Stranded(12)

Grant didn’t understand her logic, but he had to admire her tenacity. He looked at his friend with a sigh. “We have to help her, Rafe. She’s going to hurt herself, and frankly, I think she’s not coping with this situation well.”

“Neither am I, my friend, but you’re right. If the three of us work at it, maybe we can still salvage some of the daylight.”

They walked over to India, who was still struggling with the body. Grant gently nudged her aside. “We’ll help. Just tell us the spot where you want him.”

She pointed to a tree behind them. “Under there.”

Grant lifted Ralph’s body under the arms and Rafe took his feet and they carried him to the spot indicated.

India knelt beside the body and started digging a hole with her hands, focused on her task. Grant knew they wouldn’t be able to dig the hole wide or deep enough to put Ralph in before nightfall, but as he began to help her dig, he finally understood. Giving Ralph a proper burial somehow connected them to civilization.

They may be on a possibly deserted island, but participating in this act gave them a connection to the outside world. Grant didn’t know how long they were at it, but it was well into the night before the three of them finished with the hole, placed Ralph in it, and covered the body.

None of them spoke for several moments until India finally broke the silence. “Does anyone want to say a few words about him?”

“I didn’t know him, or his real name for that matter, but he seemed like a friendly guy when I talked to him briefly at the airport,” Grant offered.

“Do you know the Lord’s Prayer?” India asked.

Grant’s upbringing gave him no reason to believe in a god, but before she’d died his mother had taught him when he was a boy. He wasn’t religious, but did consider himself spiritual. “I know it, but I haven’t said it in a while.”

“And you, Rafe?” India questioned.

“Bits and pieces.”

She nodded, seeming satisfied before taking Grant’s and Rafe’s hands in hers. “We’ll say it together.”

In unison they recited, “Our Father…”

By the end of the prayer, Grant was actually glad India had prodded them to do this. It felt right.

India stood up then with a shiver. “It’s gotten cold, and it doesn’t help that my clothes are still a little damp.”

“It’s probably too late to start looking for supplies, so we should look for someplace to sleep tonight. When I did a little exploring, I spotted a cave not too far from here. Looks like we’ll have to huddle together to stay warm,” Rafe suggested.

“That’s probably a good idea,” Grant agreed.

India didn’t say anything, but she followed Rafe’s lead to the shelter.

The cave was dark, dank and had an odd smell. Grant frowned wondering if it could get any worse. Almost as if he’d had some strange premonition, it started to rain again. It was followed by the crashing sound of thunder. The three of them went deeper into the cave.

“I hope we’re the only ones in this cave. I’m not fond of the idea of being bear food.”

Grant could only make out India’s silhouette in the dark, but she sounded frightened.

“This isn’t the right climate for bears. Wild boars maybe, but no bears,” Rafe said.

“Gee, that’s reassuring,” India snorted.

“I think if we weren’t alone, our hosts would have made their presence known by now,” Grant assured her. “Come on, let’s get some sleep. We’re going to need all the rest we can get. How’s the head, by the way?”

“Not as bad as before, but it still aches a little. I think by morning I should be fine.”

They found a spot on the ground that wasn’t too rocky. As suggested, they huddled together for warmth, with India in the middle.

Grant was bone tired, but the ground was hard and uncomfortable, not to mention India’s curvaceous rear rested against his crotch. He willed his cock to stay down. He could have turned away, but didn’t want to draw any attention to himself.

Here they were, survivors of a plane crash, not knowing when or if they’d be rescued, and he was trying to fight off his horniness. Grant was uncertain about their future on the island, especially when he didn’t know how he’d get through the rest of the night.





Stranded





Chapter Four


India stretched her arms over her head and lengthened her legs as far as they’d go in an attempt to alleviate the tension in her tight muscles. Her bed felt harder than usual, and there was a dull throb in the back of her head. Suddenly, she realized two solid bodies were pressed against hers, one of them lightly snoring.