Beside A Burning Sea Part 23

Still furious that their progress was being hampered by nothing more than a split knee, Roger continued to set a brisk pace. He decided that if the others couldn't keep up with him, so be it. He'd leave them to fend for themselves, and if they all died, he'd have to forgo the pleasure of Annie's company, but otherwise would be rid of five stones in his shoe. "I won't wait!" he shouted, not bothering to listen to their replies. "So you'd better start to drag the old hag!"

THE SEA HAD MUTATED into some kind of wet inferno. The wind whipped up waves that rocked the lifeboat to and fro. As the waves crested, their tops were gathered by the wind and sent flying horizontally. The sky was the shade of coal. The air was so laden with rain that it seemed a mere extension of the sea. Like the salt water, the rain sailed almost horizontally, pelting the side of the lifeboat so ferociously that the noise produced was almost as loud as the shrieking wind.

Turning to eye the distant sh.o.r.eline, Joshua looked for the break in the cliffs that marked the entrance to the cave. Though visibility was too poor for him to see their destination, he knew he was headed in the right direction. Now that he'd rounded the tip of the island and was rowing toward the eastern sh.o.r.e, the wind was directly behind him and pushed the lifeboat forward as if it were a leaf.

"Ratu!" he shouted. "Ratu, get to the bow and warn me of any reefs!"

Ratu stumbled forward, the rain stinging his exposed flesh. "What do I do?"

"Tell me how far the reefs are ahead, and whether they're on the port or starboard side!"

"Starboard?"

"Right or left! Tell me if they're on the right or left!"

Lightning cracked overhead, and Joshua cursed himself for putting them in such danger. He'd been foolish to think he could outrun the storm. Wiping salt water from his eyes with a b.l.o.o.d.y hand, he continued to row, staring straight back behind the boat, watching the storm grow closer. Like most seamen, he considered storms to be living things. He knew that this one was feeding off the warm waters of the South Pacific, feeding and growing larger. How far away is the eye? he wondered, trying to fight his way through his panic. How much time do we have?

"What can I do?" Isabelle shouted.

"Watch for rocks! Help Ratu watch for rocks!"

Joshua tried to row as upright as possible, for with the wind blowing them straight into sh.o.r.e, his body acted as a sail. "Must be a sixty-knot wind," he muttered to himself, knowing that it would grow stronger. "Oh, Lord, please let me get them to safety. Please protect them."

"A rock to the right!" Ratu screamed.

Joshua stuck his right oar deeply into the sea and pulled his left oar from it. The lifeboat immediately turned from danger.

"Brilliant!" Ratu yelled. "b.l.o.o.d.y good work, Captain!"

A new roar grew to fill his ears, and Joshua realized that they were approaching the surf. "Find a channel!" he shouted. "Find a channel free of rocks and get us to the beach!"

Thunder boomed, causing each of them to duck lower. "There's a way!" Isabelle announced. "When I tell you, go to the left!"

Joshua glanced at the bottom of the lifeboat and saw that it had a good four inches of water in it. He started to ask Ratu to bail once more, but decided that he didn't want him leaving the bow.

"Now!" Isabelle shouted. "Go left!"

Joshua did as she commanded and the lifeboat slowly changed course.

"And now straight!" she said.

He put his weight equally behind both oars, pulling hard.

"And now right! Right, Joshua, right!"

Hearing the panic in her voice, he furiously worked to get the boat to change direction again. The waves were growing larger as they approached the sh.o.r.e, and each swell rolled the boat forward. He knew that if a wave picked the boat up and dropped it on a reef, they'd be swimming for their lives.

"That's it!" Ratu yelled. "Ha! Good job, Captain! Cracking good job, I tell you!"

"Yes!" Isabelle added. "Yes, now just go forward! We've a straight shot to the beach!"

"Keep looking for rocks!" Joshua shouted, blood dripping from his palms. "Ratu, start bailing! Get that water out of here!"

