The Island (8 page)

Now nobody was in a hurry to move on. Nervous glances were shot between competitors. Once again, it was Ryder who made the first move. He walked into the dark tunnel, footfalls echoing as he made his way deeper. Chase followed, the drop in temperature making his sweaty skin cold. He wasn’t sure who was behind him. All he could see was the back of Ryder’s head as they walked single file. He wondered where Alex was. He presumed he was at the back, hands thrust in pockets, head down and bobbing like a chicken as he walked. Chase realised he didn’t like not being able to see him. They stopped, Ryder closest to the door, Chase just behind. He looked over his shoulder, expecting to see one of the girls, and surprised to see Alex. He was looking at the floor, shoulders hunched, hands in pockets, heart thundering, adrenaline making him agitated. Chase waited as the door behind them closed and locked, blocking out the civilised world, and the door ahead of them opened, spilling in the bright light of the hostile world which awaited them.

THE WORLD WATCHES

PRODUCTION OFFICE

LOMAR TOWER

NEW YORK CITY

MARCH 8
th
2044

The production office was dominated by a vast array of television screens which stretched the entire length of one wall. Banks of production staff stay at consoles, each responsible for maintaining the live feed on The Island. Unofficially dubbed as mission control, it was a hive of activity. Biggest of all and surrounded by the smaller monitors was a larger screen showing a map of The Island, the digital representation penned in green on a black, six small yellow dots which represented the contestants flashed by the edge of the north wall entrance. Lomar approached Maurice, standing at his shoulder, knowing how intimidating his presence was.

“You’ve done well, Maurice. Really well. Everything looks good.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lomar,” Maurice said, not looking up from his console.

“And you have full coverage? Just like I asked?”

Maurice glanced Lomar’s way, and then turned his head back towards the dizzying array of controls in front of him. “Yes, sir. We have over three hundred thousand static cameras set up all through The Island, as well as roaming drone cameras which are able to go wherever we guide them. Each contestant is also wired for video and audio as well as vital sign monitoring. The static cameras are in hibernation now which is why all of the screens are blank. They are set to activate when they detect a signal from the GPS trackers so that they conserve battery power.”

Lomar put a hand on Maurice’s shoulder, squidgy flesh underneath his shirt moving slightly to accommodate. Maurice flinched. “You’ve done a fantastic job. Really, all of you should be proud.” He made sure to say it loud enough for the rest of the production team to hear it. He wanted morale to be high.

“Thank you, sir. That means a lot.”

“Can I trust you to do this, Maurice? I have urgent business as you know. I’m giving you a lot of responsibility here. You know how much is on the line here. This is a chance to prove yourself, Maurice. Run the production; make the show a success in my absence. I believe in you, Maurice. I know you can do this.”

Lomar knew he sounded sincere, even if he could smell the fear coming of Maurice. Mingled with the slightly musty body odour smell, it wasn’t pleasant. Even so, the words had the desired effect. Maurice straightened in his seat, renewing his attention.

“Yes, Mr. Lomar. You can count on me.”

“I know it. I have to fly out this evening back to Necker. You have my personal number; I want you to call me if you have any issues. Any at all. Understood?”

“Yes, Mr. Lomar.”

“Good,” Lomar said as he looked at the array of screens on the wall, then at the large map of The Island. Yellow dots still blinking near the entrance. “Activate the GPS locators on our island residents. Let’s see what they’re up against.”

Maurice glanced over his shoulder. Still a little uncertain. Lomar thought Maurice was probably still fighting with the moral implications of what was happening. He didn’t care. He had already invested too much. He watched as Maurice’s fat fingers danced over the computer console, showing surprising dexterity.

“GPS locators are coming on line now, sir,” Maurice said.

Lomar stared at the screen showing the outline of the map as the six yellow dots were joined by red. Lots of red. Some stationary, many moving. Red dots all over The Island. Lomar smiled. Six yellow dots and more than two hundred red. He liked those odds.

“All GPS trackers are online, Mr. Lomar,” Maurice said.

Everybody in the production office stared at the screens, which had come to life now that the trackers had been active. He watched the reactions as they saw the things they revealed, things that until that moment had been a secret to all but Lomar and Maurice. He could imagine the public reacting in much the same way. How his contestants would react was another matter entirely. He couldn’t wait to find out.

“Is the feed directed to my private jet?”

