Chapter 3 - Where and who am I?

Chapter 3 - Where and who am I?

Pain tore through Colton's body as he jolted awake in severe agony. Looking around, he couldn't quite comprehend what happened to him. "Did I die and awaken in a parallel world?" Nah, it couldn't be. He sort of recognized where he wound up.

If he was correct, this was still part of the Pacific Coast, not far from some of the Channel Islands.

Only, he didn't see any signs of technology that should've been present on some of the smaller islands. "Oh dear, this is going to be quite inconvenient."

Exhaustion wiped Colton out, and he slept once more. When I awaken in a proper setting, I can do something with my hands and escape without issues.

When he awoke, he was on a tiny island. That's when Colton became resigned to the reality that he'd wound up somewhere ridiculous. "I can't believe we didn't even make it to a bigger island." Indeed, some of those bigger, burlier men could use their weight to make the lifeboat move around?

Colton sighed as he surveyed his surroundings. Right now, it hurts to move because of his severe sunburn. "Well, if I don't move, it'll hurt even worse." As for his location, he sighed. "This is unbelievable."

It didn't even qualify to be called a proper island. "There's no good supply of water. I don't even want to investigate that cavern either." It gave him the heebie-jeebies to even think about approaching it.

Although he thought he heard voices from the cavern, Colton steered clear of it. After the battering and bruising he'd endured, he didn't want to take the chance of exploring an unknown and dark space.

Therefore, he remained outside. With the dark, threatening clouds overhead, the sun was mostly blocked. While that was a good thing for Colton, it also meant that he would need to work fast once he found something useful.

Fortunately, he was very good with his hands. Not only that, but he could tell there must've been one hella bad storm while he was unconscious. "Great, there are materials I can work with." He slowly began gathering different lengths of wood. At one point, he set them to one side. While he looked around, he became aware of something watching him with a sharp, inquisitive stare.

"What the hell? Do I have a fucking stalker now?" Colton stopped what he was doing and retreated between a pile of rocks, where he sat and rested for a few minutes.

The sensation of something watching him intensely faded, much to Colton's relief.

The last thing he needed was some weirdo viewing him as easy prey. "Ugh, I'd better get back to what I'm doing," Colton sighed. Though I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I did get some help." That was doubtful, though, as he hadn't seen or heard of signs of life.

Instead, he felt that ghosts were more likely to inhabit this place.

*

Kellen Jaeger believed Colton Malta would survive regardless of the other's thoughts. When a shadow passed in front of the cavern, causing the women to scream and begin praying, Kellen knew that it was Colton.

Colton was actually making good use of the time. While Kellen did want to join him, he didn't want to scare the man either. He seemed on edge and very leery. It hadn't taken Kellen long to realize why Colton avoided the cavern.

The ruckus the people were making was disturbingly eerie, even to Kellen's ears. Hmm, he must think this place is haunted by ghosts. While the thought amused him, it dawned on Kellen that he might frighten Colton even worse if he didn't make himself known to him soon. That made his amusement fade away.

However, Kellen noticed something more annoying. One of the men, Charles Molten, seemed to be eyeing Colton with lascivious intent that revolted Kellen. Not that he minded knowing there were bisexual and gay men around him. Hell, he was gay. However, something was alarming and disgusting about how Charles was drooling over Colton's clearly outlined form as he walked to and from along the beach.

However, it took only a short time for Colton to vanish. He was sensitive to perusal, especially the kind that threatened his chastity. Kellen reflected on how Colton had often defended him against bullies who would've used him as a female in their youth. He shook off the unpleasant memory.

Either that, or he should go out there and see if he could offer Colton some food. There had been some fresh supplies, almost as if it was known that this was a point where survivors would stop and rest.

However, Kellen had a hard time keeping some available for Colton. In the end, he filched a little of each item and hid it in the pockets of the cargo jeans he'd worn that day.

Now, he was glad that he'd worn them. It meant he could save some supplies for later.

"I'm going to head outside." Kellen couldn't stand remaining in the cavern any longer.

The others frowned at him.

"You know that you're not welcomed back if you leave." The elderly man said.

Kellen shrugged. "No problem." He wasn't in the mood to listen to any more diatribes. It turned out these people were nuts. They all believed in a single deity.

On the other hand, Kellen didn't believe in anything but his strength of will and endurance.

Therefore, he knew it would be better if he just joined Colton. However, he had to approach him carefully. As a result, he began casually walking around. It would be better that way so that Colton didn't mistake Kellen for a stalker.

Kellen knew what would happen to any fool who attempted to stalk Colton. They would wind up becoming an oversized pincushion. Kellen didn't doubt that Colton had things stowed in his pants pockets that could be turned into weapons without hesitation.

He was undoubtedly using them for whatever he'd piled up the wood and other debris he'd found while walking around.