The Island

I had read that the boat went down south of the big island of Hawaii. I knew the area well and after a quick call, found out that they had survived. They had sunk not far from there. Their vacation had been timed for March twenty-third as an eighteenth birthday present for her. I winced as I thought of what they must be going through. That island was off limits to strangers, for good reason. If things went as planned then they would definitely need help getting home. And right now, I was the only one who could make that happen. If things didn't go as planned, then my trip would be for nothing.

'This is so fucking crazy' I thought to myself as I slipped the last rope off its mooring and guided the sailboat out of the marina. I knew I had to try, they were friends; and although there were years separating us, their oldest had secretly stolen my heart. I had to hurry though, time was a factor now. It had already been a week that they'd been there.

It took two weeks to sail down. Both were uneventful so it made for long days of watching the rolling ocean with long nights of reading by lamp light. Favorable winds and a guidance system I had designed meant I could sail during the day and use the engine at night, albeit slowly. Sleeping while sonar and radar guided the boat was dangerous but I had faith in my creations. Moving past Hawaii's big island she came into view. Strange, I thought, how so easily visible she was yet no one from outside the island knew she was there. Gliding into the hidden channel that lead to the bay I marveled again at how well this place was hidden from the world. The palm trees seemed seamless from this vantage point. Even being from the island, if you didn't know it was there you would miss it without taking the time to explore the coast. Rounding the final bend I could see locals gathering and watching. I ran up the flag I swore I'd never use again and watched as their wary stares went to cheers. The young prince was coming home.

The island looked as I remembered. The port had grown a little but didn't look out of place for an island. A little further in the main market was still bustling with people trading for things they wanted or needed. There was no money on the island so people worked to help each other. Nobody went hungry and everybody was happy. A short distance away to the right was the village. Houses were permitted but nothing over one story. That was the rule from day one. The jungle had been cut back further than I remembered. I guessed with increasing population came the need for more wood to build, and farmland for crops. Off a little further sat the royal compound. Still not over a story tall but spread out for a few acres. The east wing edged close to the shoreline and that was where I was headed. My old room was there.

A royal guard was waiting for me when I stepped off the boat. Clasping arms with the commander I just smiled. He hadn't aged and was still as tough as iron. His return smile set me at ease and we walked to meet the king, my brother, as some of the guards unloaded my belongings and the provisions I had brought. Rechargeable batteries were always needed here and a way to charge them. I had made sure to bring enough for another eighteen year absence just in case.

I learned that although much had not changed, other things had gotten weird in my absence. More magic about the island had been discovered and the elders were working on unlocking the secrets. For normal news he informed be that the population had expanded by just over fifty percent since I had left. Eighteen years would do that to an island population of four hundred. I also learned the island had visitors from a boat that had sunk off the island three weeks prior. That was what I was waiting to hear. My heart skipped a beat at the news but my face never betrayed my feelings. If they were here my plan would work, but life as I knew it would be over for me.

"Brother! You've come home at last! Are you here to steal my throne?" Rob had always thought he was funny but with this joke, he scared his royal entourage.

"If I had wanted it I would never have left, brother," I replied. "How's the kingdom without their favorite prince?"

I smiled as I joked with him. I missed him. It had been years since I had left to go find my own way and with only sporadic chats on a satellite phone, it was good to see him in person. He didn't look a day older than he did on the day I had left. A long hug between brothers and we sauntered off to talk alone.

Idle chat of the kingdom; crops were good, people were happy, trading with the other islands was growing, everything was normal. I returned that my girlfriend and kids were doing fine as well and that the job was keeping me busy. He knew why I had come but formality made me have to ask. Brother or not he was still the king.

"I've come for the family that got lost. They are friends and I'd like to take them back home." I didn't go to one knee but I did make sure that my tone said I was asking and not telling.

"Done. They are yours. But it will have to be done by our traditions," the king replied quickly.

"You're not going to make me ask in front of the council?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"Ah little brother, we both know the outcome of this adventure. I have put a plan in motion that will facilitate it," Rob replied.

I feared as much but was prepared for it. Now I was going to have to sell it to her parents.

"How'd you find them?" I asked.

"A trading party was returning to the island as they were sailing past. They tried to warn them of the unseen dangers but he didn't listen. I don't think they knew what they hit. We pulled them out of the water but they were unconscious when they got here. Fortunate for us," he replied.

"Were you able to salvage anything from their boat?" I asked further.

"Nothing of value. A few odds and ends to add to our collection but besides their clothes, nothing they would be able to keep," Rob said.

I just nodded. Eventually I asked "Are they happy?"

"They've wanted to leave for a while. I'm sure seeing your boat come in has given them hope that they could get off the island now," he replied.

That was the plan I thought to myself. "Still no planes coming and going?"

Rob looked at me to say that he knew I was being funny but answered anyway.

"Nope. We built this place to get away from the world. We don't want visitors." He didn't need to remind me but I was glad to hear it.

