Best Friends and More

Chapter 8

‘Come on Chloe. Pull yourself together. He was tired and just said goodnight so there is nothing weird about that, right?’ I thought, ‘Great, now I’m flustered and confused but mainly happy. What is wrong with me? Uhhh… Alright time for some sleep.’

“Back off Daniel! You’re drunk, again.” I say in a small voice trying to not get hit again. “You’re still being a prude. We have been together for 2 months and we still haven't had s*x yet. Now come on. Let's have some fun.” he slurred out in his drunken state. “It has only been 2 months so I’d rather not. Especially not when you’re drunk.” I say back to him. 

“What I say f*****g goes and I’m having fun tonight.” Daniel yells at me and launches after me. I barely escape him and run to the bedroom. I try to lock the door but he slams it back into my face and all I see is black spots. The next thing I know is my hands are tied to the bed frame and I’m laying on my stomach. The next thing I hear is the sound of a whip cracking. It didn’t register what the whip hit until I felt the pain on my back. I try to escape the ropes and I see them budge every time I pull but it is too late as Daniel just keeps going. I lost track of time and how many times he hit me but he finally stopped and just left me tied up. I pull at the ropes one last time and the knot comes undone. I reach for my phone on the nightstand and call the only person I can, “Aaron… help… please.” I say crying into the phone. “Chloe, where are you? What happened?” He replies with concern in his tone of voice. “I’m at Daniels. He… Just please help. I don’t know what to do.” I continue to cry into the phone. “I’m on my way now. Just hold on.”

True to his word the front door flies open, “Chloe, where are you?” he yells into the house. “Bedroom.” I say softly but loud enough for him to hear me. “Oh Chloe. What did he do? I need to call an ambulance. You’re losing too much blood. I need to tell Keaton… Chloe stay with me. Chlo… Chl… Ch…” 

I wake up in a cold sweat from the nightmare. ‘That was 4 and a half years ago, I’m fine now and Daniel is in prison.’ I chant that to myself over and over again. I look at that clock and see that I’ve only been asleep for 2 hours. ‘This is the only sleep I’m going to get. I might as well get the boat moving. On a positive note, We’ll get to the island earlier than I thought.’ 

At 10:30 am the island is about 20 minutes out so of course I have to use the loudspeaker, “Attention, this is your captain speaking. We will be arriving at our destination in about 20 minutes. Over and out.” That was a great idea and it got the point across. Aaron came into the helm and set down on my desk chair, “Chloe, did you get any sleep at all? You look terrible.” He says straight up. “Yes I did get some sleep.” I say with an eye roll. “Did you have another nightmare? Remember you can talk to me or Keaton about anything.” Aaron tells me dead seriously. “I know Aaron. I… did have another nightmare but I… Who the hell am I kidding I’m not fine but I can take care of myself. If I need to talk I know I can trust y’all but for now I’ll be okay.” I smile at him, “Well look at that, it's the island that we’re going to dock at.” In front of us is a large island with 2 large docks on opposite sides, 1 other ship was on the dock to my left, so we’re going to dock on the opposite dock. Mainly to give the other islanders space to do whatever they want on the side they’re on. “Attention, this is your captain again. The docking process is underway. Over and out.” 

 As soon as the boat is docked, I make my way to the 3nd floor and see everyone looking at the sandy beach. “Alright,” I start, “ There are some rules that we have to follow to be on this island. Rule 1: is simple, pick up your trash. Rule 2: respect the others on the island. Those are the really major rules but other than that let's get out there.” With that we leave the boat to go set up our towels. The water is a crystal clear with a white sand beach and a lush forest filled with all types of creatures in it. Everyone got their beach stuff and went to set up where they are going to be. They boys shed their shirts and ran to the ocean in just their trunks while the girls got into their bikinis to get a suntan. I’m the only one who has a t-shirt still on but f**k the suntanning I’m going to find a shark or dolphin to ride. I’m an i***t but my friends love me!