‘Oh shit, was that thunder?’
A jagged finger of lightning forked its way across the horizon in answer to Ana’s question.
‘Think it’s heading our way?’ asked Rachel.
Ana put her index finger in her mouth and licked it, then held it up in the air.
‘What are you doing?’ asked her sister.
‘Dad used to do this, remember? You can tell which way the wind’s blowing by feeling the breeze on your finger.’
Rachel waited a sufficient amount of time before asking, ‘So is it?’
Ana looked thoughtful. ‘I have no fucking idea,’ she said. Rachel laughed, surprising them both.
‘Come on,’ she said. They walked hand in hand up the old road. The temperature had dropped dramatically since they stepped out onto the track, the increased altitude not helping matters, their lack of clothing becoming ever more apparent. The mosquitoes were out in hordes now, and Ana slapped a hand onto her thigh, squashing one
.
‘I would give literally anything for some Deet right now,’ she said.
Rachel nodded appreciatively. ‘And a pair of comfy shoes,’ she added.
‘What about a steak? A big, fat, juicy steak?’
Rachel hit her on the arm. ‘Stop it. I’m so hungry.’
‘I dunno. I think I lost my appetite when that thing’s head exploded.’
Rachel smiled grimly. ‘How can you joke about that?’
Ana shrugged. ‘What else are we supposed to do? Sit and cry?’
Rachel stopped walking. Up ahead Ricky trudged on regardless. ‘Maybe we should? I mean, how the fuck are we gonna get out of this? How are we gonna get off this island?’ Her voice cracked. ‘What if we die here?’
Ana touched her sister’s face. It was wet with tears. ‘We’re not gonna die here. No fucking way. Not with bloody Rambo looking after us,’ she said, gesturing at Ricky. ‘Paul will be on his way with the fucking marines. We just have to stay focused, that’s all. And stick together. I don’t give a shit about Ricky, but you and me…we need to stick together.’
Rachel wrapped her arms around Ana, a hug of desperate, unconditional love.
‘Hurry up, we’re almost there,’ shouted Ricky.
‘Keep your voice down,’ hissed Ana. ‘Fucking master of stealth.’
The first drops of rain began to fall. Within seconds the mosquitos had dispersed and the cool water muscled its way through the trees. Ana leaned her head back and opened her mouth, letting the rain drops hit her tongue and dribble down her chin. She turned back, wondering how far they had come, half-expecting to see the boat a few hundred yards away, mocking their futile escape
.
But the boat was far behind them now, hidden by a near-impenetrable wall of vegetation. It was as if the jungle was closing in on them. She watched, waiting for the sinuous limbs of the trees to warp and tangle with each other, blocking off the way they came, forcing them onwards.
There’s no point staring. It only happens when you’re not watching.
‘Come on, Ana,’ said Rachel, tugging on her arm. Reluctantly, Ana turned away and renewed their ascent.
A few minutes later, the heavens opened fully.
The storm had arrived.