CHAPTER 7:

July 25, 2004

Sunlight filled the otherwise darkened bedroom and blanketed my tan, naked body with its warmth. I reached out to touch the sleeping body lying next to me, making sure that this was real – HE was real, and not another one of the dreams I often found myself trapped in. The feel of his warm, hairy chest relaxed me. I smiled at the thought of what we had shared the night before, knowing that had been real as well.

Collin stirred at my soft touch. I felt his arms wrap around my body and he held me tight, not saying a word. I felt such contentment.

“We better get a shower before our families get here, Luv,” he whispered in my ear, as he squeezed me tight and kissed my neck, sending tingles throughout my body.

“Mmmmm… a shower sounds wonderful,” I replied, smiling at the thought of it.

It’s amazing, the little creature comforts in life that we often take for granted. Never would I have imagined the joy a simple shower could bring me. But there I was, feeling the warm water run through my long, auburn hair and down my lean, tan, naked body. It was almost an orgasmic feeling. One I had truly missed.

Then, I felt Collin’s warm, hard body press against my backside, as he slowly slid his hands around my body. Cupping a breast in each hand, he began to gently squeeze and massage each one, allowing his fingertips to lightly stroke each nipple. Breathing heavy now – goosebumps. Then I felt his hot breath at the nape of my neck, soft lips barely making contact. Hands reaching behind me, I took hold of his immense, rock-hard manhood – touching, stroking. He let out a soft moan, and I could feel his stubbled chin brush against my cheek. God, how I wanted him – needed him. Just then, I felt his large hands slide between my legs, thick fingers probing, as my entire body shivered with delight.  The next thing I knew, I was spun around, lifted off my feet, and shoved against the tiled, shower wall. My legs wrapped around of his torso as I felt him plunge inside me with great force – in and out and in and out, our mouths finding one another - kissing and sucking and licking. The warm water of the shower spraying down around us, as we came together in a loud roar of ecstasy.

CHAPTER 8:

April 28, 2002

“Evelyn…Evelyn…wake up, Luv…” I could barely make out the voice calling my name.

I opened my eyes – focusing now. Nightfall. A campfire burning bright – my eyes watered from its smoke. Collin stood in front of me, concerned look on his tan, rugged face. God, I had forgotten how incredibly handsome he truly was! Especially with what appeared to be about a week's worth of stubble covering his strong, dimpled chin. His light brown hair, cut quite a bit shorter than he normally kept it, fell in ringlets around his face – obviously wet from perspiration.

“Evelyn…that’s your name, right?” he paused, looking at me - waiting for a reply, which didn’t come. “I hope you don’t mind, I went through your bag…I got your name from your i.d.” He moved closer to me, blocking my view of the fire.

“It’s …ah…it's Evie.” I paused, blinked tears out of my eyes, then continued, “My friends call me Evie.”

Collin stooped down – closer to me now. Big smile. “Okay then, Evie it is.”

“So, what is your name? What do I call you, then?” I asked, playing dumb to the fact that I knew exactly who he was.

Surprised by my question, he just stood there a minute, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. After all, didn’t everyone know who he was? Then, replied, “Collin. My name is Collin.” Long pause, then continued, “You don’t know who I am?”

“You were sitting across from me on the plane, weren’t you?” I replied. My burning, red eyes still tearing up from the campfire.

“Um…that’s right, I was.”

“Oh, God, the plane! What happened to the plane? How did we get here? And where the hell are we, anyway?”

Pause, then a worried look overcame Collin’s face once more as he spoke, “The plane went down, Luv. You don’t remember? We had to jump. We ended up on this island, which I have determined to be completely uninhabited, except for us.”

I tried to remember, thought real hard, but just couldn’t. Only momentary flashes of distorted images filled my mind.

“No, I don’t. Not really. Last thing I recall, we were on the plane and … oh God… did you say we jumped out of the plane?”

Collin just looked at me, looked at the ground, then back at me. “Uh, yes. Yes, we did.”

“So, you saved my life then?” I gave him a smile, then said, “Thanks.”

“Not a problem, Luv.” Appearing to be embarrassed, he tried to change the subject. “So, Evie, Luv, um…uh… how are you feeling?”

