Man In The Island

She's Adora

"It means with the thing I have now," Adora replied with a stammer.

"What do you have right now? Other than a mind that waits for help and is not moved to survive."

"You always bring that up." Adora was annoyed.

Eric chuckled. "Facts, right?"

The sun began to sink slightly, leaving an orange tinge in the sky. The waves rolled in quietly, washing over the sand that began to cool as the afternoon progressed.

On the shore, Eric and Adora sat cross-legged on the wide leaves they had fashioned into makeshift mats. In front of them, oyster shells and the remnants of sea urchin spines were scattered, evidence that they had just filled their stomachs.

Adora gulped down the remaining coconut water from the shell she held, then looked at Eric with a serious expression. "I'll pay this debt," she said suddenly.

Eric, who was cleaning his pen with the hem of his T-shirt, glanced over. "What debt?"

Adora crossed her arms over her chest. "This food. You searched for it, you opened it, and I enjoyed it. I can't just stand by without compensating."

Eric snorted softly. "Adora, we're stranded on a deserted island. No money, no transactions, and you're talking about compensation?"

"Precisely because of that," Adora replied quickly. "Once we get back to civilization, I'll pay you tenfold. Whatever you want."

Eric stared at her for a moment, then turned his gaze to the sea. The waves rolled in a constant rhythm, making far more sense than this conversation. "What's more important now is how we survive until then."

Adora sighed, biting her lip as if still not satisfied with Eric's answer. "But I'm serious."

Eric tossed a small stone into the waves. "If you're serious, then figure out a way to keep us alive until help arrives. That would be more useful than empty promises about money you might never pay back."

Adora paused, then let out a small snort. "Okay. I'll prove that I can be useful."

Eric glanced at her, grinning slightly. "We'll see about that."

"I want to find some food supplies." Eric stood up from his seat.

"It's almost night. It's better to wait until tomorrow," Adora interjected.

"But we won't have any food tomorrow. Who knows? By searching around the shore, we might find things left over from our ship that could help us survive." Eric looked at Adora. "Instead of just waiting and doing nothing."

"I know what you mean, but it's almost dark."

Eric looked at the sun sinking into the horizon. "You're right. It's better to stay here for now. Maybe help will come."

"Finally, you admit you're hoping for help."

"Yes, because I still want to go back to the city."

Suddenly, Eric felt a strange warmth radiating from his stomach, slowly spreading through his body. It was a sensation he had never experienced before. Perhaps... it was the effect of the oysters. A wild thought flickered in his mind, an aphrodisiac. Those oysters, so delicious, might contain something more than just flavor.

He tried to dismiss the thought. That couldn't be happening. Maybe it was just fatigue, or the stress of being stranded for so long.

"What's happening?" Eric muttered, rubbing his face with his palm.

Adora, who was examining some leaves for bedding, turned to him. "Are you okay, Eric?" she asked, her soft voice cutting through the quiet.

Eric forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just feeling a little weird after eating. Probably too many oysters." He tried to sound casual.

Adora raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You don't look like yourself. Your face is flushed."

Eric nodded wordlessly. His eyes narrowed as he tried to stabilize himself. But the more he thought about it, the stronger the sensation became. His body was heating up, his mind growing restless.

He wanted to run, to the sea. Something bigger than himself, something cooler, something that could wash away the storm inside him.

"I need a bath," he blurted out, his voice louder than he intended.

Adora looked at him in surprise. "A bath? You want to bathe in the sea?"

Eric stood up and began walking toward the water. "Yeah, I need to freshen up. I'll be back soon."

He felt like he was battling something inexplicable. His body was burning with unfamiliar sensations. As he reached the water, the cool waves lapped at his feet, sending a shiver through him. It was a relief, but it didn’t make the feeling disappear. Instead, it only made it more real.

Standing waist-deep in the sea, Eric looked down, closing his eyes. He needed to clear his mind. What should I do? This isn't the right time. Images of Adora’s curves flashed unbidden through his mind. Ah, damn it!

Beyond the vast ocean, something else stirred inside him something deeper, something more primal, something he couldn't quite name.

"Eric! What's wrong with you?" Adora’s voice broke the silence. There was panic in it, but also curiosity she couldn't hide.

Eric turned to face her. "I-I'm fine, Adora." His voice was lower than usual, betraying something he wished to conceal.

Adora wasn't convinced. "No, you're not. What happened to you? Why did you suddenly run into the sea?" She stepped forward, defying the cold water now swirling around her legs.

Eric held his breath, trying to steady his racing heart. "I just need time to think, Adora. That’s all." He forced a smile, though it felt anything but natural.

Adora stopped a few steps away, her gaze piercing. "You're lying, Eric. There’s something you're not telling me. If something’s wrong, just say it. I can help."

Eric snorted but felt another wave of heat roll over him. "You can't help, Adora. This isn't something that can be talked about."

"But you're okay, right?"

"Calm down, I'm fine. So go back and get some rest." Eric gestured toward their makeshift camp. "Or, do you want to watch me take a bath?"

Adora huffed in frustration. "Ugh! As if there’s anything worth seeing on that scrawny body!" She turned away.

"Sure?" Eric teased, pretending to take off his clothes.

Adora yelped and ran back to shore. "Just wait, Eric! When we get out of here, I'll make you pay for that!"

Eric laughed, quickly stripping off his shirt and pants before diving into the sea.

"If only Adora could be a little friendlier, maybe I would..."