Wis.h.i.+ng that his father could see him, Ratu jumped to the floor of the lifeboat and began to dump out water as quickly as possible. The wind screamed in his ears and the rain stung his eyes. He looked behind and saw a large wave rolling toward them. "Captain!"

"Hold on!" Joshua yelled, frantically trying to keep in front of the wave. The lifeboat managed to for an instant. Then the wave lifted it up and carried it ahead. Joshua felt the bow of the lifeboat tipping too far forward and he instinctively leaned back to try to counter the movement under him. Miraculously, the bow didn't disappear beneath the sea, but struck sand. Everyone and everything was thrown forward. Fortunately, Isabelle and Ratu had been holding on to the benches and succeeded in remaining in place. Joshua's grip slipped from the wet oars and he tumbled toward the bow, careening into the bench beside Isabelle. The air was hammered from his lungs, and, struggling to breathe, he rolled out of the lifeboat and into the shallows. His chest still throbbing, he dragged the craft behind him toward the beach. Isabelle and Ratu joined him, and the three of them pulled the boat as far as possible out of the water.

"You two . . . take the food and supplies . . . inside the cave," Joshua said, still trying to catch his breath. Worried that the typhoon would destroy the lifeboat, he ran twenty paces to a boulder the size of a small pillow. He wrenched the boulder from the sand and carried it to the lifeboat, setting it on the floor of the vessel. He repeated the process at least ten more times. At that point, he felt he had enough weight in the boat that no wind could carry it away.

"Thank you, Lord," Joshua whispered, making a sign of the cross. He grabbed whatever supplies remained in the boat and followed Isabelle's tracks to the cave, flying sand stinging his exposed flesh as he moved ahead. He hoped that the rest of the party would already be there, but upon entering the cavern saw that it was empty save Isabelle and Ratu. Groaning, he said a quick prayer for their safety and hurried to Isabelle. Putting his hands against either side of her face, he asked anxiously, "Are you alright? Is the-"

"Shhh," she said, placing a finger against his lips. "Everything's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

He hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry to have put you through that," he said, feeling her belly, weak with relief that she and their child were safe.

She kissed his cheek. "I'm fine, Joshua."

"I can't believe how b.l.o.o.d.y big this place is!" Ratu exclaimed, gazing about in wonder. "It's like the inside of an old church!"

Ratu's enthusiasm had a slightly calming affect on Joshua, who reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "You were a wonderful first lieutenant."

"I was?"

"You most certainly were," Isabelle added. "I don't think we'd have made it without you."

Ratu fingered the tooth on his necklace. "Would you . . . would you call me that, Captain?"

"First lieutenant?"

"Yes, please."

Despite his throbbing hands and fear for the other party, Joshua tried to smile. "I certainly will."

"Thank you, Captain. I tell you, my father will be so happy about that."

Joshua turned to Isabelle and shook his head. "I don't know why they're not here. They should be."

"You're going after them, aren't you?"

"Wouldn't you?"

Isabelle nodded reluctantly. "But come back. I need you. We need you. So for goodness' sake, don't do anything foolish out there."

He pulled a metal vial from his pocket. "Here are the matches," he said, attempting to slow his breath, to gather himself to again face the elements. "There's wood in the back. Get a nice fire going and get yourself warm."

"You promise to return?"

He kissed her. "I love you."

She reached for him as he stepped outside and was swallowed by the storm.

THE WIND HOWLED. It screeched and panted and wailed. Its fury bent trees to impossible angles and ripped branches from trunks the way a child pulls petals from a flower. Objects of every size and shape pelted the six figures as they stumbled through the jungle. Faces and arms bled from a variety of cuts and sc.r.a.pes. Voices were strained from trying to shout above the storm. Visibility was almost nonexistent.

A coconut flew toward Roger and he spun away from it, so that it only grazed his shoulder instead of breaking it. Knowing that he could make it to the cave in a matter of minutes by himself, he took one final glance behind him and started to run. After he'd taken no more than a few strides, a tree split and fell before him. A small sliver of wood flew through the air and embedded itself in his thigh. The primeval scream of the wind a.s.saulted his ears. He began to tremble in fear, his teeth chattering, his legs growing weak. He stumbled forward, fighting the wind.

