The Islandress

60: The Grapes

“Can you believe it?” Colin asked Theodore, who is currently pulling the lifeboat they were in out of the ocean and into the shore they are currently standing on. “The i***t actually managed to make it here alive.”

Theodore pulled the boat one last time and let it drop on the ground as soon as he deemed it far enough from the reach of the waves. If everything somehow goes wrong, it’s better to prepare for an escape plan—with the lifeboat they arrived with being the center of it all.

Letting out a breath, Theodore hovered his hand in front of his eyes to shade it from the burning ray of the sun before facing Colin with a grin. “I suppose miracles do happen once in a while.”

Colin guffawed. “Oh definitely.”

“Land!” 

At the sound of Evan’s voice, Theodore transferred his gaze from Colin to Evan, who is just a few meters away from him. From there, he saw Evan lie down on the sand, a jovial expression taking over his entire face. The amusement he could not feel earlier came back tenfold, that just seeing Evan act like he always does brought a huge grin on his face.

“Too much of an exaggeration, but I understand.” Colin said from beside him.

Theodore let out a chuckle. “We were in a literal life and death situation after all.” His grin widened. “Just let that i***t be.”

“I guess he does deserve to be this happy after swimming five kilometers and successfully reaching shore.”

“Evan, stand up. You’ll get burned otherwise. Do you even know how hot the sand is right now?” Natalie reprimanded as she stood near Evan with hands resting on her hips and her eyebrows furrowed together. “Of course you do. You’re lying on it.”

“It’s fun seeing you act like that and all, but Nat’s right, Evan.” Jake added, amusement still highly present in his eyes.

Hearing that, Evan finally sat up from the place he was lying on and faced the duo with a pout. “You’re honestly no fun.”

“Do you want to get burned?” Theodore queried as he walked towards the petulant-looking guy sitting on the sand. “Because if you do, I wouldn’t really mind at all. I would even offer you my help.”

At this, Evan’s pout morphed into a scowl. It’s exactly for reasons like this that Theodore really enjoys goading and vexing his friend despite the backlash he’ll receive at the end of it all. Both him and Evan know that all the things he says are merely for fun, but the latter’s reactions to each one is a never-ending change that it never fails to amuse him—especially since Evan always makes it a point to act all foolish and idiotic.

Colin agrees with him in that sentiment.

Evan held up his hand towards Jake and Natalie as he said, “Pull me up, please. The happy bubble is broken.”

“Wow, Theo. You’re like a repelling fun-mator.”

Hearing those instantly evaporated all the amusement Theodore felt. Not to mention that those words were the reason why his effort to put out Evan’s mood was easily destroyed and why right now, said guy is pointing at him and laughing with no remorse whatsoever.

Theodore scowled. “Goddamn it, Jake. You ruined my happiness.”

The guy in question laughed as he held his hands up in mock surrender, his eyes only showing more of the mirth he felt not too long ago. “I’m sorry, I was just stating facts.”

“The fact that he even said it so genuinely only makes everything better.” Evan remarked, clearly enjoying the slight situation his friend has landed himself in. “Oh, how great karma works—so fast and reliable.”

In that moment, Theodore found himself deepening the scowl that is currently etched on his face. Why is this even happening to him now? He didn’t purposely rile Evan up so the tables would turn on him with all his intentions blowing right back to his face. 

Of course, he had no say in whatever it is that Jake wanted to say in response to his words, but it would have been great if the said guy just stayed quiet in his place.

“Well aren’t you a lively bunch for people who barely managed to escape death’s grasp.” Theodore commented, a certain lilt present in his tone of voice that instantly stopped short Evan’s chuckles. How could it not? It was something he used quite often when he’s dealing with whatever idiotic and whimsical antics his two friends have managed to put themselves in.

Noticing that as well, Colin let out a loud laughter. He gave Evan a grin before saying, “Looks like you’re in for a rough ride, bud.”

Evan scowled at his friend, not willing to acknowledge that his words held some truth to them. “Not as much as you when I get my revenge.”

At that, Theodore and Colin shared a look. Not too long after, laughter erupted from their lips as the thought of their constant plan-smasher actually carrying out a thought-out plan to perfection invaded their minds.

