Hell of a Paradise

The door chime tinkled as the wicker door to the tiki hut swung open. The smell of eucalyptus and sage drifted in on the breeze. His spine stiffened, and Derrick twisted away from the door, trying to hide his face. A burst of laughter that was all too familiar treated his ears. There is no fucking way, he thought. I checked and double-checked, checked this island isn’t affiliated with the family.

“Sir...Excuse me, Sir...Hello?”

Snapping his gaze to the bartender, the young man was standing in front of him holding a blue cocktail.

“Ugh, I didn’t order that...” he said. Blocking his face with a hand.

“Oh, I know, that firecracker at the end of the bar asked me to bring it to you.” Clearing his throat, he looked very uncomfortable, still holding the glass out in front of him.

Spreading apart his fingers a honey-colored eye met hers instantly. Her jade eyes simmering with mischief.

Letting out a half choke and sob, Derrick reached for the cocktail. Straightening in his seat, tipping the glass to her. To anyone else, we might look like a flirty budding romance. But the last time I saw that praying mantis she put two in my chest and left me to die. Rooky mistake though, she didn’t wait for the death rattle before she left her prey, he thought.

Her long red hair flowed down her back, the ivory color of her dress making it glow in the dim light. Leaning forward, resting her elbows on the bar, she smiled sweetly.

Swallowing hard he took a drink, hmm the blue raspberry flavor exploded in his mouth making his jaw clench.

“It’s called blue balls, sir, if you wanted another.” The boy muttered before scampering away from the bar.

The bar began to swim as his vision blurred. Of course, that’s why he was so nervous. She poisoned me. Slumping forward his face cracked the bar, the pain in his cheek was dulled by the drug, and a metallic taste filled his mouth chasing out the sour berry. Off to the distance, the screech of a chair leg against the wood floor grated his ears. Running her hand along his back her hair fell over his face, as she leaned down to nuzzle his ear.

“Ya know, Bunny, I liked you better dead.” The room plunged into darkness.

***

Prying his eyes open, he tried to look around, the bright sunshine was blinding. His head pounding against his temples, he dry heaved. The force kicked up sand tossing it into his face. He recoiled from the sand, the jarring movement sent his head spinning again.

“It’s time to wake up, Bunny. You’ve been sleeping so long I’m getting bored.” Valencia said toeing his ribs with a black boot.

Jerking he tried to sit up, his hands and feet were tied. Wiggling the best he could, he peeled an eye open to look up at her. Pulling out a knife she tilted it in the sun, causing the reflection of light to shine over his face.

“Ugh, Vale untie me, let’s talk about it.”

Throwing the knife down it landed in the sand in front of his face, and a thin trickle of blood ran down his cheek. “Untie yourself, and I have no idea what you could possibly want to talk about. Ya know, this island is for blood sports. We stock it with whatever we choose...So I would hurry if I were you. If you make it off Shark Fin Island and swim back to Kilig Island, we can talk about whatever you want.” Walking away towards the beach, her boots splashing into the tide. She laughed and swung a long leg over the red jet ski that bobbed along the current. “Tides rolling in, Bunny,” she yelled over the engine.

Rolling over onto his stomach, he pushed up to his knees, nausea taking over him, the force of the dry heave almost knocked him back into the sand. Derrick shuffled on his knees to grab the knife, sawing in short quick bursts, he began to work on the thick ropes. The cold water swept around his knees and retreated into the ocean. Once his hands were free, he flopped onto his butt and started franticly sawing on the ropes at his ankles. The tide poured over his legs touching his short ribs and sending a chill over his exposed torso it withdrew leaving bubbles scattered on the sand. Sighing in relief when the final strand broke free, Derrick jumped to his feet, retreating up the white sand beach. Palm trees scattered the beach. The lush woodland framing the sands was a brilliant green.

This would make a beautiful vacation spot, well, if I wasn’t supposed to die here. He thought, swatting the sand from his shorts as he headed into the woods. His flip-flops doing little to stop the sticks in the underbrush from stabbing into his feet. Blood soon squished in his shoes, attracting small flies that hovered around his ankles. A twig snapping to his left caused him to freeze. Scanning the trees, his heart sank into his gut, the fear numbing his legs. A brown bear ambled through the trees. It stopped and stood up on its hind legs. The Bear was probably eight-foot tall, reaching into a tree to swat at berries, licking its lips, and showing large teeth. “Oh shit,” He mouthed wordlessly. Backing up slowly, still unnoticed, Derrick made a wide birth around the bear keeping an eye on it the whole time. I guess the blood sport was bear hunting, He thought. A loud bark froze him in place, the grizzly bear was looking right at him. Barking again the bear started walking towards him, huffing, then the bear picked up speed. “God dammit!” Derrick yelled, running through the trees. He knew not to run with a grizzly. However, when the 900-pound beast is coming at you, standing ground isn’t an option the body will accept.

