Brandon Enns - Islanders

“Trust me.”

Trevor extended his hand and she took it begrudgingly.

Around the cliff and past the two grassy hills, they continued on across slightly choppy waters. Stefan turned the boat gradually, as the nose now directed toward trees coming out of the water. It appeared to be a sunken island with a small patch of land in the center. A flashlight mounted to the front of the boat directed them through the night and around palm trees halfway out of the water. They weaved in and out of trees until they found a clear path toward sand. Stefan hopped off first to tie off the boat and then went to help Erin out. Trevor intercepted and took her hand, making sure she didn’t fall into the water. And who said chivalry was dead?

Stefan kept the headlight shining straight ahead and also pulled out a flashlight of his own as they walked into the night, the boat light losing its strength as they walked to the center of the hidden island. The backs of Erin’s arms were covered with goosebumps, the breeze cooler now. She examined the backs of her arms, colored with an unattractive purple/reddish blend, unlike Skye’s beautiful bronzed skin.

They followed Stefan toward the cabin surrounded by trees and tall grass. The windows were cracked and thick with cobwebs and caked on dust. Finally, the tension was dismantled. “You’re sure about this, Stefan?”

“Of course, I’m sure. It’s where I put it.”

“What then? Buried it?”

“Nope.”

There were holes chewed through at the base of the cabin. If the light breeze were to increase at all, it’d blow the whole thing over.

Stefan paused and exhaled. He looked back at Erin and Trevor with an apologetic stare before turning and entering through the rickety door. It squeaked upon their entrance, as did the old dirty floors beneath their feet. The flashlight beamed around the walls, their surroundings coming to life, but there wasn’t much to look at. The place had been vacated long ago.

Stefan tapped his knuckles against the wall repeatedly. Meanwhile, Erin wandered over to the kitchen area, where a picture sat on the table. Difficult to see at first, she moved toward Stefan’s flashlight to get a better look. The photograph, much like the old weapons they had found, was authentic. She wiped away the dust with her finger. In it stood a group of people all smiling, looking happy. Vacationers maybe? Based on the way they dressed and the fact that it was black and white, she guessed 1930s maybe. Then she discovered something within the photograph that could not have been so. In the background, there was a woman carrying a basket of clothing. She was beautiful. It was Teresa.

Erin stared at the photograph in disbelief. Voice was gone from her throat. She was about to get the attention of the guys but decided against it. Calm yourself. They planted the photo to freak you out. A little convenient to be just sitting out isn’t it?

Stefan smashed a small hole on a hollow spot in the log cabin wall. Peeling apart splinters of wood, he opened up the wall enough to retrieve an axe. With it came a note, but Stefan didn’t bother to read it, simply dropping it to the floor.

“Now what?” Trevor asked.

“I’m not exactly sure. It’s their game now. I was assuming there’d be a note with the one I made. This one is mine.” He pointed to the scroll of paper on the dirty floor.

“Remind me who they are?”

“The staff. I don’t know. Who else?”

“Great, anyone bring a deck of cards?” said Trevor.

“Patient cousin—”

“Patient? Are you kidding me? Where are they?”

“First, I need you to calm down. Second, I need you to believe wholeheartedly that I have nothing to do with your friend’s disappearance. What I had organized was meant for everyone, you have my word.” His brow furrowed as he chewed on his fingernails. “Maybe Bruce?”

“Wholeheartedly is a big ask. What about Bruce?”

Erin pocketed the picture, listening to their conversation, but also waiting for something to happen. Maybe another note will slide under the door?

“Bruce was here before I was. Part of the agreement involved him staying.”

“Yeah, you told me this.”

“Well, maybe he had a problem with the sale. It’s possible the previous owners sold because of him.”

“Is that what you’re saying?” Trevor’s face was turning angry.

“No! I’m not saying anything. I’m just brainstorming here.”

Erin cut in. “What were they like in person? The owners.”

He looked sheepishly at the floor.

“You didn’t meet them, did you?” Trevor asked.

“They were unreachable. I dealt with the realtor.”

“Jesus! So you got this place for a fraction of the market value, I’m guessing. They hauled ass out of here, didn’t they? Otherwise why wouldn’t they keep it as an investment? Wow, Stefan. They were practically chased out of here then, I bet.”

Stefan was quiet for a moment. “What does that even mean? Chased out of here? What for?” Nobody replied. “I don’t know who they are. I didn’t get any names.”

“Nice research, Stefan. Really. Nicely done.”

“There he is on his high horse again. Rolling in, just in the nick of time, hey? Shouldn’t this discovery please you?”

“Why would it please me?”

“Don’t play dumb. I’m a fuck up. And you love it. Oh yeah, you are just basking in it!”

“You got yourself into this mess. And us! Pity yourself all you want, but you won’t get any from me.”

After a tense pause, the dust settled. “What can you tell us about Bruce?” asked Erin.

“He’s been helpful with everything. He supported my plans. I mean… yeah, I filled him in on a lot of the details so he knew what to expect. So he could even play a small role if needed. I left that up to him.”

Erin looked to Trevor. “Fairly convincing in his cabin.”

“No shit,” Trevor replied. “I think we have our answer. Question is what does he want with us?”

“I have no ties to the man. Maybe he just wants his peace and quiet? Chases out new owners anyway he can find it? This is one of those ways?” Stefan was panicky. No one answered. The walls creaked. “Maybe he gets off on this? The old man is loony tunes out here and likes to polish his fuckin’ rifle and freak people out.”

“Do you have any guns?” Erin could hardly believe the words that escaped her mouth. The guys were especially surprised.

“Yeah, I got one at my place.”

“It doesn’t appear that he’s provided us with any other clues here. Let’s sidestep the bullshit and go ask him some questions then.”

She walked up to Stefan, ripped the axe out of his hands, and trudged out the door. Walking back to the boat, she looked back toward the cabin to find both guys had stopped. She flashed the light on them. Their jaws were practically unhinged. She moved the light to the wall of the cabin. Something was drawn on it. Was it there before? They stepped aside so that Erin could see the word “STAY” written in red, leaking down to the base of the cabin. Trevor called out, “It’s blood.”

All at once, they ran for the boat. Erin expected the old motor to be dead, but it started with one turn of the key, and they were back out into the water. The narrow channel was shallow, rocks visible along the edges, vines and other tropical vegetation thick and touching the water. Cobwebs were dense in one spot, but there were no spiders. The motor rumbled and Erin could smell the gasoline. There were no words to be said. There was only a gun to collect.

They flanked left through the trees, keeping their distance from Bruce’s cabin so that they could approach Stefan’s from the rear, out of plain view. Trevor mentioned the rifle that he had seen Bruce lugging around when he was in the woods taking a piss the night before. Erin had a tight grip around her hatchet as she waited for something else to happen.