20 years ago we had bought the island together. Our parents had just passed away and we decided we needed a change. We created a haven from the world and invited people who wanted to get away and just live without the troubles of the world always being shoved in our faces. We tried several different methods to ruling but all caused chaos. We settled on having a king and set about creating the system of governing that was in effect today. The king ruled all but there was a council for different matters. Most of the day to day was handled by them. If they ever deadlocked or there was a matter they didn't feel comfortable with the king would step in and decide. His word was final. On an island this small though, very few things needed him to intervene,

"You know you're asking me to destroy my life back home," I reminded him.

"These are our laws. Laws you helped design, may I remind you. You knew that before you came back. And in the eyes of the people we cannot be seen as breaking laws for outsiders." Rob's tone was firm.

Honestly, even though my other home life was at stake, I knew he was right and I agreed with him. I was trying to live two lives and now they had come crashing together. There was no way to avoid this. Not without destroying myself.

"Let me get some rest and get my legs settled. Two weeks at sea has made them wobbly. I'll see you for supper and afterwards we can figure out how to deal with them," I said.

"Thank you little brother. I know what this is costing you. I've done my best to hold off the disaster here but your new home life will be up to you. At least you'll still have your children," Rob whispered to me as he gave me another hug.

I had tears welling as the cost of what was about to happen was immense but hurriedly blinked them away. Unfortunately the cost of not doing it was more. Four lives saved for the price of four being upended was what I was facing. Death for four or upheaval for four others. I knew what I was doing. My girlfriend on the other hand could not see this coming.

Back in my room again everything was still the same. I half expected dust to be coating things but it seemed Rob had made sure to have them tidy it up before I arrived. We had spoken just after I read of the accident and told him I would be there as soon as I could, weather permitting. Throwing open the doors to the deck outside, I let the breeze wash over me for a few minutes. It smelled just as I remembered. Better even because now it wasn't just a memory. A quick shower and a change of clothes and I went for a walk along the beach to reacquaint myself with the island. What I was about to do was going to keep my very busy and I wanted some time to feel my real home before I descended into the nightmare I was sure this was going to be, taking her and her family with me.

Seated on pillows around a low table, serving women came and went with food and drink. Rob sat at the head of the table, me to his right. Council members sat along both sides and everyone was talking and laughing. It seemed the return of the prince had made the place just a bit happier.

"I guess my memories have faded, I don't remember our clothes being so revealing from when I was last here," I said to Rob as a serving girl knelt down to refill my cup. Brown eyes kept her gaze on her duty even when her ample chest threatened to spill out of her top.

"Eye candy for the council, I suspect. But even so, it helps with our plans for the island. You can sell things better if they're in the front window," Rob replied.

Crude, but correct I thought. Rob never did beat around the bush. He was direct and to the point.

"Are you sure you want to give this up Richard?" He asked with a grin.

"I already did Rob. This is just a visit," I replied.

The faces around had helped start this place. They all had family and friends here and the idea behind it had morphed into what we had today. The system we had designed worked. There really was no king as far as the council went. We had made sure that decisions were made together. But for newer members, born here and being raised, they were never told of this part of the past. The story we had created was taking a life of its own. It was why any outside interference had to be dealt with quickly.

"When they spoke of their homeland I put the connection together. Your phone call confirmed it. It's been difficult to keep the council at bay but a few of the elders understood. I knew you were coming and asked them all to wait. The parents have been given jobs tending the sick and injured. They help as best they can. The girls have been sequestered in their room, the large one with the garden. Many of the boys have been showing curiosity and I wasn't about to entertain those kinds of ideas." Rob said all this slowly and under his breath just for me. I nodded slowly so he knew I had heard him.

Our laws stated that outsiders who showed up here were sent out to die in the jungle by themselves. There was no way off the island and we had set this place up to not be discovered. If we were, it was dealt with quickly and quietly. Any evidence that they had been here was removed and destroyed. Boats were dismantled and burned in fires. Electronics were taken apart and plastic and metal parts were melted down. The odd item would be salvaged like chargers and such, but they were kept locked away in the royal compound and only taken out when needed.

With supper over and the elders leaving for their homes, Rob and I sat there talking until the moon rose well into the sky. I filled Rob in on what life was now like in the outside world. He was amazed by how much things had changed in the twenty years since we had started this place. Standing we walked silently to the garden off the dining hall, just watching the stars. Light from the torches flickered off to the side but the lack of electric light revealed the night sky. There was a bit of electricity from the solar panels but that was reserved for devices that were seldom used. The only one that was constantly charged was the satellite phone, and that was really just for me. I missed this so much.

"The parents are in the west wing in one room, the girls are across the hall in the other. You can't miss them," he said to me. "Good luck Richard. But for all our sakes, please get this done as soon as possible. We've already pushed the limits here."

We looked at each other long and hard. We both knew the stakes and he was right. It was just so damn hard to destroy your life like this, even if it was to save four other lives. I could leave before they found out I had come, letting Rob deal with them by our laws, but that would destroy anything good in me. It wasn't a real option. The only path forward was the one I was on. Time to help my friends.

Guards snapped to attention as I walk through the west wing. I stopped counting how many times I told them to be at ease. They all just smiled and said yes sir, and straightened their backs anyway. In front of my friend's door I paused. Gathering my inner strength I took a deep breath and knocked gently. Time to do this.