Akira saw Roger leave but said nothing. Avoiding dead or dying trees that would surely fall, Akira led the party forward. He was unafraid. As long as he made no mistakes, no one would die. He could hear the distant surf, and knew they were close to the sea. Stopping next to a boulder, he looked for potential dangers and planned their route. A cl.u.s.ter of bent trees would be avoided. An open s.p.a.ce that might draw lightning would be circ.u.mvented. A stream swollen to ten times its normal size would be forded, with everyone holding hands.

Akira thought about each obstacle ahead before he began to move again. He held Annie's hand, simultaneously pulling her forward and supporting her. He found it hard to believe how calm she seemed. Behind them, Nathan and Jake helped Scarlet. "Watch above!" Akira shouted, worried about flying debris. "I will watch the trail!"

The group proceeded to the stream, and after they all held hands as Akira suggested, he stepped forward. Soon he was knee-deep in the raging water. Branches and fruits and dead animals were carried toward the sea by the swollen stream, and these objects swept into Akira's legs. He paid them little heed, as he was much more worried about the danger of trees shattering above. Incredibly, the wind grew even stronger as they neared the sh.o.r.eline. Akira realized that he was walking directly into the storm's fury. Each step soon became nothing less than a battle, a test of will.

"We are near!" he shouted, finally stepping from the stream. He peered ahead, trying to discern a path that would lead them safely to the beach.

"Watch out!" Annie shrieked, pulling on his arm.

Akira fell backward, toward her. A healthy-looking tree that he'd been standing next to suddenly split shoulder high from the ground. The upper part of the tree sailed for a few feet and then tumbled into a group of saplings. To his amazement, Akira saw a swarm of bees emerge from the hollow where the tree had split. The wind sucked up the bees and carried them away.

Akira wiped blood from a deep scratch on his cheek. Knowing that he might have died if Annie hadn't pulled him back, he struggled to his feet and yelled, "How did you know?"

"I saw part of the hive! And then the tree started to split!"

He squeezed her hand. Not wanting any bees to be thrown into their faces, he walked upwind of the shattered trunk. The storm's ferocity was suddenly appalling. He had to lean far forward to move. Through a break in the trees he glimpsed the surf. Akira knew the cave was close, but wasn't exactly sure how to find it.

Unexpectedly, he thought he saw someone waving up ahead. Had Roger returned? Akira took a few steps and realized that Joshua had found them. The American, with the storm behind him, quickly ran forward. In fact, he almost ran completely past Akira, and only when Akira extended his arm and the two locked hands did Joshua stumble to a stop.

"You made it!" Joshua yelled, thrilled that everyone seemed to be fine. "Well done!"

Akira bowed slightly. "It is good to see you!"

Seeing that the group was holding hands, Joshua took Akira's hand in his own and stepped into the wind. Sand flew from the beach, and he used his free arm to s.h.i.+eld his eyes. He knew that if the typhoon further intensified, it would pick them off the ground and toss them to their deaths. And so he tried to walk low, tried to put all his strength behind each step.

When Joshua reached the beach, he turned to his left and was no longer walking directly into the storm. He started to half run, half stumble toward the cave. Still holding Akira's hand, he willed himself forward. Lightning cracked above, as if the storm, seeing the humans headed for safety, wanted to give one last show of its strength.

Joshua saw the cave, saw Isabelle, Ratu, and Roger at its mouth. He staggered ahead and then shouted in joy and triumph and, without further thought, leapt into Isabelle's outstretched arms.

DAY TWELVE.

To touch her is grace, To hear her laugh is rebirth.

Summer stars burn bright.