Theodore couldn’t help the amusement that shone in his eyes when he finally concentrated his gaze on his still scowling friend. “You? What the hell are you going to do?”

“Let’s face it, Evan: the chances of you actually being able to do that is extremely thin to none.” Colin chorused as he crossed his arms against his chest, the same amount of amusement as Theodore’s carefully displayed on his facial features. “No need to be all shy about it.”

“The both of you are assholes.” Evan hissed, throwing them a handful of sand in the process—only for him to fail miserably since both of his friends were quick to avoid his attack.

Meanwhile, Jake and Natalie merely looked at the three friends with an amused expression that closely bordered confusion. Even if they asked, they’re pretty sure they wouldn’t be able to understand—so they opted not to and just let them be.

“As fun as it is to see you looking all miserable,” Colin ignored the glare that he received from Evan. “Do you plan on staying there during our whole stay here?”

“Not that we’re going to complain, since you look quite comfortable—not to mention that it suits you really well—being all one with the sand and all that.” Theodore smirked as he rested his arm against Colin’s shoulder while his other arm rested on his hip. “But I guess that shouldn’t really come as a surprise since you’re merely returning to where you originally belonged.”

Once again, Evan threw a handful of sand towards his friends but they merely avoided it as they guffawed. “f**k off, you f*****g nitwits.”

Theodore honestly couldn’t believe how easy it is to goad the guy. He’s well-aware that him and Colin are acting completely petulant, but it’s all just harmless fun. It’s really nothing out of the ordinary, nor is it something that they haven’t already done to their friend so he’s pretty confident that Evan would be able to get over all this teasing--just like he always does.

“Nitwits?” Theodore asked in between laughter, his response only proving to further provoke the guy. “Us?”

“That’s got to be the most hilarious thing you’ve ever said yet.” Colin added, laughter still continuously pouring out of his mouth.

Natalie let a smile onto her lips as she helped the glaring guy stand up from his place as she said, “I’m pretty sure the both of you acting that way towards him would only incite more hostility towards you.”

“They don’t care about that.” This time, it was Evan himself who responded to Natalie’s words as he let out a sigh not too soon after. “Actually, they don’t really care all that much when it comes to teasing me.”

“Yeah, we’ve already kind of gathered that much.” Jake said, the mirth in his eyes never wavering. “They did team up in goading you more times than we can count.”

“That’s because Evan here,” Colin grinned as he put an arm around the said guy while ignoring the glare he received from Theodore. Because of his sudden movement, Theodore stumbled slightly in his place since the arm he rested on Colin’s shoulder (which became his pillar of support) moved without warning. “Is too fun to not piss off.”

Natalie chuckled as she watched Evan dust himself off, the scowl on his face still not letting up. “LIke Jake said, we already gathered that much.”

Evan sighed once again. “It’s sad how it’s become such a normal occurrence for me to be always facing the combined attacks and quips from Colin and Theo.” He shook his head, as if telling the group that he can’t believe it’s actually come to that. And knowing the guy, Theodore is pretty sure that that’s exactly the case. “Stupid pair of baboons.”

Familiar with the “insult” the guy threw their way, Theodore looked at his friend with an amused look as he walked closer to where he’s currently standing. “Because we’re violent and aggressive?”

“Do you even need to ask that?” The guy in question rolled his eyes. “It’s quite obvious.”

“No, not really.” Colin responded with a chuckle before he finally settled his gaze on the woods behind them that seemed to stretch out far and wide. “Now, come on. I think it’s time to explore this mysterious place we suddenly landed on. What do you guys think?”

As the group followed Colin’s line of sight, neither of them uttered a word to Colin’s query. As a result, they were enveloped in a silence that somehow sent chills down their spine, undeniably anxious about what they would find at the end of the woods--if there is even an end. Theodore wanted to believe that there is. After all, he’s been taught that things will always come to an end and his rational side agrees with that certain sentiment. However, just seeing how vast the whole thing could be, it’s really starting to make him doubt his certainty. This may not be the first time he’s experienced such a thing, but it sure as hell the first one that made him almost afraid to step into the unknown.

