This story is for persons of eighteen years or over. All comments, good or bad, are welcome and all will be answered.
Part Nine
It was on this day that Carlton made an error. They'd got their water as usual and had breakfast as the sun came up.
Do you mind if I go fishing again today?' Smith asked. I rather enjoyed that.'
`That's fine by me because I had an idea last night about the water pipes,' and he told Smith who said that it sounded good. So instead of taking the first watch at the pool, sent Tiki, now when, during her two hour stint, nobody from the other side came for water, it didn't arouse any suspicions with her, so nothing was said or done.
Carlton went down with the three for fishing, that being Stacey and Pearl again with Smith. Carlton had taken the knife and at the beach, they parted, and as they began to try and catch fish, Carlton walked along the sand at the water's edge up to the ridge to where the plane's undercarriage was embedded. He looked and found what he had hoped.
Still there and attached were the hydraulic pipes that serviced the brakes. These he severed with the knife as close to the couplings as possible and finished up with four lengths of pipe that if they had been joined, would measure nearly sixteen feet.
Unknown to him, the four from the eastern side had approached the ridge to see that the fishing expedition was going on as the day before. As they were, they began to filter into the trees to get into a place of ambush when King suddenly froze, holding out his hand in a warning to stop and flapped it indicating that they went to the ground.
He had seen Carlton at the undercarriage but didn't know what he was doing or really care.
It's him!' Drew hissed, Carlton! Shall we go for him? Four to one.'
No,' King hissed back. If we go for him the other three will get away. If he stays with the others we have a chance of all four. We carry on as planned,' and so they moved away from the beach, moving slowly so as not to put any of them on the alert. Of course while doing this, didn't see Carlton finish his task and return to the fishers. Smith was on the beach keeping an eye on the water for sharks while Pearl watched the tree line.
Well I've got the pipe,' he said triumphantly and gave over the knife to Smith. This he would need to clean and gut the fish they caught. I'll get back and start to clean these. See you back at the shelter.' With that, he left the beach taking the same route that they had come down and passed ahead of the other four slowly making their way towards this very path.
Shit!' King whispered, catching a glimpse of Carlton disappearing up the path. We've missed him,' and he took a quick look down towards the beach to see the other three still there. He reconnoitred the path and chose the site for the ambush. He placed all on the one side, their side as it were and they waited, spears in their hands ready to be thrown at King's signal.
They were a good thirty yards up from the beach and therefore were not noticed by Pearl who was concentrating more on just the treeline. The fishing had been done, the catch cleaned and gutted and a thin creeper pushed through the gills for carrying them.
Smith led the way with Pearl behind and Stacey bringing up the rear. They were caught unawares with King only using his hand as a signal and with it flashing down, four spears were launched at the three on the path.
One sliced Smith's upper arm as another bounced of his shoulder bone. Pearl took one clean in the throat knocking her off the path while the fourth one missed Stacey completely. Smith gave out a cry as he was hit and Stacey shrieked as a spear whistled past in front of her face and dropped the fish. Pearl made no sound as she went backwards into the bushes at the side. With their spears thrown, King and his men beat a hasty retreat crashing through the trees and underbrush.
Smith let out a roar and plunged into the bushes in pursuit with his spear raised high. Stacey fumbled with hers but was soon behind him trying to catch up.
James!' she screamed at his fast disappearing back, James! Speed traps! Stakes!' and as he began to slow down she shouted again. `It could be a trap!' Even in his fury and murderous rage, he heard and understood what she had shouted, or rather screamed, and he slowed down.
`They're getting away,' he said bitterly, the sounds of flight receding as she stopped next to him panting.
Yes, but they could be luring us on. We've got to see to Pearl, I think she's hurt. I saw her go down. Oh,' she had just noticed his bicep, blood now running down his arm. You've been hurt too. Let's get back! We can deal with them later and can pick where to do it.' He saw the logic to what she had said and so he agreed and they hurried back to see to Pearl.
They came out onto the path further up from where they entered but by going back down towards the beach, she could see where the attack took place because of the fish she had dropped. Smith saw one black foot amongst the bushes off to the right and parted them and then stood back and let them spring back covering the sight he had just seen.