Weaving in and out of trees, Derrick didn’t risk a glance behind him. If the pounding of paws could be heard, safety wasn’t an option. His foot slid on the wet flip-flop, causing him to crash into the dirt. Scrambling, he threw his shoes and took off at full speed. Jumping into a brown pond, he started to wade across. When he didn’t hear a second splash, he risked a glance at the bear. Whining, the bear stamped his foot on the ground but made no move to enter the water. Bears can’t swim? He thought, no, that can’t be right, they fish... As he pumped his arms, it became harder and harder to move, it was like the mud was eating his feet, pulling him down. His head was barely above water. Gasping, he tried to move back to the shallows. Derrick couldn’t pick up his feet. This is it; I’m going to die here. I’m so sorry. He thought

The growl of an ATV could be heard in the distance growing louder. Driving up to the pond, the ATV stopped, and the driver cocked their head, staring down into the murky waters. Taking off the helmet, Valencia stepped down, placing the black helmet on the seat, and shaking out her red hair. Inhaling deeply, she let out a tired sigh. Pulling the rope free, she tossed a rope to Derrick. Fumbling with his fingers he grabbed onto the rope. Valencia stared at him, drumming her fingers on the button. Growling she flicked on the winch, the rope tightened pulling him closer to the shore. Derrick choked, as it pulled his head above water. The whirring of the winch purred, as the rope brought him closer to safety. When his hand smacked the shore, he began to scramble up the bank. In two long strides, she stood in front of him.

“Thank-“

She stepped on his hand and he released the rope with a yelp.

“Damn it, Vale, can we just talk about this?” he said, shaking the pain from his throbbing fingers. “There’s nothing to talk about. You, however, are losing your touch. Running into a mud pit like that, tisk tisk, Bunny. What have you been doing these last 10 years? Playing scrabble on a golf course?” Squatting down, her eyes darted around his face.

“You have every right to be mad. I left and you’re angry, and you don’t know what to do with those emotions. Because I know, you still love me too,” he said wiggling up the bank. The mud stuck to him like cement, making it hard to move.

Laughing, Valencia straightened and brushed the sand from her pants. “Funny really, you think I’m some heartbroken teenager having a princess fit? News flash, Derrick, I plan on saving you as many times as I want, until I’m finally satisfied, and I decide to let you die.” Kicking him in the face Derrick went limp. Observing his chest for the rise and fall, Valencia turned away. Wiping her eyes, she flicked the wench button off on the ATV. Giving him one last look, she drove away.

Groaning, Derrick peaked his eyes open. Why does this keep happening to me? Blinking his eyes, he screamed, shaking the large blue spider from his hand. Stammering to his feet, he walked up the bank, sitting at the base of a tree was a pink box. He nudged it with his toes and waited for it to explode. Finding a stick, he pushed the lid off. Peeking into the box, the tension fled his body. Inside the box, was a flashlight. Picking up the flashlight, he turned it on, amazed when a stream of white light broke through the dark dusk. A black envelope caught his eye. He picked it up and ripped open the paper, glitter exploding everywhere. Face deadpan, he looked down at the pink reflective spots now covering his body. He pulled out the card he read it slowly.

I remember how much you hate glitter, the price you pay for a flashlight, I guess. Try not to suck so bad.

V

Shaking off as much of the glitter as he could, he headed for the break in the trees. He has no idea which way that bear took him. Heading north was as good a guess as any, If I can find Ursa Minor, I can follow Polaris out of here...hopefully. He thought, pushing through the trees. He was going to walk as far as he could in the dark, saving the batteries for emergencies. Who knew how long he would be here. By the time he broke the tree line, it was near black as far as he could see. Breaking the tree line, the sky was lit up like a blanket of fireflies. He had never seen so many stars. The full moon lit up the beach, causing the white sand to glow. Looking up at the sky, he slowly spun in a circle, following the handle of the little dipper until he found Polaris. I’m not as far off as I thought. If I stick to the shore, I’m assuming I’ll see fewer big animals. The tide gently licked the shores, and the wind blowing through the palm trees made a harmonious symphony. The sand was almost too hot to the touch. He was thankful for the darkness, for the first time, tonight.

As the adrenaline wore down, Derrick’s moves became sluggish. Maybe I’ll stop for a quick rest, I haven’t seen any animal tracks since I’ve been out here. He thought falling to his butt. He leaned back, looking up at the stars. Maybe Vale will let me buy this island from her and I’ll never leave. It’s beautiful here. He thought as slumber overtook him.

