Castaway: The Game of Death

Chapter 9

"What? Human skin?" The others exclaimed in unison, their voices a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Victor held the paper aloft, examining it closely from both sides. "There are still muscle tissues attached. Judging by the color, it was likely peeled off today."

Merrick trembled, a visible shudder running through him. "Don't scare me," he whispered. The other women were silent, exchanging uneasy glances.

"And there's writing on it, too," Victor added, offering the gruesome artifact for inspection. Amanda and the others recoiled, refusing to touch it.

"Just tell us what it says," Marina pleaded, covering her eyes.

"Prey. We're the prey team," Victor stated flatly.

Merrick's trembling intensified. "Aren't you scared?" he asked, his voice barely a breath.

Victor shrugged. "I'm used to it." Seeing their reluctance, he retrieved the skin and continued his examination. "It's been soaked in seawater. It was probably from a shipwreck; they salvaged the bodies of the drowned."

"That's terrifying," Merrick breathed, his voice laced with horror. "They're a bunch of lunatics."

Victor rolled his eyes. "Don't you know your own company?"

Merrick and Amanda exchanged awkward glances, shaking their heads.

"Alright, now that we know our roles, let's gather food and secure the cave before it gets completely dark. If we can just make it to tomorrow, we win," Victor said, his voice regaining its usual commanding tone. "We still have time. Merrick and I will see if we can find more food. You women keep watch over the fire."

"I'll go with you," Marina volunteered.

Victor paused, a questioning look on his face. "Why?"

"Merrick's at least a man. If a wild animal attacks the cave, we women might not be able to handle it. So Merrick should stay, and I'll go with you," Marina explained.

"Fine." Victor turned to Merrick, his gaze sharp. "Stay put in the cave. If I find you've been up to anything, don't blame me for being rough."

Merrick chuckled nervously. "I don't have the energy for that right now. I'll wait until this round of the game is over."

Victor ignored him, picking up the bamboo spear he'd fashioned earlier and heading outside. Marina quickly followed, her steps light and purposeful. After walking for a short distance, Marina subtly increased her pace to walk beside him.

"You're still wondering about Merrick and Amanda, aren't you?" Marina said, a slight cough preceding her words. "What if I told you they're innocent?"

Victor stopped, turning to her. "How do you know?"

Marina raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "I asked Amanda while you were gone."

Victor frowned, puzzled. "Why'd you ask?"

"I wanted to see how you'd react if you knew Merrick and Amanda were really involved," Marina admitted, her smile widening.

Victor rolled his eyes. "Mind your own business," he said, his tone sharper than he intended. "Even if they aren't involved, he's still no good."

Marina chuckled, a teasing lilt in her voice. "I know, just like Patricia, right? He's a man, after all. It's not surprising he'd do these things. Besides, you're just like him. Didn't you take enough advantage of me today?"

Victor felt a blush creep up his neck. "I didn't mean to..." he mumbled, his gaze averted as he resumed walking.

Marina glared playfully at him, and then she fell into step beside him.

"What are you looking for?" Marina asked, noticing Victor crouching by a rock, his eyes scanning the ground.

"Clams, crabs, anything," Victor replied, his focus unwavering.

"Let me give you a hand," Marina offered, joining him on the rock.

Victor soon amassed a collection of crabs and over a dozen seashells, but a sudden scream cut through the air. He whirled around to see Marina holding up a slender finger, a large crab clinging tenaciously to it, its claws firmly clamped around her flesh.

He rushed to her side. Seeing the swelling, redness, and pain etched on Marina's face, he sighed. He'd anticipated finding food, not tending to injuries. He tugged hard, tearing the crab in two, but the claws remained stubbornly attached. With a final, powerful pull, he freed her finger. Looking at the bright red wound, he didn't hesitate. He gently placed her finger in his mouth.

A soft gasp escaped Marina's lips, a delicate "Oh!"

A warm rush flooded her fingertip. She stared blankly for a moment before her cheeks flushed crimson. She felt his warm breath, a gentle tugging on her skin, the occasional glide of a wet, warm body across her fingertip.

His saliva felt like ivy, initially causing an instinctive flinch from the sudden itch, but soon, a strange reluctance to pull away settled in, a feeling akin to lying in a sun-drenched meadow, surrounded by wildflowers. Victor sucked vigorously.

It was unlike anything she'd ever experienced; a shiver ran down her spine, a tremor that wasn't from cold or fear, but a purely physical response.

Uncontrollably, Marina's finger twitched as if her body was on the verge of surrendering to an overwhelming urge. Victor seemed to sense this, his mouth tightening around her delicate finger.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Marina stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

Victor paused, pulling back slightly. "I'm stopping the bleeding. Your hand is cut. On this island, if you're injured and don't treat it promptly, you could die."

"B-but..." she began, her voice trembling.

Marina was both angry and mortified, but before she could fully articulate her protest, Victor had already resumed his ministrations. The sensation returned with a rush, a potent current shooting from her legs to her head, weakening her muscles, and making her legs feel unsteady. After a few minutes, he reluctantly released her finger, licking his lips. "Don't move. Wait for me here."

Marina nodded obediently, her legs still slightly numb, yet her body buzzing with an exhilarating energy.

Soon, Victor returned with a sizable collection of crab shells and seashells gathered amongst the coral reefs. Just as he was about to leave, a huge black fish, lying motionless in the shallow water, caught his eye. He stopped dead in his tracks. He immediately grabbed his spear as he approached it.

Whoosh! A jagged bolt of lightning illuminated the sky, followed instantly by the thud of Victor's spear finding its mark—the large fish flopping lifelessly on the sand. Victor erupted in laughter, a joyous sound that echoed across the beach. Marina, hearing his unrestrained mirth, pursed her lips. 'What's he laughing about? Is he crazy?'

Before the thought fully formed, she saw him striding toward her, effortlessly carrying a fish easily over three feet long. She was speechless, her jaw dropped with astonishment.

"Come on. Let's go back. We'll have fish for dinner," Victor announced, his gaze meeting hers, a hint of pride in his eyes as he hefted the enormous catch.

Marina's admiration was evident. "Seriously? You're amazing!"

Victor grinned, a touch of smugness in his tone. "Did you just realize that?"

Marina rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, right. If you were really that good, you'd catch a fish like that every day for me to eat. Then I'll admit you're skilled."

Back at the cave, they found Merrick and Amanda huddled by the campfire, but Patricia was nowhere in sight. Merrick was engaged in animated conversation with Amanda, their laughter mingling with the crackling flames.

A wave of irritation washed over Victor. He strode directly toward them. "What are you two talking about?"

Merrick rolled his eyes, his tone laced with annoyance. "Just chatting," he retorted. "Do you have to be so pushy?"

Victor's anger flared. "If you two don't keep your distance, you'll regret it," he warned.

Merrick's patience snapped. "We're stuck on this stupid island playing this stupid game. Can't we just get along? Why do you always pick on me?"

Victor's gaze remained unwavering. "I don't trust you," he stated simply.

Amanda intervened, waving a hand dismissively. "Shut up! Can you two be quiet?"

An uneasy silence fell over the group.

Marina, remembering Patricia's absence, turned to Merrick. "By the way, Merrick, where's Patricia?"