Stacey!' he said, turning and gripping her arm, his face having gone white. Run up to the camp and say we need help with Pearl.'
`Let me see if I can help her,' Stacey cried, trying to shake free from his grip.
I'll do it!' he hissed fiercely, his grip even tighter as he turned her round and began to push her up the path. Go! Do as you're told,' his eyes blazing and she was frightened and he released her arm, leaving a red mark from his tight grip and she began to run up towards the shelter. She must be hurt bad, was the thought in her mind, sobbing as she ran.
With Stacey out of sight, Smith, grim faced, went through the bushes. He'd seen dead people before, Carol being the last one, but never one that he had once made love too. She was lying on her back, eyes open but blank and this wooden spear sticking up out of her throat. It had obviously pierced or severed the jugular for the copious amount of blood round her neck, throat and chin. The irrelevant thought of Stendhal's book Le Rouge et le Noir crossed his mind seeing the startling contrast of the deep scarlet blood against the blackness of her skin.
He pulled the spear from her throat and cast it aside as he knelt down and closed her eyes and then he gave a few sobs though his eyes stayed dry. He was still kneeling down beside her when he heard the others coming down the path.
With their spears thrown, it was seen that two of their targets were still standing so they turned and ran through the trees and brush towards the east. They'd only brought one spear each so it was felt better to run and fight another day. They heard Smith roar and knew he would be after them which lent them wings to their feet. They couldn't hear what Stacey had screamed out but knew that it had stopped Smith from pursing them so they were able to slow down and they only really felt safe when the crossed the low ridge inside the tree line.
That was great!' Drew said as he threw himself down on the palm leaves of their shelter. Did you see the nigger go down? Pow!' his eyes were shining over the thrill of the kill also realising that he had an erection over the act just like he had when they suffocated Carol.
`One down, seven to go,' King said, puffed up at the nemesis of Pearl. Six, Liam mentally corrected, him also thinking of Carol, but he didn't say it out loud.
`Do you think they will counter attack?' John asked.
`It's possible so we'd better be prepared. You and Drew can take
first watch. Liam find some more wood so that I can make more spears. We've only got two left.'
John went into the trees to the north and Drew went towards the west, both not going far and while hidden by the trees, Drew was able to get rid of his erection while thinking of the attack.
Stacey was crying as she ran up the rough path, branches and saplings catching her body and, without her knowing, had her panties torn off in the process.
Someone coming,' Judy called out, and fast by the sound of it.'
`Stand by with spears,' Carlton called out, grabbing two as Tiki and Judy quickly picked theirs up, Toni now being up at the pool on watch.
`It's Stacey!' cried out Tiki as her figure burst out into the clearing thirty feet away. They all noted her nakedness immediately and rape came instantly to Carlton's mind. They saw the scratches to her arms, stomach and thighs and the fact that she was crying.
Help, we need help,' she cried when she saw them waiting with spears to the ready. Pearl's been hurt. They caught us,' she sobbed as she came up to Carlton and fell into his arms, tears blinding her as he held her, feeling her shake.
`Where's Smith?' he demanded, almost roughly.
`He...he's looking after her. He sent me to you for help,' her sobbing now beginning to ease feeling Carlton's strength, making her feel safe now.
`Is she hurt bad?' Judy asked anxiously.
`I don't know. He wouldn't let me see her,' Stacey replied. Judy and Carlton exchanged looks.
It must be bad,' Judy said. I'll get the medical box,' and went into the shelter.
Tiki! Go and get Toni and meet us down the path,' he ordered. carry your spear and be careful.'
`Yes Bob,' she answered and with her spear in hand, trotted off towards the pool.
Right, let's go,' said Judy, medical box in one hand, spear in the other. You've lost your panties too,' she remarked to Stacey.
Oh,' she exclaimed as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. I didn't notice.'
`We might find them on the way down,' Judy said. Carlton handed Stacey a spear and the three of them set of towards the beach.