“Yes, Mr. Lomar. And to Necker Island as instructed.”

“Good. I don’t want to miss this. Call me when they reach the end of the safe zone. I really have to go. Good luck, Maurice. You and your team will be rewarded well for the work you do over these next days.”

The next words he said loudly, addressing the stunned production team. “All of you will receive a hundred thousand dollar bonus on completion of the show as long as what you see remains secret. I want the public to discover the secrets of The Island at the same time as our contestants. As you all know, public excitement on this is high. Bets are being taken, favourites chosen. We collectively have captured their imagination. Now we need to deliver the best programming we can in the most professional way possible.”

Nobody argued. Lomar had selected the best people. People he could trust. The financial incentive was just extra insurance, and something he could easily afford. Pocket change really. He took a last look at the map, imagining scenarios and how they would play out.

“Right, I have to go,” Lomar said, tearing his eyes from the screen. “Give me regular updates. The first highlight show airs in a couple of hours. Make sure the editing is right. High production values. I want this to be the best it can be.”

He could feel it now. The excitement in the air, the anticipation and determination to succeed. They were excited and ready to do what needed to be done. He left them to it, letting them work. As he made his way towards his office to get his travel bag, he knew now that the only thing that could let him down was the contestants, and he was sure that wouldn’t be a factor. Fear was a good motivator too, and he was sure the six of them were already feeling it plenty.

THE GAME BEGINS

THE ISLAND – 4:44pm

The heat was stifling. Chase suspected it was because the immense walls blocked out much of the breeze, which in turn made the atmosphere so humid. The group had stayed together, wordlessly walking in a line. The safe zone was marked by a dirt road which snaked into the distance. Immense trees and jungle terrain stretched ahead of them. In the distance they could see tree covered hills. All of them became aware that the journey ahead was going to be a difficult one. Mosquitoes buzzed around, harassing the new arrivals. Birds sang, the surrounding jungle held back by wire fences set back on the edge of the road. It seemed that this area had been deliberately formed into a natural corridor of sorts leading them further inland. At least there, away from the walls, they might feel a little bit of breeze.

Nobody had said a word since the door to civilisation had closed behind them. Chase found it funny that the showboating and bravado didn’t mean anything when the reality of the game took over. Chase glanced over his shoulder, the wall already starting to be swallowed from view by the overhanging trees. All of the contestants were dealing with the situation in their own way, but so far there was no panic. No overreaction. Chase thought of it as the opening moments of a boxing match or an MMA fight. They were all just feeling out the competition, testing the waters to see how to best move forward. He was sure that after the safe zone, things would take a very different turn. He assessed each of them in turn. Ryder was casual, thumbs hooked into the straps of his backpack, baseball cap pulled low as he assessed the terrain, keeping his eyes forward. Perrie stood beside him, keeping pace. The two had formed something of a bond over the last few days, probably physical more than anything else. He couldn’t imagine any kind of intelligent conversation between them. Moses was walking close to the fence, looking at the fauna. He seemed calm and relaxed. He had tried a bandana over his head to catch the sweat which was already making his skin slick. Ellie was a little bit behind him. Silent as always, fiercely determined and wearing her earphones. Chase wasn’t sure how wise it was to listen to music and mute one of the most important senses, but that was on her. As always, lagging behind, was Alex, hands in pockets, head down and walking with that bob of his head. For reasons he didn’t understand, Chase was drawn to him. It was a slimy, uncomfortable feeling not unlike the sweat that ran down his spine. He was already tired and wondered if the others felt the same.

“First thing we need to do is find water,” Ryder said. “That’s essential.”

Perrie took out a lip gloss and started to apply it. “I hope I look good on TV. My friends will be so jealous.”

Chase couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was either a deliberate ploy to throw them off, or she was grossly out of her depth.

“You know what this is, don’t you?” Moses asked.

“Of course I do. It’s television show.” She said it as if he had asked the most ridiculous question in the world. Chase realised that she wasn’t playing a game. She literally had no clue.

“But you surely understand what we are here to do? The rules we’re playing by.”

She turned and grinned at him, a worry-free gesture.

She shouldn’t be here
. The thought came into Chase’s mind again as he watched the exchange between her and Moses unfold.

“It’s just for show,” she said, falling back a little to keep pace with Moses. “My daddy works in TV. He says a lot of it is all for show. What happens off camera is nothing like the stuff they show. It’s all edited together. This is a game.”

