Island by Jermey Michael Henley (novels to read txt) 📕

If hell were honestly a place, Jonathan was there now. He knew it when he stepped off the boat onto the deserted island. Out of only four winners in Marengo County, he wins the cruise. He doesn't even like cruises. Fourteen months out of the Navy, and he finds himself on a ship, again.

He had entered a contest on his favorite radio station, hassled into by his best friend Jeff, unknowingly, the outcome would be a cruise to the Bahamas. Dear God, he was a retired Master chief Petty Officer, for Christ' sake. Even worse, he hadn't been near the sea since the day he retired. Try to tell that to captain of the cruise ship, who wanted an “all exclusive” meeting with Jonathan. Shit.

Jonathan was afraid he may have been in trouble, since when the ship obviously hit an invisible rock, and suffered hull damage, he didn't run to the aid of the people. Now, stranded on some island in the middle of the Atlantic, that evidently no one has ever heard of. Knowing that Jonathan had top class navigational skills, he felt G.I all over again. It didn't feel as bad as he made it seem. He actually enjoyed it a little. Just a little.
~
Once he finally came to terms with himself, Jonathan moved to the bow of the ship, where now, the Captain and a few other men were standing. A young Marine with his wife, who had been on leave and took a vacation, walked hastily towards Jonathan. “Harridan sir, Private, U.S Marines, heard you were a Leatherneck yourself. Thought I’d meet with you to figure out a game plan. I'm at your disposal.” He seemed a little uncomfortable talking with Jonathan at all. Sensing the tension, Jonathan looked at the wife, and said, “Marine, stay with your wife. If I need a strong back, I'll call on you”.
“Yes, Sir. There are a few Army boys over there, and a National Guardsmen, believe he's a radio tech, or a Signal Op. Not sure if that helps, but thought you should know.” he said, with a grin. Jonathan just wanted to know why they weren't telling the Captain of the ship. He bet his pride wouldn't be to forthcoming after he heard about all of this bullshit.

Moving hastily, Jonathan found the Captain puffing foul smelling Tobacco, from what looked like a 19th century pipe. Jonathan quickly got to the point.
“Looks like the life boats need to be readied, has this action taken place, or do I need to get it into gear?” The captain, whom Jonathan now knew as Bwond`ear, from the nameplate on his jacket pocket, looked at him with dismay.
“I should warn you sir, they are exceedingly ponderous and abominably astronomical in size. A man who should find himself consenting to mickle with such things, should know this.
“I know about life rafts Captain, thirty years at sea does that to you. I just want to help, that's all.” he said with enthusiasm.
“Well”, the captain said, “If you would really like to assist, please help get the people in order. We will make land in the life boats and afterwords, we will try to repair the ship. Is this in your area of expertise also?” Jonathan knew this was not the work where he would shine.
“I worked as a sauceboat mechanic for a while, but nothing like this. I intend to find someone who does know a bit about this situation. Maybe one of the Army guys over there can help me with this.
~
It took an hour to ready the life boats, and the ship had taken on a lot of water. Jonathan knew they needed to get off of this boat. The best thing about the situation at hand, was that, this was a private cruise of only two-hundred people.
Jonathan found a loudspeaker and started giving instructions. Astonishingly, people actually listened to him. “Alright, all the women and children first, then the men. If I find any trouble with this, you can be last. Thank you so much. Single file lines please!” Jonathan shouted over the clarion of people. He wanted everyone to be safe.
Minutes after he took use of the loudspeaker, almost everyone was off the vessel. He was proud of himself. Almost. He would be riding with the three army guys and the Captain. Everyone was talking about what surprises the island may hold, Jonathan was wondering what happened to the captain going down with the ship routine. What a coward, Jonathan thought.
Making it to the beach of the island was a hassle. Everyone was splashing around, not knowing what was in this water. Could've been anything, the Atlantic was very unexpected sometimes. Kids mostly were just happy to be out of harms way, right now. Mothers and Fathers were trying to use there smart phones to figure out where they were at. But, Jonathan knew. He wasn't sure he should disclose this information at this time. Just keep everyone out of the woods, Jonathan thought.