They hurried down but Stacey was still able to tell Carlton about the ambush and the reason for getting James to stop the pursuit, asking if she'd done the right thing. It was, he told her as they approached the spot where the ambush had taken place.
The three of them saw the sole of Pearl's foot and Carlton made the two girls stay on the path as he parted the bushes to see Smith still kneeling down alongside Pearl's body. He put his hand on Smith's shoulder and called out over his own.
`We don't need the box Judy,' his voice low but he was clearly
heard.
`Oh no!' Stacey cried out, her hands going up to her face as she started to cry again and she slumped down onto the ground and cried. Judy had tears spring up too and so she sat down and held Stacey and they both cried together. Carlton then saw Smith's arm and helped him rise and pushed him out of the bushes.
`Here Judy, you've at least got one patient,' Carlton said, pushing Smith to sit down. Judy looked up and saw his arm and began to stifle her tears as she opened the box and began to clean Smith's wound. He too was covered with lots of scratches but it was the spear gash that she saw to first. She had just got the bandage on it when Tiki and Toni came hurrying down the path.
`How's Pearl?' Tiki asked, a little out of breath.
`Dead I'm afraid,' Carlton said quietly.
`Oh no!' both her and Toni crying out together, now understanding Stacey's crying and Judy's sniffing.
`What do we do now then?' Tiki asked, fighting back the tears.
`Bury her,' was the succinct answer.
`So soon?' Toni cried.
`Well we can't leave her here in this heat. It's uphill to the shelter and the beach is closer. It's got to be done so we might as well do it now and get it over with,' Carlton said quite fiercely in a voice that brooked no argument.
Oh, I think these are yours,' Tiki said to Stacey holding out the shredded panties. They're not fit for wearing I'm afraid.'
I'll take them,' Carlton said, holding out his hand. I have a use for them,' and got a strange look from Tiki as she handed them over. He went back through the bushes and did what he could with them to cover up Pearl's split open throat.
`When you're ready, Smith, Judy. We'll get her out of these bushes and down to the beach.'
They almost had to drag her body out of the bushes and onto the path, the girl's now starting to cry again when they saw her body for the first time.
Cut it out! Cut the crying we've got work to do. You can cry back at the shelter later,' his voice rough and shaking, for he too was close to tears but didn't want it to show in front of them. Come on, let's now carry her,' and he went round to the front and put his hands under her shoulders as Smith came to one side and Tiki the other while Judy and Stacey picked up her legs as she was lifted. They could only move at the speed of Carlton walking backwards and it took them a good ten minutes, with a few rests on the way to where they had buried Carol.
They had laid their spears on Pearl's body as they carried her and now they picked them up and waited for Carlton to say what they had to do.
`Two to dig and four to keep watch,' he said as he put his spear down and began to dig in the sand with his hands. Judy dropped down opposite him and began to dig too. After fifteen minutes, Smith and Stacey took over and later it was Tiki and Toni. Palm leaves were used to lift the sand out of the hole as it deepened and just over the hour Carlton deemed it deep enough.
They laid Pearl in the grave as gently as they could and began to cover her body with palm leaves.
It wasn't that long ago when Pearl said the Lord's Prayer over Carol,' Judy said quietly. Who's going to say it this time?'
Carlton instantly saw the superstitious thought that lay behind the question and spoke up before anybody could remark on it.
We'll all say our own prayers in our own way,' he said brusquely. I think we all loved her and are sorry to lose her this way and so soon in our love. We will not forget her and we will avenge her. Let her spirit be with us and guide us to this end so that she can sleep in peace.'
`That was a lovely prayer and one I think she would have liked so I'll say amen to that,' said Toni, tears running down her face. The others then all said amen in turn and gently dropped a handful of sand onto the covered body of Pearl before they then began pushing the sand back onto her last resting place.
They stood there silently for a minute or two after they'd finished and smoothed out the sand.
I must bring down the cross I made for Carol,' Carlton said to break the silence, and make another one for Pearl.'
With that, they picked up their spears and slowly moved down the beach, their backs to the ridge and followed the path up through the trees, changing course a couple of times so that they wouldn't leave a beaten track to their shelter.
