The Islandress

8: The Story of How It Started

“Antigua.” Colin stared at the waves and the twinkling of the stars through the glass in front of them. “I have to say, I’m excited for this one. Bermuda was amazing.”

“Oh I know.” Evan agreed. “I’m really glad we decided to board a cruise ship rather than to ride an airplane just to arrive in one country.”

Theodore leaned back on his seat, a satisfied sigh escaping his lips. The longer he stays here and experiences all the things he can, the more grateful he is that his friends pried him off his work so he could go on this vacation with them. While he may not say those words of gratitude in a verbal manner, he’s positive that his actions, as well as the smile constantly plastered on his face is more than enough of a tell-tale sign that he was enjoying his time here.

“Seven countries in fourteen days. A great bargain, if you ask me.” Theodore commented.

Colin gave him a grin. “Good thing you didn’t decline our invitation then. You would have regretted it.”

Theodore rolled his eyes, unwilling to acknowledge the fact that his friend was right about that certain thing. He doesn’t need them teasing him more than they already had, and giving them reason to do so is just like baiting himself to their relentless onslaught of words. “Why would I? I could have still gone on this trip at a later date but with a different companion.” The thought made him pause slightly, trying to think of someone other than his friends that he could possibly invite. When none came to mind, he added, “Or none at all.”

“Now why would you come here alone? If you invited Alison, I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t decline.” Evan teased.

“And when she does—come with you, I mean—you can finally turn on your charm and make her fall in love with you, effectively making her forget about her ex-boyfriend.” Colin chorused with an impish glint in his eyes.

“You’ll finally have a girlfriend to introduce to us when you come back.” Evan faced Theodore with the same glint that appeared in Colin’s eyes. Sometimes, it creeps Theodore out how both of his friends could be so alike when they want to be.

“You aren’t seriously expecting all of that to happen, are you?” Theodore looked at them quizzically.

Evan shrugged noncommittally. “Anything could happen.”

A slight scowl marred Theodore’s once peaceful expression. “What about your girlfriends then? The both of you don’t even have one!”

Colin waved him off, totally unperturbed by Theodore’s slight outburst. “Don’t worry about us. We’ve already had our fair share of girlfriends while you, on the other hand, had one.”

Theodore felt a blush creeping up his cheeks. It’s true that he’s quite inexperienced when it comes to women and relationships, and the only relationship he ever had in his entire life didn’t last long enough for him to know what it’s really like. It was almost like just a passing experience that he isn’t even sure he wants to experience again any time soon. However, when that certain point in his life was pointed out like that, feelings of shyness come crashing down on him.

“Ah, I remember her.” Evan commented with a far away look on his face, no doubt trying to recall the only woman that successfully managed to grab Theodore’s attention--only for it to crumble in just a few months. “She was the only girlfriend he had during college.”

“I was busy.” Theodore grumbled, ignoring the grins he got from his friends.

Colin scoffed, but there was no trace of malice or contempt in it. “We know. We hardly saw you during those years too and you always declined our invitations of parties and the like.”

“I like to study.” Came Theodore’s simple reply.

“Liar.” Evan said almost immediately. “You kept complaining about everything.”

“I like to aim high.” Theodore retorted. “And I did which made my ‘no girlfriend’ rule worth it.”

Evan stared at his friend for the longest time which eventually made the latter question what’s going on through his head. Just when he was about to ask, he heard Evan remark, “I could never do what you did, Theo. I would probably have died in college if I went to medical school.”

Theodore smirked. “Too bad.”

Colin laughed as Evan gave Theodore a glare. The trio continued reminiscing about the years they spent in college and the memories they obtained through it. Theodore might have gone to a totally different school and his two friends went to another (together), he’s still grateful about the fact that they never forget him. Every party, every night outs, every midnight drives, every beach escapades—he was invited to it all. Not because they’re his friends and they invited him out of respect, he received those invites because the duo really did want to spend time with him.

That always left a smile on his face even though he had to decline most of it.

What made it all the more better is that his friends totally understood why he had to decline most of the time. They never pressured him into doing something he doesn’t want or forcing him to really spend time with them even though he really can’t. Sure, they put off by it, but they never held that against him. The both of them just had more free time that he did, and they understood that without question.

