AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I thought I’d ask. Look at these arms. They’ll keep you toasty.” Evander flexes his muscles.
I tip my head back and laugh, the gesture effortless and like a breath of fresh air. I almost forgot what it was like to feel anything other than afraid. Maybe the others are right in treating this like a crazy-ass beach vacation instead of what it truly is.
“Looks like a no. I think she would prefer to cuddle with me instead. It’s gonna take a lot more than a food offering. Try protecting her from a wild animal next.” Davian kicks up sand in front of us, joining our small group. We haven’t talked much since earlier, and I find myself meeting his green gaze.
“Rock-Paper-Scissors?” Chase asks, pounding his fist to his palm. “Though, the doctor might order Eliana to cuddle with me. I need to keep an eye on her all night long to make sure she’s okay.”
“What about me, doc? You promised to carry me around and be my protector. I even brought you payment in food.” Adam fake pouts. He was the one joking with Chase on the yacht. I had blocked out most of that until now. “What do you say, Eliana? You can be the meat in our manwich. Extra warmth for you. You know, since nature is so fucking rough. It’s cold enough that you won’t have to worry about my midnight boner. The shrinkage will ensure that it turns into a damn innie.”
My laughter rings through the air. I’ve never heard something so ridiculous in my life. They really are trying hard to make me feel comfortable yet also trying to distract me from my own dark thoughts. Or maybe they’re trying to distract themselves. Either way, I like it. Things don’t feel so frightening. I can ignore the darkness shrouding over everything. If we don’t get a moon tonight, it’ll feel as if we’re in a void. I’ve always lived in the city. I have no idea what that kind of darkness of night feels like. I’m nervous, to say the least.
“That’s a bit disconcerting, dude.” Tristan flops down on the leaves in front of me, wiggling his fingers in a wave. “Just say the word, Eliana. I’ll save you from these horn dogs. You know, they’re more concerned about being cold. The babies. Can’t handle a night on the beach.”
I look at each of the guys now sitting around me. The voices of the others hum through the air as they laugh and eat near the fire.
“So, what do you say, Eliana? Do you want to bunk up with one of us tonight?” Evander clears his throat with the words.
This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me. I don’t think I’ve ever had so many guys want my attention, and I don’t know if I should let my guard down to give it to them. I know we must work together to get through this, but I just don’t know.
“You guys are serious.” It’s not a question.
Evander holds out his hand to me. “Let me show you the shelters, and then you can decide. You don’t have to worry about anything with me. I’m just looking for company. You seem to be a lucky charm, how you survived the wolf and managed to find a survival pack.”
“I forgot how badass it was that she jumped from the yacht and swam her way to shore. She’s one tough babe.” Davian gets to his feet and dusts the sand off his ass.
It feels like forever ago since I did that. I still can’t believe that I got the nerve to do as much. Maybe he’s right. I’m not giving myself enough credit. I’ve done plenty of things to survive in my past. Things are just a little bit wilder here. Feral.
I gather my bravery and accept Evander’s offer to help me to my feet. He quickly checks me out, trying his best not to, but it’s not easy ignoring the nudity of someone in front of you. I should know. I can’t stop myself from looking at him either. All of the guys here are toned and muscular, looking like they all hit the gym several times a week.
“That sounds like a plan. Show us your skills. I want to see what your fine ass came up with, you hunk of a man.” Adam smacks Evander on the back with a laugh. He rubs his fist into his cropped hair next, and Evander spins and locks him in a choke hold until Adam calls mercy.
“Hey! Don’t give them all the credit! He just did the heavy lifting. The design is all mine.” Penelope points her finger. “And if you don’t want to hang out with them, Eliana. You can join me. I don’t know why these guys just assume we’re camping co-ed. Obviously, the ladies’ shelter is superior. They wouldn’t appreciate it either.”
I smile and shift on my feet, looking from the guys to her. All the other women have been so flirty and friendly with the guys that I wasn’t sure if I’d be welcome. It’s nice that I am. “Girls’ night on the beach? Hell yeah.”
“Exactly! Make these fuckers work for attention. Since there’s only so many of us to go around.” Alicia sticks her tongue out, and the guy I recall being named Creed bows forward and clutches her feet in mock worship.
“Is that how it’s going to be, huh?” Hank asks, speaking up from his place in front of the fire. “Then I’ll wait it out. No point with the competition.”
Tiffany pouts her bottom lip. “Aw, Hank. Come on. You can help Ian keep me warm.”
Ian scowls while Hank grins. The guy is totally messing around. Hank knows exactly what he’s doing, acting as if he’s not as good as the other guys. The bastard. I don’t get a chance to comment and point out the fact because Penelope grabs my hand and tugs me from the others.
I stroll next to Penelope, my nerves growing the farther we tread away from the fire. The shelters are only a dozen feet away, but it feels like a mile with how dark the world already becomes.
Penelope stops in front of a triangular shelter reminiscent of a teepee. Straight branches are twined together at the top, and huge banana leaves cover the sides, creating a wall. It’s big enough to fit at least four people, maybe five, and there are two others right along the tree line and away from the waves so that we shouldn’t have to worry about a rising tide.
“Tiffany managed to find some citronella grass. It will help repel the mosquitoes.” Penelope motions toward the grass floor of the shelter. “I don’t know if you’ve heard from her about this, but she said the island foliage confuses her. She thought she could figure out where we might be in the world, but it’s like this island has a mash-up of things that are native in different areas altogether.”
I never even thought of that. “That’s so weird. What do the others think?”
She shrugs. “They don’t really care, because everything we have found we can use. I don’t think it’s just luck. I think it’s more. I can’t stop wondering what the purpose of all of this is. And the bag you found? That was really strange.”
With the mention of the survival kit, I can’t help thinking about the man in the woods, Kellan. I shift my gaze and look toward the tropical forest. It’s too dark to see anything, but a cold feeling of dread washes over me. It’s the same feeling of being watched like earlier.
Alicia squeals, startling me, and I nearly lose my soul as it tries to escape my body.
Then the howls start. Low and deep, growing louder and closer.