A Walk Through Time

Within the cave, the typhoon seemed almost harmless, like a cobra that had been liberated of its fangs. Though the wind howled and the distant surf pounded, the cave's interior was warm, dry, and quiet. A fire burned near the middle, casting uncertain light in all directions. The nine survivors had gathered around this fire and now ate dried fish and fresh mango. Everyone seemed exhausted by the previous day's events, and aside from several intense arguments about Roger separating from the group, little had been said.

Despite his exhaustion, Joshua had thought through how they'd live in the cave and had been talking about such logistics. Though he'd welcomed input, he had mostly spoken alone, the cave magnifying his words. It had been decided that Jake and Ratu would continue to catch fish. Joshua and Isabelle would locate fresh fruit, as well as camouflage the cave's entrance. Nathan would collect wood and keep a fire going at all times, as their supply of matches was limited. The detail of exploring the area outside the cave had been given to Akira and Annie, while Roger would probe the island's innards, and Scarlet would find a high place to watch for s.h.i.+ps. As far as social niceties, no one would bathe in the cave's water supply, and people were expected to keep the area as clean as possible.

"The good news," Joshua said tiredly, "is that the storm will destroy any trace of our presence at the harbor." He glanced at his bandaged hands, which felt as if he'd held them in boiling oil. Though he wanted to do nothing more than lie down next to the water and soak his hands in its coolness, he continued to address the group. "Let's all promise not to go back to the harbor. Unless Scarlet sees an American wars.h.i.+p drop anchor, I don't see why any of us should return. We're much, much safer here."

"Captain, what'll happen if we eat all them dried fish and can't catch a darn thing here?" Jake asked.

Joshua pointed toward Ratu and tried to smile. "With my first lieutenant leading the way, I doubt that will happen."

"Thank you, my captain," Ratu replied. "You won't have to worry about fish, I promise you. Big Jake is just being cautious as usual."

Joshua nodded, trying to think of anything but his throbbing hands. Addressing the group, s.h.i.+fting his gaze from person to person, he said, "We were lucky yesterday. All of us. Let's not rely on luck any longer. And for the love of G.o.d, let's get along. I don't want to hear any more arguments about how or why Roger separated from the group."

Roger glared at Akira. "The monkey needs gla.s.ses," he said, wis.h.i.+ng he had a cigarette, already feeling claustrophobic within the cave. "It's not my fault he can't see through those slant eyes of his. If he could, he'd have followed me."

"I couldn't see you either," Nathan replied, surprising the group, for he rarely spoke during such conflicts. "And I tried to, believe me."

"Maybe if you didn't walk like a toad you'd-"

"I've heard it all," Joshua interrupted, smothering his desire to shout at Roger, to scream at him for abandoning the group. "And I don't want to hear it anymore. It doesn't do anyone any good. Understood?"

Seeing that her husband was struggling to contain his emotions, Isabelle stopped wrapping leaves about the leftover fish and said, "We're safe. We made it. Let's just be thankful for that and leave it at that. It could have been much worse."

As Akira nodded, he glanced at Roger, who glared at him. The glare contained the same sort of malevolence that Akira had seen on the field of battle and in Nanking. He'd never understood the sheer hatred that one human being could harbor for another, as if all the woes of one's life could be blamed on a fellow man. He'd certainly never encountered a more powerful emotion, for such hatred led people to do unspeakable things.

Akira didn't turn from Roger's glare but absorbed it, committing it to memory. He suddenly understood that at some point, Roger would try to kill him. The American would come during the night, or in the midst of some chaotic event. And when he came, Akira would have to be ready. He'd have to see the attack before it materialized. And then he'd have to end Roger's life.

THE BRANCH BURNED slowly in Ratu's hand. He'd wrapped dried coconut husks around the gnarled piece of wood, creating a torch. Pointing to the back of the cave, which was dark and unknown and dominated by piles of boulders, he said, "Who wants to be an explorer with me?"

Jake, Akira, and Annie looked up from their spot by the side of the underground pool. They'd been talking about what they would do the next day, once the weather cleared. Though the cave was quite large, the stale air and muted light made for somewhat confining conditions, and everyone was eager for the storm to end so that the area outside the cave could be investigated.