Beyond the Sea by Keira Andrews Page A

bruise darkening his cheek. “Uh-huh. Let’s do this. Can’t stay here.”
    Brian took the light and scanned the trees and around the jungle. The beam hardly penetrated the dense foliage, but at least he didn’t see any eyes reflecting back at them. He had no idea which snakes actually lived on this particular island, and he didn’t want to find out. Ever.
    Troy was already on his feet, and Brian pushed himself up, leaning on the cliff face. Everything spun, and he stood still, clutching the flashlight as his stomach rebelled.
    “ You okay, man?” Troy squeezed Brian’s shoulder, his hand firm and grounding.
    “ Yep. Just need to get the pack on.”
    “ It’s cool. I got it.” Troy shouldered it.
    Brian wanted to argue that Troy shouldn’t have to carry the pack and drag the heavy suitcase, but just standing and walking was enough of a challenge. He led the way, keeping his right hand on the cliff wall where the jungle abruptly ended. But for the odd vine, it was just rock, worn smooth in some places and jagged in others. He swept the light over the ground in front and then behind so Troy could see where he was walking too. “Get out of our way, poisonous things,” Brian muttered.
    “ I second that motion,” Troy whispered.
    It was odd, feeling like they had to keep their voices down. They were surely the only humans on the island, so they could have shouted. But even though the light only picked up leaves and greenery, sweat prickled the back of Brian’s neck, his hair standing up on end as though dozens of unseen eyes tracked their progress.
    The salt in the humid breeze intensified and the jungle disappeared, the flashlight now cutting a swath through open air. When they both had sand under their feet, Brian switched off the light. For a few moments, they stood there. Clouds still obscured the stars, but without the jungle’s umbrella, there was enough ambient light reflecting off the sand to see their way.
    The tide was indeed out, and aside from the steady hum of chirping from the jungle behind them, the night was silent. “Let’s keep away from the trees. There are probably coconuts up there, and we don’t want any falling on our heads,” Brian said. Please let there be coconuts. Even though food was the last thing he wanted at the moment, he knew the protein bars wouldn’t get them far.
    “ Good plan.”
    Troy dropped their baggage far enough away from the tree line, and Brian spread the silver blanket on the sand, keeping his head up as a wave of dizziness washed over him. “Should be another one.” He fumbled in the pack. “Here you go.”
    Troy exhaled loudly as he unfolded the blanket, his teeth flashing as he smiled. “Feels good to be out of there.”
    “ Definitely.” Brian gingerly stretched out on one half of his blanket before wrapping the other side over him. The sand was a featherbed compared to the stone crevasse. His head hammered like a drum, and every muscle and tendon ached. “My kingdom for a hot tub. Or a Swedish massage. Or a massage of any nationality.”
    “ For real.”
    A cool breeze sailed over the sand, and the mosquitoes didn’t seem as prevalent. He had no idea if mosquitoes carrying malaria or other diseases could be this far from civilization, but there was no sense in risking it. At the very least, bites were itchy and annoying. “You ready? We should…let me get the net out.”
    Troy shifted closer on the sand, stopping a few inches away. His white tee looked bright against his tan skin as he removed the flip-flops and peeled off his wet socks. He wrapped himself loosely in his blanket and wiped a hand across his sweaty brow. “This good?”
    “ Yep.” Brian draped the net over them and settled back down, closing his eyes. Okay. Sleep now.
    Of course his brain refused to shut off despite his exhaustion. The minutes ticked by as he fidgeted, images unspooling like the worst movie ever. The wall of rain, the flashing lights as alarms screamed, the