I looked away. I was acting ridiculous. It was totally lack of food.
“What do you think that was last night?” I whispered, feeling like there were a million eyes staring at us as we moved.
“I’m not sure. It sounded a little like people and music.”
I nodded. That’s what I thought too. “But this place looks completely untouched.”
“This side of the island. Maybe it’s bigger than we realize and maybe on the other side there are people.”
“Who would live way out here where there’s nothing?” I wondered.
“Exactly,” he said, his voice low like he hadn’t wanted me to hear.
But I did. And it brought back that fear I felt last night.
A little while later, Nash stopped and tilted his head. “Hey, you hear that?”
I listened, not making out much over the loud chatter of the wildlife.
“It sounds like water.”
I perked up and listened harder. It was very faint, but once he pointed it out, the sound was undeniable.
“This way.”
He walked for what felt like hours (probably only minutes) and with each step, the sound of falling water drew closer and closer.
Nash pushed through very large plants with huge leaves and a few palm-looking trees and stopped. I ran right into his back because I wasn’t paying any attention. I was too busy staring a beautiful pink flower close by.
He let out a whoop of joy and stepped to the side so I could see too. There just ahead lay a small lagoon-type pond and pouring into it was a short but wide waterfall.
Both of us rushed forward toward the water, but something caught my eye and I turned. Oval-shaped green fruit grew from a plant very close by. I changed course and rushed over, plucking one of the fruits and palming it. It was about the size of my hand and boasted a fresh green skin.
It was an avocado.
I’d never seen any of these plants in person before. This was something we could live on. It was full of healthy fats and fiber, something that would definitely help keep Nash from starving.
“Ava?” Nash called.
I looked over my shoulder with a smile, only to realize I’d gotten farther away from him than I thought. I hadn’t even paid attention I was so intent on getting to the food.
“Ava,” he called again, more urgency to his voice. He wasn’t in sight anymore, but I heard the water splash.
“Over here,” I shouted, not wanting him to worry.
“Where?”
“I found food!” I exclaimed, turning to rush back the way I came. My foot caught on a huge root growing up out of the earth and I tripped, the fruit in my arms tumbling to the ground, and I cried out as I fell.
Someone caught the back of my shirt, literally grasping the fabric and halting my plunge forward. Before I could make sense of what was happening, an arm looped around my middle and the hand released my shirt. As I was pulled upright, I turned, wondering how in the world Nash found me so fast.
It wasn’t Nash.
It was another man.
The arm at my waist tightened when I looked into his dark eyes.
I screamed.
8
I heard my name being yelled and the thrashing of foliage behind me, but I didn’t look. I was transfixed by this new pair of dark-brown eyes.
“Whoa,” he said, his voice sounding so foreign to my ears. After days of hearing no one speak but Nash, this was a little startling.
“Are you okay?” he asked. His sweeping gaze reminded me of the coffee I so desperately missed. I opened my mouth to answer, but I never got the chance. I was ripped away from the rich stare. Nash pushed me behind him and then drew his fist back like he was going to plant it in this guy’s face.
“Wait!” I said, grabbing him just below the elbow to restrain him. His muscles strained beneath my palm and I thought he might follow through with the hit, but he held back. “He didn’t hurt me. I tripped and he was helping me up.”
My words sank in as Nash dropped his hand and flexed his fist at his side. Then he nodded curtly.
The man hadn’t said anything at all. He just watched us both like he was utterly fascinated. Like he hadn’t seen a person in a very long time.
Maybe he hadn’t.
“Who are you?” I asked, curious, stepping out around Nash, who brought out his arm to keep me from getting any closer.
“My name’s Duke,” the man replied, gazing at me intently. He had a very even, unwavering stare when he looked at me. It was like I was the only thing in this world.
He was also very tan, like Nash, but his hair was straight and a lighter shade of brown, like a deep caramel color. It was long, brushing the back of his shirt, the ends flipping up and the rest tucked behind his ears. He had a straight, prominent nose and full lips. But the most captivating feature on his face was his eyes, deep and mysterious. I had a feeling I could stare into those eyes for hours and still not be any closer to figuring out what went on behind them.
He was tall, but not nearly as tall as Nash. He was probably a few inches taller than me. He wasn’t a huge guy, but he wasn’t real small either. He was thin and it made me wonder if it was because he was being held captive by this place like us—except he’d been here longer.
He definitely appeared more at ease here, and his clothes showed signs of wear. He was wearing a white T-shirt that was no longer quite white. It hung loose over a pair of jeans that were frayed around the ankles, and his feet were bare. His right cheek boasted a smear of dirt and I had the urge to brush it away.
And then I noticed the scar.
I was surprised I hadn’t noticed it sooner, being just above his left eye, cutting through the center of his eyebrow. But I supposed the fact I hadn’t noticed was just proof as to how striking and interesting the rest of him was.
“Are you alone here, Duke?” Nash asked, a hint of suspicion in his tone.
Duke nodded, not looking away from me. “I was out fishing and got lost at sea. Ended up here. If anyone came looking for me, they never found me.”
Dread settled at the bottom of my stomach, weighing me down. “How long have you been here?” I asked, hollow.
“I’ve lost track of time. Months.”
Oh my God. Months? He’d been stranded here all alone for months?
Nash’s hand found mine and he threaded our fingers together and gave mine a little squeeze as if to say, That’s not going to be us.
But how could he know? If this island managed to keep one person here, then why not two more?
Duke finally turned his stare to Nash. “You’re new here.”