By midnight, we'd gathered enough firewood. I collapsed onto the sand, limbs splayed. "I'm dead," I groaned.
Emma nudged me with her foot. "David... what if..."
"What if what?"
"He might come back. I can't sleep."
"I'll keep watch."
"Alone? Even guard dogs nap sometimes."
Kate sat up sharply. "Who are you calling a dog?"
"It's just an expression!"
Their bickering continued until Kate leveled a gaze at Emma. "Just us four here. Tell the truth—I heard you started as a club hostess. True?"
Emma's cheeks flushed. "You're the hostess!"
"Then why the gutter mouth? Seriously though, no acting training, yet A-list? How?"
"None of your damn business!"
I noted Emma's defensive tone. The rumors about her sugar daddy producer might hold weight after all.
"You should show some respect," Kate snapped. "Drop the trashy attitude."
"Who's trashy? Who?" Emma was practically foaming.
Watching them spar, I realized Emma couldn't match Kate's wit—when cornered, she just shrieked louder.
"Enough!" I rubbed my temples. "Either sleep or go chop more wood."
Silence fell.
At dawn, Daisy doused unnecessary fires and waded into the surf to wash. I envied her simplicity, though feared for her safety with Jack still lurking.
The food cache was a mess. "Blood on the packaging," I cursed.
Kate gagged. "We can't eat this."
Emma wrinkled her nose. "Disgusting."
"Seal's intact," Kate reasoned. "We'll rinse it in the ocean."
As we cleaned the supplies, Daisy vanished mid-swim. Panic spiked until she surfaced meters away, clutching something.
"Geoduck!" She beamed, presenting the giant clam. "My breakfast trade."
Emma whispered, "She's improving, isn't she?"
I nodded. The clarity in Daisy's eyes this morning... then gone again.
Over breakfast, Kate stared at the horizon. "David... remember Malaysia 370?"
"Sure."
"Where do you think they went?"
"No idea."
"Will that be us?"
I exhaled. "Doubtful. But plan for long-term survival."
The satellite transceiver taunted me from our supplies. After futile button mashing, I hurled it onto the sand. "Piece of—"
Kate snatched it up. The screen flickered to life.
"Signal?" Emma demanded.
"Nothing."
"Try higher!"
I scaled a palm tree, device in hand. Still dead air. "Maybe from higher ground..."
"There are no mountains here," Kate said.
"We'll scout inland." I distributed supplies. "Daisy guards camp. We move at first light."
As we entered the tree line, Emma clung to my arm without pretense. Her warmth stirred dangerous thoughts.