. I needed somewhere to live and it was the best I could do. I had a shitty job at a gas station. I looked like a man no one would want to mess with, so night shift worked well for me. I was the only one that had never been robbed.

  I didn’t have a girlfriend. I had given up on women completely. I had used them as I pleased getting what I wanted just by my looks and bad boy attitude, but that wasn’t what I wanted anymore. I wanted a new life, a life that had meaning. I didn’t have that in the basement.

  I contemplated my misery as usual that first night before work. My friend and his girlfriend were fighting upstairs like usual. He really needed to lay off the booze. They reminded me of my parents, maybe that’s why I felt so at home. That night, work was insane. We finally had to close down after an attempted robbery and several broken windows. The police didn’t come when I called so I finally convinced the owner to let me shut down at three am.