Rolling over in the warm sand he stretched out, groaning as he sat up, scratching his head. The white beach was littered with translucent blobs. The jellyfish had washed ashore in the tide, thankfully missing his legs. “Valencia, you could at least give me some food! Unless that’s the death you want for me. I’m hungry.” Derick yelled at the sky. Kicking at the sand, he started his journey north again, walking closer to the tree line. The emerald canopy cast a cooling shadow as the sun journeyed across the sky and heated the sand up to molten levels, burning the soles of his feet. Derrick conceded the easy path, venturing back into the forest.

His pace slowed to a crawl and eyeing the path ahead carefully, he dodged the brambles and rocks. Stopping at a little creek that babbled along happily, gazing longingly at the turtle that was basking on the rock. Shifting from left to right he got closer, picking up a rock he paused again. Pinching the turtle between his index finger and thumb, he flipped it over on its back. The legs of the turtle came out of the shell trying in vain to flip itself back over. Derrick raised the rock in the air, and coming down with all his might, he hit the rock next to the turtle. Righting the turtle to its feet, it jumped into the water and swam away. “I’m sorry little turtle, this isn’t your fault. I’m just so hungry.” Throwing the rock back on the bank, a strange noise caught his attention. Straining his ears, he listened hard. Unless he was succumbing to delusions this early, there was music in the air.

Taking off at a run, he tore through the forest. Roots and rocks dug into his feet, but he didn’t care. If the end was this close, he had to hurry. The trees began to thin, and the hot sands spurred on his haste. What is the delicious smell? BBQ? He thought, drooling like Pavlov’s dogs, his stomach growling like a lion. Running down the beach, he groaned in frustration. Valencia was on the beach in a red bikini. A large metal cage was around a grill. Smiling she waved her tongs at him.

“Wow, you made it here fast,” she said flipping over the steaks.

“This is dirty even for you,” he said, pulling on the locked cage. “Let. Me. In.”

“Nah, I think I’ll have my lunch first.”

“Fuck you, all I have to do is swim back to Kilig island right?” he asked, stomping past the cage.

“Do you know why this is called Shark Fin Island?” she asked not even turning around. The water rolling in was a pale red, and chunks of fresh chum bobbed in the water. Numerous shark fins dotted the surf.

“You have got to be shitting me,” he said breathlessly running a hand through his hair. “I guess you can just watch me starve. Stomping back towards the cage, he let out a yelp and bent down to snatch up a snake. It was a deep purple and black. “Are you fucking kidding me, Vale, Witch Adders?” He dropped the snake as he collapsed to the ground. Black veins ran up his leg from the bite mark.

“Don’t be sil-” Screaming, she ripped open the door to the cage. “No, it can’t be! I didn’t stock any of those!” She dropped to her knees beside him and examined the bite. The rapid wheeze of his inhaling could be heard over the waves.

“Do you have the antidote? I wish you would have just let me drown,” he said breathing like a fish, gasping in and out.

A burst of vindictive laughter broke through the panic. Side-eyed, Valencia bore holes into the man leaning against the tree.

“What did you do, Devin?” she shrieked.

Stalking across the beach, his brown eyes never leaving Derrick’s face. “You didn’t think I would let my wife run off to Kilig Island, and not follow her?”

“W...wife?” Derrick choked out, tears streaming down his face.

Shooting to her feet, Valencia pulled a gun and dropped the hammer as she pointed it right at Devin’s head. “Give me the antidote,” she demanded through clenched teeth.

“Darling, I know you inside and out,” he said closing the gap between them. He pressed the barrel of the gun into his forehead. “I know you won’t hurt me. You’re just mad I ruined your game. I didn’t bring any antidote with me...oops.” Smirking, his eyes finally left Derrick to investigate the depths of her shattered soul.

Laughing, her eyes dropped to the sand and she licked her lips. Her arm wavered and the gun dipped for a second. Her green eyes were an inferno of pain when she looked at Devin. She pulled the trigger. Brains blew back over the grill adding to the aroma of cooked meat. His body hit the sand with a thud. She dropped to her knees beside him and feverishly searched his pockets for the antidote, but came out empty-handed. Screaming, she beat her fists on his chest. The compressions causing bursts of blood to squirt out of his empty head. Spinning on hands and knees she faced Derrick and sobs wracked her chest.

“You were right, I was just mad. You wanted to get out of that life, and I was too scared to follow you. I have regretted that choice every day since I made it. I only married Devin so he wouldn’t hunt you down. I told him I would take care of it...I’m so sorry.” Pushing in on her boot a little compartment opened. Pulling out a ring she removed her wedding ring, tossing it at Devin. Replacing it with a small engagement ring, she curled into Derrick, holding his hand.

“Don’t...cry, Vale. You always said it made you ugly.” Coughing, he turned his face to nuzzle her hair. “You still smell like eucalyptus and sage. It’s...my favorite smell. I love-” His words cut off with a gurgle as blood spilled out of his mouth.

“I love you too, Bunny,” she wailed clutching his waist.