Visits from them were often chaotic as well--like how it always is whenever they visit him. They never complained that Theodore still had his head buried in all his thick books when they came by, and merely enjoyed whatever time Theodore was able to give them--which wasn’t a lot.

Theodore was even more grateful that they would still offer to help him out in any way they can, and he didn’t have to ask. Just one look at his constantly stressed and troubled face, and his friends would always take it upon themselves to help him remember all the things he studied.

Questionings, short quizzes, recitations--that was mostly what Colin and Evan’s visit consisted of.

And oddly enough, that was more than enough for the three friends to have all the fun they could have. While Theodore was positively stressed about how his friends were handling his notes and books, all of that passing thought was quick to go away as soon as they chastised him for paying attention to such trivial things, rather than the questions they were throwing him.

Actually, as he looked back on it, he was still equally irritated by his friends just as much as he was grateful to them. Their methods of helping him might have worked wonders, but it still left him quite vexed about how they constantly gloat whenever they get to tell him off about something.

Honestly, having friends like them is such a pain, but he knows that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Just as Theodore was about to suggest they move to the living room, something about what he saw outside stopped him. It was raining, yes; had been for almost two hours now but that didn’t worry him because it was just that—rain. Yet as he moved closer toward the glass that separated him and the pelting rain, he saw how uneasy the waves are. It came from all directions and it thrashed around everywhere, not caring what it hit in its path.

He’s not one to panic easily—he is a doctor after all—but at that moment, something stopped him from being the usual rational man that he is; almost like a switch had been flipped deep inside his brain. Deep down, he knows what’s about to happen and he’s already expecting it. Just judging by what he saw out there, it’s not going to be pretty.

Maybe he’s just overanalyzing stuff or maybe he’s just worried about nothing. It probably is nothing anyway; he’s just being paranoid because of all the documentaries he watched about cruise ships being eaten up by big waves. It’s just rain and waves tend to do that when it’s raining.

As he turned around to look at his friends, he saw them both looking at him curiously. Theodore tried his best not to give anything away but it’s easier said than done when it’s meant for two people who knew him almost his entire life.

“So, you guys want to go hangout at the living room?” Theodore questioned as he walked back towards them, feeling his heart about to leap out of his chest when he couldn’t stand straight for a second or two—and then it was gone.

Colin eyed him suspiciously. “There’s something wrong.”

“Not really.” Theodore responded as calmly and as composed as he could manage. “Now let’s go.”

Evan and Colin shared a look but said nothing to question him further. They stood up from their seats and followed Theodore all the way back to the living room, the three of them encased in a silence that was kind of tense, but reassuring at the same time--well, for that’s what it felt like for Theodore at least. Theodore knows they want to question him about it but he’s glad they didn’t. He really wouldn’t have known how to answer their queries without sounding like a total nutcase, and he isn’t exactly keen on making it sound like he has definitely lost his mind. Not to mention that saying it out loud would only make it feel more real, and that’s the last thing that Theodore needed at the moment.

When they reached the elevator, Theodore merely stood in front of it and hesitated to push the down button. It felt like minutes had passed before Evan took the liberty of pressing the button instead along with a sideway glance directed at him.

“What’s gotten into you?” Colin asked Theodore as soon as they stepped in the elevator. “You seem a bit nervous.”

Theodore shrugged. “Something just came to mind.”

Even though he already told himself it was probably just nothing, Theodore still couldn’t help but think what would happen if the electricity suddenly went out and they would end up getting stuck inside. With no second thoughts, he would do everything he could to get out; even if it meant breaking the glass elevator door and obtaining a few scars in the process.

He felt jittery the whole journey down and he kept praying under his breath not to let his imaginative mind get its way. Those nerves mostly left him when they arrived at the first deck with no problems.

“Seriously, Theo. What’s wrong?” Evan queried, concern now lacing each and every word that came out of his lips.

As they sat down and nothing particularly alarming transpired, Theodore allowed himself to be at ease. A slow smile appeared on his lips, making Evan and Colin look at him strangely.