“A game where five of us will end up dead,” Moses fired back. “Surely you’re not so naïve that you don’t realise that?”

She smiled, although it wasn’t quite so big a gesture this time. “But they won’t
actually
have us die. That’s all part of the show. For ratings.”

Moses glanced at Chase. Even Ryder was paying attention now. “Did you even read the contract they gave you?” Moses asked.

“Not really. I’ve wanted to be on TV all my life. When I got picked for this, I was so excited. My friend Chelsea was so jealous.”

Moses stopped walking, the rest of the group following suit and forming a rough circle.

“Wait, you’re telling me you signed up to this, just so you could be on TV?” Moses was struggling to comprehend what Perrie was saying.

“Of course. I love celebrities. I’ve always wanted to be one.”

Ryder chuckled and shook his head. “This is going to be easier than I thought,” he muttered, then started walking again. The others followed suit.

“What’s the problem? You think I’m shallow because I want to better myself?”

Moses looked over his shoulder as he walked away. “That’s not it at all, girl.”

“Then what is it?” she shouted after him.

“It’s because you just killed yourself without even realising it. And I don’t like to see life wasted like that.”

“You’ll see, you’ll all look stupid when I’m proved right,” she snapped.

They walked on, and silence fell on the group again, leaving the world to the mosquitoes and birds and whatever else was waiting for them out there. The sun was starting to get lower in the sky, reddening the landscape with its fiery glow. The trees whispered in the light breeze as whatever secrets The Island held prepared to be shrouded in the coming dark.

“We need to make camp soon. I suggest here in the safe zone is a good idea considering how late it is.” Ryder said, coming to rest and taking a sip from his water bottle.

“Makes it easier to slit out throats in the night,” Moses said, calm and flat. He and Ryder locked eyes, neither willing to back down. Chase decided to speak up. He wasn’t prepared to see blood spilled just yet.

“Look, I think it’s a good idea too. We should be safe here. In the morning, we can decide what to do, either as a group or on our own. I think we can all agree that a night’s rest will do us the world of good.”

Moses and Ryder continued to stare each other down. Moses lowered his eyes first, shrugging his shoulders. “Works for me. Let’s set up.”

They worked together. Each of them had singular tents in their backpacks along with basic ration kits and a water bottle. If any exercise showed how prepared they were for survival, it was this one. Those who had experienced outdoor living were able to assemble their tents quickly. Ellie was finished first, closely followed by Ryder. Their tents were stable, taut and well put together. Moses was next to finish, then Chase and Alex, each of their tents functional, if not as good looking as those constructed by Ellie and Ryder. The canvas wasn’t as tight, the support lines not as tight. But they were still functional. Perrie’s tent was a mess. She had made a half-hearted effort to assemble it, moaning and complaining all the while about how dirty her hands were getting and how she had broken a nail, about how hungry she was and how tired. The constant whining was starting to grate on everyone so much so that Ryder helped her to get her tent up and secured. They had arranged them in a rough circle around the edge of the dusty road. Ryder had lit a fire using a few branches they had sourced from the trees at the edge of the safe zone, and they now sat around it, keeping warm and contemplating their next move. In the flickering glow of the firelight, shadows danced and warped their features into shifting, demonic faces of the beasts they would have to become to survive. Perrie had already started on her rations, and was noisily chewing on an energy bar. The others watched her silently in either pity or absolute disbelief. It was way too early to be dipping into such finite resources. The sun had fallen beneath the horizon line, and only a pinkish orange smudge of colour remained in the sky, which was breathtakingly clear. Chase had never seen so many stars. His skyline had always been the smog covered skies of New York. This was simply breath taking. He wished Ashley and Elsie were able to see it with him. He glanced across the fire and saw Alex looking at him, his expression, as always, impossible to read. He had a thin stick and was pushing the end into the base of the fire, letting it light, and then removing it until the embers died down. There was a certain calmness about the group, possibly because this was their last night of sleep and knowing they were safe.

“Has anyone heard about the last time they did this show?” Ellie said, addressing nobody in particular. She was staring into the flames, earphones finally removed.

“I’ve heard stories. Rumours mostly. Everyone knows them,” Ryder said, looking about the group. “I heard they have people here, genetic mutations warped by nuclear radiation. I hear they’re savages, brutal killing machines with a thirst for blood.”