“Better, I think. My throat is only a bit scratchy now instead of feeling like I swallowed glass. Not to mention, I can almost see now. But my body, now that’s another story. How did I get so banged up and you don’t appear to have a scratch on you?”

Collin looked at the ground again, searching for words. Nervously, he spoke,” Well, I wouldn’t say I don’t have a scratch, but, uh…we can talk about that at a later time. Right now, let’s try and get some sleep. It’s getting really late.”

Collin sat down beside me. I just stared at him, the same questions filling my mind. What had happened? Why wouldn’t he tell me? Why couldn’t I remember? Collin lay down, scooting closer to my body.

“Are you cold, Luv?” he asked.

“A little,” I replied, just now realizing that the night air was rather cool.

Wrapping his muscular arms around me, Collin settled in next to me. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck as I closed my eyes and felt sleep overtake me once more.

CHAPTER 9:

July 25, 2004

From the bedroom I could hear the joyful sounds of Collin reuniting with his family. They had arrived just moments before, and Collin rushed out to greet them, leaving me alone in the bedroom to dress.

They sound so happy, I thought to myself, as I ran a comb through my damp, tangled hair. I tried hard to concentrate on their laughter – blocking out whatever stray thoughts of impending doom I had about my own family reunion. It almost worked, too, until I heard a knock on the door. I began to shake from head to toe – my heart racing faster and faster, until I thought I might pass out.

I really did love my family – with all my heart, and I missed them terribly. I just didn’t know how to face them after being away from them for all this time. After all, until a couple days ago, they had thought I was dead, and with good reason – the person I was, the person they knew, in many ways was dead. The once loving wife and mother they knew no longer existed. I had buried her, along with the memory of them, a long time ago. Had to. Only way I could survive. The events of that day – the day I had to “bury” my family – the family I was now about to become reunited with – replayed in my mind. I tried to force them out, but failed. Finally, I succumbed to the painful memory as it overtook me:

“It’s got to be this way…you and I can’t go on living this way.”

Fighting back the tears, I looked at him and knew he was right. Still, it hurt. Finally, I shook my head in agreement. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

He took my hand in his, looked into my deep-set, green eyes, “So, we’re in agreement then? The past is the past. Didn’t exist. None of it. Before the island, there was nothing.”

“Before the island, there was nothing.” I repeated. And then they were gone. Buried deep in my mind – forever. Or, so I had hoped at the time.

Still working the comb through my hair, I found myself staring into the large ornate mirror over the vanity. My large, green eyes were bloodshot and filled with tears. My once smooth, pale skin was now a deep golden tan, as was the rest of my body. My auburn hair, once cut rather short and conservative, was now long and flowing, streaked with blonde highlights from the sun.

Look at me! I don’t even look like the same person, I thought to myself.

The knock on the door came much louder this time. “Evie, dear, there’s someone here to see you. Shall I let them in, Luv?” A female’s voice spoke to me through the bedroom door. Collin’s mother, perhaps?

Startled by the sound, I set my comb aside. Trying to compose myself, I hesitated at first, then answered,” Ah…yes. Yes. I’m ready to see them now. Please let them in.”

I wasn’t ready, though. Not now – not for this. I gently wiped away the tears that had been collecting in the corners of my eyes, and prepared myself for the inevitable. My heart began pounding, feeling as though it would beat right through my chest. Just then, I saw the bedroom door slowly crack open and the sound of a familiar, yet hesitant voice called out, “Evie…?”

Heart pounding now. “Martin, is that you?” I stood and turned toward that door, which now swung all the way open, allowing me to see him in full view. Time had changed him. I tried hard to remember the man he once was – the Martin I had once buried. But his image failed me.

“Before the island, there was nothing….” I heard the voice in my mind once more.

“Oh God, Evie! Evie, it IS you! Oh, how I missed you!” Tears of joy were running down his face, as he rushed to embrace me.

I just stood there, arms by my side, body stiff, as Martin wrapped his strong arms around me and squeezed.

The voice inside me once more, “Before the island, there was nothing…before the island, there was nothing…”.

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