I could tell Chris had been sleeping when he answered the door. His eyes went wide when he recognized me. As I entered the room Charlene came out of the bedroom. Without a word she crossed the space and threw her arms around me. Soft sobbing was soaking my shoulder and Chris started asking a million questions. Calming both of them I led them to the sofa. There they sat watching me as I explained that I was sure it was their boat that had sunk. I told them of what I had done to get here and ended with informing them that I was indeed the prince they had heard returned.

"So you can get us off this island and home then," Chris more said than asked.

"Yes. But I need to explain a few things to you about the laws here," I replied.

They sat in silence, listening carefully, both amazed and a little fearful.

"By our laws you should have been sent away already. Most likely you'd be dead by now. I know the ways here are not compatible with your western beliefs but we aren't playing by western beliefs here. This is their world and we need to do things by their rules," I explained.

I refrained from telling them anything more than necessary. I couldn't tell them I had helped design these rules. They would try to find a loophole, or ask me to create one for them. I couldn't do that to the island.

"You were kept alive because the king understood that the town you're from is my home as well. When he found out our relationship he took the chance that I would come find you. That's the only reason you're still here. The only reason why your girls are still here. He's kept the council at bay for three weeks now to give you a chance to survive. In order to get you off the island we're going to have to sacrifice things. Things that will cost us all greatly." My tone had gotten softer as I finished.

Charlene looked at me with a dark gaze.

"Haven't we already sacrificed enough? We're stuck here with no way home and our girls are prisoners in their rooms. We barely get to see them. Everything we brought with us is at the bottom of the ocean. If we don't get off this island then our lives as we know it are over. What more could we possibly have to sacrifice Richard?" Her voice was desperate, and I could hear the pleading in it.

"Charlene, laws here are specific for outsiders. The only way you will be allowed to leave is if you are family to someone here. Then it can be considered a state visit. You two are married. There's only one other option," I said quietly.

"You want us to marry off Ashley?" She asked and not quietly. "Then how would she get. . ." her sentence trailed off as realization hit her. "She is to marry you, that way you can bring her home as well. This is why you came."

Their faces went blank. When they had finally been able to make sense of what I was explaining I saw their hearts break. Chris went from livid denial to accepting it then back to denial so many times that I thought he was going to have a heart attack.

"Look I know the laws here. I knew them before I left to come find you. We may not like the choices but it's what we have to deal with. If we don't, and I mean if we don't soon, then all four of you die. I know exactly what I am giving up by doing this. My girlfriend, my kids, the rest of my life are gone from me, but you and yours will have a chance," I said in a slightly hurt tone.

"What kind of chance? You're talking about changing Ashley's life and destroying all her future plans," she yelled.

"And what of your plans for your future? What of Erica's? Getting you home right now is all that's important to me. We have been friends for a long time. I've watched your girls grow up. You've watched mine grow as well. I am sacrificing all my future plans as well. Their paths are going to be forever changed by these actions," I yelled back.

Her tone softened a bit. "How long?" Charlene asked.

"How long for what?" I replied.

"How long must you stay married to my little girl? Can we get this annulled when we get back home? And what of relations? Are you to take advantage of my daughter while you're married to her?" she growled at me.

"Two years. We must be man and wife for two years before we can ask the king for a divorce. The ceremony to divorce is usually done here on the island but there is a formal request that can be done for those that leave. And yes, relations are a part of the marriage ritual. If the marriage is not consummated then both parties are punished. And because there's an outsider involved the punishment is death for both who are married," I replied.

"But you're a prince!" Chris screamed.

"Even a prince is not above the law Chris. If anything, I am held to higher standards than most. I have to uphold the laws to show the people. Otherwise this all falls apart," I said softly.

"Then let it. I don't want you and my little girl having sex," he screamed.

"Not just sex. Children. We have to be married for two years in order to produce offspring," I countered.

Charlene rose violently and stormed off to the bedroom slamming the door behind her.

"Chris. Think about this. Four lives saved. You get a grandchild out of it. And I am not the worst fellow in the world to have as an in-law. If we don't do this, then you four will be sent to your deaths. I can't keep you alive if you're not willing to go along with this." He started to mutter something but trailed off. I knew I had gotten through to them; they just needed to come to terms with it.

"One more thing Chris, your daughter is eighteen. Legal age is eighteen on this island. She makes up her own mind. We can not force her. She has to do this willingly. But that also means you cannot prevent this if she agrees."

"I hate you right now. Please leave," Chris said rising from the couch.

"Hate me all you want, I know this isn't what you wanted for her life. But I didn't sink your boat and send you here. I'm just trying to keep you and your girls alive. Good night my friend." I said and closed the door behind me.

I stopped before I knocked at their door. They would be asleep and I needed their parents to talk to them first. This would be a huge shock and it would be best if it came from loved ones instead of the man who would be viewed as the bad guy. I informed the guards that sooner rather than later the parents would be trying to get in to see the girls and that from now on, they were all allowed to move freely between rooms.