Security had been reinforced, and within the day, more boats full of men with guns arrived to patrol the resort and surrounding areas. Nova clutched at her waist, a white shawl over her shoulders. The weather was humid and hot, but there was a chill that wouldn't leave her bones as she watched everything unfold from the reception.
Some of the men returned, all geared up in some type of black combat gear. Unlike the first lot of security, these were some sort of privately hired militia, their identities concealed by balaclavas and tinted tactical goggles. Their rifles resting in their gloved hands. They must be sweating like pigs in all that gear.
It should have made her feel better, safe, and protected. It did not. The look in those men's eyes before they'd stepped into the shadows remained with her. The image of those who had been killed—speared like animals—would always remain with her.
Nova stared at the luxurious reception with its sleek, marble-topped reception desk standing at its centre, plush sofas arranged in inviting clusters, a hammock swayed gently from the ocean breeze, positioned perfectly to overlook the breathtaking view of the beach. The space was open, with no walls or glass to separate from the elements or, in this case, a potential attack from the natives.
It should have been as relaxing and inviting as it appeared, but the deaths of those workers, those men that had killed them so easily, made it seem hollow, the beauty masking the horrifying events.
The leader of the tactical team of ninjas or whatever they were spoke in a hushed tone to Chad. He was a stern-looking man with a 'no nonsense' look to his fine-lined features. She still managed to hear the end of the discussion. They didn't discover anyone in the surrounding areas and only followed his orders to venture further into the rainforest.
Chad signalled him to do exactly that, waving the man off like he was some pesky bug. The man's expression didn't change as he spoke into his earpiece like he was used to rich, entitled men treating him in that manner. The man marched away, his boots thudding against the shiny wooden floors.
Nova's attention returned to her boyfriend, who she was starting to find more and more unattractive. Not his looks. His personality. Had she really not noticed this after two years together? No, she was being too quick to judge. This was a stressful situation, people's lives had been taken.
"How many times has this happened? You said that sign was a prank," Nova asked, stepping forward, unable to hold back her thoughts.
Chad completely ignored her as he turned his attention to another man in a suit, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "This project CANNOT fail."
"The island is restless. It doesn't want us here," the suited man said, his accent was smooth and warm, Brazilian. His words surprised Nova though. He looked every bit the businessman—slicked back hair, crisp suit—yet he spoke with an almost mystical reverence for nature, a free-spirited wanderer.
Chad chuckled darkly without any humour, those ocean eyes Nova loves so much now like blocks of ice as he stared back at the man. "They don't know how much this resort being here will bring them money and-"
"They are rich from the land and their way of life. They do not need what they do not know," the man interrupted wisely.
Chad raked his fingers through his hair aggressively. "Money will buy them something simple. I don't know... maybe a working toilet. They don't know about plumbing, but once they do, they'll realise how stupid they've been for treating us like this. Heck, maybe they'll even enjoy a burger. Saves them having to hunt for their food all the damned time."
"Sir, I must protest against this project. If guests get speared, then it will fail-"
"FIND A SOLUTION! THAT'S WHAT I PAY YOU FOR!" Chad stormed off, pulling his phone out of his khaki shorts and putting it against his ear. "Yes, Father.." The rest of what was said trailed off the further he walked away.
Nova stared after him, feeling colder as the distance grew. The suited man turned away, sighing, taking his own phone out from his pocket. "Have you tried speaking to them?" Nova asked, wondering if this question would also be dismissed and ignored.
The man paused and looked at her, his dark, warm eyes taking her in, and he sighed, which made her realise perhaps that was a foolish question, especially after seeing the deaths of two workers. "Right," she murmured, answering herself. "But how can we find a solution?" Nova asked, she had no knowledge about these people or the island. There was nothing online about this island.
The man didn't respond as he stroked his hand over his gelled hair and put his phone to his ear, indicating the end of her questioning. Nova returned to the room, feeling utterly empty and drained from everything. Stress that usually tightened her shoulders had them inching slowly towards her ears again.
Chad sighed, throwing his phone on the bed and stared out at the view, his back to her.
"Chad, are you okay? She asked softly, slowly approaching him.
"Really, Nova?" He snapped and looked over at her. "You really think I'm okay?!" He swiped his hand and gestured at the door behind her. "Those barbarians just killed two of my people! Jeez."
Nova flinched at his words. "I'm just checking in on you-"
"Don't give me that look." Chad scowled. "I hate it when you look like that. You know what I'm going to be busy with all of this. Do something useful and get rid of this." He gestured at her face. "And test one of the tours we provide. You'll get to explore and enjoy the sun and the island, and you'll have Bruce and the team around, so you're safe."
Nova blinked back at him. Shocked was an understatement to what she felt. "Wait, are you really sending me out there when there are literal killers in that jungle?!"
"Stop being dramatic. Can't you see I'm doing this for you? I want you to calm down, actually, enjoy this island I've brought for you… For us. Besides, the team will clean up the island." He waved his hand nonchalantly.
"Clean up?" Nova froze. "What do you mean by that?"
"If they can't be negotiated with…" Chad shrugged. "Then they will deal with the problem."
A chill ran down Nova's spine, stepping back like she'd been hit.
Who was this man?
Reading her expression, Chad's serious one dropped, and he burst into laughter. "You should have seen your face, N. Priceless." He clamped his hand down on her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Get ready. Go on the tour and tell me how it is and how it needs improvements."
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
That was how she ended up in the middle of a rainforest, a nervous guide who looked like he might pee his pants any second and with good reason, her bodyguard, Bruce, and a few others of those army men. Definitely the most riveting tour, considering they all believed they could be speared at any moment.
How was she convinced to come here again? Was Chad really joking with her? He was so off, and her instincts were flagging this behaviour. She shook her head. This wasn't the time to think about Chad. They were in the tropical rainforest, a little too far away from the resort for her liking.
Felipe, the tour guide, was trying despite the tremor in his voice and the way his eyes darted at every rustle and chirp, which were constant in a dense tropical rainforest like this. Perhaps he was being paid handsomely, Nova thought, because that was the only reasonable explanation she could come up with for why only a handful of workers had quit after this morning. Many still remained.
Felipe gestured to a few small monkeys above them, snapping her attention away from dark thoughts and to the little monkeys above them. "Capuchins."
They were the most adorable monkeys she'd ever seen and did distract her momentarily. The guide informed them about the monkeys, and then they ventured further into the forest until there was a rocky formation, and they were led into caves. Once they were inside, a spine-chilling scream escaped Nova's lips.