He didn't want to tell them anything, but he knew it would probably be beneficial, because they would all be able to do their part. It was too much for the Women, but the men would become angry with not knowing. Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time, before everyone realized the truth. This "deserted" island, was not as deserted as they believed.

As everyone stepped from the life-boats, Jonathan began to realize that there were more children on the Cruise ship than he had anticipated. Most were old enough to fend for themselves. Jonathan guessed they were between Eleven and Fourteen. There were a handful of younger children. He would make sure he kept an eye on these.
Everyone was paying close attention to there surroundings. Jonathan noticed the anguish on the faces of the parents. He could tell who didn't have kids. Jonathan began to group everyone up. “Okay, We will need volunteers to forage for food and for shelter. You can break up into groups of seven. Every group should equally take part with watching the children.” A tall, lanky man in the back, stood up and cleared his throat, “Well, mister, I'm not sure who makes you boss, but I was a Boy and Eagle Scout for 20 years. I think I can handle some shelter and making some weapons-”, the man stopped and looked at all the children,”I meant I could make some tools, to hunt with.”
Jonathan looked at him in amusement. “Okay Mr. Boy scout-”, The man shot a glare at Jonathan. “My name is Jake, Jake Long. You? What exactly makes you the King of this small island?” Jonathan's face turned red with anger and anguish. “Name's Jonathan. And how about your entire lifetime, I spent in the Navy AND Marines. Is that good enough?”
“Good enough for me Sir”- said one of the Army guys standing near the ocean.
“Okay”, Jonathan began, “I believe the best vegetation and stuff will be closer to the water. Captain, go with these 6 here and find some food.” Jonathan said this as he pointed to one of the Army boys, and his girlfriend, and some friends they had invited. Jonathan saw that his name tag said “Gilcrest”. “Sargeant Gilcrest is it?” Jonathan said reluctantly.
“Yes, sir. I'll make it my duty and responsibility to bring enough back for everyone.” he said excitedly. “Sounds good to me. Head to the east. Seems the tide is safer over there.
“Alright next group, I don't care who, just go find as many palm branches and strong pieces of wood, and begin building some shelter. I'll stay here with everyone else building a fire pit and some other things. But, above everything, stay safe people. And again, extra attention on the chi-”. Before Jonathan could finish his sentence they heard an explosion that seemed to come from the middle of the island. Everyone was in dismay as they looked to Jonathan for answers.
“What was that derisory noise?”,the captain said while walking from spilling his bowels on a small tree. Jonathan, with a smirk on his face, replied, “Well, Cap, there's only one way to find out.”

~
After leaving one of the other military guys to start the fire and things, Jonathan trekked to the edge of the forest, which sat in the middle of the island. He wasn't sure what to expect, exactly.
He thought about the last time he had seen this island. His commanding officer, in the spring of 1985 had said it was “Full of demons, and if anyone ever found themselves deserted on it, they should go ahead and expect the absolute worse” . He spoke like a man with experience, which really made Jonathan happy about going in alone. He honestly thought he was losing his fucking mind.
He couldn't believe he was honestly being curious. He heard one of his most influential heroes choke up when he talked of the island. This may end up being a “curiousity killed the cat” situation. Jonathan looked through the brush of the palm and pine trees. Pine trees were a good sign, meaning there was fresh water somewhere close.
Jonathan didn't realize until now, how galactic the island really was. It was absolutely gargantuan in size. He walked through the forest with reluctance, not really knowing what kinds of animals to expect. He stumbled uopn a few dig spots. He knelt down to get a closer look at them. Realizing animals didn't make them, Jonathan jumped up and hid behind a tree. Grabbing his Bowie knife, he sarted his mechanical breathing taught by the Navy Seals. He didn't know who was on the island, but obviously, they weren't aware that anyone else was here. Jonathan was a very accomplished Marine and Navy Seal, but he wasn't stupid. He would leave the Captain with everyone later, so he could take those army boys with him. They would clear this island if that what it took for safety. All of a sudden Jonathan felt very cold and shaky. He looked down and realized there was an odd shaped dart, jolting from his side. He began to crawl towards the