“Just thought something bad was going to happen.” Theodore confessed.

Colin chuckled. “You watch too many disaster-ridden things.”

And then the next thing they knew, the ship swayed more than it should. Feeling that, Theodore froze in his place while he tried to look at the other passengers. Apparently, it’s not only him that felt it just now.

He wasn’t being delusional after all.

“What the f**k was that?” He heard Colin question.

When it happened again but some pieces of furniture were already moving, Theodore felt dread wash all over him; like a bucket full of cold water. He heard the captain say something through the speakers but he was too out of it to actually hear it. He knew those were words but all that registered in his ears were blaring alarms, signalling him to get away from here.

Standing up and trying to stay upright was a challenging feat. He made his way towards the nearest window he could find, vaguely hearing the shouts Evan and Colin were sending his way. He heard nothing and saw nothing but the sight that greeted him through the window. Big, angry waves crashed and followed them almost as if it was pushing them out of their territory; heavy rain accompanied those waves, along with the loud pelts that seemed to have resonated around the room.

He wanted to pull away from where he stood but he couldn’t. His eyes were set on the scene unfolding before him. A second later, he didn’t have to; he was suddenly down on the ground, like an invisible force pushed him away from the window that threatened to open.

The ship swayed again and furniture were moving everywhere. It was a complete disaster.

Theodore looked at his side and saw—more than heard—Evan and Colin calling him over. Evan held on tightly to whatever was strong enough to still be in their rightful places while Colin was trying his hardest to reach Theodore.

The sound of shattered glasses seemed to have been the key for his ears to be able to hear again. He was about to get up and meet Colin halfway but was unable to do so because of the chair that bumped on him, leaving him rolling even farther away from his friends.

He was unable to feel pain at that moment, his entire being filled with nothing but adrenaline. Somehow, he knew that he was bleeding somewhere. He didn’t really notice it until a trickle of blood made its way down his face. When he told his friend he wanted an adventure, this was definitely not what he had in mind.

The swaying happened again and this time, Theodore was rolling on the direction he came from. Just when he thought he was about to get hit by stray furniture for the second time this evening, he was able to move away at the very last minute. Relief momentarily filled his entire body until he saw his friends again, waiting for him and desperately clinging to whatever sturdy thing they could find.

If he walked, he knew he would only get thrown back. So instead of trying to prove that theory wrong, he crawled his way over to them while Evan and Colin looked at him as if telling him what an i***t he is. Right now, he could care less. He’s trying his best to survive.

“I told you not to get near that f*****g window!” Colin yelled when Theodore managed to reach them safely.

Theodore heard him but his voice failed when he tried to utter a response. Shouts and voices filled with panic and terror echoed in his brain as his eyes took in the terrified faces of all the passengers. He couldn’t do anything but watch even though every fiber of his being is telling him to at least think of something that could help them. And as much as he wants to, he can’t--not even by a long shot.

“Move it, Theo!” He heard Evan shout. “Unless you want to get stuck in here!”

Hearing that made his muscles want to cooperate with him again. Despite the incessant swaying of the ship and the continued crashing of the waves, they tried their hardest to stay upright. Life vests were given on their way to where the evacuation was, wobbling all the way there.

The waves suddenly became stronger as did the shower of the rain, making everyone feel more terrified than they already are. It would have been a bit better if this happened when the sun was present but it seemed like fate was cunning today. 

Theodore looked around and tried to calm himself down to no avail. Everything was already everywhere and he could already imagine just how bad this was going to get. He’s not even sure if he could still live beyond this point in his life for him to be able to assess just exactly how bad it was.

Arriving at the evacuation area, Theodore failed to analyze how this is going to help them in any way. Chairs, pieces of cloth and anything of the like were already washed overboard and he knew that it was only a matter of time before they would be hauled overboard too. He could even see that a lifeboat was already pulled away from the ship.

How a wave could do that, he has no idea.

He was wet and scared and it didn’t really help matters at all. This trip is slowly turning into a disaster he always wished he would never be able to participate in.

When the next bout of waves rocked the ship, it was already starting to lean on one side--which in this case, is not a good sign.

