chapter 3

2.
It took until well after the sun had set, but we did get a shelter to sleep under. It was a team effort. I sat my fat ass in the shade at the edge of the beach, instructing Abram around the beach to fetch me things. I’ll admit I quite enjoyed watching him work shirtless in the sun. His sweat-streaked chest shone, he looked like something out of a survivalist blog.

We made progress quickly, but I grew anxious the further Abram got. The forest at my back was so skilled at producing heart stopping cracks and sounds I swore it was doing it on purpose. It felt like someone was watching me, that they would grab me at any moment. After dumping some bleached driftwood at my feet Abram assured me I had nothing to worry about, in that blunt way of his.

“You think they are going to grab you and take you away?” he had said, suppressing a laugh. I went to ask him why as he poked the belly that rested on my thighs. “Just lie down if you hear anyone. Unless they bring six I doubt you’re in any trouble, dear.”

It was humiliating, but it actually did make me feel better as I built the shelter. Abram brought me driftwood, vines, and fern leaves, and I would string them together. The shelter we ended up with wasn’t pretty, and likely wouldn’t last long, but it worked. It kept the rain off us, and while we shivered all night our bodies kept each other warm.

“N-not bad for a refugee worker, huh?” I choked out between shudders once the sun rose. Abram smiled and kissed me on the forehead.

“The best.”

If the strain of the first day was lifted by our modest accomplishment, the second day reality crashed in. My stomach was furious. After being asked to churn through more calories than many eat in a year, it mutinied at this new diet. It groaned and growled ceaselessly, at times I felt light headed. Abram decided leaving me by the shelter to go look for food was our best option.

“You said it yourself, you have no idea what’s poisonous or not! Why not try and fish or something?” Abram shriveled his nose.

“The coral is far more dangerous than anything in the forest. An infection will be the end of me out here. I’m sure there are coconuts or mangoes. With any luck I’ll find some fresh water.”

My heart caught in my throat.

“And the natives?” I squeaked, “you said you checked with them every time you docked here, surely they would-”

Abram’s face darkened. He shook his head.

“They are very clear on their instructions. If anyone is left after the party, they are forfeit.”

I agreed with him reluctantly, I wanted to be alone as little as possible out here. But we did need supplies, so Abram kissed me and went. I watched his scarred brown skin until it disappeared in the shimmering heat of the beach.

I figured Abram was right. Really, I just didn’t want to fight anymore. My blood sugar was low and I knew it wasn’t doing my mood any good. So I sat there, looking at the trees and listening to nature. The Illah De Banha was an interesting place. It was clearly tropical, with palm trees and colorful singing birds aplenty, but it was no cliche. There were equal parts pine and deciduous, critters I was familiar with back home chittered and climbed around me.

‘It must be the summer,’ I thought, watching a precocious squirrel jump for a nut just out of reach, ‘this place reminds of the land bordering the south and north, a mix of everything.’ I shuddered as I pictured how this place would look in winter, not that I thought I’d live to see it.

Hours passed, and there was no sign of Abram. I cursed myself for not going with him. I might have been slow, but if something had happened to him I would have preferred to see it for myself. Afternoon pressed on to evening, the sun threatening to duck under the horizon again. I was wracked with hunger pains, quickly growing cold. I needed Abram back, as complicated as my feelings were toward him. Sleeping alone would drain me of what little energy I had left.

As I spiraled into despair I looked up. The sun had met the sea, and despite all the recent misfortune I felt wonder work itself into me. The sunset painted the low hanging clouds with bloody hues, purples and blues below mixing with oranges and reds above. Wispy trails of green shimmered like threads holding it together. I decided I didn’t care what happened next, I wanted to be a part of this.

I got to my feet, needing a few tries. I let my shorts and shirt fall to the ground. I walked to the shoreline feeling my belly bounce. My nipples stiffened as the cool breeze caressed me. I stepped in, my feet sending ripples through the still water. I was naked, a part of the nature that had made me. Currents of energy ran around my body. I savored the moment, giving myself to it. My arms shot skyward grabbing at the clouds, not even the sensation of my arms jiggling was enough to distract me. I remained that way until the light dimmed, at which point I was truly getting cold. When I turned back my joy shattered like a dropped vase. All along the beach were sets of those glowing green eyes. They stood with sharp objects in their hands, their jeans and t-shirts clean and free from dirt.

They had been looking at me like I was an exotic dancer. Once I turned they muttered something I couldn’t make out under their breath, then held something high. It looked like fabric and once I took a step towards the beach I realized it was my clothes, mortified I was big enough to need such large garments. Before I could say anything one of the people with the green eyes held a torch up and lit it, spreading the flame to my clothes not long after. I yelped and held my hands to my crotch, suddenly aware of my nakedness. I wasn’t sure why I did so, my belly and fat pad did a great job of hiding my manhood for me, and the people on the beach seemed to agree. They chuckled and, as if teasing me for being such a fatty.

‘Some things never change,’ I thought as they beckoned their weapons toward me. To my surprise, the one with the torch spoke in english.

“You’ll be coming with us now. Do not resist us, or we are instructed to burn your lover alive.” My eyes shot open.

“Abram? You have Abram?” I didn’t know why I cared so much, but as my feet marched me toward this group of strangers I didn’t second guess it. The one with the torch laughed.

“Get moving, pig.”