“It’s not like we have any other choice.” Theodore mumbled, steeling himself to yet another unknown exploration.

When his friends told him that they would be going on a vacation and go on an adventure as well, this is definitely the last thing he had on his mind. Never in a million years would he have guessed that the situation he wouldn’t want to be in is currently what’s happening to him now. Just what sort of luck does he have?

Of course, it’s not like he’s blaming his friends for their misfortune; it’s not their fault they got shipwrecked to some uninhabited island that seemed creepier by the minute. No--he’s merely reminding himself that his luck hasn’t improved even after twenty-eight years of being alive.

Guess that just goes to show that luck is one thing that he can never rely on.

“Besides, I think it’s better that we try and find… whatever it is we can than just sit around here while waiting when we’re going to combust.” Evan added with a grim expression taking over his face.

“I agree.” Jake sighed as he put both his hands against his hips, a thoughtful look plastered on his face. “But we might want to be careful when we do start venturing out there. We don’t know what we’re going to encounter and I’m willing to bet anything that we’ll find at least two or three unpleasant things.”

“You’re making it sound like we’re in some gory movie which consists of a strange island and questionable people.” Natalie replied, the worry and slight exasperation laced in her tone of voice not exactly lost on any of her companions.

“Which, truthfully, isn’t that far off from our current reality.” Colin said.

At that, Evan suddenly perked up in his place as he faced his friends and told them, “Oh! Like that one movie we watched where there was some cannibal tribe? What was that called again?”

The minute those words escaped Evan’s mouth, Theodore was instantly able to understand just what sort of movie he was referring to. It isn’t all that hard for him to do since the list of movies he’s watched so far definitely didn’t fill a whole page. Just half maybe? Or maybe even less than that.

Anyhow, images and scenes of that certain movie instantly flashbacked in Theodore’s mind, and he couldn’t help the grimace that started to slip on his face. He may be a doctor and he may be used to seeing internal organs and the like when he’s in the hospital, but seeing those things in a movie somehow just hits differently. He doesn’t know the particular reason why, but he does know that it has something to do with him being hyper-aware of the whole thing.

It doesn’t really have that much difference when he’s in the hospital, but things are just like that to him.

“The Green Inferno?” Theodore replied, making all eyes land on him. “Yeah, I didn’t enjoy that movie one bit.”

Colin laughed. “That movie was brutal.”

“It was a fun movie.” Evan grinned. “But it’s not like you would know since you didn’t really pay much attention to that.”

Colin was quick to give his friend a blank look while saying, “Like you can talk. You were constantly hurling your guts out during the entirety of the movie.”

“I was the same.” Natalie chorused, her face looking somewhat green from the scenes that plagued her mind. “I didn’t get to finish the whole movie.”

“And I didn’t watch that at all.” said a proud-looking Jake. “I already knew that movie was going to make me hurl, so I didn’t dare watch that at all.”

Four pairs of eyes glared at him then, but Jake didn’t let that deter his grin one bit. Theodore was kind of jealous of the guy for never having seen such scenes, but it was still a pretty nice experience. He might not have enjoyed the movie nor was it worth his time, but he sure as hell enjoyed the reactions that his friends emitted. Truth be told, it was the only thing that kept him from turning off the damned movie.

“Whatever. At least we got to experience it and see it for ourselves.” Evan mumbled as he huffed in his place just like how a child would. “It would have done you some good.”

Jake laughed. “No, thank you. I’m fine not having those certain scenes buried deep within my mind.”

“Did your friends never force you to watch it?” Theodore queried, slight incredulity highly palpable in his tone of voice.

“They did, actually, but I was able to get out of it.” Jake replied, the grin on his face never disappearing. As he started walking towards the unknown, he added, “It wasn’t all that hard to do.”

“Lucky.” Colin commented begrudgingly as he followed Jake’s actions with no trace of hesitation in his stride. “Meanwhile, Theo and I were stuck with a mindless i***t who forced us to watch the entire thing, only for him to be the first one to want to stop it.”

“Oi!” Evan gave his friend a frown. “Who are you calling a mindless i***t?”

