‘Something’s not right on this island, I can feel it,' James countered. 'Last night I saw a light in the trees a couple of bays over, and today Teri’s missing and Gibson’s transmitter has been sabotaged.’
Sebastian’s face altered. ‘Sabotaged?’
‘Busted beyond repair.’
‘So Gibson didn’t finish it,’ said Oli.
James shook his head. ‘He finished it. I saw the almost completed thing last night, and it looked a lot healthier than it does now.’
‘Eric?’ Oli suggested.
‘No, I talked with him already. I don’t think he did it.’
‘So what’re you saying?’ Sebastian probed. ‘You think the two incidents are related?’
Looking from Oli to Sebastian, James murmured, ‘I don’t know.’
Behind the group the girl waited patiently, ears pricking at the sound of Abbey’s voice. Moving back into the gathering, she reached out for James’s hand.
*
Abbey examined her fingernails, the blood encrusted beneath them. Earlier, when only she and Elaine had remained, she had insisted they move the pilot’s body to beyond the tree line and out of sight. Nobody wanted that kind of human mutilation in their midst, least of all a confused twelve year old girl. He’d been heavy, but between them they’d managed it – in two goes.
From the trees, James emerged hand-in-hand with the girl. Unexpectedly she stayed by James’s side instead of rushing to her. Close behind was Sebastian and Oli, both looking pissed off.
‘Find anything?’ she asked.
‘Nothing.’
‘What do you mean nothing?’
‘I mean nothing, nada, zip!’
‘Apart from this?’ Abbey muttered, toeing the spots on the sand. ‘So we should expand the search, shouldn't we? A girl doesn’t just vanish, and it’s crazy to assume she’s okay just because we can’t find her in the immediate area.’
‘The size of the job hasn’t altered. This island is a big place.’
‘So what! If Teri is out there, scared and alone, she’s going to be praying somebody comes for her. We owe her that much.’
‘You think we owe her something?’ said Sebastian. ‘How about recalling what the freak is like before we get all sentimental.’
‘How about exercising a little compassion!’
James intervened. ‘Look, if somebody’s taken her, they’re going to hide her. She could be anywhere by now.’
‘So that’s it then,' said Abbey, 'you’re just going to abandon the poor girl? What if it were you out there, James, or you Oli?’
‘I’m not suggesting we should forget about Teri. I’m just saying it’s no good blundering into the jungle and expecting to find her. We need a search plan.’
‘By which time she could be dead.’
James sighed in frustration. ‘I’m just trying to be realistic, Abbey.’
‘Realistic?’
‘Yes, realistic! Jesus, I am sick of the “I’m Abigail and I know best” routine. Maybe, just maybe, you could have a tiny bit of faith in me!’
‘Is that what you expect, all these people to have faith in you, James? You snap your fingers and they jump to it, is that it? Well, come on then, give us something to believe in. Tell us what we should be doing!’
‘We should be talking about Teri and formulating a search plan, not bickering like children. We need to talk about how to look for her, who goes with who, and make sure we don’t cover the same ground. As for the faith, I’m not a robot, I make mistakes just like anybody else, but at least I’m trying, Goddamnit!’
Elaine winced.
Abbey paused. Then, ‘No, it’ll be too late by then. We move now.’
James began laughing at nothing and fell on to the sand. The girl sat down with him. ‘My God, this is insane. She’s probably gone for a walk.’
Abbey shook her head. ‘And the blood?’
‘She cut her foot on a rock,’ he suggested. ‘It happens.’
‘Either way, I’m going to grab some provisions and circle the island. If she’s anywhere near the coastline, you’ll still be talking about it by the time I find her.’
‘No, we stick together,’ James said.
Abbey noticed the girl slip her hand into James’s. ‘Why? Nothing’s amiss, remember?’
‘You know what, Abbey, go for it,’ he ceded. ‘You’re twisting my words to suit yourself.’
‘I’m a woman, I’m good at that. And yes, I’m going whether you like it or not.’
She eyed James’s face, expecting a sharp reply. Instead, he simply said, ‘I think we should stick together, I’m just going to say that. If you’re adamant about this, make sure you take plenty of water and try to be back before dark, that’s all I ask.’
‘Fine.’
He turned to the girl and placed a hand on her cheek. ‘Come on, sweetie, let’s get you something to eat.’ Climbing to his feet he walked towards the tents, shoulders slumped in defeat. The girl hurried after him.
*
Last night’s campfire smoldered, kicking thin grey smoke into the air. Next to it was the illusive Sol reading a book, American flag bandana pressing down his scraggly blonde locks.
It was unusual for him to be in the camp this time in the day, James noted. Perhaps he was getting lonely.
The girl disappeared into Eric’s tent, her presence undoubtedly welcome. Eric’s fixation with the girl’s friendship was beginning to outweigh Sebastian’s, which James was almost thankful for.
Sitting across the fire, James eyed the Australian silently through the smoke. He was angry with Abbey, but had no clear right to be. There was nothing official about his leadership here, she didn’t have to listen to him. But he wasn’t making up guidelines for the good of his health, and he wasn’t ignoring suggestions from the others either. He was trying to do the right thing, and whether or not that meant a little faith had to be thrown his way, he didn’t think it was too much to ask.
‘You alright?’ he asked Sol.
The standard grunt, eyes rooted to
