He needed to get away.
The following morning, Ash left Ivy at the campsite and wandered to the island’s cove. He needed some time to clear his mind.
With only a few traces of scattered debris remaining, the cove was almost completely clear. High tides, he figured, had carried the majority of the litter back out to sea.
As he lay down in the shade, Ash found a rare moment of solitude, consciously pretending all his problems had washed away with the debris.
It didn’t last long though, as worrying thoughts began niggling at his brain.
With his eyes shut, Ash tried to calculate how long it had been since it last rained. The answer in short? Too long. Pools of rainwater had started to dry up, and if it didn’t rain soon, Ash would find himself in strife.
There was maybe only enough water left for another two or three days.
His eyes shot open. Stress ran riot through his body and he could no longer rest. To die of thirst would be unbearable, but the situation was also beyond his control.
There was no telling when it would rain again. He could only hope, or perhaps pray. Ash thought about bowing his head and clasping both hands together – for old times’ sake – but instead he looked to the skies, just hoping for a miracle.
The moment of desperation didn’t last long, and Ash pulled himself together and climbed back to his feet. Trying to play the optimist, he headed back towards the campsite.
After a short stroll along the sand, Ash spotted the shelters in the distance. He also caught a glimpse of the campfire and a pile of fabrics lying just a few metres away.
Ash then looked for Ivy. She wasn’t there.
Picking up the pace, he advanced closer towards the pile of fabrics. Now in close proximity, he could tell they were Ivy’s clothes.
His head snapped up. He glanced left and right, eyes scanning over the beach. No sign of her. Then, Ash turned his attention towards the ocean. She was there. In the water. Struggling to keep her head above the waves.
He tried to scream her name, but there was no sound.
Just as Ivy managed to take a breath of fresh air, a large wave crashed right down on top of her. Ash started to run. His eyes were locked on Ivy as her body was thrown and churned about in the unforgiving surf.
Ash sprinted down to the water and into the ocean, jumping over the white wash in a frantic dash.
He was waist deep in no time at all. Ivy was starting to surface but she was face down in the water. Ash launched his body into the deep, arms like propellers, swimming out to her. Once in reach, Ash threw an arm around her torso and flipped her upright.
Almost choking on water, Ivy gagged, heaved and went limp.
Another wave was rapidly approaching. With Ivy in a secure lock, Ash kicked his legs up and headed back to shore. When he could finally stand, he hoisted her up and out of the water. Ivy was weakened, but still breathing.
She was lucky to be alive.
Coughing and gasping for air, her head lolled back into Ash’s arms as he carried her to safety. His adrenaline was still pumping furiously, his heart banging on the wall of his chest. Ash wanted nothing more than to question her stupidity.
Once they’d reached the shore, Ash put Ivy down on the dry sand. She was naked and delirious. It would be foolish to leave her under the midday sun in the direct heat, so Ash picked her up once more, delicately handling her body, and placed her down once more under the shade of a palm tree.
Ash sat with her for some time. As the minutes passed by, Ivy finally found the strength to sit upright, propping herself up against the trunk of the tree.
“Would it be dumb,” she began, in between heavy breaths, “to say my life flashed before my eyes – you know, considering I can’t see?”
Hands almost shaking by his sides, Ash stood. He crawled into his nearby shelter, grabbed his mobile from his swag, and returned beside Ivy. He crouched down to her level, and smashed his thumb over the buttons.
What the hell were you thinking?
She laughed, hard.
“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you use some kind of curse word,” she said, chuckling in between gasps. “You’ve taken Morse to a more personal level. I appreciate your effort.”
Answer my question. What were you thinking?
“I went for a swim, or a skinny dip to be more specific.”
He flashed his eyes down, catching a glimpse of Ivy’s bare flesh. Ash was quick to look away and continued to berate her.
It was dangerous. You are blind.
“Very good, Sherlock. I realise that.”
You could not see the incoming waves. You could have drowned.
“I would’ve been OK, Ash. There are some things I need to work out for myself, so I don’t need you swooping in to save the day.”
If he hadn’t reacted in time, she could have lost her life.
Your head was underwater.
