~*The Fourth*~ Chapter 5

Chapter 5

As they go on their way through the island. They stop at a stream and drink from it.

Richard speaks: If we follow this down, it should lead us all the way.

Etienne and Françoise just stare at Richard. Shanna believed in Richard so she followed him down the stream. They all started heading down the stream until Richard comes to a problem. They all look down peering at the lagoon below them. On either side of the waterfall cliffs curve away to form a massive circle enclosing the lagoon. Richard had no idea what to do.

Etienne speaks to Richard. Well Richard how are we going to get down?

Why are you asking me? Richard asks.

Because you're in command.

I only took command because you lost your nerve French boy.

As they go on arguing, Françoise sees that there is only one way down.

Richard and Etienne argue over which way to go.

Françoise says, "We can jump."

Richard responds " We are not going to jump, Françoise so just can it."

Richard goes on speaking to Etienne their arguing becomes more aggressive. As they are about to fight, Françoise runs between them and jumps.

Richard, Shanna and Etienne watch as she falls to the water below. They wait, after a few seconds she surfaces and tells them it's okay. They throw their bags down and jump. They sink and then surface. All four are full of adrenaline if they had another way to go up they would have done it again. They swim to each other hugging and kissing because they are almost toward the end of their journey. While they are doing this someone is watching them. He claps and they become aware of him. He is a young Afro-Caribbean Londoner. He stands near a tree.

Congratulations. It took me the best part of an hour to work up the balls to do that. Mind you, I was on me own so you have to make allowances. Keaty explained to them.

Keaty walks. Richard shouts, "stay there".

They all get their stuff and get out of the water. They follow Keaty. He told them he thought they should meet Sal. Sal was the unelected leader on the island, she was a white female about 30 or so and everyone looked up to her. They respected her. She was one of the first on the island.

Richard, Shanna, Françoise and Etienne await their sentence. They felt like they were being judged.

Finally Richard speaks: The guy who drew this.

Daffy. Sal says.

Yeah, he's dead he slit his wrists out on Khao San Road.

And you've seen this? A member of the community asks Richard.

I came after.

That's really sad news. He was the founder of this community. Sal explains.

Do you think he gave a map like this to anyone else? She asked.

I don't know. I don't think so, Richard replies.

And you have you shown this to anyone?

One by one they all say, No.

Good. We value our secrecy here. She gets a lighter and burns the map as Richard holds it out. Seconds later he drops it as it burns quickly.

Everyone is happy.

Sal shows them around and explains the rules. They weren't allowed to steal from the farmers and everyone had a certain job to do. That was it. Carpentry was Bugs job. Gardening and Fishing were a trade off for everyone in the community. There wasn't to much to do, but everyone enjoyed themselves. It was just a beach resort for people who didn't like beach resorts.

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