On the way, Stacey picked up the fish but angrily threw them into the bushes where Pearl had fallen. It was in silence that they trooped up and into the shelter and cast themselves down on the palm leaves, each locked into their own thoughts.
I wish we still had the vodka,' Smith muttered. I could do with some of that now.'
`Yes, it's a good antiseptic,' Judy said, opening the medicine box and getting out the iodine and some cotton wool. She had sat down next to Smith and began to see to his scratches and indicated that Stacey came over to be treated too.
It's my fault,' Smith intoned, clearly Pearl's death had affected him. I
should have been more careful.'
You did what you could,' Carlton said. An ambush is an ambush. It could happen to anyone and we'll see that they walk into one very soon,' he said as he put his arm on Smith's arm. It was a strange feeling for Carlton to feel a certain attachment to this man now when he had only been on that plane to watch and observe him, see where he went, what contacts he made when he got to Australia. He'd already surmised why he had stopped over in Pago Pago, the cannery!
Carlton's brief in London was that he was being lent to the American Drug Enforcement Agency for this purpose. On leaving the army he had joined the police force and was in the department that liaised with Customs and Excise in the attempt to curtail the smuggling and dealings of drugs in England. The American D.E.A. knew that most of their operatives were known by the Mafia and that is why they had asked for help from the British in this particular operation. Pietro Callini was one of the younger son's of a Godfather and was looking to open a supply line into Australia for their accumulated drugs that they received from Colombia.
James Smith was an alias for this Pietro Callini.
Carlton, which was his real name, had followed Smith from Chicago and out to Samoa at the behest of the D.E.A. because he was British and unknown to the Mafia. The visit of Smith to the cannery had led him to believe that, with Samoa being an American Territory, they would be able to ship goods to there without any real problems. By learning the shipping movements of the canned tuna from Pago Pago to Australia would help them to use this route to get their drugs into Samoa and out onto the Australian market.
His main job was to find out who he contacted in Australia and would be handling the receipt of these drugs that they would eventually be smuggling in, via cans labelled as tuna from Samoa.
The Americans knew that this was going down but with the co-operation of the Australians, were letting Smith run so that they could then net the whole lot at both ends.
But with this plane crash and them being stuck on this island in what was now turning into a battle of survival, the drug issue and the whole reason for being where he was, was of little consequence compared to what they now faced. They were allies now and had come to rely on Smith to help him fight against King who it appeared was out to destroy them for he knew that he would never be able to control those who were now west of the ridge.
So where his job had been to seek and eventually destroy Smith, he now needed to keep him alive to be able to stay alive himself.
She was a lovely woman,' Carlton said, with his hand still on Smith's shoulder. I loved her too and we will avenge her, that I promise you.'
Judy then saw to Stacey's cuts and scratches, using only the iodine and told them both to go and lay in the shelter. It was a miserable afternoon and evening, no one bothering to talk or fancied eating and all turned in early for the night. Carlton held two women in his arms that night but it was for comfort only.
King's shelter didn't get much sleep that night, nor for the next two nights because of standing watch on watch for the attack that never came.
Carlton's shelter slept and when Carlton himself woke as he usually did before sunrise, wasn't surprised to see that Smith was missing. All he could hope was that he wasn't being too precipitous in what he was attempting in avenging Pearl's death.
Smith had left the shelter about an hour before Carlton woke up, making his way down to the beach and over the ridge. From there, he moved like a shadow to get as close as he could to where he knew their shelter to be. He hid himself to watch their movements from the moment of waking, their toilet habits and other things. He observed them for three mornings and noted that one, Liam, performed his bowel evacuation quite some distance from the others and so planned that he would be the one to suffer for the death of Pearl. Carlton tackled him on his early morning disappearances and was satisfied on the answer and after three such morning forays, had come up with a plan.
Carlton didn't quite like it but agreed to help in the execution of this execution of said Liam. The girls had for a week now been making ropes out of the creepers that abounded on the island and he asked them to join them together so that he could have one at least eighty foot long.