Moses snorted down his nose. “Bullshit. There’s nothing like that out there.”

“Then what is old man?” Ryder shot back.

“Spirits of the dead. Supernatural things. Things that will make a man’s blood freeze in his veins. This island is a place between worlds where those unholy things exist.”

“Are you for real?” Ryder said, flashing a grin around the group. “You say mutants are impossible but ghosts are? You’re out of your mind, old man.”

Alex laughed. A single sharp bark of a sound. Everyone looked at him. In the glow of the fire, it was hard to tell if he was blushing, but Chase would have bet he was.

“What’s so funny?” Ryder snapped.

“You two,” Alex shot back. “Ghosts and mutants. It’s funny.”

“Like you know any better?”

“Actually, I know exactly what’s out there.” There was the faintest hint of a smile as he said it. Firelight danced in his eyes, making him impossible to read.

“Go on then, tell us,” Ryder snapped.

“Why would I ever want to do that? It’s the best advantage I have.”

“Bullshit. You don’t know anything.” Ryder tried to smile again, but it came out more of a grimace. He was worried.

Alex shrugged. “You believe in your mutants. I know what I know and I’m happy with that.”

“Until you die,” Ryder snapped.

“Or until you do,” Alex retorted, not missing a beat, showing no sign of fear. It was as if since arriving on The Island, he had grown where the others had shrunk back.

“Anyway, I’ve heard enough. I’m getting some sleep,” Moses said, getting to his feet and dusting off his pants.

“Me too,” Ellie agreed.

Perrie was next to go, complaining about mosquito bites and how bad she was starting to smell. Just Chase, Ryder and Alex remained. They sat in silence, the hiss and crackle of the fire filling the spaces where conversation was absent. It was then that they heard it. A roar, a distant sound rolling towards them from somewhere far away. Chase and Ryder leapt up, staring down out into the darkness, the black hump of the hilly terrain ahead contrasting against the bluish black hue of the sky. Chase had no idea how long he stood there, straining his senses and willing his heart to return to a more regular tempo. Ryder glanced at Chase, showing the real man behind the bravado. The whites of his eyes were showing, too much of them visible.

A whistle, a low happy tune. Something from an old show or an advertisement. Chase and Ryder turned to look at Alex. He hadn’t stood or looked panicked. He was still sitting on the floor, poking the end of his stick into the flames just long enough for it to catch, then lifting it out again. He saw them watching, stopped whistling then smiled, looking Ryder dead in the eye. “So much for your mutants.”

With that, he tossed the stick on the fire, stood and retreated to his tent, leaving Chase and Ryder staring out into the night.

TWO

The rain that had threatened came in overnight, barraging the tents. Chase couldn’t sleep anyway. He was too agitated by the sound he had heard. He wondered if Ryder was the same, tossing and turning and trying to process. One thing he was sure of though, was that Alex would be sleeping without a care in the world. Deciding he had endured enough of the most sleepless night he could remember, he unzipped his sleeping bag, pulled on his boots and unzipped his tent, grateful to be doing something other than lie there and wait. He expected others to be awake, but he was the first. The fire was a smouldering pile of wet ash and branches, the rain having long extinguished it. He looked at the other tents, eyes drifting from one to the other.

You could kill one of them right now.

He wasn’t sure where the little voice had come from, and liked it even less. It was a part of him that he didn’t know existed. He wondered if this was what survival instinct was, if this was that intangible thing that separates those who survive to those who curl up and die. Even so, the thought horrified him almost as much as the idea that he hadn’t entirely dismissed it. He looked at Perrie’s tent, a pale yellow dome of canvas set back a little from the rest. He had a knife in his bag. They were all given one, part of their survival kits. It was a big knife. Sharp. Serrated down one edge, and then curved at the tip into a sharp point. A real, honest to god hunting knife. He could do it quick, keep it painless. Slit her throat; cover her head with something so he didn’t get blood on him. One in six becomes one in five, and in turn the odds of his daughter’s survival would increase. He had turned back towards his tent when he snapped out of it, feeling repulsed. Could he really be such an animal that he would kill an innocent girl in her sleep? He didn’t think so. Not yet anyway. Shaken up, he walked a little way down the path, staring at the terrain ahead and knowing that whatever they had heard roar was out there somewhere. As he stared, unable to shake the dark direction his thoughts had just taken, he wondered if he might actually deserve to die.