Page 66 of The Beach Holiday

THEN

I found the boat as I had left it thank God. I needed to wait for Ula. She had promised she would be here.

I waited, pacing the sand for what felt like hours, but it was only a few minutes until finally a figure appeared at the mouth of the forest.

‘Ula.’ I raced towards her. She was hurt. Blood was dripping, no, gushing from her stomach. She fell to the ground in front of me. I needed to get her to the boat. But she was too tall, too bulky. I couldn’t lift her.

What was prevalent was the dark streaks of blood all through the sand, and the smell. The smell of blood. Even in the time it had taken me to run through the woods and retrieve my things from a spot amongst shrubbery, it had not subsided.

Ula looked so serene just lying there and I wondered how it was that I could walk away and just leave her there.

What kind of monster was I? I bent down by her side.

I observed the blood across her dress, and down her legs.

I was responsible for all of this. I sat back on my heels and held my hands in a prayer fashion.

Then I looked down at my own hands and saw the blood all over them, I could see it even in the half-light of the moon.

I only had a few more minutes. I needed to get onto the boat, and I needed to get away soon.

I looked behind me, the boat was moored already for me as we had arranged.

Now all I needed to do was get in it and leave.

I looked once more at her lying on the sand, the dark streaks marring her clothes, so I was barely able to see what the pattern once was.

I quickly bent down next to her and then I moved towards her forehead.

I kissed her gently; I felt her flinch. She wouldn’t survive much longer; that I was certain of.

How much time she had though, I wasn’t sure. But I couldn’t think about it anymore.

I had to take myself from the island and forget about her and everything that happened here.

What kind of person would that make me? It’s too late for me; I had too much blood on my hands.

I have done too much. I would never truly be able to escape the horrors of what happened here, what I was responsible for.

The terrible things I had done. And this one last act, a kiss as though that may solve everything, make everything I have done better.

I knew it wouldn’t. I stood and pulled my rucksack onto my back, so I had two free arms for balance to wade out to the boat and get on board.

I knew every second counted now; they could be coming for me as I wasted precious time with sentimental moments.

I looked down at her almost lifeless body once more, then I stepped around her.

As I did, I heard a rustle in the bushes.

I didn’t flinch; I simply waited. Then a head appeared, with those glittering eyes.

Then the smile, that smile. Adi looked at me with his sparkly eyes and I smiled back.

I wondered if he wished he could come too.

I guessed I would never know. I turned towards the shore, then I slowly waded out into the shallows until I reached the boat.

I threw my rucksack inside and climbed on board.

I sat down on the plank of wood nearest the engine and before I started it, I took one last look at the island; this was the last time I would see it close up. Now it was time to go.

I saw the eyes peeking from the bushes and I raised my hand to wave, even though I was sure he would not wave back.

I looked at the body on the sand, and as I started the engine and the boat began to chug away, I kept looking at Ula and didn’t take my eyes off her until she was just a tiny speck on the small stretch of sand in the faraway distance.