This was no problem as they had enough made that by joining several of them together would be of that length. He'd already found the tree he wanted to use and Smith could do no more to improve what he wanted to do. It was then set up for the following morning and when Smith woke them all up, they set off about an hour before sunrise.
They went down to the beach and crossed the ridge and made their way to the other side of the eastern shelter. At the tree that Smith had chosen, he stopped and taking one end of the rope, scaled the tree and passed the rope over a fork and with the girls and Carlton holding the other end, came down with the other end in his hands. To this end he fixed his own making of a noose and made sure that it slid easily through the knot. He pulled down enough for his purpose and told the girls what they had to do when he called out.
So with the girls and Carlton in place, he settled down behind some bushes and prayed that he had enough slack for the purpose and then waited for sunrise.
He couldn't have picked a better place for about ten minutes after sunrise, Liam came out from the shelter area and stopped just a few feet from the hidden Smith and he cleared and made a small hole in the earth. He turned his back to the bush, dropped down his tattered shorts and squatted.
Smith rose up and dropped the noose over his head and pulled it tight round his neck and shouted out the one word for action.
`Now!' he cried, and hung onto the noose as Liam had already started to squirm at this rope round his neck, and hung on till the rope tightened. Then he let go and followed Liam as he was dragged along the ground, his fingers trying to free his neck from this strangulation.
The girls, assisted by Carlton at the cry from Smith had pulled on the rope and began to run with it, pulling Liam who was at the other end. Smith stood then with a smile on his face as they reached the tree that the rope had been passed over and saw Liam hoisted high up until he could go no higher. Carlton saw that when the rope became taut, it was to be tied off round another tree and any remaining rope cut off for them to take back. With this done, they then made their way round to the east to make their way back to their own shelter. Smith had said that he would find his own way back.
Meanwhile, he watched as Liam was hoisted up the tree and then he hung there, twisting and contorting his body as his fingers scratched and dug into his neck to try and release the rope to breath, probably realising that he was being hung and the last thing he saw was the grinning figure of Smith below, watching him in his death throes. He stood to one side as Liam began to defecate and then with one last look at the hanging man, turned and disappeared into the trees.
King and the other two had been alerted by the cry of the word "Now" and had grabbed their spears and formed a group of three facing outwards expecting an attack from whatever quarter. They stood, tense and alert but became puzzled when after several minutes nothing had happened. They began to shift about awkwardly, not sure what they should do, especially Drew and John. They were waiting for King to make a decision and so they just shuffled about until they began to irritate them.
`Okay. Spread out and see what that was all about,' he finally said. They all moved out cautiously and stopped every few steps to listen for any movement before carrying on. They were so slow and prudent, that the other group were almost at their shelter when the body of Liam was spotted.
`Oh Christ!' said John, falling to his knees, being the first one to see Liam's body slowing twisting as the creeper rope began to minutely unravel. Beneath his contorted face, the fingers of one hand had almost torn half his throat open and were still lodged in the noose as he had tried to loosen it.
`Oh shit!' Drew exclaimed.
Fuck it!' came from King. The bastards got to us! Cut him down, he might still be alive.'
I don't think so,' said Drew. Not with the shit down his legs, he's dead.'
`Cut him down anyway,' he screamed.
`You've got the bloody knife, you cut him down,' John shouted back, the first time one of his men had ever talked back to him, especially in that tone, but he said nothing for it was right, he was the only one with a knife. He walked round the hanging man and found the rope that held him up and sawed through it, letting Liam fall ignominiously into a heap on the ground. Then he strode over to John and waved the knife under his nose.
`You've got the hands, bury him!' he snarled, and stormed off. King was seething that they could get that close. He couldn't afford to trade one for one for they were now three against seven, or so he thought, he still hadn't been apprised that Carol was dead. He cursed both her and Toni for their desertion because it would have balanced up the sides with one dead on either side. He reasoned that though the ambush they had laid had achieved complete surprise, they had only killed one out of three, so it hadn't changed the balance with the hanging of Liam. It would be very difficult to mount another ambush with them now expecting such a thing and so he had to think hard of some other way to wipe out the western group.