Living Legends

10) Bribes and Boat Trips

Hayley’s first night aboard The Queen Francis proved rather uneventful.  After she dined with the other passengers and took a few pictures of the sunset glinting off the calm Caribbean water, she settled into her room.  It only took a few minutes to get dressed and ready for bed.  She lay awake a while, listening to the rocking of the boat and trying not to concentrate on seasickness.  She had heard a few passengers vomiting earlier and thanked God she wasn’t as prone to seasickness as they were.

            The next morning, Hayley awoke to a golden dawn.  She was up just after sunrise and strolled along the deck, making polite conversation with a few people.  During breakfast, the captain made an appearance and announced they would be arriving at the first stop this afternoon.  Hayley was delighted.  She hadn’t known she would be island-hopping on this exotic adventure.  As soon as the first glimpse of land appeared on the horizon, she grabbed her camera and was ready to head ashore.

            The Queen Francis docked on the fringe of the coral reef surrounding the island.  Through the grapevine, Hayley had found out her boat trip was more of a tour.  She and the other passengers would be stopping at a different island each day.  All were remote and uninhabited, but safe to explore.  Most were less than a quarter-mile in diameter, with a few plants and lots of sand.

            Lots of sand.

            Hayley and a handful of passengers were rowed to the islands in groups.  Once there, they had a few hours to relax and splash in the warm water, or return to The Queen Francis if they wished.  Hayley spent as much time as she could off the boat—not because she didn’t like it, but because she didn’t want to risk getting cabin fever.  She soon realized she wasn’t a fan of tight spaces.  Instead, she relished in the hot Caribbean sun and rolling up her capris to wade in the ocean.  She took so many pictures she lost count—some of palm trees, some of the passengers reclining on the beach, and some of the regal boat shimmering in the afternoon sun.  Before long, her even tan darkened and she found the courage to wear a bikini in public.

            Three days into her journey, Hayley found herself yawning as she retreated down the hallway to her cabin.  The sun had gone down an hour ago, and she was already exhausted from the days’ events.  There was only so much sun and salt she could handle.

            Suddenly, a quiet pitter-pattering of footsteps made her pause in her tracks.  She whirled around, feeling a chill run down her spine.  There hadn’t been anyone behind her when she walked down the hallway.

            She narrowed her eyes.  No one was there.  My mind’s playing tricks on me, she mused, shaking her head to clear her thoughts.  I’m fatigued.  Sun-tired.  I just need some sleep.

            But the same thing happened the next night—except this time, Hayley was mounting the stairs to the deck.  She felt the cool wind tousle her hair, which had been uncharacteristically let down rather than pinned up in a bun.  Once again, she whirled around upon hearing footsteps, only to realize that no one was there.

            This time, though, she didn’t blame it on her fatigue.

            Hayley let out a shaky breath and rushed onto the deck.  She immediately made her way over to a small group of passengers near the railing.  She figured if someone was following her, she would have more strength in numbers.

            Her heart rate slowed.  She gazed over the gunwale at the dark water glinting in the moonlight.  A sudden laugh escaped her lips.  Strength in numbers? What am I thinking—that someone is going to attack me? The thought was preposterous.  But the threat was still there.