Colin, Evan and Theodore shared a look of panic and absolute horror before they felt the effects of another crash from the waves and Theodore and Colin ended up being dragged along the sun beds; Evan was left staring at them wide-eyed before the both of them disappeared into the darkness.

By now, the power was already out. They could barely see anything and they certainly wouldn’t have seen anything if it weren’t for the light coming from the moon.

Theodore and Colin shared a look, both wondering what’s going to happen to Evan. The sun beds that dragged them all the way to the tilted side of the ship were already long gone. They could barely hang on to whatever it is they’re holding on to.

Sounds of screams and crying was something that Theodore was still able to make out through all that commotion. He could even feel a scream of his own coming up from his throat.

“Theo, I’m sorry for dragging you all the way here.” Colin said in a voice loud enough for Theodore to hear.

“Don’t say that! It’s not your fault.” Theodore responded, panting heavily in the process.

He saw Colin shake his head, although he wasn’t quite sure whether he could really trust his sight right now. “If I didn’t convince you to join us, you wouldn’t have been in this mess.”

“Well you certainly couldn’t have predicted the weather.” Theodore stared at his friend. “I’m glad you made me come. This isn’t exactly what I was hoping for but…” He gave him a weak grin. “It’s been a fun decade with you, Porter.”

Theodore didn’t hear what Colin responded to that because the next thing he knew, he was being flung overboard. As soon as Colin noticed what was happening, he quickly took hold of Theodore’s hand, trying to make him stay aboard.

But the waves were too strong and the rain was too heavy. Colin couldn’t have possibly succeeded. They both knew that and yet Colin still went ahead and did it anyway. As a result, the both of them ended up being hauled overboard, but not before catching a glimpse of Evan looking totally frightened as he was being dragged to the tilted side along with a man and a woman.

Theodore was pretty sure he heard Evan calling for them but that thought quickly faded when his body came into contact with the angry ocean. His life vest wasn’t doing much help either, but it’s better than nothing at all.

He was quickly swallowed up by the waves and not even a second had passed before he was being spit back out again. He couldn’t feel Colin’s hand anymore and when that slowly registered, his feeling of panic heightened even more.

He’s alone, he’s cold, and he’s going to die.

Theodore wallowed in those thoughts for a moment but he was startled back to reality when he felt a cold hand touch his shoulder. He barely had time to see who it was when the waves swallowed him up again. This time though, it didn’t spit him back out as quickly. It bid its time, filling his lungs with water, before it slowly let him back up again.

Coughing and breathing heavily was all he could do. The hand that touched him was gone again. By now, he’s ready to accept his fate. There’s just no way he could get out of this one alive.

By a stroke of luck, he felt someone pull his arm and hoist him up but he was already groggy and weak by the time that happened. It felt like the world was spinning. He was laid down. He could hear words; names; his name. But it didn’t register as it should be. He has no idea what the hell is going on.

“Theo, fuck.” He heard someone say. He doesn't know who said it but he’s pretty sure it’s just between Colin and Evan—he’s just not sure which one at the moment. Hell, he even has no idea what happened to Evan after they saw him being dragged.

“He’s not looking so good.” 

A female voice. It was too soft and velvety for it to belong to a man. Even when half-awake, Theodore could still make it out. Just not in the same manner he's used to.

Slowly, Theodore felt his eyes getting heavy; hell his whole body felt heavy. He could tell the people who helped him were trying their best to keep him awake. He felt his whole world rock and sway. He guessed that must have been the waves.

The people around him tried to keep him awake again but he’s just too sleepy; he can’t take it anymore but he can try. Keeping his eyes open for longer than a second was hard work—even when there’s a large body of freezing water surrounding him, which in any normal situation would have been enough to keep him awake—but he did somehow manage to make out Colin’s face among them.

Seeing that made him feel strangely at ease. At least he knows one of his friends is okay. He just hopes Evan is fine too—wherever he is.

“Goddamn it, Theo! Keep your f*****g eyes open!”

Those were the last thing he heard before he finally succumbed and all he saw was pure, unadulterated darkness.