Chapter 14

With the hole finished, Lucien had the unenviable task of prying the charred body free of the wood. Fortunately, it was light and easily transported to the hole. He dropped the remains in, and together with Abel, they started filling in the grave.

After a swim to clean themselves, and a satisfying dinner of fish washed down with coconut milk, Lucien and Abel made their way to the cave with the newly completed quilt.

“It’s too hot to use it, but it’ll keep better up here,” said Lucien, folding it and stuffing it into the wooden crate.

They lay side by side on the palm mat, their only illumination the faint powdery moonlight that crept in through the entrance. Lucien could barely hear the sound of waves breaking on the shore

“If we weren’t stranded here,” said Abel, “our situation would be idyllic.”

Lucien placed his hands behind his head. “Made less ideal by the appearance of those natives.” Then, not wanting to sound negative, he added, “And made more ideal by your presence.”