“Not for long, maybe five seconds or so.”
Ivy was trying to brush off her close call and it infuriated him. She could’ve drowned. She could’ve died. Ivy hadn’t even bothered to thank him yet.
You should never go swimming alone.
“But here’s the thing; I hadn’t bathed in weeks. I wanted to take a quick dip in the water, but clearly I misjudged the situation.”
I could have helped. You need only ask.
“Do you reckon I needed assistance getting undressed, is that it?”
No.
“Liar. I bet you’re keen for a perve, right? Well, go on, here’s your chance.”
He scrunched up his face, disgruntled, and keyed in a reply.
What do you take me for? An animal?
She laughed again.
“There’s a fine line between beast and man.”
I am no beast.
“Actually, you’re right,” she said, leaning closer to him. “And you are different – if you don’t mind me saying – from other men. For example, you’re definitely a lot more sensitive than the average bloke, but that’s not a bad thing…”
I am not sensitive.
She made a crooked smile, somewhat amused.
“It was a compliment, Ash. I like that about you.”
He gave no response and tried to move away. Ivy reached out and stopped him.
“But hey, I think we should take advantage of this situation,” she said, her voice light and airy. “After all, you and I have natural urges. Why bother fighting it?”
I have control over myself. You do too.
“Of course we do, but I wasn’t joking around before; I wouldn’t mind getting to know you on a more personal level,” she said, resting a hand on his drenched shirt. “How about it, Ash? Care to take a roll in the sand with me?”
He stared, thumbs hovering over the buttons, but chose to remain silent.
Before Ash had the chance to process the question, she snaked her hand up his body, sliding it behind the back of his neck. Slowly, she pulled his face closer to hers.
When their faces were no more than an inch apart, Ash snapped his head back and pulled away from her.
He jumped to his feet, taken aback and unsure what to do. Ash’s abrupt reaction had left her speechless too, so he pressed through the awkwardness and was quick to change the subject.
Hands jittering, Ash keyed in a reply,
I will bring you your clothes.
Just as he turned to leave, she climbed to her feet and grabbed him by the arm.
“How bad is it?”
Breaking her grip, he stepped back.
What?
“My burns. How bad is it?” she questioned, her entire demeanour changing in an instant. “Am I hideous? Is that what it is?”
No.
Maybe he took too long to reply, because she wasn’t buying it.
“You can tell me the truth, Ash – I can take it. I’m a friggin’ mess, right?”
No. You are not.
“I can’t see my face, but I can feel it,” she said. “I feel disfigured. I feel ugly. If I survive the war I know they can fix me with skin grafts and eye implants, but I doubt I’ll ever look the same.”
You will be OK.
“Out of curiosity, what colour are my eyes?”
Hard to tell-
But before Ash could finish his sentence, Ivy cut in.
“They were brown before. I’m guessing they’re not anymore.”
Ivy then hung her head, defeated. From the beginning she had gone to great lengths to conceal her weakness and vulnerability, but at last she had been unmasked. Ivy closed her cloudy eyes. Although there were no tears, she had also closed her fists. Her knuckles were beginning to turn white.
Just then, Ash remembered about the sunglasses. During his first day on the island, Ash had found a briefcase washed up in the cove. He’d found a pair of dark sunglasses inside the briefcase, and hadn’t given them a second thought until now.
I have something you might like. Wait here.
Ash hurried to collect her clothing from the beach, and then raided his swag of possessions until he found what he was looking for – sunglasses.
Maybe he saw it as a peace offering. Although it wouldn’t fix the problem, the sunglasses would conceal Ivy’s soulless eyes and give her the self-esteem boost she was clearly craving.
He then returned to Ivy. Ash dumped her clothes in the sand beside her before placing the sunglasses in her hand.
Take them. You can keep them.
Ivy ran her hands over the sunglasses, and a small smile appeared. She opened up the temples and placed the black shades over her eyes.
“How do I look?”
Great. They suit you.
“Thanks,” she said, and after a few seconds added, “it’s very kind of you.”
You are welcome.
Ash then turned his back and walked away, allowing Ivy to dress in peace.