“You, of course.” Theodore chorused, his gaze fixated on the sight in front of him. Seeing his companions walk straight through the woods with no second thought whatsoever only made him feel more nervous about everything. Still, he didn’t exactly want to just stay here and wait for help (which he highly doubts would arrive). And so, with a sigh, he followed his friends’ lead and walked behind them, albeit at a slower pace. “You don’t have to really ask something so obvious.”

Looking back to give the tall guy a glare, Evan replied, “You’re the worst, you know that?”

“Not exactly something new, but thanks for the compliment.” Came Theodore’s instantaneous reply. “Now shut up and keep your gaze focused on what’s in front of you.”

“That wasn’t a compli--Oh, whatever.” Evan sighed before heeding his friend’s words. “You won’t listen to me anyway.”

Natalie chuckled as she pushed away a stray branch out of her way. “I’m surprised you didn’t already have that down even though you’ve already known the guy for such a long time.”

Theodore couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips when he heard those words as well. Sometimes, he still wonders about that, but it’s merely a fleeting thought—no use dwelling on it when it won’t even make sense to him anyway. Not to mention that he’s become quite adept in just letting the guy be since he knows that that’s the best plan of action most of the time—and today is no different.

“That’s because Evan is being his usual stupid self.” Colin replied, cursing silently when he felt something touch his leg. When he looked down and saw that it was just a bunch of tall grasses, he released a sigh. “f**k, I was not expecting that at all.”

Theodore looked at his friend with a curious look. “What?”

The guy in question looked up from the ground and met Theodore’s eyes, well-aware that the rest of their companions are looking at him as well. “Some stupid grass touched my legs.” He waved him off. “It’s nothing too alarming.”

“Too bad it wasn’t a snake.” Evan sighed in a way that was obviously telling the group that he was disappointed about the way things turned out.

“Don’t need that when you’re already here.” retorted Colin before he ducked down to avoid the branch that was blocking his way.

Already knowing where the whole thing is leading to, a sigh escaped Theodore’s lips while Jake and Natalie merely eyed the pair with amusement burning in their eyes. Couldn’t his friends just try and not argue every chance they get? He knows that that’s just how they are, but taking care of two grown adult males can be quite tiring--even for him, who’s used to that type of thing.

The peace and silence that Theodore always wishes whenever he’s with his friends rarely ever happens, and throughout the years, he’s learned not to count on that even when things start to look that way. His hopes would only be ignited needlessly, and he doesn’t like that feeling--not even one bit.

“Another thing that happens most of the time?” Jake asked him, mirth highly palpable in his tone of voice. 

“You have no idea.” Theodore replied. “It’s like dealing with a bunch of children.”

“Yeah, we can tell.” Natalie chuckled. “But that’s just what makes them appealing, don’t it?”

Hearing that, Theodore couldn't help but look at his friends (who were still arguing) and take in the sight of them being their usual stupid selves. Honestly, he’s surprised they could still act that way even though they were just in a life and death situation. With how carefree they’re acting, anyone who would see them right now would definitely not have that kind of thought plaguing their minds, nor would it be a possibility that they would even dare consider.

However, Theodore knew better. That’s just how they’ve always been and always will be. He could never be on the same level as his friends when it came to that, but he’s still the one person who can keep them both in line without even trying all that hard--an effortless effort, as one would call it.

Theodore let his gaze settle back to Natalie before saying, “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Natalie wasn’t able to say whatever it was she was about to say. Because before she could even utter a single word, a woman who looked just as surprised as they did made them stop from their tracks.

“Um…” She started. “Visitors?” When she received no reply, she let out a sigh before saying, “Well, obviously not.”

“You’re a person.” Evan was the first one to acknowledge the woman’s presence. “A real, living person.”

The woman raised an eyebrow at him as she hugged the pieces of wood closer to her before saying, “Last time I checked, yeah--I’m still alive.”

“But you’re here.” Colin chorused, making the woman turn her attention to him. “In an inhibited island.” And then he let out a gasp. “A refugee?”

“What?” The confusion in her words and face weren’t all that hard to miss. “What do you mean a refugee?”

“From a shipwreck.” This time it was Natalie who answered. “Maybe you’re like us?”